Disaster Relief Sends Out Cheques

The Disaster Relief Committee is hopeful the Provincial Government will come to the table with more money for flood relief claims. Cheques were sent out over the weekend for 75 percent of what people put claims in for. Chair Wayne Fletcher expects they'll be able to pay out the remaining 25 percent or more down the road. Fletcher says they could only pay out 75 percent right now and they felt it was important to get the money into the community.

Mining Accident Kills Worker

The Ministry of Labour is investigating a fatality at the Wesdome Eagle River gold mine near White River. Spokesperson Matt Blajer says a worker was buried in a "Muck pile" and when recovered was found dead. Blajer says they'll be looking at what happened and what safety procedures were taken in the incident.

United Way Thunder Bay Gets New Chair

Walter Flazsa has been announced as United Way Thunder Bay's Campaign Chair for 2013. Flazsa joined the Board of the directors for the United Way Thunder Bay in 1999. The United Way Fall fundraising campaign will begin at their campaign breakfast held on September 12th.

It's Youth Week

Thunder Bay is celebrating youth week.  Youth week is a week dedicated to celebrating and empowering youth within the community.  Program Supervisor Kim Baskin says it's an opportunity to help promote youth to be involved and engaged in the community, focusing on positive growth.  They raised the youth flag at city hall yesterday morning.

MS Society Launches Fundraisers

Renco Foods is going to help collect money for the local chapter of the MS Society.  Chair Linda Adamson says the grocery store chain will ask for donations starting today.  The MS Society will also be selling carnations at local outlets as part of their annual fundraiser.

City Hosts Lifeguard Championships

The Canada Games Complex will be hosting the National Lifeguard Championships this weekend.  Teams from across the country will be participating.  Opening Ceremonies will be held on Saturday morning at 11:30 and events will take place on Saturday and Sunday in the pool area.

Masters Student Speaks In The Fort

Small business owners in northwestern Ontario are being encouraged to work closer together. Lakehead University Masters student Nicki Youroukas  says it was something she found lacking after studying small business perceptions of tourism in the Nipigon-Red Rock area. She says they know that communities need to diversify and they know tourism can help.  Youroukas presented her study to members of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce this week

Chamber Hopes Budget Addresses Mining

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce will be watching today's budget hoping it will address the area's top issues.   President Charla Robinson says it's important the government recognize mining development in the region and the skilled jobs that are needed to go with it.   Robinson says the mining industry has the potential to keep the provincial coffers in the black.

Soapbox Races Back For 10th Year

The George Jeffrey Children's Foundation is working along side Superior North EMS, and Form Architecture this year to promote the 10th annual Soapbox Races.  EMS Spokesperson Ryan Ross says they're going to be organizing volunteers for the event and will also have several soapboxes in the race.  This year's fundraising goal is 30 thousand dollars and the annual event is taking place at Waverly Park Hill June 8th and 9th.

Busted!!!!!

At least one person is in custody after a sharp eyed city police officer spotted a stolen pick up truck from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta this afternoon.   After noticing the vehicle and confirming it was stolen the officer stopped the truck in the marina parking lot. 

Resolute Increases Pension Contribution

Some good news for Resolute Forest Product workers.   The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union  says that the company has agreed to increase its  pension payments from the current 50 million dollars per year to 80 million dollars per year for the next 8 years .  It's to meet the company's legal obligations to top up underfunded pension plans. Union spokesperson Stephen Boon says while they are pleased with the increase,  pensions still remain underfunded.

Tbay Tel Revenues Up

Revenues are up for the tenth year for Tbay Tel.   Councillor Ken Boshcoff took in the municipal telephone annual general meeting Tuesday night and says it's good news for the City.  Boshcoff says the company will be giving the City a 17 million dollar dividend. 

