Whalen building renos approved

Some City Councillors are concerned over the size of the contingency fund for repairs slated for the Whalen Building.  Administration says it's because the building is 98 years old and they're not sure what they could find when they start to rehabilitate.  Council approved a 719 thousand dollar renovation contract with Roof Tile Management.  3 million dollars will be spent on the building in the next two years.

Council confers over curbs

Some residents of Holly Crescent would like the city to hold off on resurfacing their street.  They want the city to repair the street at the same time as their water mains and curbs.  Administration told council they just don't have the funds to repair all of the curbs in the City.  Several councillors visited the street to see the state of its infrastructure.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff mentioned there are homeowners in Thunder Bay who are unhappy with new sidewalks being put in place, while places like Holly Crescent would like one.

Suicide Stigma

A local firefighter wants to remove the stigma from talking about suicide.  Scott Chisholm is the creator of the Collateral Damage project.  Chisholm spoke to City Council Monday night and asked them to help foster a community dialogue about the signs leading up to suicide and prevention. 

Forbes Township youth dead in accident

A 16 year old Forbes Township teenager is dead as the result of a weekend traffic fatality. OPP say the single vehicle accident happened on Highway 11-17 west of Highway 102 Saturday morning at around 9:15. The victim, Marvin Spencer, was pronounced dead at the scene while two other occupants were taken to the Regional hospital with less serious injuries

NDP claim Clement controlled G-8 slush fund

The NDP believe they have dug up information that's damaging to FedNor minister Tony Clement. Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says his party has discovered the Harper government set up a slush fund for last year's G8 meetings in a way designed to avoid scrutiny by the auditor general. Hyer claims that Clement secretly funnelled 50 million dollars in G-8 money from FedNor through his constituency office.

CLE makes its mark again

Organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition say they couldn't be happier. President Lawrence Timko says they expect they will reach the 62 thousand mark in attendance.   He adds, everything went right this year with very few, if any, glitches or problems.  Timko says the weather was also perfect.    

Missing man on Shoal Lake

Kenora OPP are searching for a missing Winnipeg man on Shoal Lake. They say he was last seen swimming in the lake early Sunday morning. The shoreline search is centred around Galt Island.

New chief of police in Dryden

The City of Dryden has a new Chief of Police. Rob Davis has accepted the position, effective August 29th. The Police Services Board says Davis has extensive experience in policing, particularly with aboriginal issues and combating organized crime.

Boshcoff takes up residents cause

Residents in the Regina and John Street area have a supporter on city council in their corner. Ken Boshcoff says he'll be asking council to vote in favour of his request to have Bell move a planned cell phone tower in the area.  He says the neighbourhood is making  it quite clear they're not in favour of the tower.   Boshcoff's request is directed at the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission which has jurisdiction over the issue.

NDP In Kenora-RR continue the process

The last of four nomination meetings for the NDP in Kenora-Rainy River goes tonight in Fort Frances. Former Thunder Bay resident Sarah Campbell and Robert Sinding of Kenora are vying to be the riding's candidate in this October's provincial election.

Young offender arrested in stolen vehicle

A 14 year boy is behind bars this morning after being found in a stolen car.  Police found the car at Hillcrest Park just before 3 o'clock, when they approached it the driver took off and collided with a cruiser.  The vehicle was then driven to Marlborough Street where it was abandoned and the occupants fled.  Officers arrested the driver but the others escaped.

AbitibiBowater joins CEP

Workers at AbitibiBowater in Thunder Bay voted to join Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. A vote took place on Friday with CEP winning majority support from employees. National representative Stephen Boon said this should be a perfect fit, with CEP already representing most employees at AbitibiBowater Thunder Bay and almost 80% of AbitibiBowater employees in eastern Canada.

Bombardier workers vote yes and end strike

Seven hundred Bombardier employees will be returning to work on Monday after voting to accept a new 3 year contract.   Over 90 per cent of the workers who voted went along with the recommendation of the union executive and said "yes" to the new deal.   The contract includes improvements to wages and pensions along with a change in the work schedule from a 5 day a week operation to 7 days. 

Arson on East Francis

Thunder Bay police are investigating a suspected arson that took place on East Francis st. Police and firefighters were called to the scene late Friday night, where a vehicle and a motorcycle were lit on fire. It's reported that the vehicle was a 2001 Jaguar and the motorcycle was a 2001 Kawasaki. Police also found a 5 gallon gas can, along with a home made explosive device. Both the vehicle and motorcycle were destroyed by fire.

