Eric Brown excited about being drafted

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown is still pinching himself. The 22 year old pitcher is now a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization after being drafted this week.  Brown expects to be playing for the Vancouver Canadians this year.

Confederation College goes "green"

Confederation College is trying to be more green.  Sustainability Intern Courtney Korbyck says they're going to start small with a student campaign.  Korbyck says they'll encourage students to recycle, use public transit and cut back on using paper products. The college launched its five year environmental action plan Thursday.

Postal pickets up on Alloy Dr.

Rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are affecting Thunder Bay today. Local union boss Wendy Johnston says just over 200 CUP-W members are affected.  She says they went out on the picket line at 11:30 on Wednesday night and will return to work at 11:30 Thursday.  Pickets are set up outside the Canada Post building on Alloy Drive

I owe Michael Antcliffe 10 dollars

A 36 year old Thunder Bay man who is dying from Melanoma is raising awareness about his cancer through social networking sites. The Northern Cancer Fund will benefit from money raised through the "I owe Michael Antcliffe 10 dollars" Facebook page.  Antcliffe says he would like to have 100-thousand friends on facebook.  The hospital is hoping to use the money raised to rename a patient waiting room after Antcliffe.  Antcliffe is hoping to tour parts of Canada starting on the East Coast this July. 

Immigration? There's an app for that

Northwestern Ontario's Immigration website is getting an upgrade.  Cathy Woodbeck is with the Multicultural Association and says the site now offers 15 languages and can be viewed on smart phones.
Woodbeck says they take several phone calls from people seriously considering moving to the Northwest.  The website has received over a thousand hits. 

Horwath promising price cap on gas

Thunder Bay's high gas prices are getting the attention of NDP leader Andrea Horwath. If elected premier, not only is she promising to cap prices in the province, she would take a look at transportation costs to Northwestern Ontario. Under Horwath's plan the Ontario Energy Board would be responsible for setting weekly price caps.

Former LU employee goes to jail

Guilty is the verdict against a former Lakehead University employee on charges of fraud and theft.   In court this week Toni Lynn Powers was sentenced to 9 months in jail in connection with the disappearance of nearly 150 thousand dollars from the university bookstore over an 8 year period.

Thunder Bay is rotating postal strike site

Expect to see less mail delivered to your doors.  Canada Post is trimming staff levels at mail sorting plants. And, starting next week, it's ordering letter carriers to deliver letters only three days a week -Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Spokesman Jon Hamilton says it's because mail volumes have dropped by half since last Thursday, when postal workers began a series of rotating strikes.  Rotating walkouts hit 13 communities today, including Thunder Bay.

Hudak paying Thunder Bay return visit

The Province's Election Day is still months away but that isn't stopping Party Leaders from visiting Thunder Bay.  Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak will be speaking to the Chamber of Commerce next Friday.  He'll be outlining what he would do to improve Northern Ontario's businesses and families.

OCHU tours NWO

The Provincial Government is putting patients at risk by closing hospital beds.  That's one message being brought to Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances by the union representing hospital workers. Sharon Richer is the Northern rep for CUPE and says super-bugs, like c-difficile, are becoming a real concern.  She says they also want hospitals to report on their web-sites, how many people have died due to infections they acquired in their facility.

City gets A Plus

Thunder Bay's Credit is being given an A plus ranking.  The credit ranking is based on the city's budget performance and moderate debt.  The ranking is given by Standard and Poor's Credit Rating Service.

Former Border Cat now a Blue Jay

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown is a Toronto Blue Jay.  The former Border Cat was selected by the Blue Jay's on the final day of the MLB player draft.  The right handed pitcher played last year for the Border Cats. 

Police SUV in smash up

Details are now coming out about a weekend accident involving a city police vehicle.   Spokesperon Chris Adams says that a police SUV collided with a car and a pick up truck at the intersection of Oliver Road and Hill Street Friday evening at around 10 pm.  No one was injured.   The driver of the car is charged with failing to yield to traffic.

"Doc Funnybone" dead at 59

The man known to most people in Thunder Bay as Doctor Funnybone has died. Kevin Kennedy was 59 years old. He passed away unexpectedly this week. Kennedy was also a retired firefighter and had a black belt in judo.

EQAO tests results released next week

We find out next Wednesday how area schools fared in the recent Grade 10 standardized literacy tests.  83-percent of Grade 10 students in Ontario who took the exam for the first time last March passed.The Education Quality and Accountability Office says the success rate was down one percentage point from last year and two points from the year before.

Shift holding Multi-Plex info session

Thunder Bay's young business leaders are being asked what they think about the proposed Multi-Plex.  The SHIFT network is holding a public information session Thursday night at the Avila Centre.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and City Manager Tim Commisso will taking part.

