Thursday, April 4, 2013

Inspectors To Return To Derailment Site

Investigators will be back at the site of this weeks train derailment near White River Friday.   Rob Johnston leads a team of government safety inspectors who are trying to figure out what happened to thrown 22 CP freight cars off the track.   Johnston says some evidence at the scene will be sent to Ottawa for inspection and he doesn't expect to know the cause of the derailment for some time yet.

Police Make Arrest In Charity Theft

One person is charged in connection with the theft of a charity cash collection in the city last week.  Police say they nabbed the suspect while he was riding his bike in Westfort this morning.  The 28 year old is to make a court appearance tomorrow.   The charity jar was taken from the Frederica Street Robin's coffee shop. 

Power Company Formed With First Nations

Thirteen First Nations and mining giant Goldcorp say they now have an agreement to incorporate a new power company called Wataynikaneyap Power.   This new company is developing a transmission line that will connect remote First Nations communities in the northwest currently powered by diesel generators.   The eventual aim is to have the First Nations ownership at 100 per cent.

MOE Says Oil Spill Didn't Harm Environment

Government scientists say there is no harm to the environment as the result of a train derailment and oil spill on the CP rail tracks near White River. Kate Jordan of the Environment Ministry says there is no impact to the nearby river, which is the source of the communities drinking water.  She says the spill has been contained and that ministry personnel are at the site. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation by authorities.

Campbell Calls For Help For Libraries

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says public libraries are more important than ever before. However, Sarah Campbell says that funding for libraries has been ignored by the province. Campbell is calling on the provincial government to come up with a new funding strategy to make sure libraries can thrive despite tough times for many municipalities.

LHIN Looking To Improve Diabetes Care

The number of people living with diabetes in Northwestern Ontario is among the highest in the province. To combat that, the local health authority continues to provide more coordinated diabetes care. Susan Pilatzke is the Senior Director of Health System Transformation, and says they are looking at how they can improve patient care. In 2012, the local health networks took over the role for diabetes services from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

College Funding

Confederation College President Jim Madder has a wish list for the upcoming Provincial Government Budget. At Pre-Budget consultations yesterday, Madder told the Province he would like to see more funding for a rebate program for students who attend college directly after high school. Madder is also asking for a dual credit program for high school students expanded as well.

Experimental Lakes Area Closure

Fresh water impacts everyone's daily lives. That's a message from the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association regarding the closure of the Experimental Lakes Area. Susan McLeod with the Property Owners Association says the research is important to everyone. Mcleod says they continue to push the importance of the facility through discussions with MP's and letter writing campaigns.

White River Oil Spill

Canadian Pacific says an oil leak from a freight train that derailed in a remote stretch near White River has been contained and poses no risk to the public. Spokesperson Ed Greenberg says 2 of the 20 or so cars that came off the tracks contained light sweet crude that temporarily leaked. He says it's believed about four barrels escaped and cleanup procedures are underway. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the derailment.