Thursday, February 7, 2013

Dragon's Den Here Saturday

Calling all local entrepreneurs. CBC's Dragons Den is in the City Saturday holding auditions at Lakehead University. You need to be able to pitch your idea in less than five minutes. Auditions run from 10 until 5 Saturday.

No Change In Schools Situation

Safety procedures remain in place at two public schools.   The so called "Hold and Secure" mode at CD Howe and Kakabeka Falls schools has been in effect all week because of what police say was a threat made to a teacher.   School board officials are reviewing the situation daily.

Hovorka To Be Honoured Monday

City Hall will pay tribute to Shy-Anne Hovorka Monday night. The Thunder Bay resident is an award winning Aboriginal musician. She's set to receive the Citizens of Exceptional Achievement award.  Hovorka is being recognized for winning six Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards.

Hope Classic Set To Go

The 17th annual Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic charity curling bonspiel is all set for the Family Day weekend at the Fort William Curling Club.   Last year the event raised 177 thousand dollars and organizer Susan Childs is optimistic that it will be another huge fundraising success.

Charges Laid In Bus Assault

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 46 year old man with assault on a woman bus driver.  It's alleged the man was asked to pay for the bus ride which resulted in him assaulting the driver.  The man will appear in court on March 30th.

NW LHIN Releases Health Care Plan

The region's health authority is out with its health services plan for Northwestern Ontario.  Local Health Integration Network CEO Laura Kokocinski says one of their priorities is establishing an e-Health network.  Kokocinski says electronic medical records will soon be available for patients at many hospitals and health care settings in the region.  The LHIN's plan also aims to ease congestion at the Health Sciences Centre, provide more health care in the community and enhance chronic disease prevention.

Transit Union Calling For Increased Safety

A pair of incidents involving city bus drivers is prompting their union to call for increased safety protocols. Local Union President Sheila Kivisto says one verbal incident three weeks ago has resulted in one female being placed on a leave and on Tuesday, another female driver was physically assaulted. Kivisto says driver abuse numbers across the country and in Thunder Bay are on the rise and it's not just female drivers who are the targets.

Extra 10K Could Be Added To The Budget


City Council is considering putting 10 thousand dollars towards opening heated pools earlier in the year.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's hard to know how they'll vote on that.  Johnson notes 10 thousand isn't much money but in the end it will have an impact on the budget.  City Hall is also holding another public input session on the budget February 13th.

Transport Accident Closes Highway


The Highway 20 kilometres west of White River is back open in both directions following an accident overnight involving one tractor trailor. Provincial police say the driver lost control and the big rig overturned and blocked the highway in both directions. Police say the accident happened after 11:30 p.m. and were able to clear the Highway at 4:30 this morning. Charges may be pending. No injuries are being reported.

Northern Tankard Results


Trevor Bonot's rink playing out of Thunder Bay is tied atop the standings with the 4-time defending champion, Brad Jacobs after the opening day of competition at the Northern Ontario Tankard in Nipigon. Bonot and Jacobs are both 2-0 in the regional men's curling championships. Al Hackner's team is 1-0 and had a bye last night. Jeff Currie and Bryan Burgess each went 1-1 on the opening day with three draws set for today, which determines the Brier rep for the region.