Students Get Social Media Warning

A Canadian Social Media guru is taking his message to elementary school children this morning.  Chris Vollum is speaking to students at Kakabeka Falls Public School about how to safely use Facebook, Twitter and other Internet social sites.  Vollum says he also plans to alert the students to recent events in the news regarding the use of Facebook.

The Future Of Garbage Collection

The city is  about to look at the way it collects your garbage.   Roads Division manager Brad Adams says its part of developing a detailed plan to handle solid waste which may even include changing the way it's collected from your home. An open house is planned next month at the Italian Cultural Centre to get your feedback.

Eric Staal Injured

Bad news for Thunder Bay hockey fans. Eric Staal suffered a knee injury at the World Hockey Championship in Sweden today.   The captain of the Canadian squad was helped off the ice wincing in pain after a knee on knee collision with a Swedish player.  There is no immediate word on the extent of his injury.

Plan Your Return

Getting across the border into Canada this Victoria Day weekend could be a long process.   Tracey Gagnon of Canada Border Services says to expect long waits on your return and recommends arriving outside of peak times. She says the start of the fishing season in Ontario normally attracts a lot of Americans on Friday night and all day Saturday. Long lines are also expected Sunday and Monday afternoons because of returning Canadians.

More Upgrading At Thunder Bay Hydro

Fresh off the annual general meeting,  Thunder Bay Hydro boss Robert Mace says the utility is poised for renewal.   Mace says they will continue to modernize and upgrade any aging equipment or property in 2013. He says since 2007 they have more than doubled the amount of money spent on fixing aging infrastructure.

Hydro Posts Good Results At AGM

Thunder Bay Hydro is finishing the year off in the black.  That's according to figures released at their annual general meeting last night.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff took in the AGM and says they've been able to finish in the positive due to cost saving measures and new revenue streams.  Boshcoff says of the 70 municipally owned hydro companies Thunder Bay is in the top third finishing in the black.

Resolute Reacts To Greenpeace

Resolute Forest Products is reacting to allegations made by Greenpeace. Spokesperson Seth Kursman says in the past the group has twisted the truth about them. Kursman is reacting to Greenpeace speaking about their company's environmental practices at the annual general meeting today.

Rickford Speaks With Resolute

Celebrating the work Resolute Forest Products has done in Northwestern Ontario. Kenora MP Greg Rickford attended the company's Annual General Meeting this week, where he offered comments on how important their developments play in this district. Rickford says while the forest industry has taken a hit, the towns and communities in the Kenora riding are benefiting from developments that Resolute is making, such as the mill in Ignace that's set to open.

CAA Asks What Roads Are The Worst

Representatives of the Canadian Automobile Association are promoting voting for their Ontario Worst Road Campaign. Spokesperson Korey Kennedy is asking residents to vote on local roads. Kennedy points out that 90% of the roads that make the Top 20 Province-wide, have either been repaired or are slated to be repaired.

Stabbing At Shelter House

A 21 year old man is charged in an assault in the City's south core.  Police were called to the Shelter House on George Street to investigate the stabbing of a 27 year old man.   The victim told police he was approached around 11 o'clock last night by three men and was chased into the Shelter House entrance way where he was stabbed.  Police are charging a 21 year old with assault with a weapon.

Greenpeace To Speak At Resolute AGM

The environmental group Greenpeace will be in Thunder Bay today taking in the Resolute Forest Products annual general meeting.  Greenpeace says the forest company's logging operations aren't as sustainable as they claim to be.  Spokesperson Shane Moffatt says their promises fall flat.  Moffatt will tell shareholders today about the company's logging practices that endanger caribou habitat.

Volunteers To Be Honoured

Over 200 people from Thunder Bay and the region are being honoured by the province tonight for their volunteer work.  The Volunteer Service Award will be given to those with anywhere from 5 to 50 years of service.   The ceremony is taking place at the Valhalla Inn starting at 7 o'clock.

Local Praise For Angelina Jolie

There's praise for Angelina Jolie from one health professional in Thunder Bay. The famous actress admitted to having both her breasts removed to prevent cancer.    Dr. Heather McLean works with the regional cancer program and believes the revelation can make more woman take a serious look at their health. McLean believes Jolie will make a good role model for the cause.

Hyer Wants Senators Charged

A Thunder Bay MP is upset two Conservative senators aren't being treated harshly enough for their financial faux pas's.    A Senate committee has ordered Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb to pay back the housing allowance they had been claiming because they weren't eligible. Bruce Hyer says that's not enough, he believes the senators should face criminal charges.

Grass Fire Close By

A city fire crew didn't have far to go to put out a grass fire this last half hour.  It was right in front of the fire hall on Water Street and Pearl next to the train tracks.    They had it out in minutes.

Collision Leads To Charge

One person is charged in connection with a traffic mishap on the city's south side last night.  Police say that an SUV collided with a parked truck on South Edward Street causing the SUV to flip.   The driver of  the SUV, a 38 year old woman,  is now charged with careless driving.

