Health Unit Reports Respiratory Illness After Flood

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is reporting some people in the City being sent to the hospital with respiratory illness after last week's flood. Public Health Inspector Chris Beveridge says 10 people seeked treatment at the Health Sciences Centre recently. Beveridge reminds residents to take precautions with plastic masks, gloves and goggles while cleaning up their flood damaged homes.

Matson & Crew Update Council On Flood

Good news for the beleaguered sewage treatment plant.  General Manager Darryl Matson says they were able to get one of their 5 pumps running.  The pump has been running since Monday afternoon.  The temporary pumping stations are being powered down since they no longer can reach the sewage and water that needs to be pumped out.  Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Relief team came to the City Monday to asses living conditions and the status of the emergency.

LU Researcher Gets Cash

A Lakehead University Researcher is getting funding for his work into safer driving. Dr. Michel Bedard and his fellow researcher received almost 400 thousand dollars for their work creating a training program for testing drivers age 65 and over.

Inmate Dies In Hospital

A quarrel between two inmates at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre has ended with one of them dead.  Thunder Bay Police say 35 year old Sherman Quisses passed away in hospital after receiving an injury from a sharp object.  Acting Detective Inspector Don Lewis says charges are pending for the 19 year old inmate who is believed to be involved in the incident.  The fight broke out in the sleeping area of the centre just before 5 in the morning Sunday.

Clement Defends Conservative's Environmental Record

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is defending his Government's environmental record. Clement was in Thunder Bay today and touted his government's resource development plan which he feels will clear the red tape for the Ring of Fire. Meanwhile, Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty was in attendance and says the Conservatives are promoting their resource plan as away to distract residents from their environmental record.

City To Face Class Action Suit

The city is being put on notice that there's a class action lawsuit being started over the flooding of city basements. Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff already has one plaintiff on board and wants more to join. He says the city should have known that it's sewage treatment plant wouldn't work. None of the claims have been proven in court. City Manager Tim Commisso says he will not comment on the matter.

City Updates Emergency Situation

The Emergency Operations Control Group is updating the city's state of emergency.  Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson says the flood situation has moved to the top of the agenda for tonight's council meeting where they will be asking for a half-million dollars in initial cash to help set-up the City of Thunder Bay District Relief Fund. In other flood news, Manager of Infrastructure, Darrell Matson says he hopes one of the main pumps at the water treatment plant will be operational today. Meanwhile Lakehead University announced 160 residence beds will open to those displaced by the flooding. Currently there are more than 300 workers associated with the flood staying there.

Grandma Tells Harrowing Flood Tale

702 Atlantic Ave.

Just call him the miracle baby of this flood.   Deven Kimbers is likely alive today thanks to a baby monitor and the instincts of his grandmother Janet Barber.   Barber says she was in her home at 702 Atlantic Avenue early last Monday when she heard a toy squeaking through the baby monitor and went downstairs thinking the worst but found the 18 month old alive in his crib which was floating and teetering in the water.   Barber says she has nightmares about the event over what could have happened.

Emergency Operations News Conference June 4, 2012 10 AM

Video streaming by Ustream

Cats Swept

The Thunder Bay Border Cats were swept by Rochester over the weekend, losing 5-1 yesterday in the finale. The Cats come home with a 1 and 4 record heading into their home opener tonight against Alexandria. The first pitch is set for 7:05 at Subway Field.

Report On Bike Lane Safety

City Law makers will get to hear how safe the bike lanes on Victoria Ave. and Court Street are. Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says they'll present the findings of a third party company that studied the make up of the two routes. Krupper hopes the document will help put the public's mind at rest over the safety of the bike lanes.

Inmate Assaulted And Listed In Critical Condition

Thunder Bay Police are investigating an assault between two inmates at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre. One of the inmates had to be taken to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with critical injuries. Police say the family has been notified of the assault. The second individual is now under investigation by Thunder Bay Police for the assault.

3 Deaths Investigated Near Kenora

Kenora O.P.P. are investigating the deaths of three people over the weekend. A 58 year old Winnipeg man died when his motorcycle crashed into a rock cut on Highway 11-17 near Caribou Lake. 2 American men are dead after their boat crashed into the shore on Ash Bay on Lake of the Woods. A Canadian man, also on board is in hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Source Of Sewage Plant Problems Still A Mystery

City officials are still perplexed over why the city's sewage treatment plant got flooded after last week's rainstorm. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says there is still water flowing into the plant at a healthy rate. They are working feverishly to find out exactly where that water is coming from and intent to use underwater cameras to get a closer look. Meantime, the State of Emergency continues as does the voluntary water restrictions.

