Antcliffe Memorial Set For Tonight

Preparations are underway for tonight's memorial for anti-cancer crusader Michael Antcliffe. It's being organized by Stacey Voss who says they are hoping for a packed house at the CLE Coliseum.  The memorial, which they are calling a celebration of his life, gets underway at 6:45.

Leek Northern Region VP Liberal

A local liberal is looking to the future.  Anthony Leek has been named the Northern Region Vice President of the Ontario Liberal Party.  Leek says he's looking forward to the numerous possibilities.  Leek hopes to fill the gaps between Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario.

Campbell On Travel Costs

Be prepared for unexpected health costs outside of Ontario.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says people aren't fully covered if they were to go to Minnesota or Manitoba.  Campbell adds that getting an ambulance in Winnipeg has cost some people 700 dollars, compared with 75 in Ontario.

OPP Distracted Driving

That one text isn't worth losing a life.  The Ontario Provincial Police want to remind the public about the seriousness of using a mobile device while driving.  Acting Sergeant with the Northwest Region Anne Mccoy says drivers already have enough to worry about.  Mccoy adds that using a handheld GPS is just as dangerous, and says to pull over when programming it.

Environmental Report on Wind Turbines

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is weighing in on the Environmental Commissioner's report on wind turbines.  Gord Miller's report states birds and bats will die if they fly into a wind turbines propeller. Mauro says the Provincial Government has accommodated the bird and bat populations in their environmental reviews of proposed wind turbine projects.

Thanksgiving Fire Safety

Thunder Bay Firefighters are reminding you to be careful this Thanksgiving long weekend.  Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says a fire could start from basic candles on the dining room table.  Vander Ploeg adds you should also keep an eye on the stove when your cooking and never leave your cooking unattended.

Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday

Thunder Bay's Salvation Army and the Professional Fire Fighters Association are holding a Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people Sunday. Major Rosena Halvorsen says it's good to give back to the community. The dinner will be held from noon until 3 and a shuttle service is available from City Hall and the Water Street Terminal at 11:45.

Human Trafficking In NWO?

Human trafficking may not be prominent in our area, but an ex-RCMP officer says don't let that fool you.  Marty Van Doren coordinates a RCMP human trafficking awareness program and says many young people in remote First Nations are becoming victims. Van Doren calls human trafficking the modern day form of slavery.

Moose Hunting Season Underway

Hunters across Northwestern Ontario are heading into the bush this weekend with their scopes set on shooting a moose.  Conservation Officer Ross Johnston is reminding enthusiastic hunters to use common sense.  Johnston also reminds hunters that it's illegal to carry another person's hunting licence.

OPP Longweekend Tips

Provincial Police will be out in full force this weekend in Northwestern Ontario.  Acting Sergeant Anne  McCoy says especially with this long weekend, people will be travelling up to cabins and using waterways.  McCoy wants to remind the public to watch out for wildlife.

Southcott Hots Monaco's Prince

Lakehead University Professor has returned from hosting Monaco's Prince Albert the second.  Dr. Chris Southcott spoke with the Prince during his visit to the Iqaluit.  Southcott says Prince Albert and his foundations are amazing to work with.

N.O.S.M. Ready To Host World Conference

A major international conference is about to hit Thunder Bay next week. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is welcoming 850 delegates from 45 countries around the world for its "Rendez-vous" conferences, which is five conferences wrapped-up into one. The conference runs from Tuesday until Saturday with sessions happening at the Victoria Inn and Airlane hotel.

Charitable Basketball Game Set To Go

A charitable and fun basketball game is taking place this afternoon as volunteer Brandon Walker has challenged the youth in the Evergreen neighborhood. Walker has been raising money that will benefit the city's Disaster Relief Committee. It all starts at 4:00 o'clock at Minnesota Park and even Mayor Keith Hobbs is expected to be in attendance.

Thunder Bay Jobless Rate Says The Same

There is no change to the unemployment rate in Thunder Bay. It remained at 6.3 percent for the month of September, the same as it was for August. Canada's national unemployment rate edged up by one-tenth to 7.4 percent, despite the creation of 52,000 jobs nation-wide.

NOBA Winners

Form Architecture Engineering in Thunder Bay is celebrating a victory at the Northern Ontario Business Awards. They were voted as the winners for company of the year with 16 to 50 employees. The awards were held at a ceremony last night in Timmins. Form is the lone company from Thunder Bay who walked away with an award out of 11 categories.

