War Amps Campaign Underway

War Amps key tags are being mailed out to people in Ontario.    Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says that 3.7 million of them are being distributed throughout the province.  As for northwestern Ontario, we won't receive them until next month.   She says they will begin distribution in the "P" postal code at the end of April.
Money from donations is used to help war amputees in Canada.

Winter Opening Hailed As Success

The experimental winter opening of the Chippewa Park Wildlife Exhibit is being hailed as a success.  City spokesperson Lorraine Lortie-Krawczuk says attendance was more than expected and she hopes it means the exhibit will be open again next winter.  Lortie-Krawczuk says response to the winter opening was fantastic.

Harbour Clean-Up On The Agenda

The Lake Superior Remedial Action Plan group is holding a public meeting this Wednesday to talk about how they plan to get the Mercury contamination out of the Thunder Bay Harbour.  Cole Engineering will present several options for getting the mercury out of the 55 acres of harbour.  RAP Spokesperson Jim Bailey says they'll also discuss who is going to pay for the clean up.

Ice breaking To Start This Week

The United States Coast Guard Ice breaker "Alder" is expected in the Thunder Bay harbour today.  Ice breaking operations are to start sometime this week but that could change with little or no notice.
The "Alder" will be plowing through the ice to get the port ready for the new shipping season.

Greenstone Expo Is On

Greenstone is looking to expand its mining workforce.  The community is back with its second "Grow Greenstone" Expo at the Victoria Inn today and tomorrow.  Mayor Renald Beaulieu says the expo will provide businesses from across Canada a chance to network with community and mining industry officials.
This year's event will focus heavily on the Ring of Fire project and other mining activities across the Northwest.

Council To Decide Building's Fate

Council will look at a proposal tonight that would see the development of a 6-storey building at the site of the former Cumberland Cineplex.  The site is currently zoned to prevent buildings from being over 3-storeys. Councillor Andrew Foulds thinks amending the by-law would do the area some good and will be supporting it.  A two storey building currently at the location would be demolished.

Water Week Kicks Off

Thunder Bay is taking part in Canada Water Week celebrations this week. The City is holding a launch at the Marina Park Baggage Building. A water offering will be made at the Spirit Garden with Anishinawbe Grandmother Josephine Mandamin.

MP Hyer Wants Your Opinion

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer wants to hear your thoughts on nuclear waste. Hyer took out a full page ad in the local paper to run a survey asking residents whether or not they want nuclear waste held in Northwestern Ontario. Hyer says he will also circulate the survey into the community and bring the responses he gets back to Ottawa.

Professor Aims To Help Elementary Teachers

A Lakehead University professor is looking to offer elementary school math teachers more effective ways of helping their students. Dr. Ann Kajander's new book is based on new theories about teaching and learning. The book is co-written by Tom Boland, another Lakehead graduate.

Library Usage See's Steady Increase

The city's public libraries are seeing a consistent increase in usage. Chief Librarian John Pateman says over the past five years usage has gone up 9.2 percent, a number that jumps to 26.2 percent when looking back twenty years. Pateman adds that they are looking at expanding services in the near future.

Minor House Fire On City's South Side

Thunder Bay Fire officials are investigating a minor house fire that took place Friday evening on Park Row. A resident returned home to find a fire burning in his basement. There was no damage from the blaze itself but smoke damage was extensive. No one was injured.

Outdoor Rinks Closing

The City is closing all of their outdoor rinks with the exception of the rink at Prince Arthur's Landing.  The closures are due to the recent warm weather.

Acadia Broadcasting Growing

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of this station has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton, New Brunswick radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting. Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year. The purchase increases the number of Acadia stations to 13 spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Drugs Seized

Thunder Bay OPP are charging three Thunder Bay residents with drug related offences.  They searched a Home Avenue home and found 2, 482 grams of Marihuana with a street value of 49-thousand dollars and ten grams of Cocaine with a street value of a thousand dollars.  A 45 year old man, a 23 year old man and a 28 year old woman are charged with possession, trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

14 Million Announced For Health Care Locally

Health Minister Deb Matthews is announcing 14 million dollars to help improve access to emergency care and other healthcare providers in Thunder Bay. The cash will support Thunder Bay’s three largest health care providers: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Care Group and the North West Community Care Access Centre.   The money will also be used to recruit up to 10 full time and 14 temporary emergency room doctors, staff 10 acute care hospital beds that will be able to treat up to 600 more patients every year. The hospital will also use the cash to create 26 new beds to help more people with long-term illnesses receive specialized care.

