Schools have new ski equipment

High School students in Thunder Bay now have access to cross country skiing equipment. It's thanks to Chris Serratore  and the Big Thunder Nordic Ski Club who applied for a 22 thousand dollars government grant to pay for the skis, boots and poles. There's enough equipment purchased to outfit 40 students.

Another waterfront addition

The metal beacons that will decorate Prince Arthur's Landing on the waterfront are now being put in place.  The beacons are towers which have L-E-D lighting installed along with an audio system which, among other things, will provide a bit of Thunder Bay history to those who visit the piers where they're to be located.

Local Fashionista posts new video for BBM Challenge

A local student has posted her latest fashion video for Blackberry's BBM Challenge.  Alex Kruse says she's hoping for more support from the community so she can put Thunder Bay on the fashion map.  The winner will be picked by Whitney Port and Blackberry but every vote helps.  Click here, to see her video and vote for her in the BBM Challenge.

Missing teen now found

A missing teenager is now back with his guardian. 14 year old Cole Yapput had been reported missing over the weekend, but city police say he turned up safe and sound on Sunday.

Making our streets look better

The City is giving you the chance to have a say on the future design of our main drags. A consulting firm has made several proposals to improve the look of streets like Red River Road, Edward and May. Spokesperson Jessica Hawes says there are a variety of recommendations they have come up with including tree planting and landscaping. They are also looking at some streets with a view to how they can function better. The open house is taking place at the Community Auditorium starting at 4:30 Tuesday.

Calendar Parking in effect

Calendar Parking is back in effect in the City.  Hopsital, school zones, transit routes and downtown cores will be off limits for parking from 2 am until 7am.  Certain streets subject to calandar parking will be off limits from 9am until five pm as well.  The restrictions are necessary to allow for quick and effective winter road maintenance.

Red Cross helping Attawapiskat

Attawapiskat is getting some help from the Canadian Red Cross. The Red Cross says it's working closely with public authorities and the community to identify and address urgent, short-term needs. Red Cross spokesman John Saunders says some of the needs currently identified include generators, heaters, insulated sleeping mats, blankets and winter clothing.

Global Sticks President in City

The President of Global Sticks says they hope to reopen the Oliver Paipoonge plant in two weeks time.  Reggie Nukovic is in the City this week meeting with bank officials looking for over a million dollars in loans.  Nukovic says they're implementing a restructuring plan this week.

Macs Robbery Sunday

Thunder Bay Police are investigating yet another robbery at a local Mac's Mart. This time around it was the North Edward Street store that was held up for cash yesterday around seven pm. Police say one young man entered the store with a knife while another kept watch outside. The two youths will be in bail court this morning.

Fire at Mcivor Court

Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire at Mcivor Court on the city's South side. Crews from four fire stations responded to the call just after 10 o'clock Sunday morning. Platoon Chief Kim Hutch says it might have been caused by smoking material being thrown down the garbage shoot. Firefighters had to force entry where the fire was quickly put under control. There have been no injuries reported, and damage to the apartment is minimal.

Macs Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are investigating another Macs Mart robbery. The Waterloo St. location was robbed early Sunday morning just after midnight, by a woman with a knife. There were no injuries reported and Police haven't made any arrests in connection with the robbery.

T.Bay's first TEDx conference

Thunder Bay will host its first TEDx conference on February 16th, 2012. Manager of the North West Innovation Centre, Judy Sander says the theme is reinventing your community. The organization committee is now looking for speakers. For more information visit www.tedxthunderbay.com.

Humane Society fundraiser

A fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Humane Society is gearing up for a big event. Organizer Jessica Leinich says her and a group of residents are having an event at the Westfort Tavern to raise money to help save the Humane Society.  The event will happen December 10th, from 8pm to 2am.

Husband and wife car accident

A 32 year old man is facing impaired driving charges after accidentally hitting his wife with his car. The man will appear in court today. The man's wife is in hospital listed under stable condition. Police say this happened on the 100 block of North Syndicate Ave. around 3 Saturday morning.

Missing teen

Thunder Bay Police are searching for a missing teen. 14 year old Cole Preston Yapput has been reported missing since November 15th. Cole Yapput is described as Native Canadian, 5'3'' and 104 pounds. He was last seen by his guardian near Franklin and Walsh Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police.

Driving conditions get worse

Motorists in the city are being asked to slow down and drive with road conditions in mind. Saturday morning there have been a number of vehicle collisions reported, all in different areas of the city. Right now OPP are investigating a collision involving two vehicles on Highway 61 and Broadway Ave. No further details have been released at this time.

Wellness Program coming up at council

Council will decide tonight whether or not to hire a part time wellness coach for the city.  Spokesperson Anne Turuba wrote a report on the program and says its been very successful and she hopes in grows beyond city employees.  Turuba says currently the city contracts the position out to an outside person.

