State of Emergency Updated in Thunder Bay

The Emergency Operations Control Group in Thunder Bay is updating the city's state of emergency. 

Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson says the flood situation has moved to the top of the agenda for tonight's council meeting where they will be asking for a half-million dollars in initial cash to help set-up the City of Thunder Bay District Relief Fund.

In other flood news, Manager of Infrastructure, Darrell Matson says he hopes one of the main pumps at the water treatment plant will be operational today.

Meanwhile Lakehead University announced 160 residence beds will open to those displaced by the flooding.

Currently there are more than 300 workers associated with the flood staying there.

Black Out, Speak Out Today

For the second time in three days local residents are speaking out against the federal government's Bill C-38.

The omnibus bill includes not only the federal budget but changes to the Environmental Protection Act.

Today is Black Out, Speak Out Day, and Ashley Bennett says she's trying to raise awareness of the impact of Bill C-38.

A number of environmental groups are blacking out their web sites and
Facebook pages in protest over changes to the Environmental Protection Act.

Transfield Takes Over Local Road Maintenance

There's a new tenant for the Abitibi lands on 9th Street North.

Transfield held a ribbon cutting for its operations in Kenora.

The company has signed a 12 year deal with the provincial government to provide road maintenance services in northwestern Ontario, with June 1st the takeover date.

Transfield is using a paved portion of the Abitibi property as a staging area for its road maintenance equipment.

Former Ohio Mayor killed on Lake of the Woods

A published report in the United States suggest one of the men killed near Kenora over the weekend on Lake of the Woods was a former mayor of the City of Sylvania, Ohio.

71 year old James Seney was on a week long fishing trip with some old high school friends.

The other man has been identified as Robert Foster.

They were killed when the boat they were in crashed into shore Saturday night near Ash Rapids.

A third person was injured in the collision, and is listed in stable condition.

Sylvania is a suburb of Toledo, Ohio.

Two Americans Die in Boating Accident

Three people are dead following to separate accidents in the Kenora over the weekend.

Saturday night, the OPP say two American Visitors were killed after the boat they were travelling in crashed into the shore near Ash Rapids.

A third person had to be taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment.

The identities of the decease have not been released, but reports from Ohio, say one of the men was the former mayor of the city of Sylvania.

Winnipeg Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

A 58 year old Winnipeg man is dead following a  single vehicle accident near Clearwater Bay.

The OPP say a motorcycle went off the Trans-Canada Highway near Caribou Lake around 8:30 Saturday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Kari Valenius.

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The Highway was closed for a couple of hours while officers took a close look the accident scene.

Kenora Rallies against Bill C-38

There was a noisy demonstration in downtown Kenora Saturday afternoon.

A couple of dozen people marched in opposition to federal budget cuts.

Jim Johnson says they are concerned about the impact Bill C-38 will have on local services.

Johnson says he also takes issue with the decision to close the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora.

Ontario Health Council Speaks Out against Budget Cuts

There's concern how recent budget cuts are going to affect local services.

Not one, but two events were held Saturday to protest budget cuts at the federal and provincial level.

The Ontario Health Coalition spoke to a handful of people.

Natalie Mehra is a spokesperson for the group and says the government likes to talk about transforming the health care system, but its not putting the necessary resources into things like home care.

Mehra says some communities in northwestern Ontario simply don't have the supports in place to allow seniors to live at home.

Canadian Cancer Society Gets Boost

Its going to be a big week for the Canadian Cancer Society in northwestern Ontario.

Over the weekend, Relays for Life took place in Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake and so far 263 thousand dollars has been raised from those three events.

Cancer research and programs will also get a boost in Kenora this weekend when the Relay for Life takes place at Lakewood School.

Organizers are hoping to raise at least 100 thousand dollars from the 12 hour overnight walk.

Richards gets ready for Game Three

The Los Angeles Kings can put a strangle hold on the Stanley Cup Play-offs with a win on home ice.

