Caught!

Police have their man. OPP have ended their manhunt in the Pass Lake area after they captured the 27 year old man they were looking for this afternoon. The suspect, of no fixed address, was charged with various offences including assault and sexual assault along with uttering death threats. He is expected in court tomorrow.

Genivar Searches For New Home

An engineering and architectural firm is planning a move into new and larger digs in the city.   Genivar Incorporated currently has an office on Syndicate Avenue, but a local spokesperson says they are scouting some available locations for a move planned for sometime in the next year or so.  The company employs about 150 people in the city.

City Promotes Boy's Generosity

A nine year old boy in the city is being held up as the poster child of fundraising for disaster relief. Alex Atwill didn't want presents for his birthday, instead he asked for donations for flood victims. His mother, Monica Atwill,  is proud of her son's generosity, but says she is not surprised because he often shares with other.  Former Mayor Lynn Peterson hopes others in the city are inspired to fund raise by the example.

N.O.S.M. Gets Maximum Accreditation

The Northern Ontario School Of Medicine is celebrating full accreditation. The medical school was put through the ringer by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools back in May. N.O.S.M. received full accreditation for the maximum allotted time of 8 years. Dean of the med school Dr. Roger Strasser says" This is a significant achievement for not only for a newer medical school, but even amongst Canada's oldest medical schools." N.O.S.M.'s next full survey will take place during the 2019-2020 school year.

S.E.I.U. Starts Door-To-Door Campaign

A door-to-door campaign is being launched by the Service Employees International Union to try and save 65 long term care beds that are scheduled to disappear this fall. Volunteers will be going door-to-door throughout Thunder Bay asking you sign a petition urging MPP's Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to stop the closure of the Interim Long-Term Care Facility on James Street. The S.E.I.U. says the shut down couldn't come at a worse time as wait times for beds in Thunder Bay rose almost 60-percent last year to 269 days. The closure of the facility is also expected to mean 140 front line workers will be laid off.

Canadian Little League Update

Thunder Bay boasts two provincial champions at the Canadian Little League Championships. In the 13 and 14 year old Junior Little League Championships taking place in Lethbridge, Alberta, Thunder Bay opened with an 8-3 win over Saskatchewan. They have the day off today and will take on B.C. tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Canadian Senior Little League Championships, featuring 15 and 16 year olds kicks off today in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Thunder Bay All-Stars, who won here at home on Sunday to advance to the nationals, will play Fraser Valley, B.C. in their opening game today.

Border Cats Win Streak Snapped At 8

The Thunder Bay Border Cats had their 8-game winning streak snapped last night as Mankato scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning and posted a 3-1 win. The Border Cats are now 3 games back of first place Willmar in the North Division and are on the road tonight in St. Cloud to kick off a 5 game road trip.

Minister Touts Fund

Local organizations are being encouraged to take advantage of the province's Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund. Environment Minister Jim Bradley says anyone interested in taking advantage of the 1 and a half million dollar fund can attend an information session at 10:30 tomorrow morning at the government building on Red River Road.  The fund support local projects with funding up to 25 thousand dollars to help protect the Great Lakes.

City Operating At Capacity

The city says it can't accept anymore evacuees. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says the 550 we received from Sandy Lake this week are all that can be handled right now. He says we are operating at capacity. Hankkio says the situation is being re-evaluated all the time with the help of Emergency Management Ontario

Call Centre Expanding Workforce

A breath of life for the workers at the Teleperfomance call centre on Red River Road.   Company CEO Charlotte Gummesson says they are now expanding their workforce by hiring back 100 laid off workers and rehiring another 150.  It will bring the Thunder Bay staff count to about 400.

Plane Crash In Trout Lake

Police say that three people are injured two of them seriously, after a small plane crashed at Trout Lake North of Kenora this morning. The Transportation Safety Board says that the aircraft was an American registered Cessna 180. No further details are available.

Young Cyclist Escapes Serious Injury

A young cyclist will always be glad he wore his helmet while riding his bike today.  Police say that he was hit by a car on Cumberland at Water around 10:30.   Police say he was not hurt, but was taken to hospital to be checked out.

