Internet Voting A Possibility

The city may be about to take the first step to allow Internet voting in the next election.   Councillor Rebecca Johnson says her colleagues  will be asked to support alternate voting methods for upcoming  elections...something she fully backs.  The other methods include voting by phone or by mail.

City Council Round Up

From tonight's City Hall agenda, one Councillor is questioning the wisdom of paying one million dollars so a private company can move into the Whelan Building.  Rebecca Johnson says the money would be for the second phase of renovations to the building.  Another 2 million dollars for the renovations would come from other government sources.  Meanwhile, Officials at Shelter House are planning to expand the fledgling  managed alcohol program.  Executive Director Patty Hajdu is to appear before city Councillors tonight with a plan to take the program into the vacant EMS building on George Street.

No Flood Costs Tonight

City council will not be dealing with the costs of last years flood at this evening's meeting.   They were going to get a report stating the total price tag for the May 28th disaster is about 44 million dollars.  However that report will now come up at next week's meeting.

Two New Fires Reported

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting two new fires in the Thunder Bay area. MNR officials say one of the fires was a brush fire in Oliver-Paipoonge, but is now out. The other was located in the Gorham Township.

Local Fundraiser For Ski Ninjas Strip

A Thunder Bay based comic strip artist is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund the printing and production of his first collection.  You can kick in some cash to Kyle Lees' Ski Ninjas campaign from now up until July 5th. Lees says the book will showcase his strips and much more.  Lees fundraising goal is 2 thousand 500 dollars.

Splash Pad Now Open

The attractions at Prince Arthur's Landing are now open for the season. The city has opened up the splash pad from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the summer months.

Slight Changes To Transit

City Transit has announced altered schedules for a few routes for the summer months. The #2 Crosstown now comes every 30 minutes rather than 15. Also, there are slight improvements to the #7 Hudson route.

Planting New Trees For Arbor Day

The city is planting new trees in support of Arbor Day. A vacant lot on the Memorial and High intersection will be filled with new trees, as a demonstration of how trees can be used to create beautiful space with meaning. The event will run from 1-3:30 today.

Fire Season Starts Slow

To the relief of  the Ministry of Natural Resources the fire season continues its slow start. There were three new fires reported in the Northwest Region as of today.   Two were in the Red Lake District and one in the Dryden District. There were two additional active fires in the Red Lake District that began yesterday.  To date, there have been almost 70 fires burning an area of  just over 60 hectares in the Northwest Region.

Flood Report Postponed

An update from city councillors on last years flood will now take place at  the June 3rd council meeting and not Monday night as scheduled.   The report states that the total price tag for the disaster is pegged at about 44 million dollars.   City Councillor Rebecca Johnson says that administration postponed the presentation.

New School Causes Buzz

The education community is buzzing with word that a  private high school is about to open at the former Quetico Centre near Atikokan.   It's the brainchild of Toronto's Michael Heaton who says he's shooting  for a September opening.   He says a number of teachers from outside the province are expressing interest in the new facility.   Heaton says tuition for the new school will be 39 thousand 500 dollars a year.

Collision At William & Balmoral

A two vehicle accident at the intersection of William and Balmoral is causing traffic to be slowed down.   The mishap is in the area of the Golf Links road detour.  Traffic is backed up in the area.  A witness says there are injuries, police can not confirm the extent of injuries.

Inquest Complete

The provincial government is being asked to improve communication from within. That's one key recommendation from the jury hearing the case of Edwin Davis, who died on a Dryden area lake while building an ice road for Manitou Lake two years ago. Ministry of Labour Lawyer David McCaskill admits its an issue that's been addressed for the first time in this type of inquiry. Another key recommendation is having all mining operations provide and develop more training programs for ice safety.

Lac Seul First Nation Man Found Dead

Provincial Police have found a man who was reported missing from Lac Seul First Nation. Police say that 47-year-old Dion Morrision was found dead in a wooded area on Manitoba point on Lac Seul. Morrison was missing since Monday. Police say foul play is not suspected, however police are continuing with the investigation.

