Northern Poll unfavourable towards Liberals

The McGuinty Government has few fans in Northern Ontario when it comes to post-secondary education.  That's according to a new poll put on by the province's student federation.  Spokesperson Nora Loreto says the results were not Liberal friendly.  The poll suggests the Liberals have dealt with post secondary education worse than the Harris government.  73 per cent of Northerners want the post-secondary education system to be a priority in the upcoming election.

Hearst wants to pledge

Hearst council wants to change it's municipal pledge of allegiance.  The small mostly french speaking community wants councillors to have a choice between swearing allegiance to the Queen or the Country.  Councillor Andre Rheaume feels the change will be made noting the new oath of office wouldn't do away with the Queen it would just give councillors a choice.  The Ministry f Municipal Affairs is looking into it but has said that it's not a current priority.

AbitibiBowater signs energy deal

The provincial government is providing 9.6 million dollars towards AbitibiBowater's biomass combined heat and power project. The company signed an agreement with the Ontario Power Authority to provide an extra 40 megawatts of power. The move will create 56 permanent jobs, and is expected to be done by 2013.

City is ready to compete for Ring of Fire facility

Mayor Keith Hobbs says the city is working on a plan to cut energy costs to try and bring a Ferrochrome Processing plant to Thunder Bay.

The high cost of energy has been a major roadblock for the city in efforts to convince Cliff's Natural Resources to locate the proposed facility here.

Hobbs says it's too early to go into detail about the plan but he believes it will allow Thunder Bay to seriously compete for the facility.

While Sudbury has been named an early favourite by Cliff's to get the processor, Hobbs says Thunder Bay is still on the mining company's short list and at this point it's going to be a bidding war between interested municipalities.

City Council passed a motion at Monday's meeting to let Cliff's and both levels of government know that Thunder Bay is ready to work with the mining company to try and bring the facility to the city.

L-U class has recipe to encourage local food production

A Lakehead University social work class has some ideas on how city council can support local food production. The class presented to council at Monday's meeting  and says changes like serving local food at city-run facilities and teaching kids in school about gardening would be a boost for food production in the region. The students made the presentation as part of their coursework where they're encouraged to apply their learning to real world situations. The class invited councillors to a roundtable discussion at Lakehead on March 23rd to talk more about the subject.

CNIB to again run program for blind kids

The CNIB is expected to get it's contract renewed with the Health Unit to provide services for blind children in the city. The Health Unit's Cathy Farrell says the 3 year old program helps about a dozen kids.  She says while there number of children affected is small the impact is huge.  The 36 thousand dollar program goes before the board for it's approval Tuesday.

Hepatitis program going national

The Health Unit is joining a Canada wide Hepatitis surveillance program. Information from people with the disease is to be shared with health officials nationally. Program coordinator Maureen Twigg says we'll be one of 11 reporting centres in Canada. She says the information will be compiled to come up with a data base.  Twigg says it's just an extension of a program that is run provincially

Funding for speech program running out

A Health Unit official is hoping the provincial government will again fund a speech language program. Cathy Farrell says one time funding for the program runs out at the end of the month. She says it's proven to be successful for children under 30 months and there is a waiting list for the services.  Farrell makes a presentation to the board Tuesday on the program.

Mauro makes another announcement

Another election spending announcement is expected Tuesday.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the announcement is something Abitibi Bowater has been waiting for for sometime.  The press conference gets underway at the mill at 11.

Trial surprise, jury pool dismissed

The murder trial of 33 year old Andre Wareham is on hold indefinitely.   The trial came to sudden and surprising halt Monday after Justice Helen Pierce ruled that the jury pool of over 100 men and women did not properly represent the Aboriginal community in Thunder Bay and told them all they were free to go home.  Defence lawyer Steven Hinkson has no idea how long it will delay the trial.  He says it will be up to the Attorney General's Ministry as to address the issue.   Wareham is charged with second degree murder in the 2009 death of 29 year old William Atkins

OSPCA probing possible animal cruelty

Photos of what we are told are distressed animals in the Thunder Bay area are posted on Facebook.  The series of images depict horses and cows which appear to have various forms of disease.   The sames pictures have been sent to our newsroom by a concerned listener.   The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that the investigation is ongoing and it's too early to release any information at this time.

