Health Unit Warns Of Outbreak

The Health Unit says Lakehead Manor is currently experiencing a respiratory illness outbreak on the fourth floor that facility. All admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities on the fourth floor have been cancelled until further notice. Visitors are restricted to family members and caregivers only.

Red Cross PSW's Get New Deal

Personal Support Workers with Red Cross in Thunder Bay are getting a new contract. An arbitrator issued a new contract for the workers. The SEIU union says the new deal is an improvement from the previous tentative agreement.

LU Alum Shortlisted For Mars Mission

A former Lakehead University electrical engineering grad says he has made it to the short list for a Dutch mission to colonize Mars.  Zac Trolley, who now lives in Calgary,  says it's a dream he's had since childhood.   The 31 year old says he's one of 75 Canadians on the short list of over 1 thousand people worldwide  for the Mars One project in 2025.   He says there will be an interview process which will eventually whittle down the candidates to about 25 to 40 people.  Trolley says he doesn't look on the trek as a suicide mission, but as a one way ticket.

Sioux Lookout Stolen Vehicle

OPP are asking the public to help find the person who stole a vehicle from a Sioux Lookout driveway.  The suspect than drove the vehicle southbound on Highway 72 and crashed it into the ditch. Another motorists driving by at the time observed several people at the collision scene, but was unable to identify any of them. Police believe the suspects were picked up by another motorists and driven back into Sioux Lookout.

KI Worried About Moose Survey

The chief of a remote First Nation says the province needs its permission to do an aerial moose survey. KI Chief Donny Morris says he opposes a survey the Ministry of Natural Resources expects to conduct around K-I this weekend, including on the community's traditional territory. Morris says he doesn't trust how the MNR will use the results. He fears the government will use the survey to inform residents that there's not enough moose to hunt.

McPherson Funeral

Some high profile people will be attending the funeral for Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson. The funeral is being held Saturday at the Couchiching First Nations Arena. Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy will be present. Premier Kathleen Wynne, though won't be in attendance. McPherson's death, meantime, has prompted a delay in the band's nomination meeting for this year's elections. A notice issued by the band's electoral officer says it will now take place January 23rd. Elections for the chief and six councillor positions are slated for March 6th.

Hwy 11 Open

Highway 11 is now open after being shut down for a period of time overnight following an accident involving a tractor trailer unit.  The highway was closed 7 kilometres east of Nipigon.  There were no injuries in that mishap.  

Shelter House Soccer

The Provincial Government is providing 28-thousand dollars to Shelter House to launch a street soccer program. Program Coordinator Ken Miller says the program is meant for people who are homeless or living in poverty but welcomes anyone to take part.  Miller says anyone who wants to take part can call him at Shelter House.

Busy Day At LU

Lakehead University is signing a deal today with Fulbright Canada's Foundation for Educational Exchange. The agreement will see an American research chair study sustainability in a variety of areas at Lakehead University.  Meanwhile, students from 11 countries will be studying at Lakehead University this semester.  The international students will take part in orientation events this afternoon. They hail from Venezuela, Iran, Sweden, Nigeria and Brazil as well as other Countries.

City, Belluz Farms & LA Quality Foods Get Cash

The City, Belluz Farms, and LA Quality Foods are all getting money from the Provincial Government and the Greenbelt Fund.  Greenbelt Fund Vice President Kathy Macpherson says 210-thousand dollars will be shared between the three organizations for projects that will increase access to fresh local food. The City will use the money to provide more local food in their long term care homes and child care centres.