Cancer Report Card Out

The Regional Cancer Care Northwest Program is working on improving their patient services.  Regional Cancer Care Director Joanne Lacourciere says the Province's annual cancer score card gives them poor marks for integrating their cancer services.  The report card also shows the Northwest has higher incidence of prostate, colon, lung and breast cancer than the rest of the Province.

Evacuees Heading Back

Flood concerns are easing up north and that is allowing some residents to return home.  Emergency Management Ontario says 90-Attawapiskat First Nation residents currently staying in Greenstone will return today, and another 260 will be flown back from the city tomorrow. Sixty evacuees who were moved to Fort Frances will have to stay there a awhile longer until their homes are cleaned and repaired.  Altogether in northwestern Ontario nearly 400 members of the Kashechewan and Pic Mobert first nations remain evacuated.

Youth Corps 20th Anniversary

The teens of the Thunder Bay police youth corps. are hanging up their uniforms for the year. Today is the final parade of the year for the teens, some of whom will be receiving awards tonight. Tonight also marks the 20th anniversary of the Youth Corps, who have invited past members to the event as well.

City Officer FBI Trained

FBI Director Robert Mueller
and Sgt. Neil Herman

Thunder Bay city police are hyping up one of their own.   Sergeant Neil Herman has completed the FBI National Academy Program.   It was an intensive  10 week course that took place in the United States.   Herman is only one of 8 Canadian officers who are accepted into the program every year.   Herman is an 18 year veteran of the Thunder Bay Police Service.

Thunder Bay Asked To Join Lobby Effort

Dryden and Thunder Bay are listed in a resolution adopted by Kenora Council to try to tackle the problem of the urban deer population. Kenora Councillor Sharon Smith says the three will lobby the Ministry of Natural Resources to reduce the cost of deer hunting permits within city limits. Smith suggests if they can convince the MNR to reduce the cost of deer hunting permits to 10 dollars, more people might be willing to take part in the annual fall hunt.

OPP Out With Weekend Warning

The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure everyone stays safe this Victoria Day Weekend. Sergeant Shelley Garr with the Northwest Region says this year's theme is "Take Charge Of Your Own Safety".   Garr says officers will be out looking for distracted and aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and those not wearing their seatbelts.

More Evacuees Arrive

 The City of Thunder Bay is now hosting a total of 260  Attawapiskat First Nation evacuees. It follows the arrival of 105 evacuees transferred from Greenstone last night. Officials says the city has now reached its capacity to comfortably support an evacuation effort of this size.  If conditions continue to improve, it's hoped that evacuees will be able to return home later this week.

Courthouse Construction Site Open

Work is back underway at the new courthouse construction site after a crane tipped over yesterday.  Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says the area around the crane accident is the only place work is not allowed.  Blajer says the ministry investigation into the incident continues.

Fire Cause Still Unknown

City Fire inspectors are not ruling out arson as the cause of last night's house fire on Marks Street.   Bob Vander Ploeg looked over the site this morning and says he's handing it over to the Ontario Fire Marshall.   He says it's because they cannot totally rule out that the blaze was deliberately set.  Vander Ploeg says it was fortunate that a neighbour was able alert  the occupants of the house in time to escape the fire.

Resolute Celebrates Green Energy Project

Resolute Forest Products is launching its new green energy project.  Spokesperson Pierre Choquette says they've started to use their new wood waste boiler and condensing turbine.  Company officials will also hold their annual general meeting in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Sandy Lake First Nation Death

Provincial Police are assisting the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service regarding a death in Sandy Lake First Nation.  NAPS officers responded to a call for medical assistance, and took a man to the nursing station where he was pronounced dead.  The name of the deceased is not available at this time, and a post-mortem is being done in Kenora.

Transport Blocks Highway

City Police are confirming a transport is blocking Arthur Street at Santorelli's. An ambulance is on the way to the scene. The trailer fell off of the vehicle causing the road blockage.

Council Seeks Right To Speak At Inquest

The City wants to have the right to contribute at an upcoming coroner's inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they're going to seek the right to speak at the upcoming inquest. The hearing on who will have the right to speak at the inquest is coming up in June.

Marks Street Fire Under Investigation

Thunder Bay Fire is investigating a two storey house fire on Marks Street late last night. When crews arrived they found flames coming from the back of the house around the back porch area. It took two hours for the fire department to bring the fire under control and save two cats living in the home. No one was injured.

Matawa FN Wants Verdict Appealed

The Matawa First Nations is upset with the justice system.   They are asking that prosecutors file an appeal of the recent not guilty verdict handed down in the case of a Geraldton OPP officer.   He was acquitted of assaulting a prisoner he had in his custody.   The Chief's Council says the verdict has damaged relationships between the OPP and the First Nation people in this region.

City Demands Energy Action

The city is taking its energy battle with the province to a new level. Mayor Keith Hobbs says it's time for the Wynne government to resume the natural gas conversion of the Mission Island Power plant.  He calls the whole thing a political football and says the city will tell the minister of energy to do the right thing and get the conversion done right now.  Mayor Hobbs says even the Ontario Power Authority admits it's calculated our energy needs wrong.