Driver Charged In Accident Near Kenora

Kenora OPP are charging a 36 year old Manitoba man with failing to yield after a dashboard camera captured a scary incident at the intersection of Highway 17 and the Kenora by-pass. Police say an eastbound vehicle hit a northbound pickup truck that had allegedly failed to stop for the stop sign.  The Manitoba man is also charged with using a handheld device while driving.

Fire At Fort Frances Voyageur Motel

Rainy River OPP are investigating a fire at the Reid's Voyageur Motel in Fort Frances.  A 39 year old man who was staying at the motel remains in hospital and his condition is being monitored.  Police are releasing few details and are looking for anyone who may have seen anything to call Crime Stoppers.

Mayor Disputes Survey Findings

Mayor Keith Hobbs isn't a fan of the Moneysense.ca's best places to live in Canada survey. Hobbs doesn't put much stock in Thunder Bay's 109th ranking out of 200 cities.  Hobbs note one glaring error on the list, the unemployment rate.   The survey has our city with an 8.4 per cent rate while the latest Stats Canada figure is 5.8 per cent.  Hobbs also disagrees with whether the City is walkable and bikable since we have a much longer winter than other Cities in the survey.

City Utility Sponsors Fishing Tourney

Tbaytel is again attempting to raise its profile in the region.   It's now the title sponsor of one of the most popular fishing tournaments in northwestern Ontario.   The company has come on board with a 3-year  commitment for the Dryden Walleye Masters.  This is the 25th anniversary of the popular tournament which features over 40-thousand dollars in cash and prizes.

Powwow Weekend @LU

It will be a weekend of First Nations celebration at Lakehead University.   The LU Native Student Association is hosting its annual powwow today until Sunday.    Activities get underway with the warm up starting at 6 o'clock this evening at the CJ Saunders Fieldhouse.  The Grand Entry takes place tomorrow at 1pm.

Matthews To Make Announcement

Health Minister Deb Matthews is in the city today and is going to make a health related announcement.   The government says it will be about helping health providers in Thunder Bay better service patients in northwestern Ontario.   Many are hoping the news will help to ease the overcrowding problems at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Money Handed To Festivals

Northwestern Ontario is going to be lively this spring and summer thanks to new money from the Provincial Government.  Through the Celebrate Ontario 2014 program, the province is helping 229 festivals and events.  Thunder Bay's May 24th Franco-Festival is getting 68-thousand dollars.  Another Lakehead festival the Celebration of Pop Culture is 69-thousand dollars. The Hymers Agricultural Society will also see money to help put on Hunter Jumper Show. Around the region, Kenora will see 22-thousand for the Muskies on Main, and another 38-thousand for a summer arts festival. Fort Frances will get 73-thousand dollars for a music festival.

Film Fest Is Back

It's over two decades old and still going strong.  The 21st annual Film Fest presented by the North of Superior Film Association is back this year with a series of 16 feature presentations.  Organizer Marty Mascarin says there are 16 feature films to be presented this year 8 dramas, 5 comedies and 3 documentaries.  The movies will  presented at Silver City on consecutive Sundays, March 23rd and 30th. Mascarin says one of the highlights is the Canadian documentary "Watermark" )

City In The Middle Of Best Places Ranking

MoneySense.ca is ranking Thunder Bay 109 out of the 200 best places to live in Canada.   It shows the city with no population growth, a household income of about 75 thousand dollars a year and an average house price of almost 232 thousand dollars.   Northern Ontario cities that rank ahead of us include Sudbury, Timmins and Kenora, but we still rank ahead of Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay

Workplace Rights The Focus Of Ads

Ontario is launching an advertising campaign to help ensure vulnerable workers know their workplace rights. The ads will direct workers to a new section on the Ministry of Labour website. It is there where they can get more information on their rights to be treated fairly on the job, work in a safe and healthy workplace, and be trained to address workplace hazards. The information is also available in 27 languages.