Grad Day For Costarter Companies

Go Kim Packs

The Costarter Accelerator program is seeing its first five companies graduate today. Company founders have spent the last three months working inside the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre to create their products. The companies involved include Go Kim Packs with a device that can charge electronics through walking. Recroup offers companies and entry level professionals a new way of applying to positions and searching for applicants compared to the traditional resume. Shipearly.com allows customers to skip shipping fees by purchasing products online with the ability to pick up in store or have it delivered to them. Francois Guimont says his services need further funding but that his company will provide pharmaceutical companies with a blood test that will tell patients if they are at risk for heart disease. Also Ungalli Clothing is a line designed on 100-percent recyclable materials.

My TBHydro Launched

Thunder Bay Hydro is launching a new web based system that will make it easier for customers to view their usage and monthly bills. Vice President of Customer Services Tim Wilson, says that My TBHydro is free for new and existing customers. He adds that with nearly thirty-thousand statements sent each month switching to online will save costs and benefit the environment. A link to the site can be found here: My TBHydro

Machinery On Fire

Fire crews are on the scene of the old Cascades paper mill on Ship Yard road.  Fire officials say some machinery caught fire at the location this afternoon.  The facility is in the process of being dismantled.  There are no indications that anyone has been injured.

NOSM Adds Suicide Awareness To Course

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is incorporating suicide awareness training into its MD curriculum.  Professor Brian Ross says students will spend the first two years of training in class. Ross adds that NOSM is one of the first school's in North America to have such a program in place.

New Doctor At Hospital

The Thunder Bay Hospital is announcing a new addition to their medical staff. Dr. Naana Jumah (Na-na Joo-Mah) is a Clinician Researcher who studied at Oxford University and Harvard University and is originally from the city. Jumah says she has a passion for working with aboriginal populations, something that started at a young age when working with youth that came to the city.  Jumah will also help further develop the hospital's High Intensity Focused Ultrasound program.

Hospital Receives Substantial Rebate

The hospital is receiving $597 554 from Thunder Bay Hydro, as part of its Retrofit Program. The program offers incentives for businesses that install new equipment to reduce energy consumption. Anne-Marie Heron is Executive Director of Operations at the hospital and says the money will go towards covering costs associated with the hospitals newly installed equipment. Heron adds that the hospital will see a twenty-two percent reduction in energy consumption on a yearly basis. Those savings will then be passed on to patient care. The hospital is expected to save 5 288 093 kilowatts annually. Enough to power 550 homes.

Collision on South Water Street

Traffic is back to normal following a two vehicle collision at the intersection of South Water Street and Pearl. An SUV rear ended a pick-up truck and one person was sent to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Counselling Centre Increases Support For Women

The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre is announcing a new branch of services dedicated to women who use the centre. Executive Director Nancy Chamberlain says the Counselling Centre for Women will see improvements to services already offered. That includes the centre's outreach program that reaches out to women in their homes.

Missing Women March Held In T.Bay

The Chiefs of Ontario are calling on the Federal Government to address the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women through a vigil and march held today at city hall. Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy says its an issue that has gone addressed for too long. Marches took place across the province today including Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie and Orillia.

Rotary Club Launches House Lottery

The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay is launching its 28th Annual House Lottery today. The club is also announcing a five year five-hundred thousand dollar commitment to the hospitals cancer care campaign. Club President Dr. Richard Khoury says they expect ticket sales to increase this year to ten-thousand. This years grand prize is a new home valued at over four hundred-thousand dollars. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Canada Day celebrations at the Marina Park.

First Nations Northern Housing Conference

Lisa McCormick

Two First Nations communities are being recognized at tonight's twelfth annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference at the Valhalla Inn. Batchewana and Constance Lake First Nation are receiving the 2014 Innovation Awards. Lisa McCormick is Tenant Liaison for the Batchewana First Nation and says that their community has involved residents when designing their homes. She adds that the goal is to have them feel an attachment to the home and treat it with care. Corrina Cheechoo is an assistant with the Housing Program Coordinator and says her community has taken a long term approach to create safe and affordable living.

Hospital Grants Handed Out

The Thunder Bay Hospital is putting 65-thousand dollars in grants towards some home grown ideas from front line staff that they say will make patients more comfortable during their stay. Glenn Craig is President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and says the Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees ) Grant focuses on small steps the hospital can take in improving visits. Over 70 applications were made for the grant but funds will be spread among 43. Some initiatives chosen include bedside safety mats to prevent falls, specialized wheel chairs, improved vital sign monitors, translated consultation forms for aboriginal patients, and bedside exercise therapy.

Habitat For Humanity Doubles Store Size

Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay is opening the doors to its newly expanded ReStore on Squier Street. Store Manager Tyson Neill says the store is now 6000 square feet which is double its old size. Neill adds that previous to the expansion donations were at times turned away because of a lack of space. Mayor Keith Hobbs was also at the opening and presented Neill with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city.

Students Take Part In Environmental Talks

Brad Doff

Around 130 students from Lakehead University, Confederation College and Churchill High School are taking the opportunity today to share their environmental concerns with one another and members of city council. The Future Visionaries Session is running from 10-3pm at the Community Auditorium. Acting Sustainability Coordinator Brad Doff says it's important for the city's youth to have the chance to speak with councillors and Mayor Keith Hobbs. There will be an open house this evening from 4:30-7:00 at the auditorium where the draft Earthcare Sustainability Plan 2014-2020 will be presented.

Sim Lab Launched

Confederation College is opening up its simulation lab for a variety of medical students.  It's part of an agreement that sees the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, EMS, and St. Joseph's Care Group work together.  St. Joe's Care Group CEO Tracy Buckler says they'll be using the college's lab to help their employees. The training initiative was unveiled at a news conference on Friday.

New Contract For Bombardier

The Provincial Government is putting in a 481 million dollar work order at the local Bombardier plant. The cash is going towards building 65 new bi-level GO Train cars and will support 250 jobs at the facility.  The order will increase GO Transit's fleet of train cars to 743. The cars will be delivered between June 2016 and July 2017.

Chamber Thoughts On City Spending

A new report being released by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce suggests the city's current spending habits will see a consistent increase in taxes for both home and business owners. Camillo Lento is a Professor at Lakehead University and was involved in developing the report.  Lento says its important to examine the city's current spending.  Lento adds that in their report, Thunder Bay was ranked lower than most other relative communities when it comes to spending efficiency.

HWY 61 Open

Highway 61 just South of Riverdale Road is now open to traffic after it was closed following an accident this morning. A 71 year old man was sent to the hospital with serious injuries after the driver of a Toyota Corolla slid into him.  OPP Constable Diana Cole says it's a situation of wrong place at the wrong time. The driver of the vehicle wasn't injured and the vehicle sustained extensive damage.  The investigation is continuing.

Transit Negotiations To Be Held Later This Week

Thunder Bay transit workers are receiving support from fellow union members from the GTA. Negotiations between the city and the transit union are scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday with job action a possibility on Monday January 20th. Bob Kinnear is the President of ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Ontario and described current working conditions for the city's transit operators as "second class".

Toys For Tots Exceeds Last Years Totals

This years Toys For Tots Campaign has raised one-hundred fifty-eight thousand dollars. Thunder Bay firefighters made the presentation this afternoon at the Intercity Mall. Paul Penna is fundraising Chair and says all the work done by the city's firefighters was on their own time. Toy buyers will attend the March Toy Fair where they will try and purchase most of the toys needed for next Christmas.