Suspicious Vehicle Stopped Near Upsala

Reports of a suspicious vehicle in the Dryden and Ignace Area has lead to the arrest of three men near Thunder Bay. Provincial Police noticed a Ford Mustang Wednesday afternoon on Highway 17 east of Upsala and signalled it to pull over. As the officer was about to exit his cruiser, the car sped off and headed north. While searching the vehicle, police found 68 grams of marihuana and have charged three people from Winnipeg and Calgary with flight from police and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Closed

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is closed due to a highway washout. Several employees of the park and visitors were stranded up until last night when they were able to get out using a temporary road fix. Park Supervisor Greg Wilson says the park is now off limits. Wilson says a skeleton crew is staying at the park to keep the facility in good shape.

City Streets & Campgrounds Reopened

The City is reopening some streets, trails and campgrounds after the weekend's heavy rain fall.  Chippewa Campground, Melbourne Road, Toms Road, Mapleward and all recreation trails are reopened.  The only exceptions include the trail under the Edward Street Bridge, Arundel Street and Kline Road remain closed.

Grant Buys Dance Floor

Chalk one up for the organizers of the popular Lakehead Music Festival.  They've scored a 93 hundred dollar grant from the Ontario government's Trillium Foundation according to MPP Bill Mauro who says the money will be used to buy a portable dance floor.

Wynne Tours Resolute FP

Kathleen Wynne's first official visit to Thunder Bay as premier is over.   After a morning trip to YES Employment Services the premier took in a tour of Resolute Forest Products where she got a look at the paper machine number five, the only paper machine in operation at the sprawling facility.  

Border Cats Expand Roster

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have added eight new players to their roster. The Cats signed back catcher Anthony Azar, pitchers Clint Knoblauch, Ryan Atwood, Chris Kerwood, Caleb Smith, Daniel Stoney, Clay Cinnamon, as well as infielder Derek O'Dell. The Border Cats open their season on June 1st against the Willmar Stingers at Subway Field.

DSSAB Takes Over Water Bills

From now on all social housing tenants in the city will have the costs of water added to their rent.   Bill Bradica of the District Social Services Board says it will eliminate problems when some tenants pay water bills and others don't.  He  says they will have the costs added to their monthly rent there-by saving administrative headaches for the board. Bradica says in some cases tenants will see a savings with the combination of costs.

Police Ask Public For Help

Thunder Bay Police are looking to the public for information about an assault on the city's south side. Police say a woman was assaulted near the 700 block of Syndicate Avenue South sometime before two o'clock on Monday morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Fishing Season To Bring Heavy Traffic

The Canada Border Service Agency is expecting higher traffic volume at the Pigeon River border crossing. CBSA officials say they are anticipating more travelers over the next three weeks due to the start of fishing season in Northwestern Ontario. Border officials are advising travelers to plan around peak traffic periods if possible.

Wynne In T.Bay

The Province is still in negotiations.  That's the message on several topics from Premier Kathleen Wynne.  At a news conference this morning in Thunder Bay, Wynne was asked about topics ranging from the Ring Of Fire to more money for local flood victims all with similar responses.  Wynne says the conversation about the conversion of the local Coal Plant is also ongoing.  Wynne was in the City to tout her government's youth employment initiatives in the Provincial budget.

Highway Closure

Highway 587 remains closed at Joe Creek, close to the Sleeping Giant Provincial park. The closure is due to a washout, due to recent heavy rainfall. For more information, call 511.

Fednor Provides Funding For NAN

60-thousand dollars of Fednor funding is going toward the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Fednor Minister Tony Clement announced it yesterday, saying the money will go towards Aboriginal Business management training. This funding will allow NAN to set up at least ten business management training summits throughout the region.

Active Transportation Corridor Discussed

An Active Transportation Corridor in the Bay Street area is garnering plenty of attention.  200 residents took part in a Red River Ward meeting last night that showcased the multi-year plan.  Councillor Andrew Foulds was also at the meeting and says people had a lot of questions about pedestrian safety.  The bike and walking plan spans an area from Bay Street to Marlborough Street and still needs to go before Council before anymore work can be done.