H.S. Asking Teens To Be Tan Free

Sir Winston Churchill High School is asking its students to be "tan free" for grad.  Student leader Melissa Johnston says they've noticed students skin starting to get more orange over the years and that's why they've launched this campaign.   Students who pledge to be tan free have a chance to win prizes.

Lawyer Pleads Guilty

An assistant crown attorney in Thunder Bay recently plead guilty to drunk driving in Ontario court.  Karen Scullion was charged with a drinking and driving offence last year.  She was also fined over a thousand dollars and was suspended from work until the matter was resolved.

More Snow On The Way

You may want to put on a few extra layers this week, as Thunder Bay is due for yet another snowfall. Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says a cold front has just moved through Thunder Bay, drastically lowering temperatures. Environment Canada is calling for 10 centimeters of snow.  Coulson says there is also a chance of freezing rain on Saturday.

Spring Up To Clean Up

The first day of May brings area businesses cleaning up litter around their offices today.  It's part of Eco Superior's annual Spring Up to Clean Up program.  During the month of May residents are encouraged to help clean up their neighbourhoods.

LRCA Issues Flood Outlook

The Conservation Authority is asking you to watch out for localized flooding.  Officials say it's as the result of our recent snow melt and rainfall.   They say low lying areas would most affected while in the city the Neebing-Mcintyre Floodway is protecting the Intercity area along with the lower Neebing River.

Rafferty Curious About Mysterious Spending

MP John Rafferty has a lot of questions surrounding one of the findings of federal auditor Michael Ferguson.   As a member of the Public Safety and Security Committee Rafferty is curious about some mysterious spending, specifically an unaccounted expenditure of 3.1 billion dollars in anti-terror funding. Rafferty wants to see how the Harper government explains away the spending.

Coroner probing Possible Bath Salt Deaths

The regional coroner says it could take a couple of months before he knows if two recent deaths in the city are directly connected to a new drug called bath salts.  Dr. Michael Wilson says the challenge is to find what role, if any, the new drug played in the deaths and if the bath salts were a direct cause or a contributing factor to the deaths.  Wilson says while research on the drug is new,  it's clear that the drug is not safe.

Tripping On History

The Lake Superior Art Gallery is leading the way on a historical walk through the Fort William Business District. It's called a Jane's Walk and historical neighbourhood tours are taking place across the City Saturday. Art Gallery Spokesperson JP Fraser says they'll look at what once was in Fort William. The walk starts Saturday at 11 and Fraser expects anywhere from 50 to 60 people to take part.

Licensing Blitz Will See A Second Phase

If you think the city's pet licensing blitz is intrusive now, just wait.   Licensing boss Ron Bourret says phase two consists of going after pet owners who have never purchased a tag for their dog or cat.  He says it'll be a combined effort of all his staff, meaning, building inspectors, by-law enforcement officers and even the police.   Right now inspectors are going to the doors of pet owners who have been delinquent paying their pet licence fees

Nolalu Man Charged In Sexual Assault Case

A 42 year old Nolalu man is due in court tomorrow to answer to a charge of sexual assault.   Police aren't saying much about the circumstances of the case, but say he is being charged with, among other things, 2 counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement and one count of sexual assault with a weapon.  His name is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.

IJC Sides With Shoal Lake FN

The International Joint Commission has sided with the Shoal Lake First Nations. The IJC has ruled against the City of Winnipeg's plan to sell water to surrounding communities.The Kenora area first nations argued that the city would break the agreement in place by making a profit off the water. In a letter, the Commission supported the argument and informed Winnipeg that it could not sell the water. The decision will put a dent into the city's CentrePort project.

Public Board Budget Talks Continue

The public school board's budget talks continue tonight with presentations from various delegations.  That includes Paul Caccamo of the high school teachers union who will be fighting to keep some special needs program off the chopping block. The union will also plead for support in  early childhood education and educational assistants.

Police Asking For Info

Marathon OPP are looking into a bizarre incident that happened on Highway 17 Saturday. Constable Dave Shaw says the driver of a dark blue pickup truck was attempting to run other drivers off the road before crashing into a ditch and being arrested. The driver's name is not being released at this time.

