Tis the season for binge drinking

Tis the season for teenagers to binge drink.  Thunder Bay's drug strategy co-ordinator Patty Hajdu says the Christmas season brings high school drinking parties.  Hajdu is asking parents to pay close attention to their kids and know what's going on in their social circle.

Christmas wrap reminder

The city is out with its yearly reminder not to put Christmas wrapping paper in with your recyclables.   They say that brightly coloured paper and foil gift wrap cannot be recycled due to the extremely high ink content of the paper.

Local lottery winner

An 18 year old city girl is 75 thousand dollars richer after winning in a scratch lottery game called It's a Wonderful Life.   Shyra Bannon-Neault says she plans to buy some nice Christmas gifts for the family and then buy a new car.

Shipping drawing to a close

The 2011 shipping season in the Port of Thunder Bay is winding down. Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says it'll extend a little later than most years. He says locks at the Welland Canal will close on December 30th and the Soo Locks in Sault St. Marie will close around January 7th. Six ships are expected to arrive in port which will spend the winter here being repaired.

Local lawyer involved in proposed harassment suit

A Thunder Bay lawyer is getting involved in a proposed class action lawsuit claiming sexual harassment against the RCMP.  Sandy Zaitzeff says he's part of the process because of a local connection to the case.  He says a Thunder Bay resident who used to work for the RCMP in British Columbia years ago came to him after the first news reports of sexual harassment at the force first surfaced.

Union gas rates going down

A nice gift of savings for Union Gas customers in Northwestern Ontario.  The Ontario Energy Board has approved changes to the price Union Gas charges its customers for natural gas.  Local residential consumers who use 26-hundred cubic meters a year will pay about 28-dollars less per year.  The changes go into effect January 1st.  Lower natural gas prices in North America are credited for the drop in price.

Mayor Brown doesn't like comparison

The Mayor of Atikokan says he's not sure why his community is being used as a comparison with the financial spending of troubled Attawapiskat First Nation.  A published report notes Atikokan's operating budget to be a third of the remote Northern community.  Dennis Brown says it's difficult to compare budgets since Atikokan doesn't have all of the same financial responsibilities as Attawapiskat.

OPP holiday RIDE stats

The number of impaired driving charges are up so far during the seasonal RIDE campaign.  The OPP in Northwestern Ontario say they have laid 31 impaired driving charges in the first three weeks of their holiday blitz.  That's up from 29 for the same period last year.  There were also five three-day suspensions issued, compared to just one in 2010.  There have also been 260 motor vehicle accidents investigated with seven involving alcohol.

3-thousand goes towards hockey tournaments

The Police Services Board is going to be putting some money towards a couple of hockey tournaments this winter.  The board is providing 1-thousand 500 dollars towards the Crime Stoppers hockey game on February 28th.  An additional 1-thousand 500 dollars is being used to put on the Law Enforcement Cub on January 20th.

Police buying Smart Board

Thunder Bay Police are spending 12 thousand dollars in money they seized from proceeds of crime. The money will go towards buying a smart board. The board will be used to improve the police services' crime mapping software.

Seized funds go towards E-ticketing system

City Police are using almost 19 thousand dollars in seized money to purchase an E-ticketing system.  Chief JP Levesque says the project will get underway in the New Year.  The ticket system is more accurate and will help keep officers out of the court room and free them up to do more police work.

Hobbs first meeting back on Police Board

It was Mayor Keith Hobbs first meeting back with the Police Services Board.  Chief JP Levesque says it was a productive meeting.  He adds they have a good working relationship and doesn't see that changing anytime soon.

Man in Motion nixes Thunder Bay visit

Rick Hansen isn't coming to Thunder Bay after all. The Man in Motion's 25th Anniversary relay will not include Hansen himself. City official Doug Henry says they found out about a month ago he wasn't coming due to some scheduling conflicts.  Henry says the city will continue with it's official celebration with a anniversary run through the city January 8th

Inflation drops in Thunder Bay

The cost of living in Thunder Bay is down for the month of November. According to government figures from Statistics Canada the rate fell to 2.6 per cent from 3 per cent in October. Across the country the rate held steady at 2.9 per cent

2012 Police Service Budget 34 million dollars

Thunder Bay Police Services is increasing its 2012 budget by four percent.  Chief JP Levesque says the operating budget is pegged at just over 34 million dollars.  Wage increases and benefits went up by 1 million 38-thousand dollars. Council will get it's first look at the budget January 31st.

November border stats and stories

The Pigeon River border continues to be an entry point for many immigrants hoping to come to Canada. The November statistics show that the Canadian Border Services Agency conducted just over 100 immigration examinations. Out of those 2 people were refused entry because of a criminal background and other issues. 20 were issued immigration documents. The same agency report shows a couple of Canadian gun collectors failed to declare a antique flintlock rifle when coming into Canada. The travellers claimed to have only been away from the country for 1 day and made a 10 dollar purchase.