Federal Court Ruling Favours Attawapiskat

The Federal Court is saying it was ``unreasonable'' for the federal government to appoint a 3rd party manager for the financially troubled First Nations community of Attiwapiskat, which falls within the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. The decision, released today, says it's clear that stepping in and taking over was not the best way to deal with the root of problems at the troubled northern Ontario reserve. The Conservative government appointed a 3rd manager as Prime Minister Stephen Harper suggested that the band had mismanaged federal funds in the face of the housing crisis. That manager was withdrawn April 19, but the Attawapiskat First Nation refused to drop its lawsuit against the government.

Ontario Trillium Foundation Contributes $650,00 In N.W.O.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is contributing more than $650,000 to Northwestern Ontario organizations. Six local not-for-profit and chartiable organizations received money in and around Thunder Bay totalling just under $215,000. The organizations included FinnThunder 2012, Hospice Northwest, The Indian Youth Friendship Society, The Nolalu Community Centre, Roots To Harvest and Willow Springs Creative Centre. A total of 16 organizations received money from the Ontario Trillium Foundation this year across the region.

Gravelle Announces Interim Partnership In Lac Seul

Lac Suel First Nation is gaining more independence. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle was in the First Nation Tuesday afternoon, and signed an agreement with Chief Clifford Bull regarding an interm licence to the community to manage the Lac Seul Forests. Gravelle says it's the beginning of something good. One of the established initiatives is a forestry partnership with the Domtar Mill in Dryden. Chief Clifford Bull says he is excited to be able to work with the mill.

Heney Can't Predict CWB Effect

It's a new era for grainhandling in Canada. Farmers have total control over how they sell their grain now that the Canadian Wheat Board has lost its monopoly. Thunder Bay Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says it will take time before we know if that will mean more grain through our port.  He says there will be change but it's difficult to predict what that change may be.  Heney says having the major grain companies located in Thunder Bay is a big plus.

Forest Fire Update

Two new forest fires are burning in the northwest region. There are still 65 active fires and over 80,000 hectares of area burned in forest fires this year. The North has the majority of the fires with 30 in the Red Lake District, 19 in the Sioux Lookout District and 8 in the Nipigon District. Despite the low fire hazard in the South, the Fort Frances District is managing 6 active fires, the Thunder Bay District 1 and the Kenora District 1.

Fort Frances To Host 100 Sandy Lake Evacuees

The northwestern Ontario town of Fort Frances will host about 100 residents of the Sandy Lake First Nation who are being evacuated due to smoke from nearby forest fires. The evacuees were to be flown out of their remote community on Tuesday and Fort Frances fire Chief Frank Sheppard says they'll be housed at a local hotel. More than 550 Sandy Lake residents have also been evacuated to Thunder Bay, about 600 kilometres southeast of the First Nation community. The province issued an evacuation notice Sunday to get elderly residents, infants and others at risk from smoke to safety.

Cats Extend Win Streak To 8

The Thunder Bay Border Cats extending their wining streak to 8 games last night at Subway field with a 5-4 win over Mankato. The Cats wrap-up their series with the Moondogs tonight and are still 2 games back of Willmar for top spot in the North division.

Teenagers Sentenced For Manslaughter

Two teenage girls will have to spend the next three years in custody after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the city death of a 16 year old Sachigo Lake First Nations girl. Defence Lawyer Chris Watkins says that in her judgement, Justice Baig was specific that his client's behavior was the result of outside forces.  Watkins says that included a history of an alcohol fueled family life and a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.   The sentence will only involve one year of secured custody.

 

UNESCO Recognizes Local Program

A city police program is being recognized by a United Nations organization.  The Diversity In Policing Program is getting props from UNESCO for how it's helping develop bias free policing according to Cathy Woodbeck, the Executive Director of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.  Woodbeck believes the program is successful because it involves so many different local groups

Boulevard Yes, Chippewa No

The Health Unit says it's safe to swim at Boulevard Lake but not at Chippewa Park.  Officials have lifted the swimming advisory at Sandy Cove at Boulevard while it remains in place the Chippewa's Main Beach.   It's due to unacceptable levels of e-coli.

Motorcyclist Crashes Not Wearing A Helmet

A 24 year old motorcyclist is in hospital in Winnipeg with serious injuries. Rainy River O.P.P. are investigating the crash that saw the driver of the motorcyle from Edson, Alberta, lose control half a kilometre from Highway 11 in Dawson Township. Provincial Police say the driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash at 8:30 on Sunday night. He needed to be airlifted to hospital in Winnipeg.

