Youth Centre Receiving Support

There is some support coming from the community for the proposed Indian Friendship Youth Centre on High Street. A community meeting was held Thursday evening at the Moose Hall with just under one-hundred in attendance including Mayor Keith Hobbs, MP Bruce Hyer and Councillor Joe Vidiramo. There was little opposition being directed towards the project but some concerns did surface around parking space and the impact the youth may have on the community. Hobbs added in closing that during a city survey ninety-five percent of youth surveyed said they support having a centre, that number fell slightly to seventy-five percent for adults surveyed.

Lee Antoniak Inquest

The inquest into the death of Lee Antoniak is providing some suggestions for how further incidents like this can be avoided. A four person jury presented their seven findings Thursday evening which include: extra post-mortem blood testing for the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), back-up and proximity sensors as well as cameras used to reduce blind spots for heavy equipment, personal communicators for workers, random drug testing for operators, increase in the use of signal persons and an increase in awareness of workers rights. Antoniak died of his injuries after being hit by a dump truck on-site at work in April 2012.

Min-Dot Talks Winter Highways

With criticism continuing to pour in regarding northwestern Ontario winter highway maintenance, we decided to look south of the border.  Pat Houston is with the Minnesota Department of Transport and says using chemicals on their highways doesn't happen until the highways are all plowed thoroughly to the pavement.  Houston says though the chemicals won't work in sub zero cold like we had last weekend.

Thunder Bay Has #1 Murder Rate

Thunder Bay once again has the dubious honour of being the murder capital of Canada.  Statistics Canada says the 7 homicides we had in 2012 helped push our per capita rate to 5.8 murders for every 100 thousand people.    Police Chief J-P Levesque did not want to comment on the figures.

Expanded Dental Services For Needy Kids

The province says it's trying to make it easier for needy families to send their children to the dentist.    The eligibility for free dental care has now been expanded to include  70 thousand more low income children and youth.  The government says the expansion is part of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Campbell Outraged Over Highway Maintenance

It has been another tragic week on area highways and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell has seen enough. She's calling for immediate action to winter road maintenance in northwestern Ontario. Campbell points to a recent decision by Iron Range Bus Lines to cancel service on a major route. Campbell says police are even indicating that most recent collisions have been caused by poor road conditions.

Records Judgement Reserved

Former residential school students in Fort Albany will have to wait a bit longer to see if they get access to records that could help support their claims of abuse. Two days of hearings into the matter wrapped up Wednesday night in Toronto.  The justice reserved his decision on whether the federal government and the OPP should hand over the documents, and whether they should be used in the complex process for claiming compensation. Former St. Anne’s Residential School student Andrew Wesley said he hopes a ruling is made soon.

PCs Have Plan For Skilled Trades

Tim Hudak, Jane McKenna

The Progressive Conservatives in Ontario are proposing to give high school students hands on experience.  PC economic critic Jane McKenna says as part of the party platform on big cities, they would make sure skills training was included in the curriculum for at risk youth.  The plan would see local high schools would be partnered with provincially funded construction projects.    The PCs believe their idea would ease the current high demand for skilled trades.

Savings Bond Rate Unchanged

The province is keeping the Interest Rate on Ontario Savings Bonds the same. The rate of  1.3 per cent applies to Variable-Rate Bonds dated 2007 and 2008. Finance Minister Charles Sousa says keeping the rate competitive encourages the people of Ontario to invest their money at home where they help create jobs and build infrastructure.

Olivia And Liam Remain Top Baby Names

Young parents in Ontario aren't changing their ways when it comes to naming their children.   The government says Olivia and Liam are the most popular names for girls and boys born in the province for the second year in a row.   Emma, Sophia and Ava are right behind Olivia for popular girls names.   For boys Ethan, Jacob and Lucas filled in the top four.

Meeting To Discuss Youth Centre

It should be an interesting evening  at the Moose Hall on Fort William Road.   Opponents of a proposed Indian Friendship Youth Centre at the former Prosvita Hall on High Street are gathering to explain the strategy for next month's city hall meeting.  Organizer Michael Lemesani says he's coming with new information.   The meeting starts at 6:30.

Kettle Campaign Running Short

The Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign is hopeful Thunder Bay residents can dig a little deeper to reach its fundraising goal.  This year's local effort has raised just over 112-thousand dollars, but is still 12-thousand dollars short of the 2012 total with less than a week to go.

Orders Issued After Fall

The company that's demolishing the old Smurfit Stone mill on Strathcona Avenue is in trouble with the government after this weeks industrial accident.  That's when a worker fell about 30 feet while on the job.  Matt Blajer of the Ministy of Labour says until certain issues are cleared up, all work at the site is halted.  That includes providing fall protection equipment to workers, to train them in fall protection and to develop and emergency plan.  The condition of the worker who was hurt isn't known.

