Man dies in morning fire

City police confirm a 39 year old man is dead after an early morning fire at 438 West Victoria Avenue. Platoon Chief John Mill says they found a man inside the bungalow. There's heavy smoke and fire damage in the kitchen area. The Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.

Cause not known in South Gillies fire

South Gillies Fire is having a difficult time pin pointing a cause for a house fire on Wednesday. Fire Chief Scott Hole says they may never be able to identify the cause because the home was completely destroyed. No one was hurt.

City wants feedback

The City is looking for resident's thoughts on the current state of the rental market in Thunder Bay. Some neighbours have complained about parking on streets and messy yards, while students have complained there's very few rentals available. To visit the City's public feedback section click here.

Sports round up

In the Dudley Hewitt Cup last night, The Soo Thunderbirds defeated the Thunder Bay North Stars 4-3.  In the NHL, Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal had a hat trick in a 10-3 game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

No injuries in rural house fire

OPP are confirming a house fire in South Gillies this afternoon.  It was called in at around 1 o'clock and involved a home on Highway 595. They say it began in the attic, but the cause isn't known.   No one is hurt.

Bentz would like feds to demolish elevators

Abandoned grain elevators in the city are not only an eyesore for many, but it's causing headaches for the city's Waterfront Committee and it's efforts to spruce up the the lakeshore.  Chair Mark Bentz says ideally he'd like to have the federal government play a roll in tearing down the structures.

Good grades for Con College

Confederation College continues to perform ahead or at the provincial average. A new report suggests that student and employer satisfaction has risen, as well as the school's graduate employment rate which is number one in the province. School President Jim Madder credits excellent dedication and work ethic for the success of the school.

Matthews defends addiction support

Deb Matthews

There's a renewed call for more help to those dealing with the withdrawal of Oxycontin in Ontario.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she raised the need for a substance abuse stategy for First Nations for two months. Health Minister Deb Matthews says she is responding by acting on the recommendations of a panel the government put together on the issue.  Matthews says it includes sending more doctors to support a methadone treatment program and strengthen support through Telehealth.

Crime reporting goes online

Reporting a crime is now just a click away. Thunder Bay Police Service now offer online crime reporting. Inspector Alan McKenzie says it will give people another option. The service also provides a printable copy of the reports to file insurance claims. To visit their website click here.

Dog battle brewing in Neebing

There's a controversy brewing in Neebing Township. It's over a proposed by-law amendement and the interpretation of how many dogs someone can own before they would need a kennel operators licence. The issue comes before the public this evening at 5:30 at the Neebing municipal office on Highway 61.

Work order lifted

Work is now able to resume at the condominium construction site on Oliver and Golf Links Roads. Matt Blajer is with the Ministry of Labour and says all safety orders are now being complied with.  Work at the Thunder Bay Country Club site ground to a halt after a fatal industrial accident last week.

Police investigate early morning collision

Thunder Bay Police are investigating an early morning car collision that sent two men to the hospital with serious injuries.  Police say it occurred around 2 this morning when the two were driving in the area of Twin City Cross Roads and their vehicle rolled over.  Officers believe alcohol may have played a factor in the incident.

Summit partners united

A united front is emerging from a weekend summit on the Ring of Fire by First Nations and regional politicians.  Wilfred King of the Lake Nipigon First Nation says it shows that the group wants to make sure any development that takes place in the north must stay in the north.  Among  other things, the group agreed to support Exton as the site for the proposed chromite smelter. 

Another big local lottery winner

They say it happens in threes. There's another big lottery winner in the city, the third in the last month. This time Len Carr won one and a half million dollars in the SickKids Lottery. He plans to use the money for retirement planning and will share it with the family. Len and his wife Joanne will be presented with a cheque on Friday in Toronto.

Cyclists urged to stay off sidewalk

The Health Unit is warning cyclists who plan to ride their bikes on area sidewalks. Spokesperson Marita Campbell says the three most recent cyclist related collissions occured because the bike rider was on the sidewalk. Campbell says sidewalks are dangerous because motorists leaving driveways might not see cyclists on the sidewalk.

Proposed development agency causing concerns

Plans for a new regional economic development agency may get a rough ride at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Kenora next week. Mayor Dave Canfield predicts it will be a hot topic for NOMA delegates. While he says he shares some of the concerns of area politicians about the cost of the agency to municipalities, he supports the idea.

Police board gives cash to conference

Thunder Bay Police are moving ahead with their two year business plan. Mayor Keith Hobbs says he's pleased with the initiatives in the living document. The plan also calls for increased communication with the Aboriginal community.

Construction site remains shut down

Condominium construction remains at a stand-still at the Thunder Bay Country Club site at Oliver and Golf Links Roads.    The Ministry of Labour says it will stay that way until it's satisfied that a plan is in place to prevent a fatal accident like the one last week that took the life of a 31 year old worker.  Officials say he died after being run over by a dump truck that was backing up. 