Crisis Could Last Months: Johnson

It's day 8 of the State of Emergency in Thunder Bay following last week's massive rainstorm. City Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the crisis, especially in the East End, is far from over. She expects it will take months to finish off with over 450 homes that need to be repaired. City Councillors are expected to discuss disaster relief funding at Monday's meeting.

Fire Chief Calls Out East End Landlords

City landlords with property in the East End are being called out by Fire Chief John Hay. He says many tenants who are victims of the flooding have been left to fend for themselves during the current crisis. He says landlords or the property agents should be there to take care of their tenants needs during this crisis. Hay says the concerns stem from the public meetings held on the weekend.

Looting A Concern During Flood Crisis

The spectre of looting in the East End is raising its ugly head in the midst of the flooding crisis. City Manager Tim Commisso confirms that there has been some as residents there struggle at the lowest point in their lives. Police Chief J-P Levesque will give an update on the looting at Monday's morning news conference

Emergency News Conference June 3, 2012 2:00 PM

Live broadcast by Ustream

Still No Answers To Plant Flooding

While the city is making progress getting its crippled sewage treatment plant up and running, there is still one big mystery. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says they still don't know how flood waters managed to make it into the plant...but they are hoping they get some answers shortly.  Meantime the city is still asking residents of Thunder Bay to conserve water

Raw Emotions Show At Meeting

There is still mass frustration and desperation from the victims in the East End who have been hit by the flooding. About 600 people showed up at the Slovak Legion for a public meeting put on by the city and the emotions showed. Some felt helpless and cried as they explained the trials they were going through. Others at the meeting felt the city was too slow to act

Public Meeting For Flood Victims At Slovak Legion Sat. June 2, 2012

Audio improves at 19:03

Bishop Directs Parishes To Help St. Peter's

The Catholic Church is involved in helping those in the East End whose homes have been hit by flooding.  Bishop Fred Collie says among other things they have allowed St. Peter's Church to be one of the emergency focal points and he's asking other parish churches in the city to get involved by helping St. Peter's through donations or volunteering.

LU Students Graduate

Hundreds of Lakehead University students are starting new lives after this weekend.  They are graduating in separate ceremonies at the Community Auditorium today and tomorrow. 

Health Unit Worries About Public Safety

Thunder Bay's Health Unit doesn't want homeowners staying in their flood damaged homes. Spokesperson Chris Beveridge says it concerns him because it's dangerous with risk of electrocution and mould. He adds residents also need to take precautions by wearing rubber gloves, goggles and boots during clean up.

Documentary Stars Summer Beaver Resident

A 22 year old former Summer Beaver First Nation resident is the star of a new documentary.  Thunder Bay's Handicapped Action Group, Skyworks Charitable Foundation and the Provincial Government are funding the new film called "Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams".  Maggie Sofea says she wants to be a role model for area youth.  Crews will follow Sofea home to Summer Beaver this summer and visit the site of her diving accident.  Sofea was unable to live on reserve after her accident and had to adapt to a life living in a wheelchair in an urban mostly non-native community.

Tax Dollars For Local Businesses

Two local businesses are on the receiving end of Provincial Government funds. Kakabeka Falls based business "Amanda's Green Barn" will use 100 thousand dollars to expand and include a new indoor horse riding area, new box stalls for the horses and feeding rooms. Sumac Forest Information Services will be using 11 thousand dollars to buy new equipment and software as well as hire four new employees.

The money came from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Transit Plan Back Before Council

City councillors will be asked to approve Thunder Bay Transit's new Master Plan at their meeting Monday night. Manager Brad Loroff says the plan proposes changes to streamline the system including major route changes.

Public Meetings For Flood Victims

If your home has been affect by this week's devastating flood you have a chance to ask questions.  The city is holding two public meetings tomorrow, one at the Slovak Legion in the East End and the second at the Moose Hall on Fort William Road.  The meetings take place at 2 o'clock at the Slovak and 4 o'clock at the Moose Hall.

