55 Year Old Man's Death Not Foul Play

OPP are continuing their investigation into the death of a man at a residence at the Elizabeth Street Manor in Fort Frances. Police are ruling out foul play in the cause of death. Dead is 55 year old Derek Pollard.

NAPS Continue To Investigate Fatal Fire

The cause of death in a fatal house fire in New Osnaburgh First Nation is pending toxicology reports.  A post mortem exam was conducted at the Kenora Hospital on Sunday, the I.D. of the deceased cannot be officially confirmed until the return of DNA testing.  Due to the extent of fire, the Ontario Fire Marshall is unable to determine the exact cause of the fire.  Nishnawbe Aski Police are continuing their investigation of the event that occured last week.

Missing Teen Found

Thunder Bay Police are thanking the public for helping them find a missing 15 year old girl. Orlanda Chickekoo was reported missing Wednesday and found safe Thursday.

Trans Support Collective On Federal Bill

The head of Thunder Bay's Transgender Support Collective hopes the Federal Government will do the right thing and pass a private member's bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgendered residents.  Transgender Collective Organizer Aiden Kivisto says whether or not the Federal Government passes the bill it's still a positive step in the right direction.  MPs are currently studying the bill; if the bill clears this hurdle it will head back to the Commons, where it must pass two more key votes.

Flood Relief Fund At Almost 1.2 Million

After 6 months of fundraising the Disaster Relief Committee has raised almost 1.2 million dollars for victims of the May 28th flood. Spokesperson Wayne Fletcher says they're pleased with the amount raised so far but notes the goal is still 5 million dollars. Fundraising will continue until January 31st.

Warm Weather Coming

Cold weather is about to give way to above average temperatures as we head towards the weekend. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says a warm front in advance of system coming in from the prairies is expected to give us highs of plus 4 and plus 2 on Saturday and Sunday.   Coulson says the warm air associated with this system is coming up from the southern United States.

Rafferty Meeting With Resolute

More answers about Resolute Forest Products future in Fort Frances could come tonight. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he and MPP Sarah Campbell will be sitting down with company president Richard Garneau in Toronto. Rafferty says he also hopes to pose a number of questions forwarded to him by mill workers, including one pertaining to a suspected offer to buy the plant.

World AIDS Day

Thunder Bay's local AIDS group is marking World AIDS day Friday.  The actual awareness day is December 1st, but the local group will be holding their public event Friday morning at the Victoria Inn.  Spokesperson Bob Manson says they want to keep spreading the word in Northwestern Ontario that AIDS is a preventable disease.  Manson adds a huge number of Thunder Bay residents are involved with fighting AIDS and HIV in Africa.

Shelter House Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign

Thunder Bay's Shelter House is looking to raise 200-thousand dollars in the month of December for it's Christmas fundraising campaign. Executive Director Patty Hajdu says that's a slight increase from the previous year's fundraising goal. To donate to Shelter House phone them, drop off money in person or by mail or stop by any TD Canada Trust location.

Three Hurt In Accident

Police say charges are pending after three people were sent to hospital following a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Secord Street and Dufferin just after 10:00 o'clock this morning.
It's alleged that a car on Dufferin drove into the intersection before it was safe to do so and struck a van that was southbound on Secord Street. The two female occupants of the van were taken by ambulance to hospital with minor injuries. The male driver of the car was also taken to hospital by a friend to be checked out.

Back To Square One

Public high school teachers and the Lakehead District School Board are being forced back into bargaining by the provincial government.   It comes after the Ministry of Education rejected the tentative settlement reached last week between the two sides.  Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says teachers jobs actions are back on.  She calls it part of the negotiating process and they will manage things as they can.

Accident Slows Traffic On Water Street

A three vehicle accident is forcing traffic southbound on Water Street to be closed. The accident occurred at around 7:00 o'clock this morning. Water Street is closed between Park Avenue and Pearl Street as fire trucks have it blocked off while they tend to the occupants. An ambulance was also called to the scene as was city police. More details are expected later in the day.

High School Teachers Set To Resume Job Action

Any talk of labour peace by local high school teachers could be pre-mature. Public high school teachers may be about to continue with their job action. This after a Lakehead District Public School Board release stated the Ontario Secondary Teachers Federation was re-instating job sanctions immediately.