Impaired Driver Charged

A man from Sabaskong First nation is facing impaired driving charges.

OPP says they found a vehicle was blocking traffic on Highway 71 South of Nestor Falls yesterday evening.

Police found that the driver, 30 year old Todd Copenace, was impaired and charged him with Impaired Driving.

Copenance will answer to the charge in court today.

Kenora Retailers Embrace Black Friday

Black Friday is no longer a term being just used by American retailers.

It's coming just as big in Canada and now in Kenora.

Manager of McTaggart's Richard Boileau says his store is among many looking to attract customers with special deals today.

It's suggested Canadian will spent on average 300 dollars per person today.

PSAC Given Right to Represent NAPS Officers

Its being called a precedent setting decision.

The Canadian Industrial Labor Relations Board has ruled that officers with the
Nishinabe Aski Police can be represented by the Public Service Alliance
of Canada.

Sharon DeSousa is a spokesperson for P-SAC and says they can now move forward with negotiations on a new contract.

DeSousa adds that the ruling will also affect other aboriginal police services across the province, including the Treaty Three Police.

She says Treaty Three Police will have it's own hearing with the board in January about whether PSAC can represent their officers.

Atleo Addresses Ontario Chiefs

National Chief  of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo is addressing first nations issues with aboriginal leaders.

Atleo says he has felt widespread support from communities wanting to have more of an influence on education.

He says he will also be speaking with the United Nations to address Canada's sustainable development goals.

Atleo made the address to the Chiefs of Ontario meeting which is taking place in Thunder Bay this
week.

Harborfest Directors Planning for Next Summer

It may be looking a lot like Christmas, but Harborfest is already thinking
summer thoughts.

Work is already underway trying to book acts for next year's evening concerts.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says its become increasingly challenging to book top flight bands.

Blake says their goal is to book at least one of the night's for the August long weekend before Christmas.

CO2 Detectors Soon To Be Mandatory in All Homes

A new carbon monoxide detector might make a good Christmas gift.

A private members bill has passed at Queen's Park that will soon mandate the alarms in all Ontario homes.

Tory MPP Ernie Hardeman, who pressed for the law since the death of a family from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2008, says it replaces old laws requiring only homes built after 2001 to have the alarms.

The Hawkins-Gignac Act is named in memory of the family who died.

Resolute Runs Afoul of WSIB

A spokesperson for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is confirming that Resolute Forest products is facing some legal problems involving the company's Thunder Bay sawmill.  

The board says that its facing four counts of failing to report work related accidents within three days.  

The board would not confirm the exact safety issues that are involved saying they are now before the provincial offences court.  

Sharks in Winnipeg for Weekend Swim Meet

24 members of the Kenora Swim Sharks are in Winnipeg for the Prairie Winter Invitational.

The competition kicked off yesterday and 11 year Gabe Mastromatteo earned the first gold medal.

He swam to a personal best 36.11 second in the 50 meter breast stroke.

The competition runs until Sunday.