Transit Gets Gas Tax Money

The Provincial Government is doling out 2 million dollars to the City in the latest installment of money collected from the gas tax.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says the City needs that cash to keep transit up to date.  To date 16 million dollars has been provided to the City through the Provincial Gas Tax fund.

CMHC June Housing Starts

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is out with its housing start figures for the month of June.  Thunder Bay saw 44 starts last month up from 41 the year before.  In total 128 new starts are being reported so far this year which is a jump from 87 at this time last year.

City Hears Options

City Council is preparing for it's upcoming battle with Resolute Forest Products over the company's decision to appeal their property tax assessment with the Municipal Property Corporation.  A special closed door session meeting of Council was held last night to discuss the City's options going forward.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they're getting a game plan together.  Resolute wants to have their assessment dramatically lowered from 72 million.

City "Entrepreneur" Dies At 53

Thunder bay businessman Don Wing is dead.   His wife Gwen Dubois Wing confirms that he died suddenly this morning.   Funeral arrangements are pending.    Dubois Wing says while her husband was well involved in the construction industry, he was also part of the city hospital foundation and airport authority boards and was an all around entrepreneur.  Don Wing, dead at the age of 53.

Bear Spray Sprayed In Hotel Room

City Police are reporting a strange incident that happened at the Shoreline Motor Hotel Sunday.  A man entered a hotel room and sprayed bear spray.  4 men and one woman was in the room at the time.
The suspect had his face covered and fled the scene.  No one was seriously injured.  Anyone with information should contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Bluesfest A Success

The organizers of Bluesfest are deeming the three day music festival a success.  Organizer Trevor Hurtig says they don't have final attendance numbers but says it looks good.  Hurtig says they're already starting to plan for next year's event.

CLE Returns

The organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition are again expecting big crowds for the annual fair.  Chair Ralph Scharf  says for entertainment they have everything from Shy-Anne Hovorka to Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute bands.   On the midway there's a new ride for the adventurous called Typhoon.  He says attendance normally hovers around the 60 thousand for the five day event which begins August 7th.

Teddy Bear Picnic Back

Thunder Bay's Teddy Bear Picnic is going into its 30th year.  The afternoon event is taking place from noon until 3 at Vickers Park tomorrow.  This year's entertainment includes Rodney Brown and the Grumpy Grampas.

Crime Of The Week

It's time for our Crime of the Week.  OPP are looking into a break and enter at the White Lake Provincial Park in Bryant Township.  Sometime between November 20th of last year and March 5th of this year people gained entry into the park grounds and entered six buildings and several vehicles.  Stolen items include digital cameras, flat screen tv's, keurig coffee maker and several laptops.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Con College Enrollment Looking Good

Confederation College is looking forward to higher enrollment numbers this fall.  President Jim Madder says early enrollment confirmation numbers are up 5 percent.  He adds there are a number of courses that could see an increase in applications.  Madder notes the health care courses are also very popular with some already full.

Assault At Campground

A man and a woman will be in bail court today after a weekend incident at Trowbridge Falls Campground.  Police say two sisters in their 20s were assaulted while camping on the weekend.  The man faces an assault charge while the woman was charged with two counts of assault.

Dilico Workers Striking

350 Dilico Anishinabek Family Care workers are on strike.  They walked off the job just after 8 this morning and are picketing the Dilico office on Anemki Drive.  Marvin Pupeza of Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union says they have a number of issues with the employer.  The workers have been without a new contract for over a year.

Taxi Meeting Dates Up In The Air

Thunder Bay's Police Services Board, the City and local Police are hoping to sit down soon and work out a solution to who will govern the taxi service.  Police Chief JP Levesque says meetings will be held but he's not sure when since summer is keeping people busy.  Police Board Chair Joe Virdiramo wants a decision to be made on the taxi matter by September.

