Wednesday, March 30, 2011

OPP nab speeders

The Thunder Bay Expressway has become a popular place for speeders now that the snow is off the roads. OPP nabbed three people for speeding in the 90 km zone. Police are still finding people driving and using their cellphones.

Fire Season starts April 1st

With spring around the corner, fire season is on it's way.  Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie Mclean says she's anticipating a quiet start to the 2011 season.  Forest fire crews are going back to work in early April and water bombers will be put into use in mid-April.  Mclean says the average number of fires in the area has dropped in the past few years.

Gliddy murder case could face delay

Another Thunder Bay murder case may be about to be thrown into disarray.   29 year old Thea Gliddy is charged with Second Degree Murder in the death of Randy Lawrence Cromarty last May. His body was discovered at the Inntowner Hotel. In court Gliddy's lawyer Chris Watkins asked to be taken off the case, as did the prosecution who says it's over a conflict of interest. That is, Watkins had at one time been Randy Cromarty's lawyer. The preliminary hearing in the case was to have started this Monday. That now could be in jeopardy. Justice Frank Valente is to make a ruling on the request on Friday.

Cancer care reduces wait times

Regional Cancer Care Northwest plans to help reduce the waiting times for lung cancer patients awaiting test results. They plan to cut waiting time from 18 weeks to just 6 or 7, easing the anxiety of patients and their families.

Trial for OPP Sgt. delayed

The trial of a Thunder Bay OPP officer will now take place year later than originally scheduled. Sgt. Darryl Storey is charged with criminal negligence causing death in connection with the death of an 18 year old woman in a traffic accident in 2008. He was driving an unmarked cruiser at the time. The trial will now take place in June of next year.

LU students receive 15-thousand dollars

Six Lakehead University graduate students are getting 15-thousand dollars for field research in Northern Canada.  The money is flowing through the Federal Government's department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

NAPS offers summer jobs

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has unveiled a new summer student employment program.  Youth, aged 14 to 17, will spend 8-weeks working alongside police officers in several NAN communities.  Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and Sandy Lake First Nation are among the participating communities.  Applications can be picked up at local Band offices until April 20th.

Lang on the Provincial budget

The Head of Confederation College is pleased with Tuesday's Budget.  Pat Lang says the Province is taking a step in the right direction with 44-million dollars over 3-years for literacy and basic skills programs.  Lang says the addition of 60-thousand new post-secondary spaces showcases education as an economic driver for Ontario.

UFO sighting reported in Fort Frances

Hot off the silver screen release of the alien comedy "Paul"; Fort Frances residents are claiming they've seen a UFO.  Some residents are talking about a strange object that appeared in the night sky over Fort Frances Tuesday night.  Sandra Allan, who took photographs, says it hovered in the south in an area over the AbitibiBowater mill for nearly half an hour before it disappeared.  Some resident in Couchiching also reported seeing the object.

OPP divers to resume search for Wabasse

The family of missing teen Jordan Wabasse is hoping for answers from the OPP dive team.  The Underwater Search and Recovery Unit will be conducting a search of the Kam River near the James Street Bridge Thursday.  Divers did a limited search last month in the area and found no sign of the 17 year old who has been missing since February 7th.