Marina Opens Wednesday

The marina is set to open tomorrow even though there is still ice in the harbour.  City spokesperson Paul Fayrick says while it may be a problem now, he doesn't anticipate it will be long before boaters begin docking their vessels.  He says the slips in Pier 3 are free of ice, the only problem is getting there.   Fayrick says staff will be ready to take in boats when they start arriving.

Crane Tips Over At Courthouse

The crane at the Consolidated Courthouse construction site has tipped over.  Construction worker Mike George says the crane did not make a loud noise, and came as a shock to the workers. No one was hurt. The Ministry of Labour is investigating, and says that the 90-tonne crane was moving a concrete wall panel up to the top level of the new courthouse when the crane fell.  Meanwhile, a witness at the scene, Frank Zawadzki says the workers scattered like mice when the crane came down.  He adds it looks like the crane's weight wasn't balanced and that could have lead to why it tipped over.  As a result of the incident, Brodie Street is closed from Miles Street to Victoria.

Local Liquor Worker Set To Strike

A strike by Liquor Control Board workers is still set for this weekend.  In Thunder Bay,  unionized workers have set up a strike headquarters at the Labour Centre.   Union spokesperson Robert Lorkowski says the dispute centers around the increased use of part time workers.  Lorkowski says out of the province's total LCBO workforce of 7 thousand about 4 thousand are part time.

Test Your Well Water

The Health Unit is encouraging well owners to test their water this spring.  Public Health Inspector Abbey Mackie says it's important to get your water tested.  Spring run off from melting snow can bring contaminants with it into local wells.

Tourism Slowed By Late Spring

A cool spring isn't doing Thunder Bay's Tourism market any favours. Manager Paul Pepe says it's been a slow start to the tourism season. Pepe expects their outdoor experience visitors to pick up in the warmer months.

Upass Renewal Plans

The City is looking to renew its deals with Confederation College and Lakehead University for student transportation. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the Upass agreement provides students with yearly bus passes that are paid for through tuition fees. If council approves the three year term it will start this September.

Books Without Bounds In City Today

Two teenaged Oakville, Ontario sisters who collected books for kids living in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are in Thunder Bay today. Emma and Julia Mogus bought books with their own money and accepted donations leading to over 18-thousand books being sent to NAN communities. They'll fly out to Fort Severn with Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.

Crime Of The Week

Time now for our Crime of the Week. Sometime between May 3rd and 5th someone gained access to a Hydro One storage compound in Dryden. The suspects stole 17-thousand dollars in chainsaws and drills. Anyone with info is asked to call Crimestoppers.

CAW Elections Today

The local Canadian Autoworkers Union is holding its executive elections today. Voting takes place at the Lakehead Labour Centre from 10 until 8.

MNR Fire Deals With First Fires

Thunder Bay's MNR fire crews are finally seeing some action.  The first fire they dealt with was a lightning strike to a dead tree in the area south of Garden Lake.  The second blaze on Sunday was a human caused grass fire on Mountain Road at Fort William First Nation.

T.Bay Hydro Electricity Rate Increases

The Ontario Energy Board is giving Thunder Bay Hydro approval to increase their electricity rates.  The 6.35 percent increase means most residential hydro bills will go up almost 7 dollars a month.  For businesses that increase will look like almost 14 dollars a month.

OPP Launches Recruitment Campaign

The Ontario Provincial Police are launching a recruitment campaign in Thunder Bay. Constable Erin Huckell with the Dryden Detachment says it's a "Northern Policing Experience", and runs from May 25th to 26th. Huckell says travel and accommodations will be taken care of.

New Centre CEO Looks To The Region

The new CEO of the George Jeffrey Children's Centre is Juliana Jason.   She says it's important for her to keep Centre's good reputation in Thunder Bay intact.   Jason says a priority for her will be reaching  out to special needs children in northern communities and looking at rural services.

More Evacuees Arrive

The city is hosting yet another set of evacuees from the James Bay area.   This time 120 First Nation residents from Attawapiskat are now in the city after being flown in last night and this morning.   As with the Kashechewan evacuees, who left yesterday, the current group is here because of the threat of flooding in their community.

South Side Grass Fire Controlled

Grass fire season is back again.   Firefighters on the city's south side now have a sprawling fire next to the Resolute paper mill complex under control.   At one point, just after the noon hour, white smoke was billowing over much of Westfort.   There are no injuries to report.  

Cops For Cancer

Cops for Cancer is happening today. The event will see local police and regular folks shave their heads to show support for those who are fighting cancer. The event will be going on from 11-3 at Intercity Mall.

Fire Fighter Recruitment Tests Begin

Are you interested in becoming a firefighter? The Preliminary Firefighter Recruitment tests are being held today at Lakehead University. Fire Chief John Hay says anyone interested in joining the department is encouraged to take the test.

Crime Stoppers Drug Drop Off

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers are holding a prescription drug drop off this weekend. Constable Jason Disher says it's a great way to reduce drug abuse. The drop off will be located near the Dove building at the Farmer's Market Saturday from 8 until 2.

Oliver Paipoonge Road Closed

Harstone Road is closed from 8-6 today. The rural road is closed to allow an inspection of the Kaministiquia River Bridge. Officials apologize for any inconvenience this may pose to motorists.