Cats open anniversary season on the road

The Northwoods League 2012 schedule shows the Thunder Bay Border Cats will open their 10th anniversary season on the road Wednesday, May 30th, in Alexandria against the Beetles. The Cats will kick off the season with a five game road trip with a pair of games in Alexandria and a three game series in Rochester against the Honkers. The Cats home opener is set for Monday, June 4th, at 7:05 p.m. at Subway Field at Port Arthur Stadium against Alexandria

Comfort Keepers holiday tips

Don't forget to keep the senior members in your family busy during the holiday season. That's the message of Comfort Keepers, Spokesperson Lynn Burke says the holidays can some times be hard on our elderly relatives. Burke says playing cards and playing brain teaser games with family members is a good way to involve senior family members.

Home for the Holidays Reception

The City is playing host to over 100 health care professionals and students at a special reception.  Organizer Cheryl Armstrong says they want to make a good impression on health care students home for the holidays.  Armstrong adds the reception is a chance for the professionals and the students to mingle and talk about working in Thunder Bay.

New City Solicitor

The City has a new legal adviser.  Nadia Koltun will start in January and replaces Rosalie Evans who is on a year sabbatical.  Koltun has more than 30 years of experience in municipal law.

City Council Highlights

City Lawmakers are putting 3 hundred and 18 thousand dollars towards a new Hazardous Materials Truck.  Fire and Rescue is in need of the new vehicle, the 318-thousand dollars was the lowest bid for the vehicle.  Meanwhile, City Council is allowing the public library to use their surplus funds from the Mary J L Black Library towards other projects.  112-thousand dollars is being used towards upgrading other library buildings and updating their collection of books and resources.

Hobbs' State of the City Address

Mayor Keith Hobbs is promising financial accountability and transparency in his State of the City Address. Hobbs highlighted the City's plan to save four and a half million dollars over the next three years.  Thunder Bay is undergoing the CityLean program that eliminates municipal corporate waste. 

Assault victim's condition remains serious

There is a slight improvement in the condition of a 52 year old man who is in hospital as the result of a weekend assault at the Victoria Inn.   Police say he remains in serious condition.  The person who is charged in connection with the incident is a 33 year old man from Summer Beaver.  Police say the two were known to each other.

Temporary mill closure at Resolute FP

Less than a week before Christmas, Resolute Forest Products is announcing a temporary mill closure for its Thunder Bay operations.   A spokesperson says the kraft mill will be closed beginning this week and last until January second.  Market conditions are sited for the decision.

Fatal train accident in Fort Frances

A Fort Frances man is dead after being hit by a train on the weekend.   OPP say the incident took place at the CN railyard in Fort Frances when a pedestrian was struck by the freight train around 2 a.m Sunday morning.  Dead is 28 year old Justin Degagne.  Police say the incident did not involve foul play.

Strasser to receive to honour

The Founding Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is getting Australia's highest civilian honour. Roger Strasser will be receiving the Order of Australia at a special ceremony Tuesday in Sudbury. It's for the work he's done for medical education in that country.

Last council meeting of 2011

The final council meeting of 2011 doesn't contain too much that looks controversial tonight.   It includes the Mayor's state of the city address, a look at what to do with the 100 thousand dollar surplus from the Mary J-L Black Library construction and choosing the replacement for city solicitor Rosalie Evans who is taking a one year sabbatical

Police release accident pic

Thunder Bay Police are releasing an amazing picture of a vehicle that was involved in an alleged drunk driving accident over the weekend.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams hopes it will send a message to party goers.  The 21 year old woman lost control of her car on Arthur Street causing it to flip several times and trap her inside. The woman survived with virtually no injuries.

Federal NDP Leadership Candidate pays visit

One of the candidates looking to become the new leader of the Federal New Democrats has wrapped up a tour of Northwestern Ontario.  Northern Quebec MP Romeo Saganash stopped in Kenora and Fort Frances over the weekend to outline his campaign and garner support from party faithful.  Saganash says he's now visited every part of Canada, making him one of few candidates to do so.

OFIA challenging caribou protection

The Ontario Forest Industry Association is challenging caribou protection measures. The group is upset that the Provincial Environmental Commissioner has stated that the regulations won't impact the Northern Ontario forest industry.  Spokesperson Scott Jackson says the measures will cause dramatic reductions in available wood supply across the North.  The areas outlined as caribou management zones supply wood fibre to mills in Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Terrace Bay and Timmins.

Highway is open

Highway 17 near Ignace is back open to traffic Monday morning.  Sections of the Trans Canada were closed yesterday due to a Transport going into a ditch.  The road was closed to both lanes and reopened to one lane while crews cleared the area and removed the truck.