Cats bats coming back

Don't count out the Border Cats just yet because the baseball club is coming back next season. General Manager Brad Jorgenson says they were able to increase attendance 15 per cent this year and hope for an even brighter 2012.   Jorgenson believes a warmer June could have helped to boost attendance even more.

Pukaskwa Park reopens back country

The back country of Pukasaw park is open again.  It was closed for a week after a bear attacked a park visitor.  Meantime, DNA testing on the bear that was killed this week has yet to come back.

C-Dif outbreak at hospital

There's an outbreak of C-Dificile at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.  The first floor of the facility has infection control precautions in place.

NAN Chiefs Conference starts Tuesday

Ontario's Lieutenant Governor will be speaking at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's chiefs conference next week. It kicks off in Summer Beaver Tuesday, with housing, mining, and education being discussed. David Onley will speak about his work with aboriginal youth literacy.

Suicide Prevention Thunder Bay

City Councillors are invited to attend a workshop on suicide prevention.  The group Collateral Damage feels that if leaders are informed the community will be more aware as well.  A deputation on the matter will take place during Monday night's council meeting.

Bike Lanes 101

Thunder Bay drivers will be getting lessons on how to drive around bike lanes in the coming weeks. Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says the city will be conducting a massive education campaign.

Kenora Rainy River race for NDP spot

NDP across the Kenora-Rainy River District begin the selection of their candidate for the October provincial election. Sarah Campbell of Oxdrift and Robert Sinding of Kenora will be campaigning for support as nomination meetings start in Sioux Lookout tonight. Voting will take place throughout the weekend.

Walk4Justice in Thunder Bay Saturday

A group of walkers raising awareness about missing and murdered Aboriginal women will be in the city Saturday.  The group started it's journey in B.C. and hopes to make it to Ottawa in late September. You can meet the group at Vickers Park at 4 Saturday afternoon.

Thunder Bay arrested in Guelph

A Thunder Bay man is facing 6 months in prison for a robbery in Southern Ontario. Reports Friday say Timothy Littlejohn was arrested earlier this summer in connection to a robbery at a Subway restaurant in Elora in 2006.

Voting extended for favourite ball park in Canada

You have more time to cast your vote to help PA Stadium become Canada's favourite ball park.  Baseball Canada announced today the deadline for the semi-finals has been extended to Tuesday at 10 am.

NAN supports inquiry into jury rolls

Frank Iacobucci

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is responding favourably to the news that there will be an inquiry into the jury roll system in Ontario. NAN says it has fought for years to uncover the truth about why First Nations have been excluded from the provincial justice system. The government has appointed former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to head the probe.

Man attacks man with pruning shears

A 31 year old man is in police custody  today after an attempted robbery.  Police say the man tried to stab and rob an employee in the intercity area yesterday with a pair of pruning shears.  The man was arrested and charged.

Man with swords arrested

A sword wielding man is facing charges this morning.  Police say they got the call of a man walking around with 2 swords yesterday afternoon.  When officers approached the man, he tried to hide the swords and was arrested and charged.

240 summer jobs in T.Bay

Students will leave their summer jobs soon and return to school.  240 Thunder Bay youth were employed locally this summer.  YES Employment Services helped the 15 to 18 year olds find summer employment.

T.Bay boy learns in Ottawa

A young Thunder Bay boy is back from Ottawa after attending the Ontario Child Amputee seminar. 8 year old Connor Okerlund was born a left arm amputee and spoke to older CHAMP Counsellors about growing up an amputee.

No slots revenue talk between Mayor and OLG boss

The new president of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation would be open to listening to the City if it requested an increase in revenue from slot machines. Rod Phillips says it doesn't appear to be a priority though,  since it wasn't brought up by Mayor Hobbs or any other city official when he met with them on Thursday.  Phillips also doesn't see the casino expanding or providing regular entertainment in the foreseeable future.

NAN says no thanks to ed review

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is joining a growing movement by announcing it will not participate in a national education review process by the Harper government. Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says the national panel was established without input from First Nations in Canada.

Abitibi Bowater looks for cost reductions

AbitibiBowater is pledging more cost reductions at its Mills.  The company enjoyed a net profit of 61-million dollars in the last quarter.  However, CEO Richard Garneau says reducing costs remains a priority.  Garneau adds the company is still looking at 120-million dollars on capital improvements.

Council set to talk garbage trucks

City Council is considering purchasing four new garbage trucks. They'll vote Monday on an almost 900-thousand dollar bid by C.C. Poulin Equipment.

Holly Crescent residents to speak at council

Some residents of Holly Crescent are less than thrilled with construction work planned for their street.  The City is going to repave the road.  The residents would like their curbs and watermains repaired as well.  They'll bring their concerns up on Monday.