Kenora's Mike Richards says they'll have to play well because the New Jersey Devil's aren't going to roll over and play dead.

Richards says he's still motivated by losing the Stanley Cup final two years ago to Chicago.

Game time is 7:00 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Boobie Nights A Sell Out

The 3rd annual Boobie Night's Fundraiser for the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation is a success even before it starts.

Tickets for the event have already sold out for tomorrow night's party under the Harborfront Tent.

Angela Kuchma is one of the organizers and says the money goes to a great cause.

Last year the event raised over 30 thousand dollars and this year the goal is 50 thousand dollars for the Hospital Foundation.

Ontario Health Coalition Visits Kenora

The future of Health Care in Ontario will be the focus of attention this weekend.

The Ontario Health Coalition is holding a town hall style meeting in Kenora this weekend.

The Health Coalition wants to get local feedback about how Ontario budget cuts are impacting local health care services.

The town hall meeting will take place at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Salvation Army Gets Support for Thunder Bay Flood Victims

The Salvation Army is swimming with cash after raising a quarter million dollars for disaster relief efforts in Thunder Bay.

Major Merv Halvorsen says that money will go to to help the flood victims who do not have insurance to cover their losses.

The donations included 50 thousand dollars from the Fort William Rotary Club.

Scientists Speak out against Closure of the ELA

Scientists around the world are starting to speak out against the closure of the Experimental Lakes area east of Kenora.

A group of Israeli scientists have written to Canada's Ambassador complaining the Government is "stamping out the ability of the world scientific community to conduct research required to formulate sound environmental policies."

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford admits while much of the reaction has been negative, some residents living in the area are actually pleased with the closure of the Experimental Lakes Area.

The federal government is expected to save about two million dollars a year by closing the outdoor research facility.

Suspect Arrested In Fort Frances Gas Bar Robbery

Almost two months after the Canada Safeway Gas Bar in Fort Frances was robbed, the OPP finally have a suspect in custody.

Police say they arrested 22 year old Josh Enns last night shortly before 7:00.

The OPP say they were conducting a traffic stop at the time when Enns was arrested.

He has been charged with robbery with a firearm and appeared in Fort France court today on the charge.

Canfield attends FCM Conference

A couple of members of Kenora City Council are in Saskatoon this weekend.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield and Councillor Sharon Smith are taking in the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference.

Canfield says its been more than five years since they last attended and expects they gain some valuable information.

The city just rejoined the Federation this year.

The four day conference starts this morning.

Catholic Education Center Officially Opened

The final piece in the Catholic School Campus in the Pinecrest area of town if finally in place.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Catholic Education Center was held yesterday morning.

Director of Education Center Phylis Eikre says even though they've been using the facility for over a year, it took them a long time to get everything in place.

Eikre says they also wanted the Bishop of the Diosese of Thunder Bay Fred Colli to be on hand for their grand opening.

Thomas Aquinas Street Festival Today

The Thomas Aquinas parking lot is being transformed into a giant carnival today.

The second annual Street Festival is taking place from 11:00 to 2:00.

Darcy Ura is one of the organizers and says they are expecting a good turn-out.

A stage is also being set up on the steps of T.A. for live music during the Street Festival.

Inquest Called into Death of Aboriginal Students

Ontario's Chief Coroner is ordering a joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations young people in Thunder Bay. 

All seven died after leaving their home communities to come to the city to go to high school. 

The deaths happened between 2000 and 2011.  

The inquest jury could be able to make recommendations aimed at preventing anymore deaths in a similar way. 

No date has been set for the inquest.

Richards Credits Devil's Coach for NHL Success

Its another off day at the Stanley Cup.

Game two goes tomorrow night in New Jersey.

Kenora's Mike Richards says ironically, the coach of the Devil's likely had the biggest impact on his game, when Peter DeBoer coached him in junior with the Kitchener Rangers.

Richards says DeBoer taught him how to be a professional. 

The Kings lead the Stanley Cup final one game to none.