Highway 17 Fully Open

Ontario Provincial Police say Highway17 on the north shore is open.  It was closed most of the day between Nipigon and Marathon because of weather related issues.

Meeting Set For Northern Mayors

Lobby efforts for a one-on-one meeting to discuss property assessments in northern Ontario have finally paid off.  The Northern Mayors Coalition has secured a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance in Toronto on Monday morning. Mayor Craig Nuttall says several communities withholding payment to the province's assessment office may have been the turning point

LU Clinic Has Full Time Dr.

The Sports Medicine Clinic at Lakehead University now has a full time doctor. Dave McKee says he's happy to take on a position that he's always had a fleeting interest in having worked with alpine and world cup skiiers.   Dr. McKee comes to LU from the Emergency Department at the Regional Hospital.

Prostate Cancer Fundraiser Back For Another Year

Organizers are gearing up for the 13th annual Bell Motorcycle Ride for Dad this June.  Spokesperson Ted Ciotucha says the event not only raises money for the Northern Cancer Fund but also awareness about Prostate Cancer.  The ride will take place at the Victoria Inn Saturday, June 15th.

Big Coke Bust In Kenora

Police in Kenora are sitting on a sizable seizure of cocaine.  They say 7 kilos of the contraband, worth an estimated 750 thousand dollars, was discovered after they stopped a speeding vehicle on the Trans Canada Highway in the community yesterday.    A 26 year old man from Pickering is charged.

Police Seize AK-47 In Bearskin Lake FN

A resident of Bearskin Lake First Nation is facing police questions after a prohibited assault weapon was found in his home.  Police say the discovery of the AK-47 and two high capacity magazines was made after a raid on the house yesterday.   So far police have not charged the 57 year old man.

Highway 17 Closed At Marathon & Terrace Bay

Highway 17 is closed near Marathon this hour as several transports are stuck on Angler's Hill.  OPP say sanders are en route to assist the vehicles that are unable to move due to slippery road conditions.  The highway is closed eastbound at Terrace Bay and westbound at Marathon while police try to get the transports moving again.

Atikokan General Gets $

Some provincial dollars for the Atikokan General Hospital.MPP Bill Mauro has announced 606-thousand-dollars that will go to fund a Regional Chief Information Officer for two years. This project supports the creation of hospital eHealth plans that align with regional plans. It's part of a 20-million-dollar commitment to help small and rural hospitals in Northwestern Ontario.

Adam Leon Free & Clear In Canada

Former Confederation College student Adam Leon is  free and clear.  An Ontario Superior Court granted Leon an absolute discharge in relation to an incident where a Cessna was taken from the college flight school and flown into the United States.  His lawyer Neil McCartney originally asked the court to treat Leon's case as "double jeopardy" since he was already charged and served time in the United States.

Council Round Up

The corner of Mountdale and Gore is going to be home to a pet store and apartment units.   City lawmakers are allowing the new developments.   Planning consultant Don Manahan is representing the developer and says the proposal shouldn't have any negative affects on the area.  There is no one in the neighbourhood who is objecting to the plan.  Meanwhile, City Councillors are giving thumbs up to a new upscale 6 unit apartment complex on High Street.   One of the developers, Esther Seargeant says they believe they have answered all the neighbours concerns.

Golfing Fee Idea Shot Down

Golfing fees are not being reduced at Municipal Golf Course this year.   Councillors have turned down a proposal to bring down fees to 2007 levels, an idea which Councillor Trevor Giertuga thinks it's a guaranteed money loser.  Giertuga called the proposal asinine.