Hit & Run Suspect Found

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 37 year old man after a hit and run Tuesday night in the area of Algoma and John Street. The man is charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and fail to remain.  The cyclist remains in hospital in critical condition. 

T.Bay Author Up For GG Award

A Thunder Bay author is up for a Governor General's Award.  Jean E. Pendziwol is one of five author's on the children's literature shortlist.  Her book Once Upon a Northern Night is one of five finalists.  The Governor General Award winners will be announced November 28th in Ottawa.

Man Injured At Kam River Park

Police are releasing more information about an incident at the Kamview Overlook Park.  A man was injured early Wednesday morning and was sent to the hospital where he is in critical condition.   The area has been secured by police in order for the investigation to continue.

E.D. Of Ontario Food Bank In T.Bay

The Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks is in Thunder Bay today.  Bill Laidlaw is taking part in a round table discussion with the Regional Food Distribution Association.  Laidlaw says he is examining northern food bank issues. Laidlaw says transportation is one stumbling block in getting food to remote communities.

Local Woman Charged With Abduction

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 27 year old woman with abducting a six year old girl from the Lanark Crescent area last night.  Police found the girl in the custody of the woman shortly after in the area of Bay and Algoma Streets. The young girl has been returned to her guardian and was unharmed.

Cockburn Has Eco Message

An environment message from Bruce Cockburn as he travels through northwestern Ontario. He's helping the group Environmental Defence with its campaign to remove toxic chemicals found in many common household products. During the performance, concert-goers were asked to join in the campaign.  Cockburn plays in Thunder Bay on Friday night

CLE To Review Their Bar

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Board of Directors is sending their bar issue for review.  President Reta Stoger was visibly upset with media after their meeting last night and says they've sent the issue to the policy committee and they'll be looking at the fate of the bar.  No other comments were made after the meeting about the future of the CLE bar.

Hit And Run

City Police are appealing for witnesses following a scary hit and run incident.  Just after 6:30 last night, a light coloured mini-van was driving down the wrong side of the street before serving into a parking lot in the 200 block of South Algoma and intentionally running over a male on a bicycle.  The male driver then sped away down a laneway northbound towards Bay Street.  The vehicle has damage to the driver's side bumper.  The 38-year old cyclist is in critical condition at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.  

Teen Unveils New Video

A Thunder Bay teenager now has a music video for her song in support of breast cancer research.  Capri Ruberto-Anderson wrote a song called "Hope" for her Mother and now it has an official video of her family's story.  

LU Pitches New Aboriginal Complex

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is trying to attract government funding for a new Aboriginal complex on the campus.  Stevenson says he went to Queens Park this week to sell the idea to politicians within the government.   Stevenson says the building would cost about 32 million dollars with about 25 million coming from the province and the rest from fundraising.  He says the building would put all the Aboriginal programs into one location with the aim of attracting more First Nation students.

Union Gas Gives Hospital Cash

Union Gas is giving the Thunder Bay hospital 100 thousand dollars in energy rebates.  The money will go towards upgrades to hot water boiler controls and air handling units.  The improvements are expected to save enough natural gas to fuel the equivalent of almost 10-thousand homes.

Bus Drivers Closer To Striking

The City's bus drivers are one step closer to striking.  The Amalgamated Transit Union held a strike vote and 99 percent were in favour of taking job action.  ATU President Sheila Kivisto says they'll be heading into mediated talks Wednesday.   Kivisto says a stumbling point includes wages and notes they are the second lowest paid transit members in Ontario.  No strike date has been set.

St. Joe's Hospice Care Beds Open

St. Joseph's Care Group's 10 bed Hospice Palliative care Program is now complete.  Clients will move in starting tomorrow.   CEO Tracey Buckler says it took several months and 800 thousand dollars to complete the renovations.  Upgrades include new family day beds, a room refrigerator, new ceilings, lighting, night tables and window coverings.