2 new fires reported in NW

The battle continues to bring wildfires under control across northwestern Ontario. Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters are being helped by intermittent rain and slightly below-average temperatures this week. However, Information Officer Gabby Rivard says fires could begin to increase again when dry conditions return. There were 2-fires reported yesterday and 96-active fires currently burning in the Region.

Energy Provincial Election Issue

The McGuinty Government's renewable energy program is shaping up to be an election issue this fall.  Progressive Conservative Energy Critic John Yakabuski says if they're elected they'll scrap wind farm projects that don't have contracts in place.  The NDP feel the province took the wrong track by bringing in private companies.  Wind Concerns Ontario is hoping the next Premier will put an end to wind contracts.

1.8 million dollars for First Nation Business

FedNor minister Tony Clement says it's all about jobs and economic development for First Nation communities.  Clement made the statement in Thunder Bay after announcing almost 2 million dollars for small businesses in Northwestern Ontario. The money will be distributed through the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund.

Cyclist-car collision sends woman to hospital

A 23 year old woman is not seriously injured after she collided with a car while riding her bike at the corner of Cumberland and Park at 8:30 this morning. Police say she was conscious at the time paramedics took her away.

Bombardier reaches tentative deal

The strike at Bombardier could soon come to an end.  Union Spokesperson Dominique Pasqualino says a tentative deal has been reached between the company and the Canadian Auto Workers Union.  The deal still needs to be ratified by the 700 workers in Thunder Bay for the strike to end and Pasqualino hopes to have a vote by Saturday. 

Drunk driving may have led to serious car crash

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a car crash that left one woman with serious injuries.  Police say a car blew through the intersection of Vickers and Donald Streets just after midnight and struck a van carrying 4 people.  A woman ended up being ejected from the van and was taken to hospital.

Hospital thankful to Bombardier

Officials at the Regional Hospital are thankful to the Bombardier Foundation. Hospital foundation CEO Glenn Craig says it's because of a half million dollar contribution to the hospital's second catherization lab.  He says that's in addition to the 3 quarter million dollar grant made when the campaign first began. The second lab is named after the Bombardier Foundation

Please water your trees

The hot weather this summer has prompted the City to ask residents to water trees in their yard and along the street.  They're reminding the public to only water on days of the month that are associated with your house number.

Next on the list....heart surgery

No sooner has the Regional Hospital cut the ribbon on it's second catherization lab, now the talk is about making heart surgery available here. One of the hospital's senior administrators, Lori Marshall, calls it a work in progress.  She says they are working on a proposal right now which will be submitted to the Ministry of Health in the fall. Marshall adds having 2 cath labs here gives the hospital credibility when applying for the surgery unit.

Health Unit expands vaccine program

Starting this week the health unit is offering two new vaccines to kids.  Spokesperson Darlene Binette says they'll be available during their Wednesday immunization clinics.  The two new vaccines include rotavirus and a combined measles-mumps-rubella program.  The health unit is also expanding two other vaccine programs.

Clement in Thunder Bay Thursday

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is in Thunder Bay this morning to make a funding announcement in support of the region's economic development.  He'll be at the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund at 11, and later at Marina Park for a tour of the waterfront.

Roofer involved in accident

A Thunder Bay worker is in hospital with unknown injuries after a roofing accident today in the city. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says an investigation is underway into the incident on Willow Park Drive.

City sets up bug traps

Thunder Bay continues to take action against the Emerald Ash Borer. The bug was recently found in Ottawa and Urban Forester Rena Viehbeck says it's just a matter of time before it arrives on our door step. The city is setting up traps in ash trees to detect when the pest first arrives. The bug is being spread by the transportation of firewood.

Collision in construction zone

No serious injuries to report from a traffic accident at the highway construction zone near the Terry Fox Lookout at about 8 o'clock this morning.  OPP say a pick up truck and a dump truck collided on a closed section of the new highway.  Two of the people in the pick up were taken to hospital to be checked over.

Economic turmoil should boost Thunder Bay housing market

The real estate market in Thunder Bay will remain hot thanks in part to the current economic turmoil south of the border.  LU economics Professor Livio Di Matteo says the US Federal Reserve Bank vowing to keep interest rates low, will likely mean the Bank of Canada will follow suit.  He says lower interest rates will make it easier for people to get a mortgage and will keep our housing market rocking for the foreseeable future. 

Contract talks continue

Efforts are underway to end the strike by 700 Bombardier employees.  Contract talks resumed at the Best Western Norwester this morning.  At issue are pensions, wages, and benefits.