Housing Needs Studied

The housing needs of the Rainy River district are being studied.

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board intends to gather comment for a new ten year plan.

Chief Administrative Officer Dan McCormick says it will focus on all aspects of housing.

The DSSAB has developed an on-line survey and will host three open houses in Atikokan, Rainy River and Fort Frances later this month.

Shortage Of Blood Possible

Canadian Blood Services is warning of a "concerning'' shortage of blood this summer.

It cites fewer donations this summer and a constant demand from hospitals as reasons.

It says more than 50-thousand donations are needed between now and Labour Day to keep blood inventories at "an acceptable level.''

Blood donor clinics planned for later this month in Fort Frances where the CBS hopes for 240 donations.

Red Cross Looking For Help In Fort Frances Area

Canadian Red Cross is looking for some help in the Fort Frances area with its disaster response programs.

Volunteers will be at Walmart Saturday as part of the campaign to raise money.

Disaster Management Coordinator Kari Rafter says it helps them respond in times of need.

The Red Cross will also hold a workshop Saturday night for those interested in becoming part of its disaster response team.

That workshop takes place August 10, 7 p.m. at the Adventure Inn.

Bacteria Out Break At Regional Hospital Over

A three week bacterial outbreak at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences is over.

It  involved C-difficile. a mainly hospital born super bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.

Former Mill Management Employee Finds New Work

A former regional mill manager with Abitibi-Consolidated, now Resolute Forest Products, is now Thunder Bay's Economic Development Corporation manager.

Doug Murray takes on the new post Monday.

Murray hopes to use his skills to bring new industry and jobs to the city.

Leadership Review Sought

Some members of the Progressive Conservative caucus are calling on party leader Tim Hudak to face calls for a leadership review next month.

They're upset the party lost four of five byelections last week and have filed motions to seek a review.

Principal Loses Teaching License

A former northwestern Ontario school principal has had his teaching license revoked by the Ontario College of Teachers.

The College, in January, found Jacques Perron had failed to carry out his professional responsibilities after admitting to deliberately ignoring reports of abuse against a colleague at his French-language Catholic school near Thunder Bay.

His lawyer says they will be appealing both the decision and yesterday's ruling.

Speeders Nabbed in Minnesota

MSP photo

The Minnesota State Patrol says a recent speed enforcement campaign netted at least a dozen drivers doing over 100 mph.

Troopers wrote more than 17-thousand speeding tickets during the two-week statewide enforcement effort last month.

An average speeding citation for 10 mph over the limit can cost you 120-dollars.

Those ticketed for doing more than 100 mph can lose their license for six months.

Driver Faces Several Charges in Auto Accident

A LaVallee township man is facing several charges following a motor vehicle accident Tuesday near Couchiching First Nation.

Treaty Three Police came upon the accident shortly after 6 p.m., calling in the OPP to investigate.

The 29-year-old will now appear in court in October on charges that include impaired driving, dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, using plates not authorized, driving without a license and driving without insurance.

Public Helps Nab Drunk Driver

Calls from the public helped police pull over a suspected drunk driver last Friday.

OPP tracked down a vehicle in Fort Frances and issued impaired driving charges against the 72-year-old driver from LaVallee township.

He's in court next month.

New Trees To Be Planted

Some new trees will be planted this weekend in Koochiching County.

The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club has received an $18-thousand grant from granola bar maker Nature Valley and the National Parks Conservation Association for trees to be planted along the Rat Root River.

The group will plant the trees during an event planned for this Saturday.

Police Chief Resigns

The Chief of the Treaty 3 Police Service is resigning.

Conrad DeLaronde will leave his post in three months.

Board chair Eli Mandamin says they'll meet next week to discuss his departure.

Mandamin doesn't expect the move to impact on talks with the union representing officers on the services financial issues.

Atikokan Resigned To Osisko Delaying Gold Mine Project

Atikokan mayor's is okay with Osisko Mining delaying plans for a gold mine near the community.

Low gold prices and high construction costs are cited as contributing factors to waiting on moving forward with the Hammond Reef gold project.

Mayor Dennis Brown says the Hammond Reef would have meant new jobs, but there's still projects from Renteck and Resolute Forest Products to look forward to.

Brown says Osisko still has a presence in the community and hopes their project can proceed when gold prices get better.