High Risk Offender Living In Manitouwadge

OPP are warning residents about a high-risk offender now living in Manitouwadge.  74 year old Gordon Oliver is being released from custody after being convicted for sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and incest.  He isn't allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 16 unless in the direct company of that person's legal guardian, he also can't attend public parks or other areas where kids are present.

Naming Policy Up For Discussion

The District Social Services Board is meeting today to discuss creating a naming of room, building and property policy.  CAO Bill Bradica says they need it because currently they don't have any rules surrounding how their interests are named. Bradica says in the past buildings were just named after town residents without any formal process.

NWO Sees HIV & Chlamydia Rates Increase

The battle to prevent HIV in drug users is ramping up at the Northwestern Health Unit.  Public Health Nurse Kim Elke says the region is facing a major HIV outbreak.  On the flip side, she says the health unit is seeing a positive increase in users injecting with clean needles.  She also says that the health unit has cocaine and crack kits to prevent transmission by snorting.  Elke says that the region is also facing chlamydia rates that are 3 to 4 times higher than the provincial average.

It's World Polio Day

Thunder Bay's Rotary Clubs are marking World Polio Day today. Lakehead Rotary Club President Ken Boshcoff says they're close to eradicating the disease.  Boshcoff says members of the local clubs have been and will continue to donate to the world wide Polio Rotary cause.

Budget Directions Coming To Council

City Council is going to vote on a report detailing staff budget directions for 2014.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they'll be bringing them a 3 and three quarter percent increase in the tax levy.  Council will tackle the upcoming budget priorities at its Monday night meeting.

TSB Float Plane Recommendations

A float plane crash in northern Ontario has resulted in two major recommendations from the Transportation Safety Board.  A float plane operated by Cochrane Air stalled and crashed during a second attempt to land in gusty conditions at Lillabelle Lake in May 2012.  The TSB says 2-people drowned and 1-person survived the crash.  The TSB is calling for more training for float plane pilots and better shoulder harness restraints.

Infrastructure Meeting Garners Public Input

Plenty of people are interested in the City's future infrastructure plans. A public information session was held Wednesday night to discuss the many upgrades that are needed over the next three years. City Council will be voting on a million dollar infrastructure spending plan at their meeting Monday night.

More Options for Lakehead Students

A collaboration between Lakehead University and Barrie's Georgian College will see more opportunities for students. The two schools signed an agreement earlier today that will include international recruitment for students, new programs designed for Aboriginal students and more videoconferencing. Lakehead University President Dr. Brian Stevenson says one of the goals for this agreement is to make it simpler for students to transfer from college to university and vice-versa. Stevenson also added that the move will save students money in the long run.

Deal Doesn't Affect NWO Safeway Stores

Northwestern Ontario Safeway Stores are not going to be sold as part of Sobey's takeover of Canada Safeway.   Sobey's spokesperson Andrew Walker says a government regulator approved the takeover, but ordered Sobey's to sell 23 Safeway stores across the country but not in the Lakehead or in Kenora, Dryden or Fort Frances.

Youth Respect Campaign Launched

Hammarskjold and Dennis Franklin Cromarty High Schools are the creators of the new Youth RESPECT slogan.  "Show some respect - be the change" was unveiled in three promotional videos at City Hall Wednesday.  Leadership Thunder Bay Spokesperson Ashleigh Quarrell says the videos will be used as an educational tool in elementary and high schools.  The two high schools received a cheque for over a thousand dollars each from Leadership Thunder Bay.

More Tree Calls To City Line

Call it the tamarack effect.  The city has been receiving more complaints about trees since city council voted to remove nuisance trees on Mohawk Crescent.  Spokesperson Darrell Matson says the phones are ringing off the hook.  Matson says they're getting new complaints as well as ones from property owners who have called before about tree removal.  The number to call for tree issues is 625-2195.

School Board Considering More Video Cameras

It may not be long before all school buses in the city will be fitted with video cameras.   Public school board official David Wright says right now about half the buses in the system have the cameras installed.  Wright says the next round of tenders from the local bus consortium is expected to go out in the next two years and that's when the requirement may be included in the Request For Proposals.