Golf Links Road Closed Starting Tomorrow

Golf Links road is going to be closed starting Wednesday.  City Spokesperson Pat Mauro says Golf Links Road from the Harbour Expressway to Central Avenue will be closed to traffic in both directions.  The major construction project will see road widening to four lanes and new sidewalks.  The major construction project is expected to last up to 12 weeks.

Man Charged With Weapons Related Offences

Thunder Bay Police have a 44 year old man in custody after they charged him yesterday with weapons related offences.   They were called to May Street to deal with a report of a man brandishing a firearm.  Officers took him into custody and recovered a previously reported stolen shotgun.  He faces multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, weapons dangerous to the public, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.

New Ways Of Detecting Colon Cancer

A Thunder Bay researcher is on the receiving end of nearly 200-thousand dollars in Canadian Cancer Society grant money.  Society CEO Martin Kabat says the money will be used to look at new ways of detecting colon cancer.  Kabat says this is the single largest research grant awarded by the Canadian Cancer Society in the Northwest Region.  The funding announcement is being made today at a special 75th anniversary commemoration event.

Construction Work Approved

More construction work is now approved for the city. Councillors have given the green light to 2 and a half million dollars of work  on Frederica and Waterloo Streets. The contract has been awarded to Makkinga Contracting who submitted the lowest bid. 

Canoe Not Likely To Move

It doesn't appear Atikokan will be getting the Centennial Canoe which is currently being stored at Fort William Historical Park.  The Neebing Voyageur Brigade is in control of it and its spokesperson Bob Slusar doesn't believe his fellow members will agree to letting it go but says he will ask.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown made an impassioned plea to councillors last night to have the canoe released to them so it could be put on display in their community.

Friedman Lectures Councillors

The city is being warned not to allow businesses in the city to fail.  Canadian housing and style guru Avi Friedman told city councillors that it's important to offer incentives for new businesses to arrive or we will continue to have streets with boarded up businesses saying Simpson Street will multiply.  Friedman praised the new waterfront calling it an ATM machine for the city. 

Global Sticks For Sale

The Global Sticks story is not over yet.   During last nights presentation at City Hall, Paul Inksetter, of the city's  Economic Development Corporation told councillors the area popsicle stick manufacturer is up for sale, but wouldn't speculate on whether it may reopen someday or not.

Inksetter says there have been 2 or 3 offers for the business, but none have panned out.

PSAC Launching Aboriginal Circle

It's a historic day for the labour movement in Thunder Bay. Judith Monteith-Farrell of the Public Service Alliance says the union is launching it's new Aboriginal Circle this afternoon.  She says the Circle will work on important issues dealing with PSAC's  Aboriginal members. The ceremony takes place at the Metis Nation of Ontario building on May Street at 5 o'clock.

Pet Police On the Prowl

The city is going door to door to make sure your pet is licenced.  Animal Service officers will be visiting homes of owners with expired pet licences.  It will allow them to buy a licence on the spot without being hit with any retroactive fees or added fines.

Murillo Man Behind Bars

A 32 year old Murillo man is in police custody after they say he disobeyed court orders not to be in the company of young children.     Police  say last week he was seen taking care of two boys at the Games Complex.  They say the case against Tony Barnes is connected to child pornography charges in Manitoba. Police are asking the public to contact them if they have concerns about possible contact he's had with young people. 

22 Year Old Charged With Mischief

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 22 year old man with mischief after a troubling incident over the weekend at Boulevard Lake.  Police say someone strung up fishing line on the pathways at Boulevard.  The young man was spoken to in regards to the incident and Police say he was remorseful about his actions that was meant to be a prank.