Premier Wynne To Visit City

Premier Kathleen Wynne is coming to Thunder Bay tomorrow.  It's her first visit to the city since becoming premier.  According to a notice from her office she will be at YES Employment Services in the morning and touring the Resolute Mill in the afternoon.

State Of Emergency Continues On FWFN

The Fort William First Nation remains in a state of emergency as the result of weekend rains.   Chief Georjann Morriseau says about 80 people remain away from their homes and there is still no firm time on when they will go back.     She says their homes need to be cleared by health officials before the evacuees can return

Back To Work At Construction Site

It's back to business at the construction site of the new courthouse on the city's south side.   Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says one week after last week's crane accident, the whole site has been deemed safe after the stop work order was lifted yesterday. Blajer says the ministry is continuing its investigation into what caused the crane to tip over

Well Owners Advised To Boil Water

The Health Unit is strongly advising well owners in any areas affected by this past weekend’s high water levels to boil your water before you drink it.   Officials say well water used for brushing teeth, making baby formula, washing foods and cooking should also be boiled.

PARO Gets More Money

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is giving just over 352-thousand dollars to PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise.  PARO Executive Director Rosalind Lockyer says the three year grant will be used to provide training for would be young entrepreneurs in Northwestern Ontario. Lockyer says the money will go along way with covering the costs of salaries, training opportunities and producing materials for their training programs.

Fire At Mobile Home Park

No injuries to report after a fire on Pamona drive off Rosslyn Road this morning.  One fire official  says it started in the crawl space of a mobile home.  Captain Chris Beaucage says damage is minimal and that the floor of the home never caught fire.   The cause is under investigation.

Kenora Says No To More Lake Front Cottages

Kenora City Council has voted against a moratorium for developments on Black Sturgeon Lake.  Dan Olscamp, president of the Black Sturgeon Lake Property Owners Association says the lake is at a critical point.   Council has confirmed the city will include water testing on the lake as part of the 2014 budget.

A Tale of Three Mayors

The Mayors of two cities that were devastated by flooding last year are getting together tonight to share their experiences. Don Ness of Duluth, MN, and our very own Keith Hobbs will share their stories about springtime flooding in their communities. Salvation Army Major Roy Langer will also be discussing the forest fires that ravaged Slave Lake, AB. "A Tale of Three Mayors" Red Shield fundraising dinner will be held tonight at the Valhalla Inn.

Nukes Designation Antiquated: Hobbs

The Mayor says it may be time to change the city's designation as a so called "nuclear free zone"   It was passed by a previous council, but Keith Hobbs suggests it's only symbolic right now.  He says if you only knew what went through Thunder Bay Bay on the highways there's lots of nuclear material that comes though.  Hobbs calls the designation antiquated.

Students Enter The Den

It's time to enter the den for five would be high school entrepreneurs to strut their stuff.  Caralee Rousell of Thunder Bay Ventures says the 5  are vying for cash prizes if the judges chose their business proposals. She says they include beef jerky and dog treats. The presentations are taking place at Hammarskjold High School starting at 1 o'clock this afternoon

Former CIBC Investor At Hearing

A former Thunder Bay financial advisor is before a National Discipline Hearing this week in Toronto.  Pirkko Ann Ramsay is facing allegations that say she borrowed funds from two clients without their knowledge and misused it.  Ramsay was a CIBC Investor Service Representative.

Tactical Service Unit A Boon To Police Force

Thunder Bay's 14 member Tactical Service Unit is talking up their recent accomplishments.  Sgt. Rino Belcamino spoke to members of the Police Service Board today and says they offer one of the most successful K9 units in the Province.  They are also the only hostage rescue unit in Northwestern Ontario.

