LU Outpost Offers Pregnancy Tests

Lakehead University's Outpost bar is the first in Canada to offer pregnancy tests in their bathroom dispensers.  The purpose is to help prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  The initiative starts today and they hope to have more local bars get on board and offer pregnancy tests.  Tests will cost 3 dollars.

Hobson Sentenced For Marion Murder

A Thunder Bay man must spend at least 15 years behind bars for the 2009 murder of Edgar Marion.   In Superior Court this morning Leif Hobson was given life in prison for the beating death of the 65 year old man.    Hobson's lawyer Gil Labine says his client has deep remorse for his actions. Hobson's sentence also includes time for burning Marion's body and for setting his basement apartment on fire.  He will be serving his sentence in a British Columbia prison.

Former Rangers Want Program Back

Alumni with the former Ontario Rangers program are bringing their fight to restore the program directly to Queen's Park today.  They are holding a lobby day in hopes to convincing MPP's to support their cause.  The program ran in Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Quetico Provincial Park.  Spokesperson Martin Dubec says they want MPP's to hear directly from those who've benefited.  The program and camps were axed last fall.

Human Rights Training Wraps Up Today

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is wrapping up a two day training session today.  Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall says during her time in the City she heard several issues around disability rights. Over 100 people are taking part in a full day training session looking at aboriginal issues as well as housing rights.

Country Club Gets More Condo Units

The Club Project Developers

The City is allowing the Thunder Bay Country Club to build 109 condos on their property.   The original plan was for 80 units but due to a demand for more 2 bedroom condo's the developers decided to offer more.  Project Manager Jim Peterson says they're making good progress on the construction project.

Flood Lawsuit Going Forward

The City is ready for the next stages of a  class action lawsuit.  Both the lawyers for the plaintiff and the defendant agreed Monday to allow the spring flood lawsuit to go forward.  City Manager Tim Commisso says it puts them in a better position. Commisso adds they started updating Council about what the next steps were two months ago.

Back To The Farming Days

Kendal Donahue 

Some interesting questions for the new head of the local Food Strategy.  Councillor Brian McKinnon asked about the possibility of offering back yard chicken coops. Meanwhile, Councillors Ken Boshcoff and Linda Rydholm brought up the fact that deer are eating public gardens.  Rydholm suggested the Food Strategy look at the by-law banning electronic fences as away to spur more local grown food.

Energy East Pipeline Meeting Tonight

TransCanada Pipelines' Energy East Pipeline Project is going to dominate discussion at a public meeting tonight at the Community Auditorium.  The proposed project is a pipeline that will see Alberta's oil sent to the East coast.  The public meeting will run from 4 to 8 tonight.

Tweet Your Q's To Garbage Meeting Officials

The City's second public meeting on garbage and recycling in the City is going to be streamed online.  A link to the video stream can be found here.  The City is also going to use Twitter to take residents' questions and feedback on the future plan for garbage collection.  Twitter users can tweet @CityThunderBay and use #TBayWasteStrategy.

Wilson Voted Against Leadership Review

Thunder Bay PC candidate Harold Wilson is giving is boss huge props after this weekend's convention in southern Ontario.  Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak dodged a bullet when the delegates refused to discuss making leadership reviews more frequent, something Wilson is totally against and calls  the current review process  acceptable.   He also is pleased the delegates decided to support the return of the spring bear hunt.

Liberals Flip Flopping Says Horwath

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is accusing the Liberals of flip flopping on the issue of converting the Thunder Bay Generating Station to natural gas.  Horwath is displeased the Energy Minister refused to answer her request for clarification on comments he made suggesting an announcement was on the way for the local plant.  Horwath says she can imagine how frustrating it is for local officials such as the Mayor who are awaiting a decision on the conversion of the plant.

New Fundraiser For St. Joe's

A new fundraiser hopes to raise enough money to create a healing gardens at St. Joseph's Care Group's new Senior Centre of Excellence.  St. Joe's Foundation Spokesperson Katrina O'Neill says the "Dinner At The Opera" fundraiser is being put on by Memory Lane Gardens, a local charitable foundation.  The event on Sunday at the DaVinci Centre is expected to raise up to 10-thousand dollars.

Cliffs Poised For Pullout

A top executive at Cliffs Natural Resources says there is a real danger of the company getting  out of the Ring of Fire mining development.   Bill Boor says there's concern over a recent ruling by a government commission against its road proposal for the area. Boor says the company has not set a deadline for a possible pullout, hoping instead there can be a solution worked out.