Treasure Hunt Across NWO

Parks Canada wants to make the best out of your road trip across Northwestern Ontario.  They have launched their "Heritage Hide'n'Seek Geotour", which guides folks to various locations to learn more about the people and events that helped shape this country.  Communications Officer Nancy Saunders says it covers a wide area from Algonquin Park all the way to the Manitoba border.  All you need to to take part is a GPS or smart phone!

Dryer Fire Dealt With

Fire officials responded to a dryer fire on County Boulevard around 4am yesterday. The fire was extinguished with no issues. The only damage caused by the fire was to the dryer, with minor smoke damage elsewhere in the house.

Dugmore Memorial Discussion

The city is going to look at ways to honor the memory of Katherine Dugmore.  The one time waterfront development manager died recently and city spokesperson Darrell Matson says officials are looking at putting up a memorial to her at Prince Arthur's Landing, but the exact method isn't known. Matson says the issue comes before city council July 22nd.

MNR Conducting Surveys

The Ministry of Natural Resources is taking a close look at 61 lakes in northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Kim Armstrong says lake surveys are underway. Armstrong says they are also checking for invasive species. Information gathered through the surveys will be used to make decisions on setting fishing seasons and size limits for anglers.

Local Music Legend Returns To Bluesfest

Shaffer on-stage at Bluesfest

A Thunder Bay musical legend makes his return to Bluesfest. Despite the poor weather, Paul Shaffer surprised thousands of blues fans at the Waterfront last night and even played a song with Los Lobos. Shaffer was in town visiting family. 

Kraft Celebration Tour

Kraft Canada is encouraging residents in communities challenging for the Kraft Celebration Tour to get behind their bids. Dryden and Fort Frances are going head to head. Kraft's promotions manager Sue Brooks says the public has the final say on who will win.Along with the 25-thousand dollar cash reward, Brooks says Kraft will set up a variety of events the day the winning community hosts TSN.

Free Fishing

It's time to get your family hooked on fishing. Licence-free fishing begins on July 6th and runs until the 14th across Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says it's a chance to try the sport without the hassle of getting a licence.

Treaty Three Police Service Will Close Its Doors

The Treaty Three Police Services Board is shutting down the police service effective August 19th. The main reasons being the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, didn't agree to their demands to be under the provincial jurisdiction and agreeing to major wage concessions and restrictions on sick leave by withdrawing unfair labour practice complaints. PSAC Regional Vice-President Sharon DeSousa says it's disappointing to see that this is the only solution the service has come up with, adding they haven't really spoken to the workers or consulted with the union.

Water Park Officially Open

It's not often that a children's water park causes this much excitement.   However in this case the new County Park splash pad is the exception to the rule.   The facility's opening has been delayed for a couple of years because of plumbing problems that required extensive work.  It is the city's third such splash pad and will be open from 11-8 daily during the summer months.

CWL Holds Provincial Conference

The Catholic Women's League is holding it's provincial conference in Thunder Bay starting this weekend.   Organizer Marlene Pavletic says over 300 delegates are attending. They will be conducting business meetings, listening to speakers and touring the city.   A flag raising ceremony at City Hall this afternoon is the kickoff to the weekend events.

Angler Rescued

An area angler is thanking the Ministry of Natural Resources today.   Spokesperson Gary Harland says the man was lost fishing yesterday on a river not far from Rinker Lake, 120 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.   His two friends help direct an MNR helicopter crew to the spot the man and he was directed to a safe location and later rescued.

New Grocery Store For City

Thunder Bay is in for some No Frills action. Loblaw Companies Limited confirms that the company will open a No Frills grocery store in the city by the end of this year. While no location has been confirmed the County Fair Plaza and Northwood Plaza have been mentioned.

Cirtwill Hits The Ground Running

The new president of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute is already on the job. Charles Cirtwill plans to be working out of his Thunder Bay headquarters in September but until then he's steering the ship from Halifax. He says that includes working with the board to start posting staffing positions, finalizing funding from the province and commissioning a couple of papers. Cirtwill says he took the job because he was looking for a new opportunity.