Rickford $pends The Most Of NWO MPs

Northwestern Ontario Members of Parliament are not the most thrifty in the country. The three M.P.'s spent a little more than average to run their constituency offices and to travel to and from Ottawa last year. Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford had the highest expense total at 480 thousand dollars. The average M.P. spent 399 thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending March 31st. Rickford's expenses were slightly higher than Thunder Bay-Atikokan M.P. John Rafferty, who spent 459 thousand, and Thunder Bay-Superior North M.P. Bruce Hyer who came in at 428 thousand.

Thunder Bay Drivers Still Text And Drive

It appears Thunder Bay drivers still aren't getting it.    Allstate Canada asked teens from St. Patrick's High School to stake out the intersection of Arthur and Selkirk Streets for one hour today.  Company spokesperson Tony Bossio  says out of the 185 distracted drivers spotted 7 were talking on their cell phones and over 25 were texting.  Bossio calls the results astounding.

Shooting In Greenstone

OPP are probing a shooting in the community of Caramat last night.  They say that a man was shot in the leg on his Highway 625 property last night by a man with a long gun after a confrontation.  Police say the suspect was wearing a black ski mask and ran off towards a bush road.   Police say they are still trying to locate the gunman.

NWO Innovation Offers Accelerator Program

Calling all entrepreneurs.   The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is teaming up with a variety of investors to help kick start five businesses.  Spokesperson Terry Smith says applications for the accelorator program open today.  15-thousand dollars will be provided to each business. The three month program starts in January.

Smoke Free Grounds Approved

The City is giving the hospital the go ahead to ban smoking on their property.  An amendment to City smoking by-laws will allow hospital security staff and Health Unit officers to ticket anyone found smoking on the hospital grounds. City Councillor Andrew Foulds was uncomfortable with the outright ban and asked hospital officials why they didn't create a designed smoking area on the grounds.  Health Sciences Centre Spokesperson Tracie Smith says they consulted the public and heard loud and clear that having a 100 percent smoke free grounds was the way to go.  City staff will be coming back to Council in six months time with hospital data on how many tickets were issued and if people have been going to Oliver Road to smoke.

Women's History Month Celebrated

The City is celebrating Women's History Month by launching a web exhibit of the contributions of women in Thunder Bay.  Included in the City Archive website will be librarian Mary J. L. Black, hockey player Hilda Donati, Fur trader Marguerite McLoughlin and former Mayor Dusty Miller.  A link to the web exhibit can be found here.

Infrastructure Priorities Meeting Called

City Council will take their infrastructure priorities to the public.  Council heard from City Manager Tim Commisso about the 175 million dollars in infrastructure upgrades that are needed over the next four years. A public meeting on future infrastructure projects will be held within the next three weeks.  Meanwhile, the City has heard from it's staff about their budget priorities for the next year and will vote on it at it's October 28th meeting.

CLE Bar Up For Further Discussion

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Board of Directors will meet again Tuesday night.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff sits on the board and says up for discussion is getting a review of the CLE's bar operations. Boshcoff says the board understands that the public wants a review and doesn't expect anyone to object.

Biker Injured After Deer Collision

A Monday evening collision involving a deer and a motorcycle has landed a 44-year-old Vermilion Bay man in hospital with serious injuries.Provincial Police say a west bound Harley Davidson struck the animal on Highway 17 near Dryden around 7 o'clock. The man is listed in stable condition and his motorcycle suffered extensive damage.

Topatigh Named Tbaytel Prez/CEO

There's a new boss at Tbaytel.  The board at the city run phone company has named  Dan Topatigh  as the new president and CEO.  Topatigh has been running operations for nine months as the interim president following the retirement of Don Campbell.

Boaters Fined

Two men are paying the price for their behaviour on the waters in Dryden.  Andrew Weiers of Dryden and Matthew Weiers of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, both pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $2500.00 after the MNR received complaints about boaters harassing a swimming moose. The boat used was seized and will be returned once the fines are paid.  MNR officials used evidence from several witnesses, including video of the boat circling the moose.  One man evened jumped on the animal's back during the incident which took place in Outlet Bay of Eagle Lake in late July.  