OHRC & City Talk Human Rights

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is wrapping up a two day training session Tuesday.  During their time in the City the organization tackled current human rights themes including Aboriginal issues, housing, disability and accommodation and gender identity.

Fire Destroys South Side Shed

There is no cause to report from a fire that destroyed a shed  on the city's south side.   A fire official says the blaze took place around 6 o'clock this morning behind a home on Fairview Avenue.  No one was hurt in the incident.  

OPP Busy Weekend

Thunder Bay OPP are taking a breather after a busy weekend.  On Friday night, police responded to a vehicle hitting a moose on Highway 61 just north of the Pigeon River border.  The truck killed the moose but shortly after an 89 year old man driving a car also hit the corpse of the moose sending the elderly man to the hospital. On Saturday, police responded to a two vehicle collision on Highway 61 near Chippewa Road. The driver of a Ford truck fled the scene while the driver of a jeep was sent to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.  Meanwhile, OPP are looking for some items that were stolen from a truck in Shuniah.  The truck was stolen from a home on Saturday, police found it in the Silver Harbour Conservation area with several items missing out of it.  A cellphone, camera and wallet were stolen.  Police are also reporting several cottages in the Shuniah area being broken into several TVs and electronic devices were stolen. 

Hit And Run Probed

Police are investigating a hit and run accident which took place on Crescent Avenue near the old Sir John A. MacDonald school.   They say that on Saturday night around 11:30 a vehicle slammed into a tree and the driver ran away.   Police could not confirm an eye witness report of a woman wandering at the scene and while they've been in contact with the registered owner of the vehicle there is no further information available.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident

OPP continue to investigate an accident over the weekend that killed a 50-year old Thunder Bay man.  Police were called to Highway 593 in Devon Township south of the city on Saturday night around 10:30 after a passing motorist discovered a male lying in a ditch beside a motorcycle.  It appears the man lost control of his 2002 Kawasaki bike and skidded into the ditch while out for a ride during the afternoon.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The victim's name has not been released.  

Food Strategy Update Tonight

The Food Strategy Committee is going to update City Council tonight about what they've been doing since they formed.  Councilor Rebecca Johnson says the committee is in its early stages.  The Food Strategy Committee will look at ensuring local food is served in public institutions such as City Hall, the hospital, and at local schools.

Garbage Meeting Tuesday

The City is holding another public information session on the future of garbage and recycling in our community.  Spokesperson Jason Scherband says they've narrowed down feedback from previous sessions and will now bring their findings back to the public.  Scherband says key findings include a strong desire to recycle more plastic materials and a curbside composting program.  After Tuesday's public meeting staff will start to prepare a report for City Council in November.

City Council Round Up

City Council is going to review several proposed Tbaytel cell phone towers.  One is in the Limbrick area where residents were concerned about kids playing around the tower.  TBaytel has decided to put a fence around the proposed structure and are now asking the City to send a letter to the Federal Government saying they properly consulted the neighbourhood.  Meanwhile, City Council is going to tackle a number property and planning issues at it's meeting tonight.  The owners of the Thunder Bay Inn wants the City to allow them to divide a piece of their property so they can build a house on it.  The operator of the Thunder Bay Inn would live in the proposed home.

Miles With the Giant Runs Smoothly

Thunder Bay held its fourth annual Miles with the Giant Marathon Sunday. President Barry Streib,  says the day went smoothly. Streib says there were also no noteworthy "glitches" through the day. Evans Maiko Mumanyi  placed first in the full length marathon.

Jury Review Comittee Formed

The Province has named its 11 person first nation juries review committee. Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler is a co-chair of the committee says they are focusing on key recommendations from Justice Frank Iacobucci's report on Ontario Juries. Fiddler says it took time to create the committee as they made sure they covered the concerns of First Nations and Metis people.

College Looking For New Plane Training Lake

Confederation College is hoping to decide where to locate its float plane training classes in the next couple of months. The college agreed to move the course from its current location on Eva Lake near Atikokan after receiving numerous complaints from cottagers. College president, Jim Madder says they've received a lot of interest from communities interested in hosting the school from Kenora all the way to Manitouadge. September 5th was the deadline to submit proposals for the flight school.

