College Program Gets Accredited

Confederation College's Medical Laboratory Assistant program is receiving two year accreditation from the Canadian Medical Association.  The accreditation shows that the program has met national educational standards.

Inquest Into Lee Antoniak's Death

The Ontario Coroner's Office is conducting an inquest into the death of 31 year old Lee Antoniak.  Antoniak died in April 2012 as a result of injuries received during the course of his employment at a construction site in the City. The hearing will take place on December 18th.

Update On James Street Bridge

More investigative work continues at the charred James Street Bridge.  The Ontario Fire Marshal is expected to conduct more testing on the bridge throughout the day, trying to find the cause of the Tuesday night's fire.  Over 80 planks of burned wood have already been removed with more coming.  Security is also very tight with a perimeter being staffed while officials continue their probe.

LU Teepee In Tatters

City police are investigating a case of vandalism at Lakehead University.  They say someone used a sharp object to rip some slits into a  teepee on university grounds.  LU has designated that grounds as a ceremonial lodge site.  The area includes a sacred fire pit, a sweat lodge and it is used by students and members of the community for Aboriginal ceremonies. Police don't know when the incident took place.

Baseball Bid One Step Closer

Officials of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association are pumped after a bid to host a major junior baseball tournament took another step forward. Spokesperson Warren Philp says  Baseball Canada has agreed to take our bid to the International Baseball Federation and he thinks our chances are good especially because of our success in hosting the World Junior's in 2010. The Federation is expected to make a decision early in the new year on who will host the 2015 under 18 Baseball World Cup.

Bridge Fire Brings Out Racism

The ugly face of racism appears to have reared its head as a result of the James Street bridge fire. Both Facebook and Twitter were abuzz on Tuesday night when the bridge caught ablaze.  A local blogger who lives on the Fort William First Nation says that some of the Tweets he saw on Twitter that night cross the line as being offensive.  He called it a Ku Klux Klan parade and was concerned that some of the rants came from young people in the city.  Mayor Keith Hobbs condemns the racist diatribe and says he even encountered a racist comment on his own Facebook account.  The original blog post can be read here.

LU Starts New Program

Lakehead University is expanding its programming in Central Ontario.  The Thunder Bay school is teaming up with Georgian College to develop a four year degree in electrical engineering.  The program will be available in the fall of 2015.

Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Starts Friday

Curbside collection of leaf and yard waste starts tomorrow.  The collections will take place on your regular recycling day, between November 1st and November 14th.  Each bag has a weight limit of 40 pounds.

New Businesses Open

There's some new life in the Park Avenue and Cumberland area.  A new business called "The Gym" on Park Avenue is one of three new businesses in the area including High Tide Tattoo Parlor and Connect the Dots. Empty buildings were renovated in the area and the new businesses made their homes in them.

67 Year Old Charged In Collision

A 67 year old Atikokan resident is facing charges after a two vehicle collision at the intersection of the Harbour Expressway and Highway 11/17.  The incident on Tuesday saw extensive damage to both vehicles.The driver is charged with failing to stop at a red light.

Local Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion

A Thunder Bay engineer and director of Norall Group Contracting is paying the price for tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency says Carl Gustafson was sentenced recently in the Ontario Court of Justice to a fine of over 84-thousand dollars and given a 9 month conditional sentence. He plead guilty to one count of income tax evasion and has two years to the pay the fine.

E-Bike Driver Charged

OPP are charging a 31 year old with drinking and driving an E-Bike. On Tuesday, police saw two men on the bike not wearing helmets so they decided to pull them over at the intersection of Red River Road and Highway 11/17. The officer noticed when speaking with the driver that there was the smell of alcohol in the air. The local man was arrested and charged with two drinking and driving related charges.

Heart Of The Continent Partnership

A new tourist idea is being discussed for our region, and both sides of the border would be part of the plan. A group called the Heart of the Continent Partnership, wants to create a new travel destination by connecting the dots between International Falls and Duluth in Minnesota and Fort Frances and Thunder Bay. The group is on the verge of raising 200-thousand dollars that would fund the project.

Safety Tips For Halloween

Every year at Halloween, The OPP and City Police makes a conscience effort to promote trick or treat safety to children. And, while young people need to be cautious tonight....drivers need to be mindful of the holiday as well.  Being visible and travelling in groups will also help to make this a safe Halloween.