Campbell Frustrated With Province

There's a new reason why the Liberals have shutdown the region's tourism centres. Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says she's been told its because of an increased use of GPS units that are helping tourists find what they're looking for. Campbell admits she's been frustrated with the Province in trying to get a legitimate reason. Campbell says her use of GPS in the area often fails to show any landmarks that help travellers.

Dryden Families Fraud Victims

In the region, two Dryden families are out a chunk of money after falling victim to fraudsters. Dryden Police say one couple is out more then one-thousand dollars after the money was removed from their account and transfered to a prepaid Mastercard through online banking. In the second incident, an individual obtained a debit card using personal information, and then took out money from a bank in Montreal.

Duluth Flood Caused $20 Million In Damages

Duluth officials say June's devastating floods caused about $20 million damage to the city's parks. Flooding affected about two-thirds of Duluth's 30 parks. City officials say it's okay for people to continue using the parks while work is under way, but park-goers are urged to be careful.

6 Forest Fires Declared "Out"

Some good news on the forest fire front. Six fires in the Kenora, Red Lake and Nipigon districts were declared "out" yesterday. Officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources say three new fires were reported yesterday and seven the day before. Most of the new fires continue to be reported in the Red Lake District. The fire hazard remains "Low" across southern portions of the region and "Moderate" in northern areas.

Girls Sentenced Today For Manslaughter

The two teenage girls who plead guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 16 year old Sachigo Lake First Nation girl, are scheduled to appear in court today for sentencing. The girls had just met the victim who was later found dead on a trail behind the Landmark Inn near Wentworth Crescent.

Kenora Man Charged After Boating Incident

A man has been charged after a boat collision on Lake of the
Woods in Northwestern Ontario. Police say a four-metre power boat sank and had its occupants thrown into the water after a colliding with a second vessel around 4 a.m Sunday. O.P.P. have charged a Kenora man with two counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm.

Border Cats Win Streak At 7

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are officially Hot. They won their 7th game in a row last night, thanks to a pair of wins in a double-header against Mankato. Scores were 8-4 and 5-4. The series concludes tonight at Subway field with Thunder Bay now just 2 games back of Willmar for top spot in the North Division.

Councillors Approve Drainage Study

The ripple effects of the May 28th flooding are still being felt.  The disaster has forced the city to have study done of the storm drainage system in the areas affected by the flooding, a study which Engineering Manager Pat Mauro hopes can be expanded in the near future. The cost of the study is expected to run about 300 thousand dollars.

City Now Hosting 550 Evacuees

Thunder Bay is getting set to accept another 250 evacuees from the Sandy Lake First Nation. Mayor Keith Hobbs says that's in addition to the 300 we have already agreed to give shelter to because of a forest fire that's causing a blanket of smoke over their community.  The next group of evacuees will be airlifted here today.

Tuscany Drive Subdivision Approved

A developer in the city is getting his wish. City Council is allowing Robert Zanette to develop about 60 single lots in a subdivision just off of Hilldale Road. Councillor Andrew Foulds was one of the lone voices to vote against the plan because he says it's a reduction from what was originally proposed years ago.  The proposed subdivision is located on Tuscany Drive.

Horizon Road Deal Renewed

The city is renewing an agreement with the Ontario Realty Corporation which gives Horizon Wind road access to its planned Nor' Wester Wind Farm. City lawyer Nadia Koltun says this approval by city council simply follows through with what has been promised by the city to the developer.  While there were objectors in the audience to the road access agreement, councillors did not allow them to speak.

Second Teen Faces Murder Charge

If it wasn't enough of a shocker that a 16 year old is charged with first degree murder at the Whitefish Bay First Nation, there comes word from police that a 14 year old is also now charged. It's in connection with the July 22nd death of a 61 year old resident of the community. Both of the accused boys are also from Whitefish Bay which is located in the Kenora District.

Border Stats Stay Steady

The latest statistics from the Pigeon River Border Crossing show that Thunder Bay residents didn't rush to the States in June.  That's when Canadians were allowed to take advantage of the new duty free limits.  The numbers show that in June officials processed about 3 per cent fewer travellers through Pigeon River, however there was an almost 2 per cent increase in the number of vehicles processed.

Bentley Expands Loan Program.

The provincial government is expanding the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program to encourage First Nation and Métis participation in creating energy projects.  Energy Minister Chris Bentley made the announcement this morning at the Prince Arthur Hotel.   He says it will increase from 250 million to 400 million dollars. Bentley says the program is being expanded because it has been very successful so far.