Province Launches Mining Safety Review

Ontario is launching a comprehensive mining safety review.   Mine Minister Michael Gravelle says it's to improve the health and well-being of workers in the sector.  Starting in early 2014, the province’s Chief Prevention Officer will lead an advisory group of industry, labour, and health and safety representatives to begin a sweeping review that will involve a wide range of area.

Health Unit Probes Suspected Food Poisoning

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is looking into possible food poisoning following a banquet at the Moose Hall on Fort William Road.  Officials say that about 54 people who were at the event on Friday became sick.    They hope to contact as many of the 270 people that attended the event as possible, that includes people from Greenstone, Dryden, Kenora and even Hamilton.   Meantime health officials say charges have been laid and until further notice, the Moose Hall can't serve food.

LHIN Gets Senior Support Dollars

The regional health authority is getting a big financial boost to help it coordinate better seniors care.   MPP Bill Mauro announced  4.4 million dollars in support for the Northwest LHIN, money  which will be used to support home care for more seniors – and for expanded community health care services, including mental health supports.

Crash Victim From Atikokan

Police are now identifying the vicitim of Tuesday's fatal collision on Highway 11 west of the city.  Dead is 76 year old Fredrick Munro of Atikokan.   OPP says he was the driver of a car that collided with a commercial vehicle just east of Highway 633.  His passenger, a 71 year old woman from Atikokan is in the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries.   The driver of the commercial truck, a 49 year old man from Thunder Bay, was not injured.

Christmas Lights Recall Expanded

Loblaw is expanding its recall of outdoor holiday lights.  The company says the recall of Life at Home LED 70-count Outdoor Christmas lights will now include two additional colours of Pure White and Red.   They say it's because of the possibility of loose or exposed wires. No injuries or property damage has been reported; however there is a risk of electrical shock, electrocution or fire.  The lights have been sold at Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Extra Foods and No Frills locations in Ontario

More Support For Local Vets Office

The minister of veteran affairs will be hearing calls from more Northern Ontario communities. Kenora city council has passed a resolution to lobby the Julian Fantino to keep the nine offices around the country open. Councillor Ron Lunny says it`s important to stand up for the Thunder Bay office. The resolution will also be passed along to the regions MP's Greg Rickford, John Rafferty, and Bruce Hyer. The offices are slated to close at the end of January.

Drive Clean Fee Reduced

As of April 1st the Ontario government will be charging five dollars less to vehicle owners receiving Drive Clean emission tests. The tests were introduced as a way to reduce smog and other toxic emissions caused by motor vehicles. They require drivers to bring in their vehicle to check the emissions upon notification from the Ministry of Transportation.   The fee is being reduced from $35 to $30 to ensure the program is not taking in more money than it costs to run the tests.

Gas Tax Will Hurt North: Fedeli

Progressive Conservatives say Liberal plans to add a new province-wide gas tax to fund rapid transit in southern Ontario will have a huge impact on the north. Critic Vic Fedeli says an extra 10 cent a litre will lead to higher prices for other products trucked to northern Ontario. He says that will have a devastating on consumer prices.   Fedeli says raising the capital for the project should be others ways than raising taxes.

NAN Rallies

Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are in Toronto rallying in support of St. Anne's Residential School survivors.This is the final day of a two-day hearing in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice where the federal government is being challenged to release documents from a police investigation of residential school abuse at St. Anne's in Fort Albany.NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the government's decision to keep evidence from survivors compromises the rights of these survivors and notes they have a legal obligation under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to release the documents. Fiddler stresses the survivors of St. Anne's have suffered enough.

Inquest Begins Today

The Coroner's inquest begins today in the April 2012 death of a Thunder Bay man.  31-year old Lee Antoniak was killed in an industrial accident while working at the condo development at the Thunder Bay Country Club.  Antoniak was struck by a dump truck and the jury will make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.  The inquest is expected to last three days with up to 15 witnesses taking the stand.  

Fatal Accident West Of City

One man is dead following an accident on Highway 11, 30 kilometres east of Atikokan Tuesday afternoon.  OPP say that the crash happened at around one o'clock and involved a car and a commercial vehicle.  A female passenger in the car was taken to Atikokan General Hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured.  Police closed the highway between Thunder Bay and Atikokan for several hours until their investigation was complete.