Treaty Three Police Hire Consultant

Work continues to protect the Treaty 3 Police Service. The board of directors has decided to seek a consultant who will look at the long term sustainability of the force. Board Chair Eli Mandamin says one of the consultants responsibilities will be helping to search for new police chief. Earlier this year the police service laid off a number of officers, slashed benefits, and issued 45 day lay-off notices due to a lack of funding.

New Changes to the Christmas Parade

This years Christmas parade will have a few new changes. Volker Kromm is co-chair of the event and says that one of the new additions will be a giant Christmas card that will show up at the parades sponsor stores. Kids are encouraged to sign the card with a message for Santa. The parade route is also new, being reversed from years past now beginning at the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot. The parade is November 16th at 10am.

Engineer Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

A Thunder Bay engineer and director of Norall Group Contracting is paying the price for tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency says Carl Gustafson was sentenced recently in the Ontario Court of Justice to a fine of over 84-thousand dollars and given a 9 month conditional sentence. He plead guilty to one count of income tax evasion and has two years to the pay the fine.

Elevator Company Hopes For Short Bridge Closure

A major grain elevator company is hoping the James Street bridge can open soon.   Darin D'Aleo  of Superior Grain Elevators says Tuesday night's bridge fire could have a severe effect if there is a prolonged closure.  He says it's a busy time of year for them with heavy rail movement until the end of December.   D'Aleo says officials at the company's corporate headquarters in Winnipeg say down time could only be a couple of days.

A Unique Milestone for the Casino

The Thunder Bay OLG Casino is celebrating a recycling milestone. Partnered with TerraCycle Canada over one-million cigarette butts have been collected and sent from the casino this past year. Tim O'Doherty is the casino's General Manager and says he is proud of their growing environmental reputation. For every pound of filters collected the casino receives a one-dollar donation for a charity of their choice.

A New Way of Voting

The Municipality of Shuniah is taking a new approach to voting for their next municipal election. More than half of the population lives elsewhere for most of the year. The new electronic voting system being put in place will allow these residents to vote without having to be there in person. Reeve Maria Harding says she prefers the traditional voting method but added that she supports the change. As it stands, between twenty and thirty percent of those eligible vote.

Swing Bridge Treated As Crime Scene

CN Rail Police, City Police and Fire Officials are treating last night's blaze at the James Street Swing Bridge as a crime scene.  The fire was called in just after 7 o'clock last night and Charlene Squire lives on the street that runs beside the bridge and says it was an emotional evening.  Meanwhile, City Fire Prevention Office Paul Abernethy says the bridge is badly damaged.  An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office is expected to arrive in Thunder Bay tonight and will start investigating the cause tomorrow.

FWFN Chief Calls For A New Bridge

The chief of the Fort William First Nation thinks it's time to replace the James Street bridge .   It follows last night's fire on the bridge which has forced its closure for an indefinite amount of time.   Georjann Morriseau says there has to be a way to make sure there is a reliable access to her community. Chief Morriseau says that the community is in shock as a result of the blaze and she plans to contact both CN Rail and the city to find out where to go from here. 

Minor Injuries In Crash

City Police are investigating a three-car accident at Memorial Avenue and the Harbour Expressway.  The crash took place at the intersection around 8 o'clock last night.  Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge last night.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

League Meeting To Tackle Area Issues

The staff cutbacks at the local daily newspaper will be on the agenda of this weekend's Thunder Bay Municipal League meeting in the city.   League president Larry Hebert says there's concern about a lack of full time reporters in the city.    Hebert says recently the league supported the continued operation of the radio station in Marathon.   As well the League will be asked to support a bid by MPP Bill Mauro to bring back the spring bear hunt and Hebert promises a hot topic at the meeting will the transportation of dangerous goods through area communities.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge tonight.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

Hydro Out For 24 Tbay Hydro Customers

24 customers are without electricity in the James Street and Thistle Crescent area.  Thunder Bay Hydro crews are en route and will be working to find out what happened and restore power.