Housing starts are up

New housing construction is on the rise in Thunder Bay.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says single detached starts in May were 2 behind last year's levels but multi family dwellings were up by 11 compared to 2011.  Philp says that puts our year to date numbers ahead of 2010 levels. 

Forest Fires in the Northwest

Despite the wet weather seven forest fires remain active in Northwestern Ontario. 5 of the fires currently burning are in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon District and don't pose any problem. The most recent fire was sparked by lightning north of Wabakimi Provincial Park.

Confederation College expands territory

A huge milestone for Confederation College.  The College has officially opened its new campus in Red Lake.  Spokesperson Don Bernosky says they have had their eye on Red Lake for a couple of years now.  A number of programs will be offered at the School including hospitality management, pre-health sciences and early childhood education.

Gravelle introduces FedNor bill

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is making an attempt to make FedNor an independent economic agency for Northern Ontario.  Gravelle is expected to table a private members bill to that effect this afternoon.

Gravelle is asking for local Conservative support.  The NDP member says its time for the North to have its own agency free from political interference and control.

Religious figure calls for urban deer cull in Kenora

Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources has received a strongly worded letter from a Kenora religious leader.  Anglican Archbishop David Ashdown has written a letter complaining about the deer population in the Northwest.  Ashdown says the deer have lost their fear of humans and are becoming unpredictable and aggressive.  He suggests the crown has the responsibility of protecting local residents, and suggests a cull of the urban deer population.

Random stabbing leaves one woman in hospital

A woman is in stable condition after being stabbed in the chest.  Police say the 24 year old suffered serious injuries after an apparent unprovoked attack by another 20 year old woman yesterday afternoon on Arthur Street.  The attack happened at around 4 o'clock and police made an arrest shortly after.

Brawl leaves one man with serious injuries

One man is in hospital with serious injuries after getting in a fight.  Police say the 25 year old man was involved in a brawl with several other men this morning at around 2:30.  The man was taken to hospital and the investigation continues.

Canada Post Rotating Strike not set on Thunder Bay yet

So far there are no concrete plans to hold a rotating strike at Thunder Bay's post office.  That's according to CUPW Local President Wendy Johnston who says if there was a strike they'd only be told the day before.  Victoria and Moncton will experience the rotating strikes next.  Johnston does note that some routes in the city are not getting mail delivered because the company won't put more staff on or offer overtime.

100 year old tree cut down

Thunder Bay Police are trying to get to the root of a case of mischief. A 100 year old White Pine was cut down in its prime sometime between Saturday and Sunday. Police say the tree had survived a number of car accidents. The person who felled the tree illegally is not known at this time.

CRIBE giving money to LU

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy is handing out more money.  CRIBE dolled out 3 million dollars to help build a partnership between Lakehead University and a Chatham company.  G2 BioChem Spokesperson Bob Benson says a portion of the funds will go towards the construction of an ethanol plant in Chatham which LU researchers will have access to.  CRIBE is also giving 150 thousand dollars to LU for a separate project.  MPP Bill Mauro says after 2 years of work CRIBE is finally ready to start announcing projects.

Rafferty says budget disappointing

A Thunder Bay MP thinks the federal budget should be remembered for what it doesn't contain. John Rafferty says it's a document that doesn't have anything for working people, but says the NDP are reaching out to the Prime Minister to make changes.  Overall, Rafferty calls the budget disappointing.

Herman being honoured Wednesday

Thunder Bay's Police Chief is being invested to the National Order of Merit of the Police Forces. The outgoing Police Chief is being recognized for his contribution to policing. Bob Herman is among three northwestern Ontario officers being inducted Wednesday.

OPP still looking for missing angler

The OPP say they still have not located an angler who has been missing on Lake of the Woods for the past two weeks.  69 year old Richard Herman from Illinois was reported missing on evening of Monday, May 23rd.  Only the Marine Unit is still actively looking for his body.

Pat Lang receives award

The outgoing President of Confederation College is being honoured for her work in the region.  Pat Lang has received a national Award for her advocacy in getting students the advanced skills education they need in Northern Ontario.  Lang has more than doubled the apprenticeship opportunities for Northerners and developed new contract training opportunities for 50-Aboriginal communities.

Rickford talks budget

The federal budget does contain some goodies that will help out northwestern Ontario. Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says there is funding specifically for the cyclotron project in Thunder Bay, which will have an impact right across the region. Rickford adds that there are a couple of programs announced in the federal budget that will help out the forest industry, to diversify the types of products being produced.