Salvation Army Swims In Cash

The Salvation Army is swimming with cash after raising a quarter million dollars for disaster relief efforts from the community. Major Merv Halvorsen says that money will go to to help the flood victims who do not have insurance to cover their losses. The donations included 50 thousand dollars from the Fort William Rotary Club.

City Still Working On Sewage Treatment Plant

The City of Thunder Bay continues to work on alleviating the flood situation in the east end and the surrounding communities.  General Manager Darryl Matson says they've been able to send crews into part of the sewage treatment plant.  They have removed 2 of the 5 motors that drive the main pumps, so they can be dried.  Matson adds crews are looking at the electrical side of the treatment plant and figuring out how best to power the pumps back up.

State Of Emergency News Conference June 1, 2012, 10 AM

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M.T.O. Update For Friday

Highway 11-17 between the Thunder bay Expressway and Highway 102 remains closed. Highway 102, however is open to east-west traffic. Rural roads in the area remain closed due to the flooding and washouts: In Ware Township, Portage Creek Road is closed at the first bridge. Silver Falls Road from Ellis Road to Shields Road is closed and Forbes River Road is currently open but motorists are asked to drive with caution. At Dawson Road Lots, Aitken Road at Sunshine Loop is open but motorist are asked to drive with caution.

Cats Earn First Win

The Thunder Bay Border Cats earned their first win of the Northwoods League season with and 8-5 win over Alexandria. The Cats are in Rochester tonight to begin a 3 game series. Their home opener is on Monday at Subway field at 7:05 p.m.

Coroners Inquest Expands

Ontario's Chief Coroner is ordering a joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations young people in Thunder Bay.  All seven died after leaving their home communities to come to the city to go to high school.  The deaths happened between 2000 and 2011.   The inquest jury could be able to make recommendations aimed at preventing anymore deaths in a similar way.  No date has been set for the inquest. 

Gravelle Says Wheels In Motion For Disaster Relief

Michael Gravelle is applauding the city for requesting disaster relief from the provincial government. The Thunder Bay MPP says it means his government can now start the process of getting the city some financial relief in the wake of this week.s massive storm. Gravelle can't say how long the process will take.

Progress Made But Still A Way To Go

As the state of emergency continues in the city due to this week's flooding crisis, there is some progress to report.   City official Darrell Matson says that while they still haven't been able to examine the crippled sewage treatment plant the pressure on it is easing somewhat because the water levels in city sewers are starting to decrease.    Meantime, the city is still asking you to conserve water the best you can.

Second Truck Helps Salvation Army Efforts

The Salvation Army remains on the job in flood affected areas of the city.   Manager Merv Halvorsen says the organization is increasing the frequency that a mobile food van will be making stops to feed the hungry now that a second truck has arrived from Winnipeg. 

City Contractors Asked To Reach Out

As the city flood crisis continues more and more organizations are stepping up to help and this time it's the Thunder Bay Construction Association. President Harold Lindstrom says he's asking some of his members to volunteer to help clean up homes which have been hit with flooding, two have already done so.

Spofford Street Home O.K.

The City's Building Inspectors say a Spofford Street home is not in danger of collapsing.  Chief Building Inspector Desmond Stolz says the homeowners felt the home might collapse due to the recent flooding.  Stolz says they haven't been run off their feed and there have been no other home inspections.

Mauro Tours Flood Areas

Thunder Bay - Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is now back in the city and is touring the flood ravaged areas of the City and other municipalities today.  Mauro says the city formally asking for help is the appropriate step in trying to access funds from the Disaster Relief Assistance Program.  Mauro says municipalities within his riding have been successful in applying for provincial money in the past when facing a similar situation.

Pugh Talks McKellar Ward

The McKellar Ward is the hardest hit by the city's flooding. Residents in the East End and Intercity areas are reporting massive amounts of water in their basements. McKellar Ward Councillor Paul Pugh says he's spent a number of hours surveying the damage and is trying to relay information to flood victims about where they can turn to for help.

LU Closes Fieldhouse

Lakehead University has closed the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse because of some water damage.  Spokesperson Hugh Briggs says the decision coincides with what the city is doing with some of their facilities.  Briggs also says they've had to close another one of their buildings on Balmoral for the same reason.

