Thursday, February 11, 2010

Armed threat on reserve

A young male faces a long-list of charges following an incident on the Mishkeegogamang Reserve, northeast of Sioux Lookout.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police responded to a call about an armed suspect who threatened to shoot another individual.

The suspect fled in a vehicle and was latter nabbed by officers with assistance of OPP.

The accused faces 5-firearm and weapon related charges as well as uttering threats and theft over 5-thousand dollars.

He is in custody and will appear in Pickle Lake Court next Friday.

Sulphite Study

The effects of sulphate on Canada's lakes will be the subject of an upcoming study to be conducted at northwestern Ontario's Experimental Lakes near Kenora.

Researchers from York University are teaming up with others including Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Officials say the results of their controlled experiments could provide information about how the increased use of road salt is affecting lakes in the province’s central and northern areas.

Kenora Community Clubs

Good news for Kenora's community clubs.

City council has agreed to spend an additional 38 thousanddollars this year on the four outdoor skating rinks.

Councillor Dave McCann says part of the funding isfor their annual operating costs and the rest is formuch needed repairs.

Community clubs will be eligible for up to six thousand dollarsin operating grants this year, up from four thousand lastyear.

Ontario Colleges Possible Strike

The frustration level for students at Ontario's 24 communitycollege students has just gone up a notch.

Results of a strike vote by their teachers is too close to call.

Faculty, represented by the Ontario Public Service EmployeesUnion, voted 51 per cent in favour of accepting management's offer.

But the union says the margin was only 210 votes, and with 300outstanding mail-in votes that could tip the scales.

The official final vote won't be known until after a review ofall the ballots by the Ontario Labour Relations Board and thoseresults may not be known for up to 10 days or more.

The instructors had already set a Feb. 17 strike date, but if theoffer is ultimately rejected, a new strike date will be determined.

Fire Hall Concerns

Work is continuing on the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill, but at least onearea resident is concerned about the project.

Mark Barnaby lives just north of the construction site and says he'sworried about where water will drain off once the building is complete.

Barnabe says he's willing to take legal action if the city doesn'taddress drainage issues and conduct a Storm Water ManagementPlan.

McMasters Back

One time principal and school board trustee Jack McMaster is returning to the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

McMaster will be taking over as the public board's Director of Education.

McMaster will be relocating to Dryden sometime in March.

McMaster is currently the Director at the Rainy River District School Board.

Rainy River trustees are planning to hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the resignation and how they'll replace McMaster.