CPC Speaks To Council

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council says local residents feel safer since the group's inception in 2010. Coordinator Amy Siciliano spoke to City Council at their meeting Monday night.  She told them about how they've made inroads in the past year including creating their Hate Crimes Awareness Committee with the local police force.  The group is also pleased to announce they received over 867 thousand dollars in a public safety grant which will allow them to network with National Crime Prevention organizations.

Smoke Free Commitment Renewed

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre renewed a smoke free commitment Monday. Initiative spokesperson Kelly-Jo Gillis feels patients that do smoke, are being given the tools to quit.  Support also includes care kits, follow ups with patients after leaving the hospital and staff trained to help others quit smoking. 

Flu Shot Schedule Online

Flu season will soon be upon us.  The Health Unit will start offering its flu shot clinics starting October 21st.  Health Unit Spokesperson Diana Gownalock says 21 clinics are being held in the city and another 8 in the communities surrounding Thunder Bay.   Gownalock says it's come one, come all but stresses seniors and children should try to make it to the clinics as soon as possible since they are at higher risk of getting the flu. To check out the flu shot clinic schedule click here.

Minor Hockey Struggling With Registration

Registration numbers for minor hockey leagues in the Thunder Bay area have made a significant drop. Trevor Hosanna is the General Manager of Hockey Northwestern Ontario. He believes a mix of high costs, safety concerns and a growing lack of interest is to blame. Efforts are being taken to make the game safer, and more fun while reducing costs where possible.

City Manager To Provide Update

On the city hall beat tonight...councillors will be getting an update from the city manager about priorities for the city as they relate to sewers, roads and other infrastructure. There is also a budget update scheduled as well as a proposal to sell the Prosvita Hall property on High Street to the Indian Friendship Centre. Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is providing a yearly update to City Council tonight.

Two Transports Involved In Highway Mishap

The driver of a transport truck is recovering from minor injuries after a mishap involving two transports in the region.  OPP say the accident happened on Highway 17 between Raith and Shabaqua at around 5 o'clock this morning.  They say that one of the transports landed in the ditch and needed to be pulled out.   There were no dangerous goods being transported by either vehicle.

Little Change To NWO Federal Ridings

Little change to the boundaries in northwestern Ontario. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has submitted its final report to the Chief Electoral Office There are no changes to the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River which pleases MP John Rafferty who says the commission wanted to include a portion of the Kenora constituency in his riding. Thunder Bay-Superior North will be expanded to include Manitouwadge

Campbell Lauds Accountability Office

The Provincial Government is one step closer to having a financial accountability office. The bill has passed third reading in the legislature, and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it will make sure instances like the scandal with the gas plants in southern Ontario, never happens again.  She believes the office will make sure money is distributed equally across the province.  The creation of an accountability office was a key demand from the NDP in the 2013 budget.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers and Thunder Bay Police are looking for the public's assistance in finding five people responsible for an assault that took place September 15th.  An 18-year old male got off a City bus and was walking between County Boulevard and Lanark Crescent when he was approached by five individuals who asked for money.  When the victim stated he had no money, he was pushed to the ground and assaulted.  The victim later woke up on the pathway and made it home before being taken to hospital suffering from a fractured jaw and other injuries.

The five people involved in the assault range between 20 and 25 years old including two native Canadian males, a native Canadian female and two Caucasian males.

Anyone with information on this assault is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or call 1-800-222-TIPS.

OPP Nab Drug Traffickers

Nipigon OPP have charged three people involved in drug trafficking. Officers arrived at the Nip/Rock High School friday and noticed a young man who appeared to be selling drugs to students. A search yielded several grams of marijuana. He remains in custody at a Youth Detention Facility in Thunder Bay pending a bail hearing.

Rickford Addresses Ring Of Fire Delays

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire. Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas was critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project. Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project. The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Gravelle Back's Mauro's Bill

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he's going to back his fellow Thunder Bay area MPP's private members bill. Bill Mauro's proposed legislation looks at reducing the number of nuisance bears in the region. Gravelle says he's got Bill's back. Mauro's bill also looks at expanding the hunt as well.

