Local MP's Offer Condolences

Local reactions are coming in following the death of MP and former finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says it was sad to see Flaherty's health deteriorate noting he saw him in pain during his last days working in the House of Commons.

Hyer calls Flaherty a one-man institution.

Meanwhile fellow Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says the news of the former Finance Minister's death came as a complete surprise.

Rafferty noted that Flaherty's career touched a lot of people.

The 64 year old Flaherty stepped down as federal finance minister last month after 7 years in the position.

He had been on steroids to help manage some health concerns.

Another Scam Circulating in NWO

A warning of a scam circulating all of northwestern Ontario.

People are getting phone calls asking for donations for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Officials say the calls aren't coming from the Health Sciences Foundation and they aren't making phone solicitations.

The Foundation is asking local residents to report such calls to local police.

Union Says Bearskin Restructuring Should See Jobs Restored

A union official is confident Bearskin Airlines will come out stronger after restructuring regional operations.

Michael Corrado of the Machinist and Aerospace Workers Association says the company's re-shuffling of services means all aircraft maintenance work is now taking place in Thunder Bay until further notice.

Corrado hopes the Sioux Lookout operations and the 11 temporarily laid off workers will be brought back online by the end of the year.

School Board Approves King George Renovations

A bit of a make-over for King George School this summer.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is planning to spend
about 1.2 million dollars on a renvoation project.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says that will include some landscaping
work.

Monteith says they plan to take some underutilized change rooms and turn those into
extra classroom space.

Renowned Psychiatrist Visits Public School Board

How love builds brains.

That was a key message last night has Psychiatrist Dr. Jean Clinton spoke to parents, students, and staff of the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

Clinton says strong relationships are important to learning.

Also during her trip she visited Evergreen school and held a video conference with staff from 16 schools across the board.

Kenora's Mining Sector Profile Released

Kenora is touting itself as a mining centre in the region.

Economic development officer Jennifer Findlay released the city's mining sector profile this week at the Northwestern Ontario Mines and Minerals Symposium in Thunder Bay.

Findlay says the mining profile has been getting great feedback from attendees at the meeting.

Other highlights include labour force, existing companies, and prospective new businesses.

NDP Demanding Review of Mining Safety

The NDP is asking the provincial government for an inquiry into mining safety.

That after a miner was killed in a Sudbury area mine over the weekend.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says a legislative committee is doing a review, but hardly anyone knows about it's consultations.

Labor minister Kevin Flynn says a public consultation session will be taking place in Marathon in May.

Energy East Consultations Continue

It looks as if the proposed Energy East Pipeline is running into some opposition following public consultations on the project.

The Council of Canadians hosted an event in Kenora this week and Chair Maude Barlow says she has seen how the publics opinion can influence a project like this.

She says ultimately they would like to make Energy East a federal election issue.

Public consultations will be held across Ontario, ending in Cornwall April 16th.

Heartbleed Bug Shuts Down CRA website

You won't be able to e-file your tax returns for the next little while.

The Canada Revenue Agency still has its website shut down over security concerns.

The precautionary move is related to the "Heartbleed Bug" - a newly discovered software that can swipe passwords and your personal information.

In a message posted online, the agency states it has temporarily closed its services site "to protect the security of taxpayer information."

The agency will provide daily updates until the situation is resolved.

Final Winter Market Moves to Rec. Center

Another great season for the Matiowski's farmers market.

Saturday marks the last winter market of the year.

Crystal Stokes in the city's special events coordinator and says the turnouts have been fantastic.

She adds that because they have the Festival of the Arts on at the Discovery Center, the Market will be moving to the lower level of the Rec. Center.

Saturday market is at the Rec Centre from 10 until 2:30.

Broncos Win Senior Badminton Title

Beaver Brae took top honors in the seniors division of the NorWOSSA badminton championships.

The Broncos won the overall points trophy, while Atikokan claimed the junior crown.

As far a medals go, Beaver Brae won a pair of gold in the junior division, with Teale Iverson taking top spot in the single girls grouping, while Jonathan Houlden and Eric Nelson won the junior boys doubles.

Not to be outdone, Thomas Aquinas also claimed a couple of gold medals, with Chase Laffin
and Emma Wehner winning the junior mixed doubles crown, and the team of Jorden Olsen and Ryan Landon winning the senior boys doubles event.

Overall, the Broncos claimed six medals, while T.A. won four.