Request Coming After Smashed Windows

More reports are coming in of business windows being smashed in the Fort William Business District.  Chair Jim Hupka says they're sending a request to the Police Services Board asking for beat officers to patrol in the evening hours.  Hupka says they've had several meetings to discuss broken windows and notes there's not an easy solution to the problem.

OPP Nab Drugs

Nipigon OPP are charging a man with several drug related charges.  It comes after officers seized 11 morphine pills, just over 7 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of marihuana.  He'll appear in Nipigon court on December 3rd.

Entrepreneurs On Campus

Confederation College and the Northwestern Innovation Centre are teaming up to offer a new lunch time program called "Entrepreneurs on Campus".  College President Jim Madder says the innovation centre has moved onto campus and their free session will help boost college entrepreneurs.   The first entrepreneur class will be held on Tuesday November 5th.

New Mine Shaft In Operation

It's all smiles for the shareholders of North American Palladium now that the company's new mine shaft is in operation at Lac des Iles north of the city.   CEO Philip du Toit says the new shaft will allow the ore to be removed faster and will result in considerable savings.  He estimates those savings to be as much as 10 to 15 per cent per tonne.   Du Toit says the platinum and palladium mine will be in operation until at least 2019 and possibly beyond.

Fatal Accident Results In Drug Bust

 A 31 year old Ottawa man is dead following an accident on Highway 11 between Longlac and Hearst early yesterday morning.   Police say it was a two vehicle mishap between a car and a pick up truck.   Police say that the dead man was a passenger in the car.  Meantime the car's driver is facing a drug charge after a kilo of cocaine was found in the vehicle.

NDP Frustrated Over ROF

More frustration with the delay in the development of the Ring of Fire.  NDP Northern Development and Mines Critic Michael Mantha says it's ridiculous that the government keeps misleading everyone.  Mantha says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the provincial government has chosen to sit on the sidelines.

Students Pitch Ideas

The Northwest Innovation Centre is getting Confederation College and Lakehead University students thinking about what they can do to better the world.   Spokesperson Terry Smith says they had students pitch their ideas in 30 second videos. Smith hopes the contest will get students thinking about becoming entrepreneurs.  The creator of the winning video entry will get 500 dollars.

Infrastructure Meeting Tonight

A public information session is being held tonight on the City's upcoming infrastructure projects.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they want feedback on their three year plan that includes basics such as storm sewers and roads. The meeting will be held at the Community Auditorium starting at 6.

More Ring Of Fire Concerns

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.   The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.  Spokesperson Jason Aagenes  says they are throwing it in the province's court .
Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire. Meantime Mines Minister Micheal Gravelle repeated the governments message that they are committed to the Ring of Fire.

Ambassadors Wanted

The local Canadian Cancer Society wants more women to talk about getting mammograms.  Manager Maria Cabral says the "Women to Women" movement enlists women to become breast cancer ambassadors.  To sign up click here.

Attempted Robbery @ Safeway Pharmacy

Police are investigating an attempted robbery at the Safeway Pharmacy on West Arthur Street.  A man armed with a knife approached the pharmacy counter just after 8:30 last night and demanded drugs. Officers say he appeared nervous and left the store without any prescription pills.  The suspect is described as 5'8 to 6 feet tall with a thin build, scruffy appearance and no facial hair. He was wearing a grey baseball cap and a black windbreaker jacket.

Con College New Cafeteria

Confederation College is unveiling its new Ryan Hall cafeteria.  They revamped the space in just under nine weeks.  Vice President of Student Services Bob Backstrom says the new eating area includes a custom made fire brick pizza oven from Washington State.  The new Ryan Hall also boasts recycled aluminum can chairs.

Tobacco Prevention Grant

The Northwest Tobacco Control Network is giving away a thousand dollar grant.  Schools and community groups can apply for it up until November 15th.  The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

LUSU Reacts To Probe

The head of the Lakehead University Student Union is welcoming a task force to study the university's sexual assault policies. It follows the claim from a student who says she was raped by a fellow classmate but her concerns were largely ignored.   Ian Kaufman hopes something comes from the probe.  Kaufman hopes there's a positive outcome to what is a negative story.

OLG Pays City

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is giving it's second quarter payment to the City.  This time around the City is getting just over 611-thousand dollars for hosting the OLG Casino.   The money comes from slot machine revenue.