Child playing with lighter causes fire

A child playing with a lighter is the cause of a fire on Prescott Crescent.  The fire was kept to a second floor bedroom and minimal amount of structural damage is reported.  However, heavy smoke damage was significant enough to keep the family from returning to their home.

Fire guts Brock Street home

Thunder Bay Fire was kept busy last night with a massive fire that gutted an older two storey home on Brock Street. Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it was hard to supress the fire and the house is now considered a right off. Two firefighters were trapped when fire broke through the main floor burning their fire hose and leaving the two stranded in heavy smoke. They were able to escape through a kitchen window. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical heaters being used to heat the home.

Man on the Street: Waterfront

The new look Thunder Bay waterfront is now open to the public. The 60 million dollar facelift includes two new buildings and a skating rink. We asked people what they thought:

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Beating victim in critical condition

A 53 year old man is in critical condition after a beating at the Victoria Inn. The victim was found severely injured in a hotel room yesterday. Police have one man in custody in connection to the beating.

Stabbing on the south side

A 48 year old woman is in police custody after a stabbing on the city's south side. Police say the woman cut a man's neck on the 100 block of south May Street. The woman was charged with assault with a weapon and will be in court via video today.

Special Olympics athletes robbed

Police are investigating a robbery at the Knights of Columbus. Officials say a man entered the May location and stole purses and wallets from Special Olympics athletes. The man is said to be 20-30 years old and was last seen wearing a light grey hoodie.

Impaired driving collision

A 21 year old woman is charged with impaired driving after a single vehicle collison early this morning. City police say the woman struck the center island on Arthur Street before hitting a cement barricade. The woman suffered non-life threating injuries.

Waterfront celebrations attract a crowd

Thunder Bay's new look waterfront is now open for everyone to see. Hundreds came to help the City celebrate the grand opening of Prince Arthur's Landing last night which culminated with fireworks. On hand for the festivities was Lynn Peterson who was mayor when the 60 million dollar project worked its way through council. It now means the waterfront can be a place where people can go anytime of the year to enjoy.

Hobbs to give state of the city address

The Mayor will be giving his annual state of the city address to council Monday.  Keith Hobbs says he's looking forward to outline some of the year's highlights and will also give a look ahead to the new year.  Hobbs says he thinks economic development has been and will continue to be the biggest issue in the city.

NAN supports UN Inquiry

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is supporting a decision by the UN to conduct an inquiry into the murders of Aboriginal Woman in Canada.  Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its about time an inquiry was called.  The UN made the decision after hearing calls from the Native Women's Association and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action.

Feds help people with disabilities

The Government of Canada is helping people with disabilities.  MP Greg Rickford announced the government will be giving the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay almost 600 thousand dollars.  About 350 people are expected to benefit from the funding. 

FedNor funds small business development

Two Thunder Bay organizations are benefiting from Federal government funding through FedNor. MP Greg Rickford says over three quarter million dollars is going to the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.  The Enterprise Gateway gets 450 thousand dollars while the Innovation Centre receives 320 thousand.

RIM is in real danger

Things are not looking good for Research in Motion.  Local Technology Consultant and Former RIM Executive Anthony LeBlanc says 3rd quarter results are concerning but its biggest problem is delays with new software.  Leblanc says with the company's shares as low as they are, the vultures are circling and a take over could happen soon. 

Police arrest 4 in drug bust

Four people are behind bars after police made a drug bust in the city yesterday.  Officers search 2 homes on Christina and Logan Streets and Black Chrome Apparel on Red River Thursday and found large amounts of drugs and Hell's Angels clothing.  Officials say the drugs had a street value of 70 thousand dollars.

Christmas charity robbed

The Salvation Army is out almost 500 dollars after someone stole a stack of bills from their counting centre.  Major Merv Halverson says a person went to the counting centre last night asked a question and then grabbed a stack of bills and left.

Another historic day on the FWFN

It's official, the governments of Canada, Ontario and the Fort William First Nation have now signed a land settlement which concludes a long standing boundary claim.  It includes a payout of 150 million dollars from Canada and also includes Pie Island on Lake Superior.  A ceremony took place on the reserve Friday morning which included MP Greg Rickford and band Chief Peter Collins.

Man on the Street: Multi-Plex

There's strong support among some Thunder Bay residents to continuing the quest for a new arena. In the wake of the federal governments decision not to fund the project right now, we asked residents, should the city still go for it.

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Grand Marais shooting

A 42 year old man who was attending court in Grand Marais, Minnesota is in jail after opening fire in the Cook County courthouse.  3 people were injured yesterday including the County Attorney and two others.  Daniel Schlienz was the defendant in a criminal sexual conduct case that was being heard in the courthouse yesterday.

Westfort Apartment Fire

One woman is in hospital after an apartment fire on West Frederica Street this morning.  All of the apartment residents got out of the building.  Crews brought the fire under control, some smoke damage is reported.  Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it appears the fire started in one of the apartment's kitchen.  One woman is in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.