Search On For Hit And Run Driver

City police are looking for a hit and run driver after a muli-vehicle accident on the city's south side Tuesday afternoon.  They say three vehicles collided at Simpson Street and Southern Avenue.  Witnesses tell police that the driver of the offending vehicle took off after the accident.  There are no injuries to report.

Open Roads Program

The City is teaming up with EcoSuperior and 8-80 Cities to begin planning an Open Streets Program.  Open Streets programs are events where streets are open to people and closed to cars as the roadway becomes a paved park where people can access safe, fun and free recreation. An open house on the idea is going to be held on Tuesday, November 5th at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Fire Service Lays Charges

The City Fire Service is charging the owners of a Balsam Street residence with failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The occupants were alerted to the October 5th fire by a passerby. An order has also been served requiring owner Beendigen Incorporated to provide a written plan to address a systemic lack of smoke alarm maintenance procedures.

Hyer & May Team Up Over Motions

Independent MP Bruce Hyer is hopping mad with the Conservative Government's recent motions dealing with independent and small party MPs.  Hyer says the motion is to have those MPs submit their amendments directly to committees.  Hyer held a press conference with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May who both feel the move will take away MPs rights to move, vote on or even speak to their amendments.

Immigration Portal Upgraded

The Multicultural Association's Immigration Portal is getting an upgrade.  Executive Director Cathy Woodbeck says new features on the site include a career directory, businesses for sale directory and an interactive map. Woodbeck says since the portal's inception in 2010 they've seen several newcomers relocate in the North.

College Boasts Experts

Confederation College is taking part in a new online tool produced by the Province's 24 public colleges. It's called The College Book of Experts and it lists staff with various expertise that can speak as experts on specific topics. Our College has nine faculty listed in the data base.

Canada Games Flag Raised

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame is raising the Canada Games Flag to celebrate the achievements of local wrestlers Ron Bingham and Marco Palermo.  They earned gold medals in the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Quebec.

Ward Councillor Issue Coming Up

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is asking Council to consider putting a question to the voting public in the next municipal election. Boshcoff is requesting a question be crafted that asks the public if they would support all Councillors being elected at large. The issue will come up at next week's Council meeting.

Council Round Up

The City is applying for 2 million dollars in provincial government funds for the Court Street Bridge. They've sent in an application for the small, rural, and northern municipal infrastructure fund. The application says the bridge that was built in 1906 is in bad shape and doesn't meet certain design codes. Meanwhile, City Councillor Joe Virdiramo wants to see the Provincial Government bring back the spring bear hunt. Virdiramo asked his fellow members to support Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro's private member's bill that looks at reinstating the hunt. Council will send a letter of support to the Minister of Natural Resources. City Council is also approving its staff's budget directions for 2014. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says they have a lot of things to consider.

Walk A Mile Gibbon's Property

The City is ensuring the intellectual property of former Aboriginal Liaison Officer Anna Gibbon is preserved. Gibbon created an education board game that trained staff about aboriginal culture. The City wants to expand the use of the game and is ensuring Gibbon's rights our protected and that she receive a small sum for her work in creating the game. Gibbon won't receive money for the game while she's still a sitting Justice of the Peace.

Some City Departments In The Red

A number of City departments are reporting cost over runs. At the end of September, the City was a million dollars over its 2013 budget projections. The Golf Division was over 200-thousand dollars in the red because of a late start to the golf season and poor weather. Meanwhile, Municipal Child Care is also over 200-thousand dollars because some of their kids are taking part in the Provincial Government's new full day kindergarten program. The City is putting off filling vacant positions until 2014 and staff are vowing to keep an eye on their budget targets.

Infrastructure Priorities Approved

City Council is approving its staff infrastructure priorities plan for the next three years. It was approved at Monday night's meeting as was a three year contract for a Corporate Project Manager. Councillor Ken Boshcoff feels it's a good move and says the position will pay for itself. The City is hoping to have someone in the position by January 1st.

Ward Councillor Issue Coming Up

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is asking Council to consider putting a question to the voting public in the next municipal election.  Boshcoff  is requesting a question be crafted that asks the public if they would support all Councillors being elected at large.  The issue will come up at next week's Council meeting.

