Hobbs Calls For Help For Operation Smile

Mayor Keith Hobbs and Thunder Bay's Miss Universe Finalist Nerissa McRury, are raising local awareness for Operation Smile. The program provides free medical assistance for children with dental issues or facial deformities. Hobbs says you can help support the program by purchasing a Charmed Children's Charity Calender.

OPP Warn About Scam

The OPP's Anti-Rackets Branch is warning people of a new computer threat being used to scam people out of their money. "Ransomware" is popping up on screens across Ontario and falsely accusing users of accessing child pornography or other file-sharing sites, they then inform the user that their computer has been locked and need to pay a fee to access it again. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received over twenty-eight hundred reports from people receiving these pop up messages.

NOVA Awards Going On 2nd Year

The Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards are going to be held January 18th.  Shift, Thunder Bay's Young Professional Network is one of the organizations behind the awards and Spokesperson Keith Anderson says he's pleased they've had 72 nominations. The NOVA top 20 under 40 celebrates area residents who have accomplished great things in their community.

Christmas Memories

It's Christmas time and we've asked several prominent Thunder Bay figures about their favourite Christmas memories. Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says most of his fond Christmas memories revolve around his family but notes this year is going to be really special since he's finished his cancer treatments. Gravelle says he gets a kick out of his family members and friends feeling his new hair after going through cancer treatments. Meanwhile, Lakehead Public School Board Director of Education Catherine Siemieniuk says her memories revolve around her Mother who was a teacher at Murillo's school house number 4. Semineuk says it was extra special to receive a Christmas orange during the celebrations at the school.

Tip Lines Seeing More Action

The city's Crime Stoppers program is getting more calls this year than they have in the past decade. Crime Stoppers Coordinator Jason Disher says people are using all mediums to report incidents including e-mail and text message. There have been 839 tips this year. January marks Crime Stopper Prevention Month.

Different Drug Charge

OPP are correcting some of the charges they announced against a Longlac man and woman. Last week they charged the 27 year old and 38 year old with a variety of drug related offences but are now changing one of the charges for both individuals to trafficking meth. The two have since been released with conditions.

Lawyer Talks Road Conditions

A Toronto lawyer says governments have a legal duty to keep the roads under their jurisdiction in a reasonable state of repair. Troy Lehman says the number of cases heading to court over poor roads in the winter is increasing. In some cases, it's about monitoring the roadways. Lehman warns any lawsuit must show road conditions played a part in an accident and that the governments responsible failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the hazardous condition.

Hyer's Fave Christmas Memory

It's the holidays and we've been speaking to prominent local residents about what their fondest Christmas memories are. For Green Party MP Bruce Hyer its the Christmas Eve in 1975 when he had just arrived as a new Canadian immigrant. Hyer says as a result, that Christmas Eve was spent with a couple whose daughter, just hours before, gave birth to a baby in a cabin by the railroad tracks.

NOMA Wants More Say

Northwestern Ontario needs more of a say on it's future development. That's the feeling of the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal
Association. Dave Canfield says he'd like to see this region have more autonomy and less influence from Queen's Park. Canfield says ideally this region should have more control over infrastructure and training as it pertains to industries such as mining and forestry.

Health Care Reception Today

The City is playing host to over 100 health care professionals and students at a special reception today at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.  Organizer Cheryl Armstrong says they want to make a good impression on health care students home for the holidays.  Armstrong adds the reception is a chance for the professionals and the students to mingle and talk about working in Thunder Bay.

Costarter Announces Grants

Five technology companies are receiving fifteen-thousand dollar investments from Co-starter. The Co-starter Program is the regions first of its kind and helps companies with start up costs. The five will work from January to March at the Innovation Centre at the Confederation College campus.

Warning For Snowmobilers

The OPP and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are reminding snow machine enthusiasts to use caution when out on frozen bodies of water. The groups say that with some areas freezing faster then usual riders may be given the impression that all lakes are safe to ride on. The OPP suggest riders carry ice picks and wear buoyant snowmobile suits if they do cross over ice.

City's Snow Removal More Than Expected

This years snow removal budget is reportedly operating at a 700-thousand dollars overage. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says although the difference is significant, predicting what a snow removal budget should be is almost as difficult as predicting the weather. Johnson adds that if this figure does throw the budget off as a whole the city may need to dip into its reserves.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers and the OPP are asking for your help in solving a total of 25 break and enters that took place in the rural Thunder Bay areas of Boreal Road and Highway 527.  Sometime between November 22nd and December 2nd, camps were broken into off Boreal Road at Mark's Lake, Hoof Lake and Batwing Lake.  Thieves also hit camps up Highway 527 on Pete's Lake, Escape Lake, Max Lake and Decourcey Lake.  A total of 17 rifles were stolen along with several boxes of ammunition.  Other items taken included boat motors, generators, fishing equipment tv's and stereos.  The estimated value of the items stolen and the property damage is approximately $50,000.  Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to call 1-800-222-8477 or submit a web tip at www.tipsubmit.com

Experience Magazine

The city is releasing their 2014 on-line and print Experience Magazine outlining the spots to be in Thunder Bay. Paul Pepe is Manager of Tourism and says the magazine remains the top resource guide for tourists and locals. Online versions can be downloaded at www.visitthunderbay.com

Flight Issues

The ice storm currently hitting Southern Ontario is taking a toll on incoming and outgoing flights to/from the region. Roughly a dozen flights are being affected at the Thunder Bay Airport with nearly all flights to Toronto experiencing delays. Porter's 5:00 flight to the Billy Bishop airport in Toronto has been cancelled.

