Second-Degree Murder Charge

Provincial Police and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police are investigating a death in Fort Severn First Nation. A NAPS officer was called regarding a serious assault that happened at a home in the community on Wednesday. A woman was taken to the nursing station and died from her injuries. She has been identified as 24-year-old Georgina Stoney. Police say 19-year-old Tommy Miles Junior has been charged with second-degree murder.

NOMA Weighs In On Throne Speech

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is giving thumbs up to the Speech from the Throne.  Canfield was invited to take in the speech on Parliament Hill yesterday.  He says the real highlight for him was getting to meet with members of the federal cabinet afterwards. Canfield admits the Throne Speech was short in specifics, but says some of the issues raised, like skills training will help both the mining and forestry sectors in this region.

Dryden Police Axe Comm Centre Jobs

The Dryden Police Service is shutting down its Communications Centre in 2014.  The Centre will close on March 31st subject to Ontario Civilian Police Commission approval and will be run by the Owen Sound Police Service.  Chief Rob Davis outlines one of the reasons behind the move.  The decision will result in the loss of 9 full time and 4 part time positions.

Police Looking For Honda Prelude Driver

City Police are looking for the driver of a silver Honda Prelude after it rear ended a stopped school bus Thursday morning.  The man who was driving the vehicle fled the scene, Police found it parked in a laneway a short distance away from the collision site on Peter Street.  Police are having a hard time finding the driver of the vehicle as he doesn't live at the address he provided to the Ministry of Transportation.  None of the children were hurt by the collision.

Police Release Crash Victim Name

Thunder Bay OPP are releasing the name of the 64 year old man who died after his vehicle hit a rock cut.   Peter Wright of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta was airlifted to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Police are continuing to investigate the Wednesday afternoon collision on Highway 11/17 near Sistonen's Corner.

NOHFC Gives Out 100-Thousand Dollars

Chelsea Rivalin

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is giving out over 100-thousand dollars in cash to two local businesses. Chelsea Rivalin owns Bindleweed Farm and says she's using her cash to help prepare her Nolalu farm. The funds helped purchase greenhouses, an irrigation system, farming tools and fencing.  Meanwhile, The Blue Door Bistro will use their share of the cash to hire staff and expand their operating hours.

Rafferty Not Impressed

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is not pleased with the Throne Speech. Rafferty is concerned with the lack of attention Northern Ontario received. He added that the promise of action once there's a balanced budget is likely not to happen.

Strasser Back As NOSM Dean

Dr. Roger Strasser is going to be the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's Dean until 2019.  He was reappointed at a meeting recently with his new term ending June 30th, 2019.  Strasser was the first Dean of the school and started in 2002.

MP Hyer Responds to Throne Speech

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer describes the Throne Speech as fluffy, but is happy with the protection of consumers it offers. That includes similar legislation to that of his proposed private members bills. Hyer proposed a passenger's rights bill aimed at airline companies and a cell phone bill requiring companies to unlock phones by request, free of charge.

New Gold Takeover Complete

A friendly takeover of Rainy River Resources is now complete. New Gold says it now controls all of the company's shares, completing a deal announced in June. Executive chair Randall Oliphant says he's pleased the acquisition is now complete and they can focus attention on advancing Rainy River's gold project north of Barwick. New Gold is in the process of completing a detailed review and update of the feasibility study as well as advancing the permitting efforts for the project.

Mayor Hobbs at the Throne Speech

Mayor Keith Hobbs is reacting to the Throne Speech made yesterday. Hobbs had a chance to meet briefly with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Mayor said that in their meeting Harper acknowledged that Northern Ontario was not specifically mentioned. He went on to add that it does not mean issues like The Ring of Fire and forestry will not be addressed.

Swedish Doctors Visiting NOSM

A group of medical professionals from Northern Sweden are visiting the Northern Ontario Medical School. The group is interested in learning what NOSM is doing to retain family doctors in the north.

Speech From The Throne

GG David Johnston

The Federal Government's Throne Speech makes a lot of promises. Governor General David Johnston read the "Seizing Canada's Moment" document Wednesday afternoon and says the Feds will work on improving the skilled trades sector by having workers credentials recognized between the Provinces and Territories. Johnston also mentioned the Federal Government's vow to improve First Nation's education on reserve and developing our resources in an environmentally friendly manner.

Driver Succumbs To Injuries

The 64 year old Alberta man involved in a single vehicle accident this afternoon has died in Thunder Bay hospital.  He lost control of his vehicle just before 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon hitting a rock cut on the opposite side of the road.  Highway 11/17 near Sistonen's Coroners was closed for over 2 hours on Wednesday.

Solar Panel Projects Complete

Thunder Bay Hydro's rooftop solar panel project is officially complete. The last of six City building's started collecting solar energy on Tuesday and officials held a ribbon cutting Wednesday.  Hydro President Rob Mace says the solar panels do provide some energy.  Panels have been installed on the roofs of the Port Arthur Arena, Tbaytel Work Centre, Mountdale Maintenance Garage, and Thunder Bay Transit Building.

Habitat Program Reaches 25 Year Milestone

Major Rob Kerr

The Salvation Army is happy they've been able to help offer housing to 34 people living with disabilities.  A 25th anniversary celebration was held on Wednesday at the Habitat Program's Pearl Street Apartment Building.  Major Rob Kerr says he's in awe of the longevity of the program.  Kerr adds if the program didn't exist the building's 34 residents might be homeless. The Social Services Board provides the funding for the program and Thunder Bay Housing owns the building.

Camp Quality Fundraiser Wednesday Night

There's a charity event for Camp Quality taking place at the CLE Coliseum Wednesday night.  Organizer Clara Butikofer says local participants will be peddling away on stationary bikes as part of the event.  13 teams are registered and over 100 people will be attending Wednesday's event. Ceremonies begin at 5:45....the fundraising goal is 18 thousand dollars.

Longlac Man Keno Winner

Longlac resident Andre Boulanger is 125-thousand dollars richer after playing in Ontario's Daily Keno draw. The retiree plans to save some of his winnings, but also spoil his daughter and grandson.

20 Ounces Of Cocaine Seized

City police are reporting the seizure of over 50-thousand dollars worth of Cocaine.  Over the Thanksgiving long weekend, police searched a West Arthur Street hotel and charged two men with possessing and trafficking cocaine. Staff Sergeant Murray Brown says they seized over 20 ounces of cocaine and just over six thousand dollars in cash.  35 year old Berkley Blake from Thunder Bay and a 38 year old Brampton man are facing the charges.

Education Minister Unveils Youth Job Strategy

The Provincial Government is touting its new Youth Jobs Strategy. Education Minister Liz Sandals toured Sir Winston Churchill High School today and unveiled the strategy. Sandals says they're spending over 200 million dollars will go towards creating four new funds that will help young people find work, build job skills and start their own business. Sandals is also holding a discussion today in the City with school board officials, students and other education representatives about the needs of students in Ontario.