Council hears concerns over cell towers

City Council can't dodge members of the public who remain opposed to a new Bell tower set to be built on Highway 61 near Chippewa Road.  Michelle Addison brought forward a petition that had more than 100 signatures from residents in the area who oppose the tower because of potential cancer causing agents being emitted from the frequency waves.

Police Service launches 2 year business plan

Thunder Bay Police are moving ahead with their two year business plan. Mayor Keith Hobbs says he's pleased with the initiatives in the living document. It details how the force will address First Nation issues and public consultation. The plan also calls for increased communication with the Aboriginal community. To check it out click here.

Cyclist crosses Ontario on one wheel

The Man in Motion is now the Wheel in Motion. Stratford's Derrick Ferguson will be cycling across Ontario with a unicycle to raise money for the Rick Hansen Foundation. Ferguson will cover 26 hundred kilometres on his cross-province journey starting in Kenora May 6th. To donate visit their website at http://wheelinmotion.ca/

Dawson Road Truck Issue Postponed Again

McIntyre Ward Councillor Trevor Giertuga was frustrated on behalf of residents in his ward as the Dawson Road and heavy truck issue came up before city council Monday night. Giertuga was upset for a variety of reasons but wanted to be involved in the process during council's intergovernmental liaison committee meeting on the subject. After venting his frustration about not being invited, despite asking to be, he put forth a motion that council have another intergovernmental committee meeting on the subject. It was passed and now council won't be expected to hear back on the subject until July.

ReGen Med requests cash

City Council is hearing a request from ReGen Med.  The not for profit bone and tissue bank is requesting 500-thousand dollars in transitional funding.  The organization feels the money would ensure their future growth.  They want to increase their staffing levels from 8 to 40.  Council is getting a report on the funding request and will make their decision at a future meeting.

McDonald tops locals at marathon

12 Thunder Bay runners are celebrating their Boston Marathon finishes today. The City was well represented this year with Ryan McDonald posting the best time of all Thunder Bay runners. He finished in 3 hours 13 minutes and 40 seconds, while Marcia Migay was tops for the local women with a time of 3 hours and 35 minutes. Local results as follows.

McDonald, Ryan (CAN) 03:13:40

Migay, Marcia (CAN) 03:35:58
Pazianos, Tom (CAN) 03:46:55
Sneve, Darren (CAN) 03:53:42
Harris, Allan (CAN) 04:00:59
Baraskewich, Lindsay (CAN) 04:01:04
Bociurko, Christine (CAN) 04:12:02
Smith, Leigh (CAN) 04:30:04
Frederickson, Deborah (CAN) 04:34:23
McDonald, Susan (CAN) 04:35:40
Barton, Judy (CAN) 04:45:49
Smith, Mark (CAN) 04:48:27

Area highways start to re-open

OPP say Highways are starting to open up. Police say Highway 11 from Nipigon to North Bay Highway 17 from Sistonen Corners heading west to Ignace is open as is Highway 11 between Shabaqua and Atikokan.

Gun incident on FWFN

A woman is out of police custody after an incident with a gun on Chippewa Road Sunday afternoon.  Anishinabek police say the woman was on the road waving what appeared to be a rifle or a shotgun.  Police took her into custody but later let her go. Police say charges have been laid.

Cartoon display at City Hall

The city is hosting a display that involves award winning editorial cartoons from all around the world. The Freedom of Expression Broadstrokes exhibit is being shown in the lobby of City Hall until May 15th.

Grocery shopping goes high tech

Quality Market is introducing the first online grocery store in the city. In addition to city residents the new internet shopping system will benefit many First Nation communities. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says remote communities will have access to fresh produce at an affordable price. The link for the grocery store website is here.

Marathon stolen vehicle

Marathon OPP are charging two Southern Ontario residents with possession of stolen property and fleeing police.  It stems from a report of a stolen vehicle over the weekend.  Police spotted the vehicle and started a high speed chase.  Two men and woman evaded a speed belt and abandoned the vehicle.  The K9 unit helped track the duo a short distance from the stolen car.

Hobbs talks truck traffic on Dawson

City lawmakers will be considering a proposal many hope will discourage truck traffic on Dawson Road. Councillors will be voting on whether to reduce the speed limit and make it into a community safety zone.

Hydro One reports outages

Hydro One is reporting a power outage in the outlying communities around Thunder Bay.  128 customers near Pass Lake are without power this morning, as are several residents in Neebing and Oliver Paipoonge.

Rural Schools Closed-All buses cancelled

The bad weather is impacting all school bus transportation today. All buses are cancelled. School closures today include, CRESTVIEW, MCKENZIE, FIVE MILE, NOR’WESTER VIEW, GORHAM & WARE, VALLEY CENTRAL, KAKABKA FALLS, WHITEFISH VALLEY, Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed. All rural schools are closed. Urban schools will be open. All Thunder Bay Catholic and French Catholic schools are open.

Foulds brings hockey rink resolution

City Councillor Andrew Foulds is introducing a resolution tonight that will look at increasing supervision at local hockey rinks.  Foulds says it's the first step towards getting kids more physically active in the winter.  Foulds says if the resolution passes tonight, staff will come back with a list of options for council on how they can make the rinks more accessible.