O.P.P. Re-open Highway 17 Near Kenora

Provincial Police in Kenora are saying that Highway 17 at the Junction and Highway 17 at Redditt Road are back open to traffic. Numerous motor vehicle accidents were reported at those locations overnight thanks to a winter storm moving through the area. Vehicles were re-routed through Kenora but transports were held against travel. O.P.P. have since re-opened the Highway to traffic.

Thunderwolves Win Over Wesmen

The Lakehead University men's basketball team will be looking for a better performance in game two of their series tonight against the Winnipeg Wesmen. They managed to pull out an 84-75 win despite a poor shooting performance from the floor and the free-throw line. Forward Ryan Thomson led the team with 27 points. The Thunderwolves tip-off again against the Wesmen tonight at 7:00 O'clock at the L.U. Thunderdome.

RCMP Identify Body

RCMP have confirmed that a body found in the woods of Geraldton is a man who was facing charges of alleged confinement of a 16-year-old Nova Scotia boy.  Police say Wayne Cunningham's body was found near Long Lac at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  OPP found the remains of the 31-year-old near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra he was believed to have travelled in.  Cunningham had faced charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement after a boy alleged he was held captive by two men at a home last month.  Police say the cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

Tina P Gets Cut

A former Thunder Bay resident competing in the Bachelor Canada has got the axe. The 26 year old trial lawyer known only as Tina P didn't survive the show's first rose ceremony. Tina says in her blog post on the Bachelor Canada website that she feels she was meant to go on the show, but unfortunately didn't meet her future husband.

Name Change

The City's Facilities and Fleet Department is adding transit to its name so it's now called Facilities, Fleet and Transit Services. Manager Michael Smith says the change is only on paper and doesn't affect jobs or save any money.   Smith says the change was to needed make it clear which department transit falls under.

Di Matteo Part Of Fraser Institute

Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo is joining the ranks of senior fellows at the Fraser Institute for his research in health care spending and public finance. This means Di Matteo can participate in research projects with assistance from the Fraser Institute. Di Matteo is contributing one of three essays to the Institute’s series examining the state of Ontario's debt.

S.L. Flyers Take A Break

A sad day for junior hockey fans in Sioux Lookout.  The Flyers have announced the suspension of hockey operations for the 2012-2013 season.  President Mitch Wills says they are in a position where they are unable to continue in a competitive and professional manner.  Wills says the Flyers have worked with their players to ensure they secure spots on other teams.  Will adds they will take a year off to restructure.  The Flyers were 0-3 this season, with 4-goals for and 23-against. The Superior International Junior Hockey League hasn't commented on the announcement.

OWNA Hosts Sisters In Spirit Vigil

The Ontario Native Women's Association is hosting a Sisters In Spirit Vigil today.   It's in honour of the 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.   Spokesperson Maryanne Matthews says Northwestern Ontario women are at risk of abuse because of our remoteness. The group is asking the Federal Government to form a national inquiry into those who are missing or who were killed.

City Staff United Way Kick Off

City employees, Social Services Administration Board employees, and members of the Superior North EMS are helping to raise money for the United Way.  They held their fundraising kick off Thursday.  This year's goal is just over 187-thousand dollars. Tbaytel hopes to kick in another 45-thousand.

More $ell Service

There's an increase in competition for your cell service.  Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile, and Teleco have all set up shop in the Intercity Mall.  Bell has a new store, while Virgin Mobile has a kiosk.  Bell spokesperson Claire Gillies says it's part of company plans to make a move into Northwestern Ontario.

New Phone Options  on PhotoPeach

Fundraising Deadline Extended

The deadline for the city's Disaster Relief fundraising has been extended to January 31. Committee Co-Chair Wayne Fletcher says it's because they realized that processing the claims would take longer than expected so they thought it would only make sense to extend the deadline.  The deadline to submit claims to the city for flood damage is still the end of this month.

Student Faces Charges

A 19 year old Westgate High School student remains in custody facing a number of charges.  Police say they arrested him Tuesday after reports a student had taken an axe to school and was making threats.  The 19 year year old now faces charges of possession of a weapon and three counts of assault with a weapon relating to threats made to other students.