New CAO In Red Lake

A new face to the Chief Administrative Officer Position in Red Lake. Mark Vermette will take over effective immediatly. He is replacing Brian Anderson, who is retiring after nearly 40 years.

Fort Frances Mill To Reopen Briefly

A deal has been reached on starting up one of the paper machines at the Resolute Forest Products Mill in Fort Frances. Over 40 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union will be heading back to work for 2 to 3 months. National CEP Rep Stephen Boon says that will hopefully give the mill the boost it needs. Boon says a lot of workers that were laid off in February have found other jobs, but this deal will make the recall completely voluntary.

Wind Farm Opponents Resume The Fight

Wind farm opponents on the city's south side are confident they have a solid case against proposed turbines on the Nor' wester Escarpment. Spokesperson Irene Bond says their consultant has torn apart some of Horizon Winds environmental claims and believes the government will see their point of view, especially when it comes to noise issues.  The report was filed as part of the government's environmental assessment process on the project

No Injuries In Pellet Plant Fire

No one is hurt after a fire this morning at a wood pellet plant on Mission Island.   Fire officials say the blaze started in some dust around 10 o'clock in part of a pellet making machine.   Firefighters stayed for about two hours because in order to make sure the fire was out, they dismantled part of the machinery.

Dilico Workers Poised To Strike

The picket signs are ready to go up at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care offices here and across the district.   Three hundred and fifty workers from Thunder Bay, Armstrong , Longlac, Marathon and Nipigon are set to walk off the job Monday at 8 am.   They are members of the Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union,  and are pressing their case for a new contract. There are no scheduled talks to try to end the dispute.

AIMS Boss To Head NOPI

A Nova Scotia economics whizz is coming to Thunder Bay to head the Northern Ontario Policy Institute.   Reports indicate that Charles Cirtwill, president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, will be the Institute's first head.   The Ontario government set up the think tank to put together a plan for the north which will then be presented to the province.

MNR Doing Invasive Species Study

The Ministry of Natural Resources is out on area lakes monitoring fish populations, taking water samples and checking for invasive species. Surveys are being done on 61-lakes in northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Kim Armstrong says the process should take until about early September.
He notes it could take over a year to know the final results.

Acadia Applies To Buy N.B. Station

In business news - Acadia Broadcasting is moving to add another radio station to its stable - the parent company of  Giant 105.3 has filed an application with the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase CKNI-FM - News91.9 in Moncton from Rogers Broadcasting.  The Saint John based company currently owns ten stations in the Maritimes - and - here Ontario.  Acadia Vice President Jim MacMullin says he looks forward to bringing our brand of community focused - quality local radio to Moncton.

LU Prof Weighs In On Egypt

A top Egyptian judge is the country's new interim president.  Lakehead University Political Science Professor Laure Paquette is weighing in on the military ousting democratically elected Mohammed Morsi and hopes the military will give power back to the next person elected by the people.

Grain Elevators Group Likes Hotel Idea

The Friends of Grain Elevators group says a local business man's plan to turn a grain elevator on the City's waterfront into a hotel has peaked their interest.  Global Recycling and the group have been in talks about offering a grain elevator learning centre near the hotel.  Friends Spokesperson Nancy Perozzo says talks will continue.  Perrozzo says she likes that the hotel could be made up of old parts from the grain elevator.

Target Store Opening July 16th

Thunder Bay's Target Store is set to open at 8 am July 16th.  Spokesperson Lisa Gibson says it's one of 20 stores across Canada that will open that week.  The former Zeller's store has undergone extensive renovations and will employ 150 people.

One Fire In T.Bay District

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting a new fire in the Thunder Bay district.  In total, there were five new fires in the region last night.  Lightning continues to be the main cause of the fires which is a normal trend for Northwestern Ontario during the summer.