Thunder Bay Red Cross collecting donations for Japan

The Thunder Bay Red Cross so far is only collecting donations for Japanese Relief efforts. Red Cross Thunder Bay Spokesperson Ken Widdifield says for the time being no Canadian Red Cross members are headed to the Tsunami and Quake ravaged country.  Right now the Japanese Red Cross is assessing their needs and until they are determined no Canadian Red Cross members will be heading overseas.  Widdifield says you can make a donation at the Red Cross office, over the phone or by going online.

Thunder Bay woman still hasn't heard from parents in Japan

A Thunder Bay woman is still waiting to hear from her parents in Japan. Hiroko Bekki Moller hasn't been able to reach her parents since Friday's Tsunami hit the area of Japan where her parents live. She says all she can do is wait and hope.   Moller says she's trying to keep a positive outlook and hopes with some cellular coverage opening up she'll hear from her parents soon.

Bombardier Contract Extended

Bombardier will see more work come from the McGuinty Government.  125 million dollars in provincial funds will be spent to purchase 50 new bi-level coaches for the GTA's Go Transit.  Go Transit President Gary McNeil says the order expands on their current contract with the Thunder Bay plant.  Production of the coaches is scheduled to begin in June with the first coach being on the ground by the fall.

Tunderwolves win consolation

The LU Thunderwolves men's basketball finished off their season on a high note winning the consolation side of the CIS National Championships.  LU beat Dalhousie University 84-80 to finish 5th in the country.  The team the Wolves lost to in their opening game Trinity Western fell in the final against Carleton 82-59.  It is Carleton's 7th Championship in 9 years.

Police station crash

Police didn't have to go far to get to the scene of an accident Saturday night. According to police, a woman had stopped her vehicle at the intersection of Balmoral and Central directly in front of the police station. A man crossed into her lane with his vehicle and hit her head-on. Both vehicles were damaged heavily, however there were no injuries. Police charged the man with impaired driving, he'll appear in court in April.

L-U gives Acadia the axe

The Lakehead Thunderwolves men's basketball team beat the Acadia Axemen 75-67 in yesterday's consolation match at the nationals. They'll play for fifth place today against the Dalhousie Tigers.

Afternoon assault

Police are investigating an assault that took place in broad daylight at the corner of Syndicate Avenue and Leith Street. According to police, three men were assaulting another man until a bystander intervened. The victim was seriously injured during the assault which happened around two yesterday afternoon. Police are looking for more information about the incident and would like to talk to the bystander as part of their investigation.

Close call

A Thunder Bay man may not be looking at pizza the same way for a little while. The man fell asleep Saturday night while warming up a pizza (along with a delivery box) in his oven. The box started burning and filled his Cumming Street residence with smoke triggering a fire alarm. Firefighters responded to the alarm and helped clear out the smoke when they arrived. There were no injuries as a result of the mishap.

Court Street Standoff

Three suspects are in custody after a standoff on South Court Street. Police say they were called to a home last night while a break and enter was in progress. A man and woman immediately came out to police while another man stayed inside with a firearm. The stand off ended when police tasered the man through an open window early this morning. The trio will appear in court this morning.

L-U falls to Trinity Western 82-75

The L-U Thunderwolves men's basketball team's national championship hopes have been dashed. They fell 82-75 to Trinity Western in their quarter final game yesterday. L-U face the Acadia Axemen in a consolation match today.

Schaeffer inquest results in recommendations

Some recommendations for the OPP are coming out of the Levi Schaeffer inquest which wrapped up yesterday.

The recommendations include improved communication for officers in remote areas and that marine officers should have less lethal options such as pepper spray available when on patrol. Marine officers don't always wear their full duty belt (which has more non-lethal options) because it weight can make it hard to swim.

Also the jury recommended the OPP consider ongoing training for officers to better prepare them for interactions with individuals who suffer from mental illness such as Schaeffer.

The inquest examined the 2009 shooting death of Schaeffer by an OPP officer.

Men named in Italian warrant want to clear names

 Three Thunder Bay men named in an Italian police warrant want to clear their names.

Attorney Chris Watkins is representing Vito, Tony and Rocco Minella and says the men are shocked by the accusations. Watkins says the Italian law the men are charged under wouldn't even be constitutional in Canada.

The men are charged under an Italian law which forbids associating with mafia organizations. Watkins feels the law may be a human rights violation because a person can be charged just for speaking to the wrong person. According to Watkins, there are many examples of people in Italy being sent to prison under the law only to be found innocent years later.

The warrant was issued as part of a crackdown by Italian authorities on the Ndrangheta crime organization. The men aren't likely to face extradition because the crime the Italian warrant was issued for is not recognized in Canada.

