Search Called Off for Missing Cliff Diver

The active search for 26 year old Larry Larivee of Thunder Bay is over for the moment.

Police say OPP divers were unable to find any sign of Larivee at the McKenzie River falls location where witnesses say he disappeared last week after he dove in off a cliff.

Police say some areas of the river are just too dangerous to search and will be reassessed once water levels are lower.

City Approves Demolition Permit at Old Abitibi Mill Site

Another landmark on the old Abitibi mill site on 9th Street North will soon be disappearing.

The Old TMP building is scheduled to be torn down over the next few
weeks.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the owners of the property were not just able to find a tenant for the building.

The city's economic development officer, Jennifer Findlay says City Hall has issued a demolition permit for the TMP plant on the former mill site and work is expected to begin shortly.

OPP Officer Finds Out Next Month Whether He'll Stand Trial

A Kenora OPP officer will find out next month whether he will have to
stand trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.

A three day preliminary hearing wrapped up at the Kenora Courthouse last
week for Constable Roy Bender.

He was charged by the Ontario Special Investigations Unit last fall in the
death of 42 year old Gloria Assin.

The Grassy Narrows resident was riding in the back of an OPP cruiser when it was involved in an collision with a transport at the intersection of the Kenora By-Pass and the Redditt Road.

Justice David Gibson is expected to decide if the matter should go to trial
on July 12th.

Taxi Companies Appeal for Rate Increase

Another plea to raise taxi rates in Kenora.

Co-Ot Taxi has made a second deputation to council asking
for the hike.

Eric Lovas from Co-Ot says taxi drivers are having a hard time making
ends meet thanks to increased gas prices and insurance premiums.

Mayor Dave Canfield says because they've already rejected a rate increase this year, they won't be able to deal with the issue again until next year.

SMB Expansion expected this Fall

A sod-turning ceremony for the new expansion at Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys is expected to take place in the fall.

Phylis Eikre is the director of Education with the Kenora Catholic District
School Board and says they are just finalizing the plans for the six classroom addition.

She says they are also working on some contingency plans for students
who might be affected by construction work.

Eikre says SMB might lose some of its play-ground area during construction so they will be working with Pope John Paul to ensure students have a place to go for recess.

OPP Advise on Life Jacket Use

OPP want to see people wearing their life jackets while on the waters this summer.

The laws currently only requires life jackets to be readily accessible on a vessel.

Constable Jim Davis says there have been three drownings in northwestern Ontario this month this should be reason enough to wear them.

The fine for not having a life jacket or personal flotation device is 200-dollars.

OPP Commissioner Ready for New 3 Year Term

OPP commissioner Chris Lewis says he's looking forward to another
three year term at the helm of the provincial police.

Lewis was re-appointed by premier Kathleen Wynn earlier this month.

Speaking in Kenora last week, Lewis says he's not ready to retire just yet.

Lewis has already completed one three year term as Commissioner of the
OPP.

UNESCO Defers Decision on Pimachiowin-Aki

The Manitoba and Ontario governments say they will keep going with their push for a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At its annual meeting in Cambodia, UNESCO's world heritage committee deferred a decision on the large stretch of Boreal forest along the inter-provincial boundary.

The committee has asked Canada to refine its submission.

UNESCO advisory groups have raised questions about whether the area is unique enough to warrant a world heritage site designation.

It will be at least another year before the committee makes a decision.

Province Assembles Committee To Look At Jury Rolls

A top Northwestern Ontario Aboriginal leader will co-chair a panel that will oversee tackling the crisis facing First Nations in Ontario's justice and jury system.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief Alvin Fiddler will lead the committee.

Fiddler hopes that with his first hand experience he will be able to contribute significantly to the discussion.

Fiddler will head the committee along with Irwin Glasberg, an assistant deputy minister.