Hobbs favours legalizing pot

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs is being singled out after saying he favours the legalization of marijuana.  His thoughts are revealed on a blog by the Canadian band Hollerado when they visited with the mayor during their stop in the city a week ago.

Fire cause to go as undetermined

It appears that the cause of this week's fire on Sherbrooke Street may never be known. The blaze tore through a duplex causing extensive damage but no injuries.  Investigators are reported to have probed the scene without being able to narrow down what started the fire.

Crime Strategy goes before Council

The veil will soon be lifted on the Crime Prevention Council's two year strategy.  Chair Wendy Landrie says they'll be bringing it to council on Monday for approval.  Once it gets approval they'll start to implement it.

Alex Auld is ready for his second stint with the Senators

The Ottawa Senators are in a rebuilding mode but that isn't dampening the spirits of the Alex Auld.  The Thunder Bay Goaltender is in his second tour of duty with the team and says its a different roster but there are still a lot of familiar faces in Jason Spezza, Daniel Alferdsson, and Chris Phillips. Auld says he's looking forward to playing with Craig Anderson again who he last played with in the Florida Panthers Organization.

Henizl speaks in Thunder Bay

The founder of Doctors Without Borders Canada sees similarities between remote first nation communities and the third world. Dr. Richard Heinzl says more needs to be done to help aboriginal communities who don't have clean drinking water. Heinzl spoke at Confederation College Thursday night.

Crime prevention awards announced.

Mayor Keith Hobbs is taking his fight against crime to the public level by announcing the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards.   Hobbs says they're designed to help all citizens become aware of crime prevention and strategies.  They will be handed out November 7th.

Grits cool on addressing forestry concerns

Ontario's governing Liberals are not addressing a number of forestry questions put to the main political parties by Northwestern Ontario municipal and industry leaders.   Out of thirteen questions posed to the parties, the Liberals only answered one.   However,  the author's of the survey refused to be critical, saying some of the questions are complex and they hope they'll be addressed before the election.

Mauro gets his star

Thunder Bay's Arthur Mauro now has a star on the Walk of Fame at Victoriaville Mall.   Mauro is the Chancellor of Lakehead University and has served on several government commissions and committees.  He currently lives in Winnipeg.

Cooler temps and rain ease fire concerns

Cooler temperatures and rain are helping to keep the forest fire hazard at low in Northwestern Ontario. There are currently 40 active fires burning, compared to over 100 during the height of forest fire activity in the hot summer months. No new fires have been reported.

Robbery suspect caught

A 20 year old man appears in court Thursday after police say he was caught following an attempted armed robbery at a north side convenience store Wednesday night.   They say a man wearing a mask and brandishing a knife left the store empty handed.  Police believe the same person may be charged with a similar robbery on Tuesday

Mining boom has 20 year shelf life

The President of the Ontario Mining Association is predicting the current mining boom only has a 20 year shelf life.  Chris Hodgson says we need to strike while the iron is hot.  Hodgson adds in order for the region to provide a solid workforce more women need to consider careers in mining.

OFIA unveils election asks

The NDP, PC's, and Liberals are being put on notice from the Ontario Forest Industry Association.  Spokesperson Scott Jackson says they want to see better provincial government policies.  Jackson says they also want a buy Ontario policy for the Forest Industry.

Power outage plaguing North side

Around 150 Thunder Bay Hydro customers are without power on the North side of town.  According to the company's outage line, the homes on the Northwest outskirts of town lost power at around 3 o'clock and officials aren't sure when power will be restored.

Fatal fire under investigation

OPP in Kenora are investigating a fatal fire.  Officials say the fire happened Monday at a cottage on an island on Lake of the Woods.  One person died and another is in critical condition.  No word on the cause of the fire. 

Fire rips through duplex

No injuries after a two alarm blaze tore through a duplex on the city's southside.  The inferno started just before 11:30 on Sherbrooke street and Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Captain Rick Kerley says when crews arrived they saw blackened windows and smoke in the area. Kerley says they found extensive damage in the house but managed to confine most of the damage to the main floor.  There is no word on the cause at this time.

Canfield thinks McGuinty will be last minute show

There are still some members of NOMA that think the Premier will show to the first ever Northern Ontario Leaders Debate.  Vice President Dave Canfield has a sneaking suspicion that Dalton McGuinty will have a change of heart.  The Mayor of Kenora believes even though the Premier has said he won't attend; he might find a way in the long run.  Canfield feels any Premier needs to be engaged with the region since we have all of the resources.

Business needs to grow communities

The Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is rallying the business community to support remote communities.  Elyse Allan spoke at the Prosperity Northwest Conference today and says Government and Business have a role to play.  Allan says investments need to be made in skills training and basic infrastructure.  Allan is also the President and CEO of GE Canada.

Airport sets new record

Thunder Bay's airport has set a new record.  During the month of August just over 67 thousand people went through the airport which is the highest ever.  Officials believe the airport will see over 700 thousand passengers this year.