Industrial Accident Probed

Ministry of Labour investigators are probing an industrial accident at Smurfit Stone on Strathcona Avenue this afternoon.. Police say that a 45 year old male worker fell about 1 story after his clothing got caught on some scrap material which was being thrown to the ground.  He was taken to the Health Sciences Centre where he remains with unknown injuries.    

United Way Still Pleading For Funds

On the charity beat, the United Way is still inching away towards its 2.7 million dollar fundraising objective.   So far organizers have are looking at a shortfall of just over 3 quarters of a million dollars with just two weeks left in the 2013 campaign.    

Financial Challenges Remain In Dryden

A report from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing shows that Dryden is still facing high challenges in four out of seven key financial indicators. Ministry reps addressed Council last night and stated they still have concerns but realize that the City is taking steps to fix the problem. Chief Administrative Officer Andre Larabie says all of the concerns of the Ministry will be addressed.   He says a recovery plan is being put together for council's consideration. The report indicated Dryden doesn't have the ability right now to cover payments or unexpected costs on short notice as well as meet short-term capital obligations.

Dryden Youth Centre Gets The Axe

An 11th hour attempt to save the Dryden Youth Centre has failed. Council has officially closed the doors on the Youth Centre. Shayne MacKinnon made a passionate plea last night to save the facility. Mayor Craig Nuttall held the deciding vote and says the City can no longer afford to run the Centre.

Dogs Go South

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is teaming up with their parent organization to transfer 9 long term resident dogs from the region to Southern Ontario. Board President Judy Decicco says the dogs will have a better chance of being adopted with the larger population in the south's urban centres.  The Southern Ontario Humane Societies are actually experiencing a shortage of dogs up for adoption.  Dogs from Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie are also moving to the greater Toronto area. The dogs will be leaving our shelter on Rosslyn Road on Thursday morning and will arrive in Newmarket the following day.

Bus-Pedestrian Collision Still Being Probed

Thunder Bay police are still investigating last weeks collision that saw a bus strike a 72 year old woman.    Sgt. Glen Porter says while no charges have been laid he believes it may be heading in that direction, but did not provide specifics.  He says his team of traffic investigators has amazed him with the information they have been able to uncover in the case. Porter wasn't able to give an update on the victim, Audrey Kahkonen who was last listed in critical condition.

Highway 11 Due For 2014 Facelift

The Province says that more construction on Highway 11 in northwestern Ontario is scheduled to begin in spring 2014. Over 27 kilometres of the highway between Geraldton and Jellicoe will be repaved.   Aecon Construction has received a 10 and a half million dollar contract as part of the government's initiative to introduce a new three-part plan that will help create jobs and boost economic growth. The project will open up 100 new jobs for Ontario workers.

Police Budget Approved

The Police Services Board is approving a 36.5 million dollar budget for 2014. Police Chief JP Levesque says its a 3.5 percent increase over last years and it's due to salaries. Other increases on the capital side of the budget include new voice recognition software for dictating officers notes, upgrades to the 911 system and a new police dog. Levesque will bring the budget to City Council for approval in February.

Hobbs Gives State Of The City Address

Mayor Keith Hobbs is reiterating the city's importance in the mining industry. Hobbs addressed the withdrawal of Cliffs Natural Resources from the Ring of Fire during his state of the city address Monday He said that the regions mining potential should not be overshadowed by one company. Hobbs adds that work still needs to be done on transportation infrastructure and consultations with First Nations communities.

Dugmore Memorial Okayed

A memorial will be placed at the end of Pier Two on Prince Arthur's Landing honoring Katherine Dugmore who passed away in March.  Community Services General Manager Greg Alexander says the estimated cost would fall between ten and fifteen thousand dollars but believes that companies may offer their work free of charge.

New Regulations For Vulnerable Occupancies

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is talking to the hospital, old age homes and all other organizations that are deemed vulnerable occupancies. Fire Chief John Hay says they want those building owners to know how they'll be impacted by new Ontario regulations which will require more scrutiny and changing habits.

Santa Bus Brings Tonnes Of Food

Over 2 thousand pounds of food is going to the Thunder Bay Food Bank. The goods were collected through the Amalgamated Transit Union's Santa Bus Food Drive.

Another Child Porn Bust

City police are announcing another kiddie porn bust.   Detective Constable Chris Dunnill says that in early October they discovered that a man was using an Internet  file sharing network to trade child pornography.Dunnill says that lead to a search of a South Cumberland Street apartment in late November. That's where a computer was seized.    Facing three child pornography related charges is 42 year old Terrance Roe of Thunder Bay.