Highway 11 Open

After a 9 hour closure, Highway 11 is now open in both lanes from Long Lac to Hearst.  OPP say a traffic accident early this morning forced the closure.

T.Bay Classic Organizers Want More $

Scott Smith

The organizers of the Thunder Bay PGA Canada Golf Classic are pleading with City Council for more cash.  Executive Director Scott Smith says they want 90 thousand dollars in cash over the next three years and another 20 thousand dollars of in kind support for each year the tournament is held.  In kind support would include free bus rides to and from the event. Smith says the July tournament is going to generate money that stays in the City. City staff are coming back to Council with a report on the funding of the event.

Smoking By-Law Changes Ratified

City Council is making it official. They ratified changes to their smoking legislation that will allow Hospital security and staff to enforce a no smoking ban on health science centre grounds. Before the vote Monday night, a concerned citizen Jon Powers spoke to Council saying smoking by-laws are a provincial matter and not municipal.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Unveiled

After a year in the making the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy is complete.  The Lakehead Social Planning Council helped create the document along side other community groups.  Poverty Free Chair Terri Carter says the number one complaint from the public was Thunder Bay's lack of affordable housing.  Staff will be coming back to Council in mid-November to report on how the strategy can be implemented.

NSWPB Out With Its Labour Market Plan

Frank Pullia

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board is out with its latest local labour market plan.  They presented their findings to City Council Monday night.  Spokesperson Frank Pullia says the recession is far from over in the district. Meanwhile, the report also shows that the unemployment rate for people age 15 to 24 is on the rise, while people age 55-64 are finding more work which lowered that age group's unemployment rate. The report was based on census data.

Letter Of Support For Ranger Program

The City is sending a letter to the Provincial Government asking for the Liberals to bring back the Ontario Ranger Program. The program saw young people from across the province work in provincial parks and other ministry of natural resource related jobs. Funding for the program was cut over a year ago and the City's letter will express support for bringing it back.

Tamaracks Being Cut

Jason Dampier Arborist

City Council isn't changing its mind and will move forward with the removal of 11 tamarack trees from Mohawk Crescent.  It comes after homeowner Fred Johnson withdrew his request after feeling pressure from the public. Councillor Mark Bentz says Johnson still wants the trees removed he just didn't like the public scrutiny. A local arborist also spoke at Monday night's meeting and told Council removing the trees could hurt the environment.

Golf Course For Sale

City Council is moving forward with the sale of the Municipal Golf Course.  They are going to ask for expression of interests in the coming weeks.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says there's a wide array of uses for the property including a solar farm.  Boshcoff says there's already been interest shown in the property.

Ground Beef Recalled

Check the label on that beef in your fridge before you eat it...beef from an Ontario-based factory being recalled due to a risk of E. coli contamination.  Belmont Meats Ltd. distributes their products to major retailers nationwide including Superstore and Loblaws. This time they and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warning the public not to eat their uncooked lean ground beef because it could contain the bacteria. For more information about the recall click here.

Wunnumin Shooting

A 17-year-old is facing charges including attempted murder following a shooting in Wunnumin Lake First Nation.  Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police Sergeant Jackie George says the incident happened on Friday evening, and believe the suspect is involved in more than one shooting.  A 25-year-old was taken to hospital with injuries, and is listed in stable condition.  Their name has not been released.

Webcasting Delays Inquest

The coroner's inquest into the death of 27 year old Bruce Moonias in Thunder Bay is being delayed for several days.  Regional Coroner Michael Wilson says it was supposed to start today, but it's been postponed in order to allow relatives up north to view it on the Internet through a webcast being set up by the government.  Moonias died in December of 2006 at the regional hospital after his involvement with the police.

LU Responds To Letter To The Editor

Lakehead University is responding to a letter to the editor in Saturday's Chronicle Journal.  The letter talks about the experiences of a Lakehead University student who says she was raped by a classmate. President Dr. Brian Stevenson says he's appointing a Task Force to review the issues raised in the letter and the policies, procedures, training, and support Lakehead has in place and how they might be improved.  The Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Lori Chambers, Chair of LU's Department of Women Studies.