Save Our Lighthouses

The fate of 10 local lighthouses is up in the air.  Diane Berube is championing a "Save Our Lighthouses" campaign and says pretty much every lighthouse in the area has been put on the Federal Government's surplus list.  Berube says any light houses that are in poor shape and on the surplus list could be removed or sold to anyone interested.  Some of the lighthouses in question include, Welcome, Thunder Bay Main, Angus, Trowbridge, #10, Battle, Slate and Lamb.  An information session is being held at the Waverley Library at 7 pm on October 11th.

Body Of Wayne Cunningham Believed To Be Found

The RCMP believe they've found the body of the lone remaining suspect in a sexual assault and forcible confinement case in Nova Scotia.  OPP discovered the body of a 30-year-old man near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra that had been recovered on a logging road in northern Ontario.RCMP Sgt. Alain Leblanc says the body has yet to be positively identified as 31 year old Wayne Alan Cunningham.  Leblanc says foul play is not suspected and a post mortem exam is taking place in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, RCMP say the 47 year-old man remains in hospital under police custody, but cannot yet be returned to Nova Scotia for medical reasons.

Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

A suspect in an armed robbery at a Shell gas station on West Arthur Street earlier this week is now behind bars. City police picked up a man last night on Highway 130 just before midnight after releasing images to the media of a man they believed was responsible for the Tuesday afternoon robbery. The arrest was made without incident. Police now say the man will make an appearance in video court today.

TBaytel Takes Over Mobility In Dryden

The City of Dryden has approved the sale of Dryden Mobility and DMTS. Council unanimously voted at last night's open meeting that TBaytel will take over mobility and DMTS services will go to Bell Alliant. Mayor Craig Nuttall says the equipment for Bell Alliant is already in place. TBaytel will claim full ownership of mobility services by October 22 and Bell will take over landline and internet services on January 1st.

Thunderwolves Take On Wesmen

The Lakehead Thunderwolves men's basketball team begins a special 2 game series against the Winnipeg Wesmen starting tonight at the L.U. Thunderdome. Tip-off is set for 7:00 o'clock. The men's team is coming off a convincing 2-game sweep of Brandon last week in front of a raucous crowd at the Thunderdome.

Quality Market Is A Winner

A local independent grocery store is being honoured by it's National peers. Quality Market was awarded the Top Independent Grocer of the Year award by the organizing body of the same name. Dan and David Stezenko beat out other competitors from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario.

Police Looking For Armed Robbery Suspect

Thunder Bay Police are looking for an older man with shaggy blonde hair in connection to an armed robbery of the Shell Gas Station on west Arthur Street.  Police say the suspect is 5'7, 140 pounds and between 50 and 60 years old.  He was wearing a Brown Carhardt Jacket with hoodie, Brown pants and a Budweiser hat.  Police say he also was sporting a black t-shirt that read "I will not come home drunk."  He had a black handgun in his belt, demanded money from the store clerk and left on foot with an unknown amount of cash.

Bight Comes To The Waterfront

Jeannie Dubois, Bianca Garofalo, Chris Groenheide

Thunder Bay's new eatery at the Prince Arthur's Landing is Bight. The new restaurant & bar will be a full service, fully licensed establishment offering 90 seats in the main room and 45 seats on the seasonal patio. Bight is currently under renovation in the Water Garden Pavilion and is expected to open before Christmas of this year.

Abandoned Car Found In Geraldton Area

The RCMP say a car connected to a man wanted in the disturbing sexual assault in Nova Scotia has been found on a remote logging road in Northwestern Ontario minus a driver.  They say the search continues for Wayne Alan Cunningham, who faces charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement.  The Ontario Provincial Police discovered the car early Tuesday about 19 kilometres off the highway in the Geraldton area.  Meantime, the OPP still have custody of David Leblanc who is also charged in relation to forcible confinement.

Vegan Iron Chef Coming To T.Bay

Thunder Bay is holding it's first Vegan cooking competition this coming January. The competition is for anyone with a talent for vegan cuisine. Although it's the first many of us have heard of Vegan Iron Chef, Francis Talarico tells us where it originated. Talarico says the vegan lifestyle is becoming increasingly more popular in Thunder Bay.

Mauro Promotes New Program

MPP Bill Mauro is promoting the government's latest program which gives Ontario seniors a credit to help them make renovations to their homes. Mauro says it would be to encourage the elderly to stay in their homes longer.  It's worth up to 15 thousand dollars each year.   The credit can be claimed by homeowners, tenants or if you are sharing a home with a senior.