Inflation jumps in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's inflation rate is even with the national rate for August at 3.1 per cent.  That is an increase from 2.9 per cent the month before.  Government statisticians tell us it's the result of increased prices for gasoline and food.

The longtime face of CF dies

Condelences are pouring in on Facebook for a  Thunder Bay woman who grew up in front of our eyes on local television.  Carla Long has died at the age 35.   She passed away last night at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.   Long was one of the local residents who appeared yearly on the Cystic Fibrosis Mother's Day Telethon.

Marten Falls tries addiction treatment program

The First Nations community of Marten Falls is trying a new way to get their members off their prescription pain killer addictions. They are trying out a 30 day program which will provide Oxycontin addicts with a drug that will taper them off the hard stuff. Marten Falls is 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Tai Chi Park Grand Opening Friday

Thunder Bay is working on cementing it's reputation as the Tai Chi City in China.  The Tai Chi park and moon gate will be unveiled this Friday and Organizer Brian Nieminen says they'll welcome a wide range of delegates.  The park includes a 60' diameter pad for Tai Chi and a large Moongate that frames a view of the Sleeping Giant.

Advance Polls start Wednesday

You can now cast your ballot for the 2011 Provincial election.  Thunder Bay Superior North Returning Officer Peter Doig says advance poll locations open at 10 today.  If you live in the Superior North riding you can vote at the returning office or at the County Fair Mall.  In the Thunder Bay-Atikokan Riding you can vote at the Slovak Legion, and at the Redwood Returning Office.  Advance polls are running for 10 days.

Greenstone makes it's case for a smelter

The community of Greenstone feels it now has a leg up in attracting a Ring of Fire refinery. Consultant George Smitherman says his study shows that the town of Exton should be the top choice for Cliffs Natural Resources when it makes a decision on a smelter location. He says at the heart of the Exton's strength is its proximity to the mine site and its relations with First Nations. Cliffs hopes to make a decision by the end of the year.

Police lead the province in alcohol related arrests

Thunder Bay Police are leading the province in a very dubious category.  According to the 2010 annual report officers made more alcohol related arrests per capita than anywhere else in Ontario.  Chief JP Levesque says it's a social problem and is keeping officers from focusing on crime prevention and enforcement.   He says adding more detox beds would go a long way to relieve some of the pressure on police.

Feedback invited on urban forestry

The city is looking for your input on a new management plan for our urban forest.   A pubic session is taking place tonight at Thunder Bay's 55 Plus Centre.  The public meeting takes place between 7 and 9 pm.  That feedback will be used by a consulting group when it draws up a final report to council next month.

Bell Tower decision put off until another meeting

Bell Canada has yet to set a date for another public consultation session on a proposed cell phone tower on John Street Road. The company is also considering lowering it's proposed tower on John Street. Spokesperson Matt Milligan says it's not an ideal situation but they're listening to the neighbourhood's issue with their tower's height. Milligan notes it will mean less coverage for the residents in the area. City Council is holding off on sending a letter to Industry Canada until Bell holds a second neighbourhood meeting.

Walsh Street Sidewalk is a go

A sidewalk planned for Walsh Street will go forward.  Some councillors wanted to cancel the sidewalk contract because they were concerned about trees in the area.  The sidewalk project will go ahead because Council's vote was a tie.

Mechanic amendment takes 3 hours

It took three hours for City Council to approve a zoning change so a Kline Road Mechanic could operate a business out of his home.  Neighbours for and against the project squared off throughout Monday night's meeting, and Mayor Keith Hobbs had the final word before the vote saying he's not going to vote against a person's livelihood.  Leon Giardino will be allowed to operate a mechanic shop on his property as long as he doesn't store the vehicles outside of his shop.

Kline road mechanic shop squabble

Many neighbours aired their support for a home business mechanic on the Kline Road. Leon Giardino is asking City Council for an amendment so he can operate a small mechanic shop on his property.  Some residents are against the mechanic shop saying it would bring an increase in traffic and noise. One resident described allowing the operation as opening Pandora's box.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga took a shot at the deputants against the mechanic shop, saying one of them supported a similar operation last year.

Grow-op registry get nod from all parties

A Progressive Conservative call for a registry on houses used for grow-ops or meth labs is getting a nod of approval from the other parties.  Thunder Bay Superior North Candidate Anthony Leblanc says its a good way to protect home buyers.  Liberal incumbent Michael Gravelle says the plan would enhance current legislation aimed at eliminating grow-ops and meth labs and NDP Candidate Steve Mantis say it could be expanded to include all existing problems with the home.

Camp destroyed after fire

An East Loon Lake camp is completely destroyed after a fire over the weekend.  Shuniah Fire Chief Blair Arthur says the investigation continues. The owner escaped through a window after his dog woke him up.

