NetNewsLedger

Become a Neighbourhood OWL and Watch for Drug Dealers and report them

Suspect Drug Dealing Next Door? Watch the Pattern, Not the Person

James Murray - August 5, 2026

How Churches Can Help Solve the Greatest Challenge Facing the Next Generation

Dryden OPP, drug trafficking, cocaine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, Dryden crime, Northwestern Ontario

Ottawa Man Charged After Dryden Traffic Stop and Drug Seizure

Raphael Chudaitov on Balancing Healthcare Professionals and Pharmaceutical Partners

News

Suspect Drug Dealing Next Door? Watch the Pattern, Not the Person

James Murray - August 5, 2026 0

How to spot possible neighbourhood drug trafficking, report it safely and respond to an overdose THUNDER BAY — Drug trafficking does not have a particular...

Ottawa Man Charged After Dryden Traffic Stop and Drug Seizure

August 5, 2026

Thunder Bay Man Charged After Inglewood Crescent Assault Investigation

August 5, 2026

Global conflict, Canadian travel, Northwest wildfires and Thunder Bay events lead...

August 5, 2026

Thunder Bay Civic Holiday guide to transit, shopping, recreation, mail and...

August 3, 2026

Indigenous

North Star Air presents Sachigo Lake First Nation with a $853,978...

James Murray - August 4, 2026 0

North Star Air Celebrates with Sachigo Lake First Nation SACHIGO LAKE — North Star Air presented Sachigo Lake First Nation with a $853,978 cheque on...

Canada’s first Cambria Hotel is planned at Thunder Bay Airport, opening...

July 28, 2026

Cat Lake First Nation uses mobile diagnostics to maintain care during...

July 23, 2026

NAN Press Conference on Wildfire Response

First Nations Leaders Challenge Ontario’s Response to Northwestern Ontario Wildfires

July 21, 2026

Shuniah, Thunder Bay OPP, impaired driving, Highway 11/17, Highway 527, Carter Cressman-Speak, young drivers, Ontario auto insurance, high-risk insurance, Criminal Code, road safety, Thunder Bay crime

Thunder Bay 19-Year-Old Faces Impaired Driving Charges After Shuniah Traffic Stop

July 21, 2026

Business

North Star Air Expands its wings again - Adding Fort Frances Service to the growing air service

North Star Air adds Fort Frances flights, expanding Thunder Bay air...

James Murray - June 24, 2026 0

North Star Air to Launch Fort Frances–Thunder Bay Flights in July FORT FRANCES, Ont. — Thunder Bay based North Star Air is spreading its wings...

Canadian Farmland Values Continue Upward Trend in 2025, Though Growth Slows...

June 23, 2026

Porter Airlines adds Calgary to its list of new destinations

Porter launches Ottawa-Deer Lake non-stop flights, adding a new summer travel...

June 11, 2026

NSA Charity Golf Tournament Cheque-Presentation-DSC09415

North Star Air Charity Golf Tournament Raises More Than $46,000 for...

June 8, 2026

Algoma Equinox, Great Lakes, Port of Thunder Bay

Grain growers urge CUSMA renewal ahead of July 1 review to...

June 2, 2026

Mining

Yanmar and Hitachi Construction Machinery Explore Compact Equipment Partnership

NNL Digital News Update - July 29, 2026 0

Yanmar and Hitachi explore a compact equipment partnership TOKYO – Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. have signed a letter of...

Independent Proxy Advisory Firms Recommend Equinox Gold Shareholders Vote FOR Share...

July 10, 2026

Satellite Monitoring in the Mining Industry: From Legal Exploration to Combating...

June 26, 2026

Equinox Gold Publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

June 22, 2026

Gold's surge is reshaping Northern Ontario mining—fueling expansions, exploration and jobs in 2026!

How to Maximize Mining Opportunities in Ontario

June 16, 2026

Weather

Ontario’s forest fire danger ratings in the Northwest Region as of July 6, 2026, at 17:45 CDT.

Rain slows major Northwest fires, but 113 remain active with evacuation...

James Murray - August 5, 2026 0

THUNDER BAY — Rainfall across parts of Northwestern Ontario helped reduce fire behaviour Tuesday, Aug. 4, allowing crews to make progress on several major...

The 2022 Canadian Lakehead Exhibition is in full swing.