Thunder Bay Gets Age Friendly

Age Friendly Thunder Bay now has it's own website. City Councillor Rebecca Johnson sits on the committee and says they want to reach out to seniors. Johnson says the site also offers local businesses a check list to see if they are considered senior friendly.

Dryden Makes ATVs Street Legal

The City of Dryden is allowing the use of All-Terrain vehicles on certain streets and roads. Council made changes to a 15-year-old by-law last week. Mayor Craig Nuttall says he finds no problem with it. One restriction in the bylaw is that ATV's can't be used after 11 o'clock at night.

International Peace Day

Today is the first ever International Peace Day in the City. Thunder Bay Rotary is behind the initiative and will be recognizing the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The event is today at noon at the new peace pole that was installed this summer at Prince Arthur's Landing.

Break & Enter Video Released

Thunder Bay Police are releasing some video to the public of a September 18th break and enter on Red River Road.   They say a man smashed the glass door of a business and proceeded to take the cash register. Police are also investigating eight other similar break and enters to commercial locations in the past 48 hours in the city.  It's not known at this time if these incidents are linked.

Bombardier Fined After Workers Injured

Bombardier is being fined 280-thousand dollars after being convicted in two separate cases involving injuries to workers that took place at its Thunder Bay production facility.  In one situation a worker had to have a part of his finger amputated.  In another situation, a worker was injured after touching a live electrical conductor.

Chiarelli's Comments Cleared Up

The Energy Minister's office is clearing up comments made by Bob Chiarelli about the future of the Thunder Bay Generating Station.  On Thursday he said the plant would  run six hours a year, however what he meant to say was the estimate for the plant running this year was six times.  Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle says the Province hasn't decided the fate of the plant yet.  Gravelle says he's going to keep working to ensure the local plant stays open.

DSSAB Beefing Up Security

The organization responsible for social housing in  the area is beefing up security on its properties. Bill Bradica, the acting C-A-O of the Social Services Administration Board, says the upgrades are being done to help tenants feel safer.  The board has approved 335 thousand dollars for security improvements that included increased patrols and lighting.

Inflation Rate At Zero

A bit of a drop in the national inflation rate.  Statistics Canada says inflation fell in August to 1.1 percent, down from 1.3 percent the month before.  Thunder Bay's inflation rate is at zero for last month.

Age Friendly Gets New Website

Age Friendly Thunder Bay now has it's own website.  City Councillor Rebecca Johnson sits on the committee and says they want to reach out to seniors through the site.  Johnson says the site also offers local businesses a checklist to see if they are considered senior friendly.  To check out the new website click here.

The "People's Microbiologist"

Dr. Donald Low

This week's death of SARS doctor Donald Low hits close to home for Thunder Bay's Dr. David Williams.   Williams worked side by side with Low during the SARS crisis in Toronto in 2003. Williams credits Low with keeping the public calm during the crisis, calling him the people's microbiologist.  He says Low was able to explain complicated technical health issues in a very down to earth  manner which won the confidence of the public.  Williams says it was ironic that he heard about Dr. Low's death in the very building where he first met him.

Food Strategy Launched

The City is one step closer to creating a food strategy.  Spokesperson Kendal Donahue says they've started to discuss where they go from here.  The working group involves representatives from the education sector, farming, business and health fields and will work together to create the strategy that will see local food used in our main public institutions.

Review Of Dryden Operations

A comprehensive review of City of Dryden operations and services is underway.  Sudbury based KPMG addressed council for the first time last night to outline their plans of the review.  The group pulled no punches by saying every department will be looked at and Council may not like some of their recommendations.

Fiddler Sheds Light On New Committee

A new First Nation Juries Review Committee has been named.  Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler is co-chair of the 11 member committee.  Fiddler says they will work towards implementing recommendations in Justice Frank Lacobucci's report.  Other members announced on Thursday include Thunder Bay's Honorable Marc Bode, Former Treaty Three Grand Chief and Lawyer Diane Kelly as well as former Kenora Judge Erwin Stach.

Cliffs Rails Against Road Ruling

A major player in the Ring of Fire mining development is questioning its future in the project.  Cliffs Natural Resources says a recent ruling by a government commission against its road proposal for the area is a disappointment and threatens the development of the Ring of Fire mining district.   They say the road is an essential and necessary component of the company's chromite project.