Local man says aftershocks continue in Japan

A Thunder Bay man who works in Tokyo, Japan says the first night of sleep after the big earthquake wasn't too good. Tyler Ried says he was kept awake throughout the night.  He says ever since the 8.9 quake there have been numerous aftershocks.  He says many were quite large with his building shaking and doors and windows moving in their panes. Reid says when the quake broke out he was working at his office.  He says he doesn't know how he will get around since the train system in the big city has been shut down.

Plant site of Monday announcement

Next week looks to be starting off on a positive note for the local Bombardier plan. A political insider tells our newsroom that there will be a big announcement being made on Monday morning. Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle will be on hand and so will MPP Bill Mauro along with the Vice-President of the company.

T-Wolves lose quarterfinal to Trinity Western

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's baskeball team managed to narrow the gap to 6 points in the final two minutes at the national championships today.   However they lost the quarterfinal match to Trinity Western 82-74 in Halifax this afternoon.

Red Rock eyes nuclear waste storage

The Mayor of Red Rock is excited about the potential of new opportunity. Gary Nelson says his community is exploring the possibility of become the site of a nuclear waste storage facility. Nelson says it would be a big boost for his economically starved town.   He says it will create a lot of employment and get people back to work.  Nelson says public meetings will be held to explain the concept and what it would mean

Local lab expands with tax dollars

A Thunder Bay company is a million dollars richer thanks to your tax dollars. Activation Labs is getting the money from the provincial government for it's new building on Walsh Street. Primarily the company provides lab services for mining companies. President Eric Hoffman says the expansion is a direct result of the Ring of Fire development. The company will purchase new tech equipment in Thunder Bay and also build new lab facilities in Timmins and Red lake.

LU Professor says seismic activity not on the rise

It may seem like earthquake activity is on the rise, but according to a Lakehead University Geologist that isn't the case. Doctor Phil Fralick says when big events happen, media starts reporting other minor and often very common minor events, when normally the minor events are ignored. Fralick says even an earthquake the size of the Japanese quake isn't that uncommon with 4 in the past 40 years.  

Thunder Bay woman's parents caught in quake

With the death toll in Japan rising at least one Thunder Bay resident is hoping her parents are safe and sound. Hiroko Bekki-Moller's parents live near the heavily hit area near Sendai.  She says she has tried calling and sent e-mails, but phone lines are out and for now she has to wait and hope.  There has been more than 50 aftershocks many registering higher than magnitude 7.

St Patrick students suspended after demonstration

A group of students at St Patrick High School were sent home after sporting pro choice stickers.  The students were protesting a pro life event at the school and were sent home yesterday when they refused to remove the choice stickers taped to their shirts.  Reports say 35 students were given 2 day suspensions for wearing the green tape.

Schaeffer set to wrap up

The Levi Schaeffer Inquest is set to wrap up today.  The Peterborough man was shot by OPP in 2009 after allegedly pulling a knife on officers who were investigating a stolen boat at Osnaburgh Lake.  Schaeffer's mother Ruth took the stand yesterday and said he was diagnosed with a personality disorder.  Constable Chris Wood fired the shots that killed Schaeffer and says he had no other choice.

Judicial inquiry ordered into jury rolls

The top court in the province, the Court of Appeal, is ordering a judicial inquiry into how juries are selected in Thunder Bay. Specifically, why First Nations don't have a chance of being part of a jury. It was all sparked by a complaint when it was discovered that aboriginal people were not represented in two coroners inquests that involved the deaths of two native people. The first was the jailhouse death of Jacy Pierre, a 27-year-old who died of an overdose and the death of 15 year old Reggie Bushie.

Local beekeeper calls world situtation a crisis

A Thunder Bay beekeeper is applauding a move by the United Nations to restore world bee habitats. The world agency is urging governments to offer incentives to farmers.   Barry Tabor, the vice-president of the Beekeepers Association agrees it's no less than a crisis.  He says we can't lose honey and native bees because they pollinate a third of our crops.  Tabor says Thunder Bay remains fortunate that bees here have not been hit with diseases or mites

No rescue required

It's not only dangerous, but it's illegal to walk on harbour ice.  But don't tell that to a couple of people who were spotted there Thursday afternoon.   Fire officials had their hovercraft out at the marina to find the people, but by the time they arrived there they were nowhere to be found.