Thunder Bay's Newest Fire Fighters

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue is welcoming eight new members after their New Recruit Graduation that took place yesterday afternoon. The event also recognized some of the city's longer serving firefighters, with twenty receiving Long Service Awards. Being presented with badges are: Darrec Folino, Stefan Moreira, Glenn Lorentz, Tyler Reinelt, Derek Stajkowski, Michael Carli, Cory Prevost, Greg Pettypiece.

Police Lay Six Charges

A Thunder Bay man is facing several charges stemming from an investigation by City Police that began in November, after a complaint of sexual assault involving a fifteen year old girl. The fifty-three year old man faces a total of six charges:

- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Exploitation
- Invitation to Sexual Touching
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Breach of Probation
- Breach of Prohibition Order.

He will appear in court December 22nd.

Holiday Garbage Collection Dates

There are new collection dates for garbage and recycling to take note of. There will be no collections on Christmas, Boxing Day or New Years Day. For Area One - Blue Cards the new dates are Monday December 23rd and Monday December 30th. For Area Two - Yellow Cards Tuesday December 24th and Tuesday December 31st. For Area Three - Green Cards Friday December 27th and Thursday January 2nd. For Area Four - Pink Cards Saturday December 28th and Friday January 3rd. Be sure to have waste out for collection by 7 am on those days.

Greg Rickford Is Optimistic

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the Ring of Fire mining project should be able to make some progress in 2014. Rickford admitted recently that the project does have some challenges specific to the development but that there is reason to be optimistic when it comes to the construction of an east-west road corridor. Rickford adds that he has maintained close contact with Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.

Gasoline In Short Supply

Reports of a gasoline shortage in the city has some station managers on edge.  Gail Robertson of Chapman's Gas Bar says right now they are going day to day and have imposed a ceiling on purchases.  She says until further notice, no one will be allowed to pump m ore than 50 litres.  As well, several gas bars have been selling premium gasoline for the price of regular because of the shortfall

Toys For Tots Exceeds Last Years Totals

This years Toys For Tots Campaign has raised one-hundred fifty-eight thousand dollars. Thunder Bay firefighters made the presentation this afternoon at the Intercity Mall. Paul Penna is fundraising Chair and says all the work done by the city's firefighters was on their own time. Toy buyers will attend the March Toy Fair where they will try and purchase most of the toys needed for next Christmas.

Bar's Liquor Licence Suspended

A Thunder Bay bar owner will have to stop serving liquor for a month in the new year after officials say there were violations of the Liquor Control Act.   The Alcohol and Gaming Commission  says the sanction follows the investigation into an incident outside what was then, the Aden tavern on Brown Street last year.  They allege surveillance video wasn't made available to police.  As well, in a separate case,  investigators allege that a patron of the bar left drunk and drove a vehicle that hit a pedestrian. The licence to serve alcohol will be suspended from January the second until February the sixth.

Flu Death Confirmed

The Health Unit is raising a red flag about the number of flu cases in the region after the death of one person.  Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, says the death took place in the last week and involved a person under the age of 65 who developed the symptoms.    He says  that Thunder Bay leads the province with the highest number of emergency room visits for patients experiencing symptoms of the flu.  Williams adds there have been 35 confirmed cases of the flu and that several  have been severe with some requiring hospitalization.

Murder Charge Laid In Hogan Death

Thunder Bay police say an 18 year old man is charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of Shannon Hogan in July.   Police say he was arrested when he was appearing in court on some unrelated charges.  His name can't be released because he was 17 at the time of the incident.  Police say that the 30 year old  Hogan died after being found in the laneway behind a Lake Street residence, the victim of a violent assault.

Thunder Bay Man Faces Eight Charges

A Thunder Bay man is facing eight charges from OPP as a result of a police investigation that began last June. Fifty-one year old Gary Lamont was arrested yesterday and is facing: one count of assault, three counts of utter threats to cause bodily harm, three counts of sexual assault and one count forcible confinement. Police say the assaults happened in Thunder Bay and Warnica Lake between 1997-2007 and involved a number of male victims between the ages of 17 and 24 at the time. Lamont will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice December 23rd.

Bridge Talks Planned

Behind the scenes work could begin before Christmas on getting a new bridge build to the Fort William First Nation. It's to replace the James Street Bridge which is closed frequently.    Mayor Keith Hobbs says he was hoping to get the ball rolling this week however a snowstorm forced the postponement of a planning meeting on the issue.  Hobbs says one solution could be to build a temporary bailey bridge until a permanent one can be constructed.

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.