Council Round Up

The City is applying for 2 million dollars in provincial government funds for the Court Street Bridge.  They've sent in an application for the small, rural, and northern municipal infrastructure fund.  The application says the bridge that was built in 1906 is in bad shape and doesn't meet certain design codes.  Meanwhile, City Councillor Joe Virdiramo wants to see the Provincial Government bring back the spring bear hunt.  Virdiramo asked his fellow members to support Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro's private member's bill that looks at reinstating the hunt.  Council will send a letter of support to the Minister of Natural Resources.  City Council is also approving its staff's budget directions for 2014.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says they have a lot of things to consider

Walk A Mile Gibbon's Property

The City is ensuring the intellectual property of former Aboriginal Liaison Officer Anna Gibbon is preserved.  Gibbon created an education board game that trained staff about aboriginal culture.  The City wants to expand the use of the game and is ensuring Gibbon's rights our protected and that she receive a small sum for her work in creating the game.  Gibbon won't receive money for the game while she's still a sitting Justice of the Peace.

Some City Departments In The Red

A number of City departments are reporting cost over runs.  At the end of September, the City was a million dollars over its 2013 budget projections.  The Golf Division was over 200-thousand dollars in the red because of a late start to the golf season and poor weather.  Meanwhile, Municipal Child Care is also over 200-thousand dollars because some of their kids are taking part in the Provincial Government's new full day kindergarten program. The City is putting off filling vacant positions until 2014 and staff are vowing to keep an eye on their budget targets.

Infrastructure Priorities Approved

City Council is approving its staff infrastructure priorities plan for the next three years.  It was approved at Monday night's meeting as was a three year contract for a Corporate Project Manager.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff feels it's a good move and says the position will pay for itself. The City is hoping to have someone in the position by January 1st.

Historic Sunken Tug Found

There's a newly discovered shipwreck in Lake Superior for divers to explore.   Thunder Bay's David Shepherd says he and a fellow diver found the tug Mary Ann located just passed the Welcome Islands in 70 feet of water  Shepherd says the ship was discovered as a way to promote scuba diving in the region.

Glow Sticks For Trick Or Treaters

Much of northwestern Ontario will be a glow on Halloween. Some 6-thousand glow sticks have been distributed to schools and child care centres around the region. OPP Constable Anne McCoy says they will help young trick or treaters be seen. The campaign, expanded to the Kenora and Dryden districts last year, is also being extended to the Thunder Bay region this Halloween.

More Tough Financial Decisions In Dryden

Dryden Police Service is staring down more possible cuts including night guard services.
The Police Services Board is currently staring at a 62-thousand dollar shortfall in that area. Chief Rob Davis says they have been taking a close look at the financial situation.  Davis says the decision to close the Communications Centre in 2014 played a factor in their decision.

Cause Of Kenora Fire Still A Mystery

The cause of a fire on Railway Street last week is still not known. The Ontario Fire Marshall's office wrapped up it's investigation of the burned ruins of the home yesterday. Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says there was so much destruction and fire loss, that it could take weeks before they can determine what caused the blaze.  In the meantime, a woman taken from the home last Thursday is still being
treated in Winnipeg Hospital for her injuries.

Coroner's Inquest Underway

The Coroner’s inquest into the death of 27 year old Bruce Moonias is back on today. In his opening statement to the jury the lawyer for the coroner, Leonard Kim, says that evidence is expected to show that Moonias died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen after being brought to Thunder Bay following an incident in Neskantaga First Nation in which he was holed up in a home alone for several hours. Moonias died in December of 2006 at the regional hospital after his involvement with the police

Minivan Crash

City Police continue to investigate an accident between two minivans at the corner of Bay and Court Street last night.  The crash took place
around 6 o'clock and one woman was taken to hospital with unknown injuries.  A child, riding in one of the vans, was not injured.  

Evacuation of Canada Games Complex

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to the Canada Games Complex shortly after eight o'clock yesterday evening. An im-proper mix of chemicals resulted in a chlorine gas leak. The building was evacuated, it took personnel five hours to safely remove the chemicals. One staff member at the complex was taken to hospital. The building was back to normal operations shortly after.

Highway 11 Closed

OPP have closed a stretch of Highway 11 two kilometers west of Beardmore. Two tractor trailers collided early this morning, one of which has been flipped on its side and is completely blocking the highway. The closure began at 5:55am.