Abuse Victim Gives Back

A local victim of abuse is giving back to the organization that helped her through her odeal. Tessa Charlebois, recently held an art auction at the Thunder Bay Armoury and presented a cheque worth more than 25-hundred dollars to the Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services. The money will be used to create emergency kits for abuse victims in the city and surrounding area.

Salvation Army Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

Thunder Bay's Salvation Army and the Professional Fire Fighters Association are holding a Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people Sunday.  Major Rosena Halvorsen says it's good to give back to the community.  The dinner will be held from noon until 3 and a shuttle service is available from City Hall and the Water Street Terminal at 11:45.

Heney On Port Stats

Thunder Bay's Port Authority is celebrating an increase in cargo coming through the port. CEO Tim Heney says the amount of goods being shipped through the City this past September is up over the same month last year. Heney says July and August were slow months for the Port so it's nice to see an increase in cargo traffic.

Police Probe Armed Robbery

No one is injured after the Shell gas bar on West Arthur Street was robbed late this afternoon.   They say it was an armed holdup and that one person is still at large.   They say a man displayed what appeared to be a handgun and was given an amount of money, police won't say how much.  

Council Request May Be Too Late

The regional health authority isn't saying much about city council's decision requesting the organization reverse the closure of the seniors care home on James Street. Susan Pilatzke,  a senior director with the Local Health Integration Network, says it's hard to stop something that's already underway.  She says there are only 7 patients remaining at the facility  and that it's scheduled to close at the end of the month. Pilatzke says there will be no comment on the council request until the entire board has a chance to review it.

Trail Users Asked For Input

The city wants your opinion of our trail system. A new survey is underway to help get your thoughts on four city trails according to Park Planning Coordinator Werner Schwar. He says it will gather data on who uses the system, how often and where the trail is used. Schwar says the survey information can be found on decals located along all four trails.

Tsekouras Out On Bail

A Thunder Bay man who is charged with being the director of a criminal organization and trafficking  in Cocaine and Marijuana, is out on bail.   Bail was granted in a city courtroom today to John Tsekouras by Justice Bruce Fitzpatrick. Tsekouras has been in custody ever since a police drug bust in June of last year which police called Project Dolphin.  The charges have not been proven in court.    

Suspect Vehicle Spotted?

City Police say they are looking into a possible sighting of  the vehicle whose driver is wanted in connection with a disturbing sexual assault case in Nova Scotia.   Police say someone told them they spotted a car matching the description given to the news media being driven on Oliver Road near the city limits in the early afternoon.   However police say that hasn't been confirmed.   The vehicle is believed to be driven by 31 year old Wayne Cunningham, whose partner David Leblanc, was arrested in Greenstone on Sunday night.

Red Cross Honours Volunteers\Donors

Mayor Keith Hobbs says Red Cross volunteers were crucial to helping victims of the May 28th flood in the city. Hobbs will be on hand tonight to honour those volunteers at the Valhalla Inn. Hobbs says from last year's forest fire evacuation to this year's flood, the Red Cross always steps to the plate. The evening is also a chance to thank donors to the flood relief cause.

Police Service Boards Meet In The Fort

Police services boards across Northwestern Ontario are being represented at a zone meeting of the Association of Ontario Police Services Boards in Fort Frances. Chair of the Fort Frances board John McTaggart says about 50 delegates will hear a number of presentations including one on municipal contract policing. The meeting concludes tomorrow.

RCMP Still Haven't Moved David Leblanc

47 year old David Leblanc is still in OPP custody in Greenstone.  He was captured Sunday night in connection with a forceible confinement and sexual assault case in Nova Scotia.  Nova Scotia RCMP Spokesperson Sgt. Alain Leblanc says they still have some things to work out before they transport Leblanc from Northern Ontario to the East Coast.  Leblanc says they haven't decided when they'll move the suspect.

Environmental Issues On The Table

A 3 day conference on environmental issues facing First Nations starts today at the Victoria Inn.  The conference will see delegates present new ideas on how to preserve the environment and traditional lifestyles of aboriginals. Day 2 and 3 of the conference will be held at the Fort William Historical Park.

City Supporting Saving LTC Beds

Thunder Bay Council is throwing its support behind a call to save 93 long term care beds at the Revera Interim LTC Home and the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital.  They made their decision at last night's meeting after concerned stakeholders spoke up against the closures.  Revera's Interim LTC home is set to close at the end of October, and spots at the LPH will be gone by December.