Mob expert says locals are breaking no law

It's not likely the 7 people from Thunder Bay reported to be named in an Italian warrant will ever be extradited to Italy. Antonio Nicaso, a Mafia expert, says while the men may be accused by the Italians of alleged association to the ‘Ndrangheta, they aren't breaking the law in Canada. That's because he says being associated with the Mafia is not something that is recognized in our criminal code. Nicaso says the only way they would ever be arrested is if they go to Italy

Strategic plan gets Johnson's support

One city councillor is saying it's about time. Rebecca Johnson says she's happy there is now a 10 to 20 year strategic plan in the works for the city. Johnson says it's the first time that she can remember than such a plan has been contemplated. She believes it's much better than lurching from term to term.  The public will have it's say on the plan at open houses next month.

Merger may not happen says local expert

The proposed merger of the Toronto and London Stock exchanges is getting a rough ride. Several Canadian banks have come out against the idea. That doesn't bode well for the marriage according to Thunder Bay investment expert Blake Cameron.  He says with 4 of the big banks likely to oppose the deal, it will decrease the likelihood the whole deal will go through. Cameron says a possible federal election may also play into the deal being nixed

Rotary house lottery on again

The Rotary Club is back with it's annual house lottery. Organizer Gordie Garriock  says like always thousands of dollars will be doled out to local charities.This year the home being offered is worth 350 thousand dollars and is located in Sherwood Estates

House fire on the highway

A portion of Highway 11/17 was reduced to one lane after a house being moved on a transport truck caught fire.  Crews from the Conmee Station along with MTO crews dealt with the blaze that happened last night about 2 kilometres east of highway 102.  No one was hurt.

Local man joins class action suit

Students who attended a government run school for the blind 50 years ago are now speaking out. They're launching a 225 million dollar lawsuit claiming abuse. One of the names on that statement of claim is Thunder Bay's Robert Seed.  He says the abuse suffered by the students was similar to what was suffered by in the native residential schools.  None of the claims have been proven in court

Rafferty's bill passes 2nd reading

Another hurdle has been passed for John Rafferty's workers severance termination bill. It passed second reading in the house of commons by a 164-119 margin. The Bill will protect severance and termination pay in the case of a company bankruptcy.

Local businessman denies Ndgrangheta involvement

There is total denial from a Thunder Bay man who is one of several named in a warrant by police in Italy. The warrant accuses Rocco Minnella of being a part of the organized crime group called the Ndrangheta.  As the owner of a local business Minnella says he would never jeopardize his family or friends by being involved in such a group

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Destroyed truck was due for replacement

The city is not sweating the loss of a garbage truck in a Tuesday night fire. The blaze at the Mountdale yard facility completely destroyed the 200 thousand dollar vehicle. However the city's Mike Miron says it just so happens that truck was ready to be retired in May and replaced with a new one. Miron says the loss only means the city will be without a spare garbage truck until May.

SIU clears Dryden police

Dryden police are breathing a sigh of relief.   They have been exonerated in the death of a man who became sick in a police jail cell. The province's Special Investigation's Unit says the man was taken into custody after being released from hospital last May for being too drunk. He became sick in jail  and was taken back to the hospital, where he passed away.  The S-I-U says the cause of his death isn't known, but police did nothing wrong while he was in custody.

Cancer prevention program launched

The Health Sciences Centre is back with an in-your-face campaign to promote colon cancer prevention. Households will be getting a screening kit in the mail. There is also an intense advertising program planned. It's designed to get people over 50 to get tested for the disease. Thunder Bay is below the provincial average when it comes to colon cancer screening.

Thunder Bay men wanted by Italian Police

7 Thunder Bay men have arrest warrants issued against them by Italian Authorities.  The warrants are part of the latest crack down on the Ndrangheta.  Officials with the Department of Justice declined to comment because this is a matter of extradition.  Thunder Bay police spokesperson Chris Adams says there has been no formal request from Italian authorities at this time.

Power back on at LU

Lakehead University along with a stretch of Oliver Road was without power this morning.  Officials at Thunder Bay Hydro say an equipment failure caused the outage that kept the school in the dark for most of the morning.  The cause of the failure isn't known at this time. 

Gas Prices rising again

Expect another stiff shot to the wallet today if you have to fill your tank.  Prices are on the rise again and already some stations in the city are posting regular at a buck 33 a litre.  The increase is being blamed on oil prices sky rocketing in the wake of Libyan Civil war.

Fire destroys garbage truck

A garbage truck was destroyed after a fire inside a city owned garage.  Fire officials say the blaze started in the truck just after 7 last night on Mountdale Road.  There was minimal damage to the building and no one was hurt.