New bike lanes a go, even on Shuniah

The city's Active Transporation Policy is on track now that the next phase of bike lanes has been approved by council. Councillor Andrew Foulds voted in favour of the plan inspite of objections by Shuniah Street residents because it's about the larger issue of where we want to take this city.  Six more streets will now get bike lanes:  Balsam, John, McIntyre, Shuniah, Syndicate Avenue and Victoria Avenue.

Youth Advisory Committee approved

The city is embarking on a new era in relations with young people now that council has approved a Youth Strategy Framework. The highlight is an advisory committee on youth services with representation from council and other city committees that have a youth connection. Colleen Peters, the chair of Thunder Bay Youth Strategy, says it will give youth a legitimate voice in the planning process

Jim McMahon headlines celebrity dinner

Jim McMahon

The TBayTel Sports Celebrity dinner is coming up June 16th. The guest speakers will be former Super Bowl quarterback Jim McMahon and aerial skiier Diedra Dionne along with Canadian sports personality Michael Landsberg.

Diedra Dionne

Sister Cities program may add/drop cities

Thunder Bay's Sister Cities program is evolving.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto heads the committee and says they're looking at possible changes in the near future.   He says they're considering adding a city in China while reviewing the agreements they have right now with  5 other cities.   They may decide to drop one and pick up another in it's place

Hyer dumps on Harper budget

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says he is disappointed in Monday's federal budget since it's essentially the same one that was presented in March. Hyer says the cyclotron funding is the only bit of good news for us.  Hyer says it's a budget that was rejected by 60 per cent of the electorate

Cyclotron funding confirmed....again

Let there be no doubt that the Harper government will be funding a new cyclotron at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.  There was some mild concern in some circles that the promise that was made in Thunder Bay during the election campaign would be broken.  However, the 4 million dollars of funding in the March 22nd federal budget was re-included in Monday's document.

Foundation out to raise 120 thousand

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is looking for donations to purchase new high tech equipment which can detect eye problems. The Foundation's Terri Hrkac says they're trying to raise120 thousand dollars.   The first 10 thousand dollars came in from the Gilbart family

Drug bust nets 35 lbs of pot

Three people are up against drug related charges after two recent drug busts  that netted an estimated 150 thousand dollars worth of marijuana.   Police say the busts were on Whalen and North Vickers street

Bike lane debate to highlight meeting

It's a night for bike lane debating at city hall tonight as both opponents and supporters of the city bike lanes plead their cases.    Residents of Shuniah Street are especially peeved that they will face parking issues if the lanes are established.

Program aims to reduce food costs

First Nations in Northern Ontario may not have to pay 18 dollars for a bag of apples anymore thanks to a federal government subsidy. Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy says it should help reduce food costs for his people.    It's believed food costs up north could be reduced by up to half through the Nutrition North program

Teens facing charges after paintball incident

Thunder Bay police arrested 4 teens after paintballs were shot at a pedestrian.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says the teens allegedly pelted a 22 year old woman with paintballs and eggs yesterday morning.  Adams says the four ranged in age from 16 to 18 years old and are charged with assault with a weapon. 

No injuries in North side fire

Luckily there were no injuries in a basement fire in the North End.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue got the call just before 5 Saturday afternoon and responded with 2 alarms.  Crews managed to confine the damage to just the basement of the house.  No one was home at the time.

False alarm causes stir

A false alarm caused some tense moments for Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue.  A call came in just before 11 o'clock yesterday morning about a capsized sail boat in the harbour.  Two detachments responded to the incident which turned out to be a training exercise. 

Veterans honoured

Its the 71st anniversary of the enlistment for members of Lake Superior Regiment.  On Sunday, there was the memorial service for veterans at Hillcrest park, commemorating lives that were lost at war. Fallen soldiers were honoured by removal of poppies and a salute followed by a moment of silence. The service made special tribute to the memory of recently deceased veteran Ray Cousineau.

Macs store robbed

Thunder Bay police are investigating a robbery that occurred at a Macs convenience store on Red River Road. Police say a man described as 30 to 40 years of age fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. There were no injuries reported. The man was last seen running south bound on Picton Avenue.

Garage fire on McLaughlin st.

One family has evacuated their home after their garage caught fire on McLaughlin st. The burning garage severely damaged their home as well as two other houses next door. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and no injuries have been reported. Canadian Red Cross has helped this family with a temporary place to stay.

Thunder Bay girl missing

Thunder Bay police are asking anyone with information on missing girl Yolanda Phyllis Sankee to come forward. She was reported missing June 2nd and was last seen at the Travel Lodge on Arthur street June 1st. Yolanda Phyllis Sankee is described as Native Canadian, 5'3'' and about 140 pounds with a tattoo of an "X" near her left eye.

United Way new president

There's a new president at the United Way.  Michael Thompson  has been a member of the board of directors since 1999.  He's a career accountant and has held various senior executive positions in the community.