Thursday, June 3, 2010

First Nations history available for viewing

There's a bit of history on display at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Starting Friday you can view the original Treaty 5 document signed 100 years ago between the government and area First Nations. The Gallery's Allistair MacKay says that the original hand written document and another accompanying one will be well protected in a special case to prevent any accidents or vandalism.  The documents will be on display beginning at noon Friday until June 13th.

A record field to graduate from Con College

It's graduation day  on Friday at Confederation College. A record 14 hundred and 40 students will get their diplomas. President Pat Lang says it's a special day for her as well, one she never gets tired of.  She enjoys seeing how the students have grown since they first arrived. There are a couple of firsts at Friday's ceremonies. 16 grads will get Aboriginal Relations certificates and the first group of Med Lab assistants will graduate. There are 2 ceremonies, at 9 in the morning and then at 2 in the  afternoon.

School field trips not being cancelled

Public schools in the city are not being told to cancel field trips in the wake of this weeks tragic accident. 4 year old Willow Scott-Hannam died after being injured during such an excursion to Fort William Historical Park. Director of Education Cathy Siemieniuk says schools are being asked to review trips to make sure they comply with board policy. As such, she says there's no blanket decision on field trips but schools are taking the extra step to make sure the process is followed. Siemieniuk says it will take several weeks to complete the internal investigation into the accident.

Safety lane nets unsafe vehicles

City Police continue their efforts to get clunkers off the road. Last Wednesday night they were pulliing over vehicles at Water and John Street. Sgt. Andy Clark says they look for private and commercial vehicles that look like they may need some work . Two mechanics on site look over the vehicles and determine if they are safe to drive or not.  Last night they took the licence plates off of at least 20 vehicles.

Great Lakes mayors agree to protect shorelines

Mayor Lynn Peterson is just back from a mayors conference on the Great Lakes. Peterson says 8 Ontario mayors agreed to protect beaches and coastal areas of their lake shorelines.  The mayors are working with the provincial government on six different projects including the testing of beaches and sewage outflows around the Great Lakes.   The deal will also see a new organization created to bring experts together to exchange ideas and practices

4 organ donations performed in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay performed 4 organ donations after cardiac death last year. Those operations helped Ontario lead Canada with the most C-D organ donations. Trillium Gift of Life President Frank Merkel says there's strong support for organ donation in Thunder Bay. Across the province 100 organ donations were made after cardiac death.

Aquatic species invading Lake Superior

The United States and Canadian Governments are taking a stand against the spread of invasive species.  The Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan was unveiled on Wednesday in Thunder Bay.  Canadian Chair of the Lake Superior Binational Forum Glen Dale says they want to post tips on invasive species at the border.  To prevent invasive species anglers can power wash their boats and equipment.  Live baits are to be properly disposed of away from streams and water systems.