Human Remains Found

Thunder Bay Police are looking into human remains that were found in a wooded area between the Health Sciences Center and the Riverside cemetery on Oliver Road.  Police say a man called them after finding the remains just before 3 in the afternoon Saturday.  Investigators are trying to identify the deceased and a post mortem is scheduled.

Safe Cycling Group Gives Tips

Safe Cycling Thunder Bay is giving tips on how to safely ride bicycles around town. Spokesperson Doug Diaczuk says he wants cyclists to know everything they need to know about road rules and safety. Diaczuk also wants to remind cyclists that, since bicycles are technically vehicles, riding on sidewalks is illegal.

Out Of Darkness Walk Set For Sunday

The Out Of The Darkness Memorial Walk is happening Sunday. This event is a three kilometer walk starting at Confederation College. Spokesperson Margaret Hajdinjak created the event as a way for people to celebrate the lives of people they've lost to suicide. The event will go from 6-8 pm.

NOACC New President

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce has a new president.  At it's spring Annual General Meeting held this past weekend in Dryden, Michael Nitz was announced to the position and says he's excited for what's to come.  Nitz has served as past president of the Nipigon Chamber of Commerce and Thunder Bay's NOACC representative.

MNR Minister Coy About User Fees

The provinces natural resources minister isn't giving anything away before the budget.   In an interview with our newsroom David Orazetti says any news of possible service fee increases will have to wait for the budget or soon after.  The ministry has been polling anglers and hunters in the northwest about what service fee increases they might accept.

Atikokan Wants The Centennial Canoe

Atikokan wants a chance to display the Ontario Centennial Canoe and they're going to ask Thunder Bay Council for it at tonight's meeting.  Mayor Dennis Brown says they've been working on getting the canoe for several years.  Brown says the canoe is currently being stored under a tarp at the Fort William Historical Park and Atikokan has a history with the canoe.

Legal Fee Reserve Fund Up For Discussion

City lawmakers are considering setting up a rainy day legal fee reserve fund.  Councillor Iain Angus says it just makes sense to set up the account.  Council will make a decision on the matter tonight.

Campbell Has Budget Wish List

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell has high hopes for the provincial budget, which will be released Thursday.   Campbell says one of her areas of concern is home health care.   Campbell has also heard from residents that they want to see a break on auto insurance premiums.

Former George Jeffrey CEO Passes

Former George Jeffery Children's Centre CEO Eiji Tsubouchi has passed away.  Tsubouchi retired as CEO in 2012.  His funeral is set for the Westfort Chappel Tuesday night.

MPAC Meeting Today

Northern Mayors are in Toronto today to meet with the Province's Deputy Finance Minister.  It's a bid to convince the government to intervene in the on-going dispute with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.  The Northern Mayors Coalition says MPAC assessments on mill properties are killing area communities.  The president of MPAC stated Friday that they would not alter the assessments and will continue to hand out bills and payment notices to northern municipalities.

Construction Work Approved

More construction work is now approved for the city. Councillors have given the green light to 2 and a half million dollars of work at the intersection of Frederica and Waterloo Streets. The contract has been awarded to Makkinga Contracting who submitted the lowest bid. 

Hospital Shows Off New MRI

The Regional Hospital is showing off its newest MRI machine.  It's unique in Canada according to imaging expert Matthew Fox who says with this new piece of equipment they can more detailed pictures of the lung. He says it will prove effective for exploring diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis.  Fox says they hope to begin clinical trials in the near future.

Kenora MPP Not Happy With Province

 The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is calling on the premier to address the social conditions in First Nation communities. Speaking at Queens Park, Sarah Campbell says it's unfair that these communities have to declare a state of emergency to get some attention from the government. A remote Northern First Nation declared a state of emergency last week due to recent suicides and the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Police Probe Potentially Lethal Incident

Thunder Bay Police are looking into what could have been a dangerous incident. Police say someone placed fishing line across the walking path at Boulevard Lake. Officials say the line was placed five to six feet off the ground at various locations around Boulevard.