Border Cats Lose Opener

The Thunder Bay Border Cats got off on the wrong foot last night, losing on the road in their Northwoods league opener 12-3 to the Alexandria Beetles. The Cats are still missing at least 12 players from their roster, 10 of which are still involved with N.C.A.A. playoffs. Their home opener at Subway field is on June 4th.

Live Coverage Of City Emergency News Conference

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No Buses Running In Conmee Township

School Buses in Conmee Township will not be running today or tomorrow. All schools are open for the Lakehead Public, Lakehead Catholic and C.S.D.C. Aurores Boreales boards. Delays are however expected for students coming in from rural areas.

Council Votes For Disaster Relief

The city is one step closer to getting some financial help from the provincial government.  City Council has voted to ask the province to declare Thunder Bay a disaster area as the result of this week's devastating rain storm. It's so we are able to apply for funding under the province's Disaster Relief Assistance Program. City Manager Tim Commisso is also going to see what kind of funding would be available from Ottawa. Some new information which came from Wednesday's special council meeting included a revelation from Councillor Ken Boshcoff that insurance experts have told him there could be 3 to 5 thousand claims filed and that total damage could be between 30 to 50 million dollars.

Flood Warning Update

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is continuing the flood warning for Thunder Bay, Oliver Paipoonge, and Conmee Township due to high water levels on the Kam River.  All waterways with the exception of the Kam are continuing to decline.  The Neebing River water level has dropped 3 metres since cresting Monday night.  The Neebing-McIntyre Floodway is expected to stop diverting flow overnight. 

Con College Home To Safety Training

A provincial safety association is setting up a training facility in Confederation College's Dorion Building. Spokesperson Al Beattie says opening up a Northern office made sense since most of their courses were originally only available in Southern Ontario. Courses will include working at great heights, working with high voltage electricity and transporting dangerous goods.

Salvation Army Red Cross Team Up

The Salvation Army and the Canadian Red Cross are joining forces to launch a national appeal for funds for flood victims.  Salvation Army Major Merv Halvorsen says they're on the street helping people get access to food.  To donate to the Thunder Bay Flood Fund call 1-800-725-2769.

East End Church Serves As Help Centre

Neighbours are pulling together in the East End in the wake of the devastating flooding that has hit most of their homes. A centre has been set up at St. Peter's Church so affected residents can pick up free clothing, food and water if they need it. It's been run by group of people who are headed by Shannon Hobbs and a lot of people and organizations are providing the goods.  Hobbs says she is overwhelmed by the generosity.

East Enders Still Pumping Out Their Basements

Residents of the East End continue to pump water from their flooded basements for the third day. The breakdown at the nearby sewage plant is causing lots of heartaches for many like Maria Bell on McPherson Street. She says she was hoping someone from the city could come by to have a look but to find out how they're doing, but that hasn't happened.  Bell says she had up to four feet of water in her basement and lost a lot of personal items.

No Limit On Garbage During Flood

During this state of emergency the city is removing the bag limit for garbage collection.  It means until further notice, you can put out as much garbage as you need to for your weekly pick up.  Along with that the city is offering a special collection service for large items by calling 625-2195

Pumping Continues At Treatment Plant

The City is busy pumping out water and debris from the crippled Atlantic Avenue Water Treatment Plant. General Manager Darryl Matson hopes crews will be able to inspect the plant tomorrow.

The city is still asking you to avoid flushing water down the drains.

East End Residents Unite

Acts of kindness continue in the city's East End. Resident, Jessica Sharp was the first to open her home to neighbours in need. Since Monday, the "Safe Place To Go" has been moved to St. Peter's Church. Sharp says people in the East End, whose basements have flooded, are still in need of number of important items. Sharp also says, in addition to sump pumps, people are in need of gas as well in order to run them.

Hyer On CP Rail Back To Work Legislation

Back-to-work legislation to end a week-long strike by C-P Rail workers is now headed to the Conservative-dominated Senate for royal assent. Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says the Federal Government is setting a precedent. Hyer says the Labour Minister is meddling and shouldn't force CP Rail employees back to work.

Conmee School Buses Affected Wednesday

There will be no school bus transportation this morning in Conmee Township. The Lakehead Public School Board is also saying that Kakabeka Falls and Crestview schools will re-open today. For the Thunder Bay Catholic and C.S.D.C. Aurores Boreales, all schools are open today but they are saying to expect some bus delays for those coming in from rural areas.