Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Arrest Made in Year Old Murder Case

An arrest has been made in a year old murder investigation in Fort Frances.

OPP have charged 26-year-old Peter Deafy of Seine River First Nation with second degree murder in connection with the death of 45-year-old Leo Whitecrow, also of Fort Frances.

Whitecrow's body was discovered in a motel room of the Mid-Town Motel by a motel employee on November 2, 2012.

The causes of death isn't being immediately released.

Deafy will made a court appearance in Fort Frances tomorrow.

Mason Invited To State Conference

International Falls' director of economic and community development has been invited to a State conference on economic development.

Shawn Mason will serve as a panelist at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development event in Saint Paul, January 22nd.

The conference will explore Minnesota's economic future and is expected to draw more than 400 delegates.

Province Asked To Help Ease Hospital Overcrowding

The provincial government is under pressure to ease the gridlock situation at the Health Science's Centre in Thunder Bay.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government is trying to make sure the health authority is finding ways to resolve the overcrowding problem.

Matthews says resolving the problem at our hospital is a top priority.

Plan Your Trip Stateside

If your heading stateside this week, the Canada Border Services Agency recommends going early.

The CBSA is anticipating higher than normal traffic volumes at the border during the Black Friday and U.S. Thanksgiving weekend.

It recommends crossing outside peak traffic periods and check border wait times to avoid long wait times.

Opposition Questions Mazza's Appearance In Thunder Bay

Questions are being raised at Queen's Park about the present of former air ambulance president Dr. Chris Mazza at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre's emergency room over the weekend.

Tory MP Frank Klees says it surprised him given that Mazza is under two separate investigations.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says it's not her responsibility for who the hospital hires, but notes any doctor there still has to be certified by the Ontario College of Family Physicians and Surgeons.

Federal Auditor Questions Border Practices

The federal Auditor-General says some of the controls put in place at the border to keep people from entering Canada illegally aren't always working.

Michael Ferguson, in his fall report, says the while the Canadian Border Services Agency has made significant progress in some of its efforts to detect high-risk travelers, it often does not get the information it needs to identify those travelers before they arrive in Canada.”

Ferguson says even when the agency has had the information, the controls don’t always work.

Campbell Seeks Input On Road Conditions

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is using social media to find out what local motorists feel about our road conditions.

Campbell has put out a Facebook message asking constituents to share their stories about the state of local highways.

She's responding to Transportation Minister Glen Murray's promise to come to northwestern Ontario and talk to local road maintenance contractors if the situation doesn't improve.

Bayfield Stops Drills

Bayfield Ventures has stopped its drills for this season.

The company has been conducting an extensive exploration program on its Burns Block project, north of Barwick and adjacent to New Gold's, formerly Rainy River Resources, gold project.

It says drilling has confirmed the widespread distribution of gold and silver with the potential of further discoveries to be made.

Murder Mystery At Fort High

A murder mystery goes at the Townshend Theatre in Fort Frances later this week.

Fort Frances High School students are doing a stage version of Agatha Christie's The Secret Adversary.

Student Cole Turcotte says it's something they don't do all that often.

The show opens Thursday night, running until Saturday.