Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Voter Information Missing


No one in northwestern Ontario appears to be impacted, but Elections Ontario says up to 2.4 million voters elsewhere in the province may have had their personal information compromised.

Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa says the privacy breach happened when two memory sticks went missing.

The data includes names and birth dates, but no SIN numbers or drivers' licence information.

Forest Fire Being Watched


The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to monitor a lone forest fire burning in the Rainy River district.

It's located within the southeastern part of Quetico Provincial Park near Dack Lake.

The lightning-caused fire is only 0.4 hectares in size and causing little concern.

Eight new fires were reported yesterday elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.

Respite Program Continues


A respite support program introduced to the Rainy River district two years is being continued.

Carol Ness of Thunder Bay-based Wesway says a pilot project that helps families who care full-time for seniors recently received additional funding through the North West Local Health Integration Network.

Ness says there's been so much demand that they have a waiting list.

Revamp Of Driver's Licenses Sought


The war on tobacco is taking a new twist.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is advocating a redesign of the provincial driver's license.

Spokesperson Klaus Larsen says making it easier to show when a person under 19 will reach age of majority would help in discourage the sale of tobacco to underage teens.

MADD Looks To Reform


MADD Canada is looking to restart it's organization in northwestern Ontario.

A chapter in Thunder Bay closed down because of a lack of volunteers and its main head resigning because of poor health.

Former CEO Testifies


Ousted Ornge CEO Chris Mazza is slated to appear before a legislative committee today that's looking into the troubled air ambulance service.

Many of the witnesses so far have pointed the finger at Mazza for the controversy that's created a major embarrassment for the governing Liberals.

Assembly Vote Today


The Assembly of First Nations will decide today whether to re-elect national chief Shawn Atleo or choose a new leader.

Former Grand Chief of Treaty 3 Diane Kelly is among the candidates are vying for the three-year position, which will be settled by the votes of chiefs assembled in Toronto for the organization's annual meeting.

NAN Names Candidates


Seven people are on the list for the top post with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief.

They include current Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose and former Sioux Lookout Mayor and Juno Award winner Lawrence Martin.

The election takes place next month.

The position opened up with Stan Beardy being elected Chiefs of Ontario Regional Chief last month.

"American Girl" Movie Plays In Falls


An area author who played a role in the latest "American Girl" movie will be hosting special viewing in International Falls tomorrow.

"McKenna Shoots for the Stars" is based on a character featured in two books written Ranier's Mary Casanova.

The movie was shot in Winnipeg and stars Jade Pettyjohn as McKenna with appearances by Canadian-born Nia Vardalos and former U.S. Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby.

Tomorrow's event at the Backus Community Centre starts at 6 p.m.