Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Police probe first homicide of 2010

Thunder Bay Police are investigating the first murder of the year in the city. Spokesperson Chris Adams says the body of 39 year old Randy Lawrence Cromarty of Thunder Bay was discovered at the Inntowner Motor Hotel. He says it was found at around 8:30 Wednesday morning by a family member. Police say he had been staying at the hotel. Adams says there is a forensic examination taking place at the scene of the crime and there are a number of interviews that are being conducted. He say a post mortem will take place on Friday to determine the cause of death.

Five local boys make Team North squad

Five Thunder Bay boys are going to the Canada Summer Games in Sudbury to play baseball. The five were chosen on the weekend in Sudbury to represent Team North at the games taking place in Sudbury in August. Pictured: From left to right, Brendan Toumisto, Amos Sharun, Owen Steele, Kallum Kennedy, Michael Moskalyk

Heart and Stroke Big Bike Ride

It's not too late to sign up for the Heart and Stroke's Big Bike ride. The fundraiser is taking place throughout the week at the Victoria Inn. Area Manager Tara Monteith says they still have room on the bike and interested people can show up the day of the ride with a fifty dollar donation. This year's fundraising goal is 75 thousand dollars.

Snow Birds Demonstration and Community Fund

Northwestern Ontario's aboriginal students will now have access to a quarter million dollar endowment fund for post secondary education. The fund was created by Ontario's transport medicine group "ORNGE" and the aviation company AgustaWestland. The fund was created to help the growing aboriginal population take part in the emerging career field of medical transport. Confederation College President Pat Lang is happy first nation students will have the extra funds to take part in their aviation courses. The community endowment fund was announced at the College's Aviation Day and fly by demonstration of the Snow birds.

Your meds could get you into trouble.

A Thunder Bay lawyer has a warning for people who may drive while on certain prescription drugs. Christopher Watkins says there are now tests available to detect whether a driver is on medication. Watkins says that could mean some innocent people could get in serious trouble. He says there may be a lot of citizens who have suffered injuries and could be driving while on pain medications like oxycodone or percocets. Watkin says they may not be aware they could be in danger of facing an impaired driving charge. Watkins says a conviction could result in the loss of a driver's licence.

Health care groups join National Challenge

St. Joseph's Care Group and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre are teaming up to help the environment. All staff at both health care locations are being asked to participate in the National Commuter Challenge next week. They're being asked to take the bus, cycle, walk or car pool to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere. St. Joe's CEO Tracy Buckler joined Health Sciences Centre President Ron Saddington to kick off the challenge

Public School Board supports wind moratorium

The Lakehead public school board is supporting the Norwester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee's quest to get a moratorium on the Big Thunder Wind Park. The decision was made at last nights board meeting by a vote of 4 to 2. Trustee Karen Wilson moved  the motion and says conflicting information from Ontario's Chief Medical officer concerns her the most. Wilson says Doctor Arlene King's information conflicts with the views of Health Canada and the World Health Organization. She says she wants to see an independent 3rd party study on the effects of wind turbines before development.

Hodder Tavern has liquor license suspended

The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission has handed a 35 day suspension to Hodder Tavern. The tavern's liquor license will be suspended from June 7th to July 12th. The suspension follows a few incidents that happened last year including one where a man was served alcohol and was later found dead in a near by lake.

Special Olympic Ontario Winter Games

The Special Olympics Ontario Winter games are just over 8 months away. Thunder Bay is hosting the games this year, and Creator Dr. Frank Hayden paid a visit to the City today. Hayden says the games could have a million dollar impact on the City's economy. The games will involve more than 300 athletes and 125 coaches from across the province.