Pickle Lake Man Charged With Break & Enter

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 24 year old man from Pickle Lake with Break, Enter and Robbery. Police say they received a 911 call of a break and enter at a Van Norman Street business early this morning.  Officers report that a cleaning employee was confronted by the suspect with a broken piece of glass.  The man made a court appearance this morning.

$$ For ER Nurses Helps Free Up EMS

The Province is giving the Health Sciences Centre 228-thousand dollars to hire more nurses for the emergency room.  The new nurses will only care for patients with non-life threatening conditions who arrive by ambulance.  EMS Chief Norm Gale says it's freeing up his paramedics and allowing them to get back on the road.  Gale says they were losing 11 hours of ambulance time and 22 hours of paramedic time per day because there was no one to look after the patients once they arrived at the ER.  Mayor Keith Hobbs is pleased noting it should have a positive impact on the City's emergency services budget.

Assault Near LU

City Police, conducting a Ride Program on Oliver Road near Lakehead University, got more than they bargained for.  While officers were checking for impaired drivers just after one o'clock this morning, a male nearby came up on a group and assaulted two other men.  Cops gave chase and apprehended the suspect after a brief struggle.  The two victims and one officer suffered minor injuries in the incident and they were all treated at the scene.  A 20-year old Thunder Bay man is being held on charges of assault, resisting arrest and breach of probation.    

Severe T.Storm Watch

Environment Canada is issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for the Thunder Bay area.  Around 25 millimeters of rain was expected to fall Thursday afternoon.  An E.C. Meteorologist says there's the potential for strong winds and hail during the storm. More rain and thunderstorms are also being called for Thursday night.

New Chief At Wabigoon Lake First Nation

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation has a new leader.  Paul Watts has defeated incumbent Rueben Cantin Senior in band elections.  Watts will lead the community for the next two years.  Councilors elected include Bill Parenteau, Lanna Kooschet and Clayton Wetelainen.

Madder Touring NWO

Aboriginal education is seen as one of the key areas of growth for Confederation College.  The college has released its five year Strategic Plan and president Jim Madder says its important that they have relevant program to represent their aboriginal demographic.  Madder says improving their technology infrastructure is also key to reaching out to their aboriginal students.  Madder was in Kenora Thursday to discuss the plan.

Horwath Reacts To Energy Minister

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is still concerned about the future of the Thunder Bay generating station.  Horwath says she was happy to hear the Province will be making an announcement in the next several weeks. However, she says she was worried by Chiarelli's side comment saying the local plant would only run for six hours a year.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Co-Chairs Committee

The Province is announcing the 11 people who will sit on a First Nation Juries Review Committee.  Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler will be a co-chair of the committee and will work towards implementing the recommendations in Justice Frank Iacobucci's report on Ontario Juries.  Former Treaty Three Grand Chief and Lawyer Diane Kelly as well as Thunder Bay's Honorable Marc Bode are other committee members.

More Forestry Work

The Province is creating 160 jobs in Hornepayne.  They announced money today for a 10 megawatt facility that will use sawmill wood by-products to generate electricity for the provincial power grid and produce heat for nearby sawmill operations.

Chiarelli Says Announcement On The Way

Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli is telling NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to hold her horses!  Horwath stood in Question Period today to ask the Liberal Government what they will be doing to help ensure the Thunder Bay power generating station remains open.  Chiarelli responded saying an announcement was on the way in about 3 weeks time.  Chiarelli notes they're plan for energy in the Northwest goes beyond the Thunder Bay plant and encompasses communities such as Dryden.

More Fires Out

A pair of forest fires that had been burning at the south end of Quetico Provincial Park since the end of the August have now been declared out. Both lightning-caused blazes never amounted to much. It leave just three active fires, all in the Far North around the Sachigo Lake area.

Energy East Pipeline Public Sessions

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is offering his opinion on the Energy East Pipeline.  Public consultations are taking place across the region this week.  Dave Canfield says he wants to see the pipeline have automatic shut off valves if a leak is detected.  The Energy East project would pump oil from Alberta to the East coast.

Grann Files Lawsuit

Court documents confirm a Thunder Bay police officer is taking legal action against the city police service.  Named in the action are former police chief Bob Herman, the Police Services Board along with 3 other officers. In her 29 million dollar lawsuit Toni Grann is alleging  harassment and being overworked as part of a conspiracy to have her quit her job.    The allegations still must be proven in court.