Miles With The Giant Race Gets Certification

Organizers of the Miles With The Giant Marathon have earned Boston Certification with Athletics Canada. The announcement was made today and means anyone running the full marathon, half-marathon, 10 and 5 kilometre events can have their times used as a qualifier for larger races such as the Boston Marathon. Chair Barry Streib says this year's race route will feature some of Thunder Bay's most scenic trails and streets including Lakehead University and Confederation College campuses, Chapples and Centennial Park as well as Boulevard Lake. Early bird race registration ends at midnight tomorrow.

Evacuee Numbers Increase

Thunder Bay is playing a role it's very familiar with. We are hosting 300 evacuees from Sandy Lake because smoke from a forest fire is blanketing their community. City Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says they'll be here for as long as necessary. The evacuees are being put up in a city hotel.

Drunk Driver Fails To Remain At Scene

A 21 year old man was arrested on North May Street just after 1:00 o'clock this morning. City police say the man was drinking and driving when he got into a single vehicle crash on Simpson Street near the Venice Grill. He then took off running and with the help of witnesses, police were able to track him down on North May Street a short time later. He will appear in court in September facing impaired driving and fleeing the scene charges.

Impaired Driver Took Off From Police

A timely red light is being credited with helping to stop an impaired driver trying to run from police overnight. Police say they spotted a 19 year old man driving eratically on Court Street at approximately 2:00 o'clock this morning. The man drove away from police when they tried to stop him but he got caught up in traffic at a red light on Cumberland and Water Street where police were able to stop him from getting away a second time. The man remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in video court today.

North Spirit Lake Death Investigated

Nishnawbe-Aski Police and the Ontario Provincial Police are now invesitgating the death of a North Spirit Lake First Nation community member. The deceased has been identified as 38 year old Paul Campbell of North Spirit Lake First Nation. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today here in Thunder Bay. Few details are being released by police.

Sandy Lake Evacuees Head To Thunder Bay

The forest fire situation has now forced 70 people from Sandy Lake First Nation from their homes. Chief Bart Meekis has asked the city of Thunder Bay to serve as a host community. Mayor Keith Hobbs has signed an emergency declaration for the city which has supported similar evacuations over the last few years and is prepared to support additional evacuees if needed. Last year Thunder Bay hosted 350 evacuees and served as a transportation hub during the severe forest fire situation.

Forest Fire Update

There are 66 forest fires now burning here in the northwest district. Officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources say 476 forest fires have started this year burning more than 69,000 hectares of land. Weekend rain has helped the situation in southern parts of the district. The M.N.R. now says the fire hazard is "Low" for the entire region.

Thunder Bay All-Stars Win Provincials

In an all Thunder Bay battle at the Ontario Senior Little League Championships at Baseball Central, the Thunder Bay All-Stars defeated the Selects 8-5 to earn a berth at the national championships in Regina. The All-Stars rallied for 7 runs in the final two innings to secure the win.

Border Cats Rained Out - Play Pair Tonight

The Thunder Bay Border Cats weren't able to sneak in their game against the Mankato Moondogs yesterday ahead of the rain. The two teams will now play a pair of 7 inning games tonight starting at 6:05 at Subway Field. The Border Cats have won 5 in a row and now have a record of 10-11 in the second half, just 3 games back of first place in the division.

Auld Leaves For Europe

Thunder Bay's Alex Auld is headed to Europe Next Season. The 31 year old netminder played last season for the Ottawa Senators and now will dawn the jersey of E.C. Salzberg in the Austrian League. Auld has played with 8 different N.H.L. teams.

Drunk Driver Takes Shortcut

No one is hurt following another drunk driving incident. Police say the 19-year-old male driver tried to drive down a footpath to take a shortcut home, but his vehicle left the path and fell down a thirty foot embankment near the Boulevard Lake Dam. The man was charged with impaired driving and possession of narcotics among other charges.

Bordercats Win Fifth Straight

The Thunder Bay Bordercats won their fifth game in a row after a huge win last night. The Cats shutout the Mankato Moondogs 6-0 at Subway Field. The Cats continue their seven game home-stand against the Moondogs at 5:05 tonight at Subway Field.

Firefighters Slightly Injured In Fire

Two firefighters were slightly injured after a huge fire yesterday afternoon. Firefighters were called to battle a structural fire stemming from the basement of a home on Machar Avenue. Four pumper trucks and more than twenty firefighters from four different stations were used to put out the fire.