Man Killed On Highway 17

It was a tough day on area roads Sunday.  A single vehicle accident on Highway 17 claimed the life of  55-year old  John Lackey from the Barrie area.  OPP say yesterday afternoon around 3 o'clock a pickup truck rolled over, one kilometre west of Finmark Road, that resulted in the highway being reduced to one lane.   Meanwhile, a two-vehicle collision on Highway 61 near Mount Forest Boulevard sent four people to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The male driver of the Nissan truck was charged with Unsafe Lane Change contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

No Injuries In NWO Derailment

Trains are moving again on the CP rail line in northwestern Ontario. A train derailment about 10-kilometres east of Ignace forced the closure of the national line early Saturday morning. 14-grain cars left the track and there was damage to a small section of the track. Repairs were made and the investigation concluded and service was back to normal yesterday afternoon. No one was injured.

Seatbelts Save Lives

"Seat belts save lives"  is the theme of a high school campaign this week.   Judi Marton of the Health Unit says a crumpled car wreck, whose victims survived a collision,  is being taken to several schools this week. Marton says the initiative is a partnership between the Health Unit, the regional hospital and a local car dealership.

OPP Commish To Retire

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis is set to retire from the force. He made his announcement recently saying he'll end his 35 year police career on March 28th of 2014.   A search for Lewis's replacement will begin immediately.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers is looking for information to help solve a break and enter in Thunder Bay that resulted in the theft of catalytic converters. Sometime between midnight and the morning of December 4th, the Buck Auto compound on 104th Street was broken into and a total of 69 catalytic converters were stolen.  The estimated value of this theft is $3500.00.  Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a web tip at www.tipsubmit.com

LHIN To Be Reviewed

Regional health authorities will be get a review in the new year. A provincial legislative committee intends to hold public meetings in late January and February to review the Local Health System Integration Act. It include a meeting in Thunder Bay on February 3rd. The 7-year-old act led to the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks, including one for the Northwest, to oversee the planning, integration and funding of local health.

Food Bank Use Up

The demand for food banks is growing in Ontario. The Ontario Association of Food Banks finds 375-thousand people now relying on food banks every month.  Executive Director Bill Laidlaw says there were 16-thousand new users identified this year. Laidlaw says food bank use this year has been greatest in rural areas and communities hit hard by plant closures.

Bell Let's Talk Clara's Ride Coming In June

Six time Olympian Clara Hughes is cycling across Canada raising mental health awareness.  Mary Deacon is Chair with the Let's Talk initiative and says events will kick off soon with Bell Let's Talk Day which over the past few years has raised 62-million dollars.  Clara's trip begins in Toronto on March 14th and will be in Thunder Bay in June.

Christmas Cheer Hamper Pick Up

It's almost time to pick up your Christmas Cheer hampers. If you live on the south side of the City Tuesday is your chance to pick it up, while the north ward will pick up their hampers on Wednesday. Hampers can be picked up at the CLE from 9 in the morning till 7 at night.

City Council Preview

City Council is set to clear up some administrative duties during the last meeting of 2013. Deputy Chief of Superior North EMS Ernie Kadikoff says they're asking council to approve the spending of their new ambulance for Armstrong. The Provincial Government provided 165-thousand dollars towards the vehicle. Meanwhile, A permanent memorial for Katherine Dugmore will be discussed at council tonight. Dugmore was the city's Project Manager for the waterfront development before passing away in March to cancer. The memorial would be placed at the Viewing Circle entrance at the end of Pier Two. Also up for discussion tonight, the city's Community and Cultural Funding grants are expected to remain consistent with last years. Council will review a submission tonight passing two point three million dollars in funding. Finally, an application to have the Sister Leila Greco Apartments included in the cities Charitable Tax Rebate program should be looked at favorably according to councillor Brian McKinnon. If approved the apartments would receive a full tax rebate.

Save On Hydro Rates

Hydro One is releasing some gift ideas to help homeowner save money. Some of the gifts include cold water laundry detergents, LED and CFL light bulbs and window insulating kits.

Support For The Regional Food Distribution Centre

The Regional Food Distribution Centre is getting some help from Safeway. Customers are being asked to purchase a five or ten dollar care package that are filled with the food banks most needed non-perishable goods. RFDA Spokesperson Brendan Carlin says the partnership with Safeway is vital when stocking shelves.

Christmas Light Recall

Loblaw is issuing a voluntary recall of three kinds of outdoor Christmas lights. The company says lights may have loose or exposed wires which could provide shocks, electrocution or fire. The lights being recalled are Life at Home 70 C6 LED Outdoor White, Life at Home 70 LED Outdoor Blue and Life at Home 70 C6 Outdoor Multicolour. The lights have since been taken off the shelves, and were sold at Real Canadian Superstore locations and No Frills. No injuries have yet been reported.