Health Conference coming to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay City council will be asked to fork over 20 thousand dollars to help with an upcoming medical conference.  The Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Roger Strasser will be speaking to council to ask for transportation costs for the October 2012 conference.   Strasser says the 600 delegates will bring in big economic benefits for the city and the conference will also increase our global profile.

Fundraiser for Humane Society

A fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Humane Society is gearing up for a big event.  Organizer Jessica Leinich says her and a group of residents are having an event at the Westfort Tavern to raise money to help save the Humane Society.  The event will happen December 10th from 8pm to 2am.

Henry Wojak barred from speaking @ Council

Councillor Trevor Giertuga says for every action there is a reaction and in the case of Henry Wojak there was consequences.  Giertuga says Mr Wojak has been barred from speaking at the coming council meeting because of foul language and an inappropriate gesture.

Christmas Cheer off and running

The Christmas Cheer campaign is underway with a goal of 160 thousand dollars. Chair Linda Gambee says this year the need in the community is bigger than ever.  She says where normally the organization gets inquiries weeks before the campaign starts, people have been calling  months ahead of time.  The money is used to provide a grocery hamper and toys to needy families for Christmas

More details on escaped prisoner

The Prisoner who is charged with escaping police custody yesterday is the 22 year charged in connection to this week's Mac's Mart Robbery.  Police officials say the prisoner ran away from officers when he was being taken into the Court House on Arthur Street.  Patrol officers quickly picked him up on Selkirk Avenue and charged is Ryan Deluney .

Rickford lauds First Nations bill

The MP for Kenora believes a new Federal bill to force First Nations to release officials salaries will lead to better accountibility. Greg Rickford notes this is the first step because there's more related legislation on the way.  It will centre on reforming the election system for First Nations that  will provide more certainty for those communities.

Global Sticks gets Gravelle going

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is busy these days getting a handle on the Global Sticks situation. With millions of provincial tax dollars invested in the company, Gravelle says everything is being done to get the operation in Oliver-Paipoonge open again and is hopeful that a restructuring plan will help. Gravelle disagrees with Mayor Hobbs that provincial government red tape is partly to blame for some of the company's hardships

Bombers favoured to win Grey Cup

It's Grey Cup weekend in Canada.  On Sunday the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the B.C. Lions, and we asked the people of Thunder Bay...who's going to win? 

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CEDC works to save Global Sticks

The CEO of the City's Economic Development Commission believes Global Sticks will re-open again.   The company has shut down it's popsicle stick factory in Oliver-Paipoonge.  Steve Demmings says the CEDC has been active with others behind the scenes to keep the firm afloat.  He says more questions will be answered when company President Reggie Nukovic visits the city next week.

More weather records set

Another record breaker for Northwestern Ontario.  The high for Thunder Bay yesterday was 13 degrees shattering the old record of 7.8 set 11 years ago.  Dryden, Ear Falls, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout also broke temperature records.

Prisoner escapes police at court house

A prisoner is back in Police custody after a short taste of freedom this afternoon.  Officials say the man escaped from a police van at the Arthur Street Court House just after 3:30.  The man was in handcuffs and was picked up on Selkirk Avenue a short time later. 

Global Sticks releases statement

Global Sticks has released a statement about the closure of their Oliver Paipoonge facility.  The statement says the company is restructuring and is hopeful to reopen soon.  The company says it is working hard with the provincial government to secure an adequate access to Birch wood fibre.

SIU absolves OPP in Kakabeka Falls incident

The Province's Special Investigations Unit has finished its investigation into an incident at Kakabeka Falls where a 22 year man died last month. SIU Officials say they have found no wrong doings by OPP officers involved in the incident that saw Kurtis McVittie fall over the falls and die.

Police release the name of man charged in yesterday's robbery

Thunder Bay Police have released the name of the 22 year old charged in connection to yesterday's Mac's Mart.  Constable Julie Tilbury says Ryan Deluney appeared in court this morning and is facing several charges.  Tilbury says officers received a tip about his whereabouts yesterday and arrested him without incident at Victoriaville Mall early in the afternoon.

Shelter House about to fundraise

Shelter House is about to launch its holiday fundraising campaign. This year the goal is set at 150 thousand dollars. The money goes towards the shelter's everyday expenses in helping to house its homeless clients. The shelter says it requires about 400 thousand dollars in donations every year

United Way says it's on track

The United Way's campaign goal remains in reach. Co-chair Jules Tupker says there are 40 days left, but there are no concerns the objective won't be achieved.  As of today 1.2 million dollars has been raised....the goal is 2 and a half million.