Queens are winners again

Thunder Bay's Sportop midget double A Queens are the Ontario Women's Hockey Association provincial champions. It's their second time winning the title in three seasons. The Queens now move on to represent the province at the Esso Cup Canadian national female hockey championship in P.E.I.

Pikangikum suspicious death

Police are investigating the suspicious death of a 32 year old Pikangikum First Nation man.  Officers were called to a house on the First Nation to deal with an altercation on April 14th.  A short time later a man was located unresponsive on the side of a road.  A post-mortem exam still needs to be conducted.

Kenora MP Takes Issue with Federal N.D.P. Leader

The MP for the Kenora riding is not impressed with comments made by the Federal N.D.P. Leader. Greg Rickford says the comments came moments after the long gun registry received royal assent. Thomas Mulcair stated that if he were in power he would lean on his fellow party members to vote in favour of the gun registry. Rickford says Thomas Mulcair has lost touch with the values of Northern Ontarians.

Deer Feeding By-law Examined in Kenora

A warmer than normal winter is expected to result in an increase in the deer population in the City of Kenora. City Council is taking steps to try and deal with the problem. Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they've tightened up their Feeding of Wild Animals by-law to make it more enforceable. Councillor Louis Roussin has suggested that a deer cull is in order to deal with the rampant deer population in the city.

Hunter Fined For Illegal Moose Hunt

A Fort Frances area man has been fined 25-hundred dollars for illegal moose hunting. Court heard that Myron Huber was hunting at the Turtle Tank cut, east of Mine Centre last October. He shot a bull moose but he didn't have a seal.

Spring Seatbelt Campaign Begins

The Thunder Bay OPP are running their annual spring seatbelt campaign which starts Saturday. Provincial Constable Diana Cole says they want to help save lives. The campaign is to raise awareness on seatbelt use and runs until April 22nd.

Conservatory Remains Closed

Thunder Bay's Botanical Conservatory is not going to reopen as expected today. City Spokesperson Michael Smith says they're putting off reopening the facility until City Council receives a report on the status of the building. Smith says the report will come before council in May and will look at the cost of repairing the facility.

New lottery winners emerge

Another Thunder Bay couple are lucky lottery winners. Tony and Karen Biscardi won over 1 million dollars in Wednesday's Lotto 6-49. Tony Biscardi says he's still pinching himself.  The couple plan to pay some bills and sock the rest away for retirement.

Accident results in minor injuries

3 people are injured following an accident this morning at Arthur and 20th Side Road. Police say at least two vehicles were involved in the accident. The injuries are said to be minor.

Conservatory reopening delayed

Thunder Bay's Botanical Conservatory is not going to reopen as expected tomorrow. City Spokesperson Michael Smith says they're putting off reopening the facility until City Council receives a report on the status of the building. Smith says the report will come before council in May and will look at the cost of repairing the facility.

RBC fundraising for Dilico Youth Foundation

RBC branches around the city today are raising money in support of the new Dilico Children's youth group home. RBC spokesperson Shannon Gothard-Ramirez encourages people to donate. The group home will be located on Fort William First Nation.

No flight cancellations here yet

Air Canada is issuing a travel alert warning labour disruptions could affect flights all day and even into the weekend.   The airline says it's all because of apparent problems with some of it's pilots right across the country.  So far there have been no disruptions at the Thunder Bay Airport, according to manager Scott McFadden,  who says the other airlines can handle any local cancellations if they happen.

Premier Gold Mines gets green-light

Premier Gold Mines is getting the green-light from the Provincial Government.They received approval from Ontario to conduct advance exploration activities at their Trans-Canada project in the Geraldton ward. Greenstone Mayor Renald Beaulieu says it's good news for his community.

Cyclist hit by van

A cyclist was taken to hospital last night after he was hit by a van as he was crossing Memorial Avenue at Central. The 40 year old man has since been released from the hospital with minor injuries. Police are still investigating

MNR prepares for busy fire season

The Minister of Natural Resources says he has a better understanding of the pride and commitment of local firefighters. Michael Gravelle toured the Northwest Region Forest Fire Management Centre in Dryden on Tuesday and he says the Government will continue to back MNR fire crews. Gravelle admits its looking like a busy fire season and the Government is facing tough financial times. However, he stresses public safety is priority number one.

OPP seatbelt blitz

"Buckle up or face a fine."  That's the theme of the Ontario Provincial Police Spring Seatbelt campaign.  The initiative starts Saturday and ends on April 22nd.  OPP across Northwestern Ontario will be targeting drivers and passengers who are not buckled up and will be focusing on child restraints.  Police say a properly used booster seat can reduce a child's risk of injury in a crash by as much as 75-percent.

Shed fire

Careless handling of a flammable liquid is the cause of a shed fire on Wolf Crescent in Fort William First Nation today. Thunder Bay's Fire Service brought the blaze under control but not before the contents of the shed were destroyed. The owner's home and a neighbours' sustained heat damage to the exterior siding.