Thunder Bay Weather: Sunshine and Gusty Winds for CLE Opening Day

August 5, 2026

Northwestern Ontario Weather: Gusty Tuesday Gives Way to Warmer Sunshine

August 4, 2026

Your Go-To Guide for Safe and Responsible E-Scooter Use in Canada E-Scooters, have quickly become a popular and eco-friendly option for commuting and recreation across Canadian cities. Whether it’s shared scooters available on city streets or privately owned devices, even kids electric scooters appearing in community parks, the trend is growing rapidly. However, it’s important to note that provincial regulations vary widely. For example, British Columbia requires registration and insurance for e-scooters, while Quebec bans private scooters on public roads altogether. Before hopping on, riders must check the latest local laws to ensure they comply. The core safety rules every rider must follow are simple but crucial: always wear a helmet, control your speed, and stay focused. This guide aims to provide universal safety tips applicable across Canada, along with special advice for children’s scooters, so everyone can ride safely and legally. Pre-Ride Preparation: Regulations and Safety Gear Check Local Regulations First Before taking your e-scooter out for a ride, confirm whether your province or city allows them on roads. For instance, Toronto permits shared e-scooters but prohibits kids’ scooters from public roads. Most provinces set a minimum riding age of 16 years, while children’s scooters are generally restricted to private, enclosed spaces for safety reasons. Helmet use is mandatory in nearly all areas where riding is permitted. It’s important to wear a helmet that fits correctly to protect your head in case of a fall or collision. Also, be aware of where you can legally ride—sidewalk riding is mostly prohibited. Stick to bike lanes or the right side of vehicle lanes where allowed. Essential Safety Gear Safety gear is just as important as knowing the rules. A helmet is a must for all riders; helmets equipped with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology offer extra protection. Given Canada’s long, dark winters, reflective clothing such as vests or reflective strips on your clothing and scooter can dramatically improve your visibility. For children, protective pads including knee and elbow guards and non-slip gloves significantly reduce the risk of injury. Always wear closed-toe shoes, securely tied, and avoid sandals or flip-flops. Parents should buy kids’ scooters that feature speed limiters (generally capped at 16 km/h) and wide, stable tires, and supervise their children at all times while riding. Equipment Check Before Riding Before every ride, perform a quick but thorough check of your scooter. Test the brakes for responsiveness, particularly on wet or slippery roads—this is even more critical for children’s scooters. Check the tire pressure and condition; air-filled tires provide better shock absorption, which is especially beneficial for kids. Make sure the lighting system works properly. Your scooter should have a bright white front light, a red rear light, and reflectors on the sides. Riding at night without lights is illegal and extremely dangerous. Also, ensure your battery is fully charged because cold weather reduces battery performance, and losing power mid-ride can be hazardous. Finally, inspect the scooter’s frame, handlebars, and folding joints for any looseness or damage. Safe Riding Practices When riding, always use both hands to hold the handlebars firmly. Avoid holding objects, taking photos, or using your phone while riding as these distractions can cause accidents. Respect posted speed limits, which usually cap at 25 km/h. In areas near schools and parks, slow down to around 10 km/h to protect pedestrians. Stay fully alert throughout your ride. Avoid using headphones or phones and keep scanning your surroundings for potential hazards like opening car doors, pedestrians, or pets darting into your path. Obey all traffic laws—yield to pedestrians, give priority to bicycles when appropriate, and use clear hand signals for turns (left arm straight out for left turn, right arm straight out for right turn). For children, riding should be confined to enclosed, safe areas under adult supervision. Teach kids proper hand signals and how to perform emergency stops, and keep them away from roads and steep or rough terrain. Handling Canadian Weather and Road Challenges Scenario Adult Tips Kids’ Safety Advice Night/Rain Use lights and reflective gear, halve your speed Avoid riding in poor visibility Snow/Ice Strictly avoid riding Absolutely no riding Wet surfaces Avoid puddles, metal plates, brake gently Pause riding until dry Steep slopes Slow down early, shift weight back No riding on hills for kids Parking Etiquette When you finish your ride, park responsibly. For shared scooters, always use designated parking zones to avoid fines—many cities, like Toronto, impose penalties ranging from $25 to $100 for improper parking. Private scooter owners should securely lock their devices to bike racks without blocking sidewalks or accessibility paths. Parents must ensure children’s scooters are parked where they won’t obstruct traffic and are powered off properly. Strictly Prohibited Actions Certain behaviors are absolutely forbidden to keep riders and others safe. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs; this is a criminal offense with severe penalties. Children should never ride unsupervised as this is both illegal and dangerous. Riding without a helmet where it’s required can result in fines or impoundment. Riding on sidewalks where banned is prohibited. Additionally, overloading scooters, performing stunts, or using phones while riding are major causes of accidents and must be avoided. Rider Mindset and Responsibility Good riders prioritize safety and legal compliance to protect themselves and others. Adopt a defensive riding mindset by assuming that other road users may not see you and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles and pedestrians. Parents should lead by example by following rules and teaching children about risks and safety. Courteous, responsible riding helps improve public perception of e-scooters and supports better regulations in the future. Conclusion E-Scooters add convenience, fun, and sustainability to Canadian urban life. However, the benefits can only be enjoyed when riders commit to safe and lawful practices. Adults should always know local regulations, wear helmets, control speed, and avoid risks. Parents must supervise children closely, ensuring they ride in safe areas with proper gear and speed limits. By following these guidelines, everyone can enjoy safe and enjoyable rides on Canada’s streets and parks.

Thunder Bay sees gusty winds and showers Tuesday before sunshine returns...

August 4, 2026

Image: North Star Air - photo by Devon Creyf, Captain PC12 Pilatus

Showers, Gusty Winds Open Three-Day Weather Outlook for Ontario’s Far North

August 4, 2026

Politics

What Skills and Qualifications Does Thunder Bay’s Next City Council Need?

James Murray - August 4, 2026 0

Skills Thunder Bay’s next council needs to govern budgets, housing, safety and regional growth THUNDER BAY - OPINION - Voters in Thunder Bay will elect...