Gastrointestinal outbreak

The Health Unit is reporting a gastrointestinal outbreak at Roseview Manor. All admissions, transfers and discharges are cancelled until further notice. Visitors are also restricted to family members and caregivers only.

Dog fight leads to fines

Papillon

Two dog owners are facing four thousand dollars in fines after letting their German Shepherd and Boxer run free. City Licensing and Enforcement Manager Ron Bourret says the fines were brought down in Provincial Offenses Court. The two large dogs entered private property and attacked a Papillon. The injured dog's owner is paying four thousand dollars in vet bills.

22 year old charged

Police have charged the 22 year old man who was arrested as a person of interest in connection with a Mac's Mart robbery yesterday.  He's appearing in court this morning.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says more information will be made available later today.

A record breaking Thursday in NWO

It's another nice day in Thunder Bay today, just like yesterday was.  However at 7 degrees we stopped short of breaking the record for November 23rd set in 1942.  There were temperature records set elsewhere in Northwestern Ontario. Dryden, Ear Falls and Kenora all set new marks.

Immigration Portal update on Monday

Northwestern Ontario's Immigration Portal has been operating out of Thunder Bay for over a year.  The organization will be providing an update to City Council on Monday.  The web portal has drawn interest from across the world. 

Attawapiskat cries for help

More people are calling for help for the Attawapiskat First Nation.  The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario are calling on Premier McGuinty and Prime Minister Harper to intervene in the housing crisis on the Northern reserve.  They say some of the living conditions in Attawapiskat are deplorable and dangerous.  Chief Theresa Spence asked last month that her community be evacuated before winter because lives were at risk.  Area MP Charlie Angus says five families are living in tents, while another 19 families are living in sheds without running water.

Resolute Fort Frances Mill down

Resolute Forest Products is curtailing its paper-making operations in Fort Frances for the rest of the year.  The company cites poor market conditions for the five-week shutdown of its paper machines that starts next week.  About 100 employees will be impacted.  Operations at the kraft mill are not effected.  It's the third work stoppage at the paper mill this year.

Mauro talks economic update

MPP Bill Mauro says despite the global financial problems the provincial government should still meet their budget goals.  Mauro says Wednesday's Economic Update from the Finance Minster warns of tough times ahead but the books should still be balanced by the 2017-18 budget.

Happy to have 87 back

There's lots of positive comments coming from Thunder Bay hockey fans to the return of Sidney Crosby to the NHL.  Those we spoke to were happy about it.

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Beardy: NAN is already transparent

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is stopping short of saying he supports new First Nations legislation.  The Harper government plans to introduce a law to force First Nations to release officials salaries. Stan Beardy says NAN has always been accountable adding NAN publishes an annual audit anyone can see.

Matawa says Webequie can do what it wants

The CEO of the Matawa First Nations says the Webequie First Nation is fully within its right to act independently on the Ring of Fire. David Achneepineskum says the organization fully backs the stand taken by Webequie to speak on the chromite project on its own.  Achneepineskum says each community has the authority within Matawa to develop their own community position.

Standoff ends in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay police have taken a person into custody in connection to today's standoff on Northern Avenue.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says investigators made contact with the person early this afternoon and he was taken into custody at Victoriaville Mall.  Adams says at this time no charges have been laid in connection to this morning's Mac's Mart Robbery.  He says officers searched the man's house and found a number of items including a replica handgun.

Webequie goes rogue

There appears to be a crack in the solidarity within the Matawa First Nations. Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation says Matawa doesn't speak for his community on the Ring of Fire.  He says his people have concerns about Matawa's approach and he's standing by them. The comments by Chief Wabasse come a couple weeks after Matawa said all nine of its chiefs pulled their support for the chromite project

LUSU fails tuition cut plan

Lakehead University's Student Union is giving the McGuinty Government's promised tuition cuts a failing grade. The governmnet promised to cut college and university tuition fees by 30 per cent starting Jan. 1st. President Michael Snoddon also takes issue with the fact that all students aren't eligable for the tuition fee reduction.

Terrace Bay Pulp downtime

Terrace Bay's Pulp Mill will be closed for three months starting November 30th.  Mayor Mike King hopes market conditions will improve during the down time.  The mill will be conducting some maintenance work inside the mill during the downtime.

Global Sticks Reaction

The Provincial Government has given Oliver Paipoonge's Global Sticks millions of dollars in start up funds and now can no longer keep it's doors open. We asked residents if they think the Provincial Government should continue to subsidize business.

Police playing wait and see game

Thunder Bay Police have surrounded a house on Northern Avenue as they attempt to speak with the suspect in this morning's armed robbery of a Mac's Convenience Store.  The home in the 800 block of Northern Avenue is now the focus of the investigation.  Police are asking the public to avoid the area around Northern Avenue west of May Street until the situation is resolved.