Waste Reduction Week Underway

It's waste reduction week and the city is trying to get you to think recycling.   Spokesperson Jason Sherband its also a chance to promote the city's involvement. The city will be going to the local schools to give presentations to the students and provide guided tours of the recycling plant and the landfill site.

Campbell Raises Kenora Man's Plight At QP

A Kenora man's attempt to get treatment for cancer has landed at Queen's Park.  On Monday, Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell asked the Health Minister why Wes Bland wasn't approved for a PET scan in Winnipeg.  Deb Matthews claims it was a misunderstanding which has since been cleared up.  Campbell is upset that northwestern Ontario residents still have to get prior approval from OHIP before they can get their test done in Winnipeg.

T.Bay Woman Up For Business Award

A Thunder Bay business woman is in the running for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. Barbara Courte-Elinesky is up for the Impact Award for her work as the President of North Star Drilling Limited.  The winners will be announced at a special event in Toronto on November 27th.

Fire Season Winding Down

The forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario continues to be a quiet one. Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Deb MacLean says the last fire was in Red Lake, and was put out on Wednesday.   MacLean says the two prescribed burns in Sioux Lookout are still active, and are being held at 45 and 15 hectares.

Rail Incident Winding Down

A rail car that toppled over Friday on Resolute Forest Products mill property in Fort Frances has now been emptied and hauled away. Some of it's contents, hydrogen peroxide, spilled, but crews had it contained by Saturday. The chemical is used in the bleaching process at the mill, but officials says it posed no risk to the public at any time. Roads that had been closed during the incident have now been reopened.

Flu Shot Clinics Up & Running

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is preparing the masses for the upcoming flu season.  They kicked off their annual flu shot clinics today at the Italian Cultural Centre.  Dr. Janet DeMille is the Health Unit's Associate Medical Officer of Health and says they're not sure how harsh the flu season will be this year but notes last year's was worse than previous years. To check out a list of flu shot clinics click here.   

Hyer Goes National With Rail Concerns

Thunder Bay independant MP Bruce Hyer is grabbing attention with his views on rail safety.   Speaking on the CTV News Channel, Hyer says this weekend's fiery derailment in Alberta is reason enough to take a serious look at how much money is spent on making sure rail transportation is safe.  He says there needs to be regulation that works and a stop to cutting funds and people.  Hyer also believes there should be more money spent on rail infrastructure in the country.

Weapons Incident At The Shoreline

Police have a 32 year old man in custody after a weapons call at the Shoreline Hotel early Sunday morning.  They say that a drunk man brandished a knife as he was harassing two people who were waiting for a taxi.  They say the man  was punched in the face by one of the victims and was subdued until police arrived.

Local Seniors Win Provincial Awards

Two Thunder Bay residents are recipients of the province's latest senior achievement awards.   Maria Bilyk was recognized for her 65 years as a hospital volunteer while Lloyd Michon received his award for being an advocate for urban Aboriginals and founder of the Thunderbird Friendship Centre in 1972.  There are also two regional winners, Elizabeth Macadam of Schreiber and Alexander Broski of Atikokan. A

Police Nab Hit And Run Suspect

A 26 year old man is charged in connection with Thursday morning's accident involving a school bus.  Police say that the driver reared ended the bus and abandoned the vehicle in a laneway near Peter and Van Norman.   None of the students on the bus were hurt.

Crime Of The Week

Crimestoppers and Nipigon OPP are asking for your help in solving a break and enter that took place on Highway 11-17 in Dorion township. Sometime between April 1st and September 18th of this year, windows were smashed and a number of vehicles and a residence were broken into. A number of items were taken including a safe.  The safe contained a 30/06 Remington Rifle, an 870 Express shotgun and a pellet gun.  The total value of the stolen items is approximately $2,000.00.  Anyone with information 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).      

City Council Preview

City council will have a lot to talk about tonight.  One of the topics will be surrounding the removal of Tamarack Trees on Mohawk Crescent.  The original request to have the trees removed has reportedly been pulled.  City Councillor Mark Bentz says he still supports replacing the trees with another species.  Also being discussed, the full ratification of the anti-smoking by-law put in place by the Thunder Bay Hospital.   Meanwhile, City councillor Rebecca Johnson will be paying close attention to see what the next step will be in the city's poverty strategy.  Johnson is looking for an implementation component to the strategy.