Hudson Mill Re-opens

The up and down ride of the McKenzie Forest Products Mill in Hudson is back on the upswing.

The Mill is back up and running and trucks are hauling green logs into the mill.

Sioux Lookout Mayor Dennis Leney says Buchanan Forest Products is in the early stages of getting the entire operation back on-line.

The mill has been closed since 2008, with a very brief stint on-line in 2010.
Leney says it's great news for the community.

Service Ontario Office Hours Cut

A handful of ServiceOntario counters in our area have been deemed "low-volume" by the provincial government.

The union representing Ontario Public Service workers says sites in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Atikokan could see their hours reduced in the coming months.

The counter in Rainy River had its weekly hours chopped from 42.5 to 16 last November and the province has reduced hours in Wawa, Gore Bay and Hearst.

SeviceOntario helps folks with birth certificates, driver's licences, health cards and other government identification.

Timberstrand Mill Ramps Up Production

Ramped up production and new jobs.

That's the benefit Kenora is seeing from the increased production at the Weyerhaeuser Timberstrand Mill.

Weyerhaeuser's manager of Public Affairs Wayne Roznowsky says they hired new staff inside the mill and there might be more positions outside of the mill.

Roznowsky adds that the mill is now running at 5 days week.

Hunter Fined for Shooting At Moose

A Slate Falls First Nations man has been slapped with a 35-hundred dollar fine for careless discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of wildlife.

Court heard that a conservation officer responded to complaints of unsafe hunting last January.
The man was hunting on Vermillion River Road, a well-used forest access road north of Sioux Lookout.

An investigation found that Charles Vincent Jr. fired three shots down the middle of the road at a cow moose.

Ornge Beefing UP Staffing Levels in NWO

Staffing shortages in northwestern Ontario are being addressed by Ornge Air Aumbulance.

New President and C.E.O., Dr. Andrew McCallum says they will be beefing up
staff at their Thunder Bay base.

McCallum says each of the three Ornge aircraft in Thunder Bay - a helicopter and two airplanes, will have their own dedicated crew of paramedics supporting
operations, 24/7.

McCallum says the 10 new hirings will address staff shortages that were created due to Summer holidays last year.

Super Bowl RIDE Program

Police forces across the province are encouraging football fans
to enjoy this weekend's Super Bowl -- but to do so responsibly.

Police say RIDE programs will be enhanced, beginning today,
through Monday.
   
Additional officers will be dedicated to establishing RIDE spot checks and patrol officers will be paying special attention to areas where Super Bowl celebrations are occurring.
   
And police are reminding Super Bowl party hosts that they are
responsible for their guests.

Saints Lose, Broncos Win

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team had its 15 game winning streak snapped, but the
Saints still picked up a point last night.

T.A. lost a 4-3 decision to the Eagles last night in Dryden.

The game went to a shootout and the Eagles won in the seventh round.

The Saints are back in action tonight with a big match up against their cross-town rivals
from Beaver Brae.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls hockey team doesn't seem to be showing any
signs of rust after being off for a couple of weeks.

The Broncos upended the Red Lake Rams 6-2 last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Maddie Trudeau led the way with a hat trick, which included two goals on the power play.