Union Gas decreases rates

Finally some good news for cash-strapped homeowners in Northwestern Ontario.  Union Gas says the cost of natural gas will be decreasing slightly during the colder months.  Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says the rate change comes into effect October 1st.

Watkins gets jury wish

A Thunder Bay Lawyer is getting his wish from a Superior Court Judge. Justice John McCartney has accepted Chris Watkins request to look into the make up of the jury for his latest trial. Watkins says this decision will have major implications depending on how the jury trial pans out.   Watkins says he feels current juries fail to properly represent the area's First Nations demographics.

Community Living workers could strike

Workers from Community Living Thunder Bay are in support of strike action.  The workers represented by OPSEU voted 96 percent in favour of a strike.  Bargaining resumes this week.  The strike deadline is this Saturday at one minute after midnight.

Thunder Bay Police looking for Mac's Mart Robber

Thunder Bay Police are looking to the public in hopes of identifying a robber over the weekend.  Police officials say two Mac's Marts on the North side of town were robbed Saturday morning and the description of the suspect is similar.  Police say they aren't ruling out the possibility of a single suspect.

Red Cross set to open up a Northern First Nation Office

A Northern First Nation will soon be home to a satellite Red Cross office.  The office is being funded in part by the Paterson Foundation and will help provide first aid, injury prevention and other services to First Nations Communities in the North.  Red Cross Manager of First Nations Projects Melanie Goodchild-Southwind says a specific community has not been chosen yet but the process will soon start.  The Paterson Foundation is providing 200 thousand dollars over the next two years to finance the project.

Diabetes Association informing patients about Weight Loss Surgery

The Thunder Bay Diabetes Association is hosting an information session about weight loss surgery for patients with Type 2 Diabetes.  Spokesperson Richard Boon says the session will explain which patients this procedure is designed for.  He says it's for morbidly obese patients who's weight is putting their life in danger.  Boon says the session will take place next Wednesday at the Slovak Legion.

Madder "ecstatic" at tentative deal

One of the happiest people in the city today is the President of Confederation College. Jim Madder says he's pleased to see an end to the strike by the Province's college support staff after a tentative agreement was reached. He's is looking forward to getting back into the routine.   Madder thinks it'll take till the end of the week and adds that the fitness centre and day care centre are the priorities.

More Mac's stores robbed

City police are still on the alert for who may have been responsible for two Mac's store robberies on the North side. Both took place early Saturday morning  and both were at knifepoint. 

Housing market staying strong

It's a hot housing market in Thunder Bay and according to the Real Estate Board, it isn't going to slow down anytime soon. President Diane Erickson says the average house price in Thunder Bay is up to just over 167 thousand dollars. The average house price in Canada is just under 350 thousand dollars.

Bell talks towers at council

Bell is coming to talk to City Council about its proposed cell phone towers. Council put off making a decision last month about a proposed tower in the area of John Street Road. Area residents are against the height of the tower.

Hot line targets bed shortages

The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions has launched a new hot line aimed at bed shortages in local hospitals. Judy Bain is a local union representative and says too often elderly patients are forced to wait in the hospital while they wait for a long term care bed to open up. Bain says the occupancy rate is more than 97 percent in the local hospital, and that puts stress on the entire health care system.

Long gun registry top priority

The Federal Long-Gun Registry is one of the Harper Government's top priorities for today's start of the new session of Parliament. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he hopes to have a bill to dismantle the Registry in place sooner rather then later. Rickford notes it all depends on what games the opposition play, noting its an issue that continues to divide the NDP.

Miles with the Giant gets going

The second annual Miles with the Giant Marathon is underway. Hundreds of participants are running either the half or full marathon this morning. One of the runners is motivational speaker Dick Beardsly who sees a great future for the local event. Beardsly says the secret is to make improvements every year.

National Panel meets in Rat Portage

Students living in remote First Nation communities need to be better prepared for High School. That was one of several concerns raised to the National Panel on Aboriginal Education in Rat Portage First Nation. The 3-member panel will visit 6 other locations in Canada and will submit a final list of recommendations to National Chief Shawn Alteo and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Terry Fox run

The Terry Fox Run for Cancer research is Sunday in communities across Northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Sarah Lancaster says the 31st Annual Run is in memory of Terry's mother Betty, who she says was a primary figure in the beginning of the foundation. Thunder Bay's walk will take place at Boulevard Lake from 2 to 4.

T.Bay humane society receives donation

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is five thousand dollars richer thanks to a donation from Pedigree. The cash is part of the the company's fourth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive campaign, and has teamed up with the local animal shelter to help shelter dogs find loving homes.

NWO represented in provincial election

There's a Northwestern flavour to the Provincial election outside of the region. Dorothy Marie Eisen, a member of Wabigoon First Nation, is carrying the NDP banner in Oxford. Former Fort Frances resident Donna Cridland is running for the Green Party in the southern Ontario riding of Welland.