Snow causes collisions in Thunder Bay

Its been a busy day for police due to the slippery conditions.  There has been 27 collisions on the roads since just before 9 this morning.  Police are reminding people to drive to the conditions and slow down.

Cross Country Skiing in T.Bay

The Thunder Bay National Development Centre Cross Country Ski team is hoping to increase its profile. They kicked off the season by unveiling this year's squad yesterday and Coach Eric Bailey says its time the sport started taking centre stage in Thunder Bay.

Morning accident on River

There are no injuries to report, just a bit of a traffic headache for some motorists after a traffic accident around 8 this morning at River Street and Algoma.  

First Nations get funding for housing

Just over 14 million dollars is being handed out to Ontario's first nations for social housing projects. Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement at the Northern Ontario Housing Conference Wednesday. Rickford says this will help improve the housing situation on first nations in the province.  Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins says while its a great announcement its just a drop in the bucket.

NOSM pickets back to hold up traffic

The picket lines are back up at the main entrances to Lakehead University. Striking workers from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine are there again after they rejected the school's contract offer. Local union leader Yuk-Sem Won they'll be holding up traffic for a while longer. Won adds that the workers understand the issues better now.

Ice Edge in discussions

Ice Edge Holdings is taking another step in their dream of bringing a professional hockey team to Thunder Bay. The groups top dogs were in the city to meet with City officials and the commissioner of the ECHL. CEO Keith McCullough says him and Anthony Leblanc both being from Thunder Bay, want to see a team come to the city and believe as long as a new arena is built, a team could be successful. Leblanc says a new arena needs to happen before a team could come to the city.

Whelan building is getting a new high tech tennant

The Medical industry in Thunder Bay is getting another heavy hitter. Tornado Medical Systems has chosen the city for its home and will set up shop in the historic Whelan building. TMS is a commercial medical imaging company and Michael Power says having a commercial company in the city will pay huge dividends for the city from research financing firms. Power says when a research company can show they have an active partner in the commercial field more research funding will flow to the Regional Research Institute. TMS could employ as many as 50 people with in the next 2-3 years.

Venezuela not coming to World Junior Baseball Championships

The World Junior Baseball Championships kick off today and it'll start down one team. Organizers announced yesterday Venezuela will not attending the tournament. Warren Philp says teams scheduled to face Venezuela will show up and practice and interact with fans. International Baseball Federation officials say it appears Visa and Passport problems are the reason Venezuela is a no show. In Accordance with IBAF rules teams scheduled to face the team will automatically earn a 9-0 win.

Waterfront construction continues to roll on

Prince Arthur's landing is starting to take shape but it will still be a while before the public can enjoy the new upgrades. Project Manager Katherine Dugmore says crews are working on landscaping, the splash pad and the skating rink but they won't be ready until later next year. Dugmore says so far the project is on schedule and will make next year's deadline to receive federal funding.

Clelia II back for the season

The Cruise Ship Clelia II is back in the city for another season . It arrived in port after 6 Friday morning. The ship will only remain here for half a day or so on each visit. Time enough for the 100 or so tourists to roam the city. It's the first of 10 trips to the city this season.

A Salty stuck in Thunder Bay

Delays of wheat shipments from the prairies has forced the ocean going ship Federal Danube, to sit and wait in the Thunder Bay Harbour. Officials at Lakehead shipping say wheat shipments bound for Italy are expected to arrive this weekend. The Federal Danube arrived in Thunder Bay last Monday.

John Howard Society in its new home

The local John Howard Society is celebrating the opening of it's new location. The new digs are located at 315 Syndicate Avenue. Executive Director Liisa Leskowski calls it a dream come true for the organization that provides a transition for those who come out of the justice system.  She says it marks a new era for not just the residents but for the Society as a whole.   They were forced out of the former location, the old YMCA,  when the Archibald Street building was demolished to make way for the new courthouse.

Iggy wants internet for all

A Liberal government would bring high speed internet to all of Northern Ontario and the rest of Rural Canada within three years.  Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the announcement in Thunder Bay today. Ignatieff says high speed internet is vital in increasing national unity, by connecting everyone in Canada together online. Ignatieff spoke to students at St Patrick's High school this afternoon and will also be hosting a meet and greet at Tony and Adam's Restaurant this evening.

Spelling help wanted

It's a mistake worthy of the Jay Leno Show. This Red River Road take out food outlet may be in need of more than management after showing this job posting on the weekend

The Canadian Cancer Society is gearing up for Relay For Life

The Canadian Cancer Society has officially kicked off the Relay For Life. The annual kickoff breakfast took place this morning and Chair Elizabeth Stafford says everyone is encouraged to take part in the event and can find more information at the Canadian Cancer Society's website. Stafford says she hopes to see 85 teams enter this years relay that takes place June 18th.

Habitat for Humanity gearing up for a big year

Habitat for Humanity has a big year ahead of them. They will be auctioning off three playhouses at the Home and Garden show and have three building projects ahead of them as well. CEO Diane Mitchell says three local families built play houses for auction. Habitat will also be building two homes and renovating a third that will provide new homes for three families.

Thunder Bay Police kept busy this weekend

One man is in hospital with serious injuries after being attacked and robbed last night. It happened just before 7 o'clock at Odd Fellows Hall on May Street. The victim was taken to the Regional Hospital and is in serious condition. Also this weekend officers managed to seize 29 pounds of Marijuana at a bus terminal. The K-9 unit was on scene assisting in a separate investigation and discovered the drugs. A 27 year old Mississauga man was arrested and will appear in court.

Haley Irwin is happy about increased funding for Own the Podium

Thunder Bay's own golden girl Haley Irwin is back home and is thrilled with the support Canadian Athletes are getting. Irwin says the government's own the podium program is a huge help to Athletes, and the 17 million dollar increase for each of the next two years is amazing.  Irwin says having funds for rent and food is a huge boost for athletes and will produce big results in the years to come.

Transport truck has trouble on Dawson Road

The driver of a transport truck had trouble making the corner out of a truck stop on Dawson road.  Police had to close the one lane while the truck was safely moved onto the road. 

  

Quality Market's BYOB program is a success.

Year one was a huge success for Quality Market's Bring Your Own Bag program. Co-owner David Stezenko says the program was created after the big chains started charging more for plastic bags so they decided to encourage customers to use reusable bags and donating money to local charities.  The first year of the program raised almost 11,000 dollars for the Health Science's Centre, Camp Quality and the RFDA.  This year the three charities are Eagle's Cry Life Centre, Shelter House and Habitat for Humanity.