Police Services Board Roundup

Thunder Bay's Police Chief says the force's 2013 budget is on the right track.  JP Levesque presented a financial update to members of the Police Services Board earlier today.  The nearly 36 million dollar budget is operating in the black.  Meanwhile,  A drug abuse treatment centre in the City would like 12 unclaimed bikes from the Police Service.  They've asked for the bikes for the 16 to 25 year old First Nation Youth who stay at their facility.  The Police Services Board is working with the treatment centre and will consider the request.

New Board Member?

Thunder Bay's Police Services Board should have a new member soon.  A position is open ever since Deborah Johnson's term expired at the last board meeting.  Chair Joe Virdiramo says the Attorney General will hopefully make an announcement soon.  Virdiramo says hopefully the Attorney General received lots of applications.

Zone Watch Deadline May 27th

The City's Police Service is pleased with the number of people who have applied for their new online "Zone Watch" program.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says 62 applications have been sent in so far.  The deadline to apply is May 27th.

Hudak Has Plans For Ring Of Fire

Ontario's PC leader says he would make changes to advance the Ring of Fire.  Tim Hudak says his party would make 4 key changes including putting a Minister in charge of the mining project.   Hudak believes the Ring of Fire can be to Ontario what the Oil Sands are to Alberta.

Resolute Refuses To Sign "Draconian"Deal

Resolute Forest Products is refusing to sign on to the new Boreal Forest Agreement effectively killing the proposal. The deal was designed to prevent the over-harvesting of trees.  Spokesperson Seth Kursman says it would have had a detrimental affect on communities and First Nations throughout the north. He says the demands from  many environmental groups were draconian and would have lead to the cancellation of company projects in Ignace and Atikokan. The deal had been signed by seven environment organizations and 19 forest product companies in Canada

Hyer Objects To Radio Station Move

A local MP is wading into the fight to keep the radio station in Marathon operating out of that community.  Bruce Hyer says he has filed an objection with the Canadian Radio and TV Commission over the plan by Dougall Media to have the station broadcast all programming out of a studio here in Thunder Bay.  He joins MPP Michael Gravelle who has also fired off a letter to the CRTC objecting to the plan.

City Dodges Rainfall Bullet

City officials are expressing extreme relief that we were spared from heavy rains overnight.  Lakehead Region Conservation Authority Chair Bill Bartley we dodged a bullet.  He says, as a result,  the flood warning for the city has now been lifted.  Bartley says while there has been some localized flooding the city is being spared because of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway.  There are still some roads in the city that are closed due to flood damage and they will reopen after repairs.

5 To 10 MM Of Rain Last Night

Environment Canada says the City saw an additional 5 to 10 millimeters of rain last night and not the 70 mm that was originally forecasted.  Meteorologist Arnold Ashton says we'll see the rain go away later in the day.  A severe rainfall warning for the region ended over night.

Officials Keep Close Eye On Rising Water Levels

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority and the City are keeping a close watch on rising water levels in area waterways.  50 to 60 millimeters of rain was recorded over the weekend with 70 millimeters more forecasted for last night.  City Infrastructure Manager Darrell Matson says they're on high alert and the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Plant is performing as they expected.  Roads in and around the City are experiencing ponding and flooding.  Any roads covered with water should be avoided and you should seek alternate routes.  Local roads that are closed include: Arundel Street near Toledo Street, and Melbourne Road near Hazelwood Drive intersection, Chippewa Road at the City Road intersection and at the Chippewa Park Wildlife Exhibit.  The recreation trail under the Edward Street Bridge is also closed.

OPP Say Only Some Back Roads Still Washed Out

OPP are reporting that all major highways remain open and previous washed out rural roads are now passable.  Police say only some small back roads are still treacherous.

FWFN State Of Emergency

Fort William First Nation is in a state of emergency.  170 members of the First Nation have been evacuated since yesterday.  Chief Georjann Morriseau says they'll be meeting today to review the flood situation.  Homes were damaged and several roads are closed due to washouts in the community.

Leaf And Yard Waste Starts Today

Curbside collection of leaf and yard waste starts this week. Spokesperson Brad Adams says the collections will take place on your regular recycling day, between today and the end of the month. Adams also says each bag has a weight limit of 40 pounds.