Silver Lining Docked In T.Bay Marina

Former Thunder Bay resident Chris Lenz is back in the City with his yacht the "Silver Lining".  Lenz left the City in 1984 and started a series of resteraunts in Asia.  Lenz says there's no better place to be in the summer then in the Shebandowan lake area.  The super yacht took several years to build is docked in our Marina.

Pepe Sees Hope In Early Tourism Numbers

The city's tourism manager is hoping some early numbers will bode well for the summer season.   Paul Pepe says visits are up 12 per cent from last year at the Terry Fox Lookout something he is cautiously hoping will translate into an increase in overall local tourism. Meantime Pepe says there will be a push to get more Americans to visit the city.

 

Feds Fund Applicants In E.A. Process

Federal funding is now available for individuals and groups interested in taking part in the environmental assessment for the Griffith Iron Ore project in Ear Falls. Applications must be submitted by August 1st. Northern Iron is proposing the redevelopment of the former Griffith Mine. The project would produce roughly 16-thousand tonnes of ore per day, with a mine life of some 20-years.

Private College Leaving The City

Everest College is pulling the plug on Thunder Bay.   Officials with the private school say they are no longer enrolling new students here.  Any existing students will get to complete their courses, but as of October of next year the school will be looking at the city in the rear view mirror.    Officials, who refused our request for an interview,  say they just weren't making money off the local operation.  

Police Nab Wanted Man

A 45 year old Calgary  man is cooling his heels in a Thunder Bay jail after a report of a dangerous driver on the Trans Canada Highway yesterday.  Police say they had stories of a driver in a white pick up truck speeding, driving people off the road and causing collisions in the Kakabeka Falls area.   They caught up with the driver west of Finmark Road trying to retrieve his vehicle from the ditch. They say alcohol was involved.   Turns out he's also wanted by police in Alberta.   

Local Athletes Taking Part In Summer Games

Thunder Bay's Special Olympic's program is being celebrated.  The President of Special Olympics Ontario was in the City today to praise the local force for raising over 50 thousand dollars for their organization.  Chief JP Levesque says its another feather in the police force's hat.  Money raised locally is going to send over 20 Thunder Bay Special Olympic athletes to the 2013 summer games in Southern Ontario.

Door To Door Fire Education Program

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is starting it's door-to-door smoke alarm education program this week.   Spokesperson Anthony Stokaluk says they'll go to homes and emphasize the importance of having a working smoke alarm on every storey of a residence. According to the local fire service you should be checking your smoke alarms on a monthly basis.

MNR Evaluating Training After Tragedy

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working to prevent a situation similar to the one in Arizona.  19-firefighters were killed battling an erratic blaze northwest of Phoenix.  MNR Spokesperson  Al Tithecott says they take firefighter safety very seriously.  Tithecott says they also have to look at shifts in fire behaviour.

Voluntary Self ID Program Starts In The Fall

Thunder Bay Public School staff are going to be asked to voluntarily identify if they are of First Nation or Metis background.  It's part of a larger program that also sees students volunteer that information.  Spokesperson Nicole Walter Rowan says it should start in September.  Walter Rowan notes the move will help foster cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

Cup Here Likely In August

 Expect to see the Stanley Cup in Thunder Bay sometime next month.  Patrick Sharp of the NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks says organizers are working at putting together plans for another community celebration centred around the cup. He says an exact date is still up in the air.   In an exclusive interview with our newsroom Sharp says winning the cup again was an amazing experience, even the second time around.
Sharp says he's looking forward to sharing the cup with those people who helped him get there.

Local Volunteers Help In Western Canada

Thunder Bay Red Cross volunteers are in Western Canada helping out with flood relief efforts.   Spokesperson David Wright says two volunteers and a staff member were deployed on the weekend to lend their experience to those in Saskatchewan and Alberta who have been hit hardest by the recent weather events.  Wright says the three will be there for a week to 10 days.