Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Flavoured Tobacco Remain on Market for Youth

Legislation to stop their sale is in place, but that's now stopping many Ontario youth from having access to flavoured tobacco products.

A new study finds 57-thousand grade 6 to 12 students admit to using the products.

Director of Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco Michael Perley says companies have found loopholes to continue selling the product.

Perley says while the rate of use in Ontario is lower than other provinces, it still translates into health risks for far too many kids.

Bruce Cockburn Talks Environment

An environment message from Bruce Cockburn as he travels through northwestern Ontario.

He's helping the group Environmental Defence with its campaign to remove toxic chemicals found in many common household products.

Cockburn says its an issue that impacts everyone.

Cockburn performed concerts in Dryden, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Fire Prevention Week in Kenora

Making sure it's not to hot in the kitchen.

It's fire safety week and the theme this year is prevent kitchen fires and get cooking with fire safety.

Larry Cotham is a fire captain and says they will host private extinguisher training sessions.

Cotham says kitchen fires are the number cause of fires in Ontario.

OPP Set to Create New Building Model

A new billing model is being created by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says the model is needed to level out the varying costs of OPP service.

Canfield says the model would come with a base cost and would allow municipalities to customize services to match their specific needs

He adds it is a needed process to level out policing costs throughout communities province wide.

Something northern leaders have been fighting to get for 12 years

2 People Face Charges for Driving Offenses

Dryden Police have a 25-year-old Thunder Bay woman in custody after a vehicle chase early Sunday morning which started  in Dryden and ended in Ignace.

Provincial Police helped by setting up a spike belt to stop the vehicle, and one cruiser almost went off the road during the chase.

As a result, Anita Lawson has been charged with several offenses including impaired driving, dangerous driving, assaulting police with a weapon and running from police.
Meanwhile, A Thunder Bay man charged in connection with the city's second murder of the year is due back in court in a week.  

32 year old Sheldon Yesno made a brief court apperance Monday.  

He's been charged with Second Degree Murder in connection with last week's death of 38-year old Richard Vrastak who died from injuries he sustained after being hit by a mini van on South Algoma Street. 

Stdent Services Consortium Plan Evacuation Drills

The Northwest Student Services Consortium is planning bus evacuations drills for all the communities they serve.

The first day of drills gets underway tomorrow in Dryden and Vermillion Bay.

On the 18th drills will take place in Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout Ignace, Upsala, and Pickle Lake.

The Kenora and Sioux Narrows drills will take place on the 30th.

Parents will receive letters regarding the drills before they take place.

KDSB Working to Dispose of Social Housing Units

Another step in the possible closure of social housing units in Dinorwic, Hudson and Minaki.

The Kenora District Services Board has approved a motion to submit a request to the provincial government to dispose of the properties.

The 44-units are under utilized and deteriorating.

Officials say it will cost $2.5-million to maintain the current standards next year and cite additional heating costs.

The KDSB report to the province does include replacement options for the current tenants.