Thunder Bay Shout Out

After 5 seasons the Breaking Bad series finale airs tonight.   Thunder has had a small part to play in the series.  In season two episode thirteen,  one of the shows stars, RJ Mitte gives a shout out to the Lakehead.
Its not the first time the city has been immortalized in a popular North American TV show.  An episode of Prison Break mentioned Thunder Bay in a 2005 episode.

Police Memorial Sunday

A memorial Service to honour men and women of the force who died in the line of duty is today.  The service is part of Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.  A march at 1:30 will take place from the Provincial Court house to the service at St Paul's Church.

The "Thunder Bay" Visits Thunder Bay

A new Great Lakes freighter named after our city made its first visit to our port. Special ceremony was held Friday at Keefer Terminal. Canada Steamship Lines President Louis Martel says its not the first CSL ship to carry the name Thunder Bay He says the freighter is designed to last at least 25 years. 

Dawson Road Home Catches Fire

Fire and Rescue are looking into the cause of a fire on dawson road around 1am. The blaze was too intense to battle from within the building, which suffered heavy smoke and fire damage. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated. No one was home at the time of the blaze, and no one was injured.

FedNor Funding Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon. During an event Friday the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed. Hobbs says he has high hopes. Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

Retail Sector Declining

The North Superior Workforce Board is giving Municipal leaders a sneak peak of how the region's labour sectors are faring. Executive Director Madge Richardson gave an update to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association recently and says an area that is showing a decline includes the retail sector as well as personal services such as housecleaning, and cooking.

Sports Hall Of Fame Inductions Tonight

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of fame is inducting its aclass of 2013 tonight.  In the athletes category it will be paralympic athlete Andrea Cole, former NHLer Tony Hrkac and Canadian Womens Hockey Star Katie Weatherston.   In the building category its Brian Mallan and Brian Mclean...in the team category Sailor Jim Cameron gets the nod.

Rickford Defends ROF Process

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire.  Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas was critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project.  Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project.  The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Tbaytel Reaches Safety Milestone

Tbaytel is patting itself on the back for reaching a safety milestone.   The workers have gone half a million hours without a workplace injury.  The city run utility credits the dedication of the staff for keeping it a safe working environment.   A special  ceremony to mark the occasion was held today.

New President At George Jeffrey

Firedog Communication's Stephanie Ash is George Jeffrey Children's Centre's new President.  Ash was previously a Board Director, and replaces long-standing President, Bob Speer.  Ash says her goal is to help to service as many children as possible and to reduce the waiting list which currently stands at about 200 children.

Hobbs Hoping For Fed Funds For Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon.  During an event today the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed.  Hobbs says he has high hopes for the project and will keep pushing for Federal funding.  Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

LU President Going To Queen's Park

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is going to visit Queen's Park on Monday and Tuesday.  It's part of the annual Lobby Days. Stevenson will be joined by VP of External Relations Deb Comuzzi, and Director of Government Relations Richard Longtin.  They'll be meeting with key ministers, critics and party leaders.

3 Million Dollars In FedNor Funding Announced

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is in Thunder Bay today and he brought his cheque book with him.  Over 3 million dollars was announced for several area projects including over a million for the City to renovate the Whalen Building and the Delaney Arena.  Rickford says the investment in Thunder Bay is going to improve the economy.  49-thousand dollars is going towards the Friends of Chippewa Park and another 49-thousand will go towards hosting the Canada Rural Revitalization Foundation's national conference in Thunder Bay.

MV Thunder Bay Welcomed

It's a proud day for Canada Steamship Lines.   The freighter MV Thunder Bay made its first stop at Keefer Terminal today.  A special ceremony was held to welcome the ship to the city. CSL President Louis Martel says the ship was built to fill a need for the company on the Great Lakes. This is the fourth ship named after our city in the company's history.  

LRCA Budget Set

The operating budget for the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is set.   Chair Bill Bartley says after a modest increase of 1 and a half per cent it works out to about 1 and a half million dollars.  He says while nothing special is planned the Victor Street erosion project will continue to be a priority.  The budget was approved at this weeks authority meeting