Group Wants Better Wages

Poverty Free Thunder Bay continues their crusade to help protect low income workers.  They held an event Monday that called on MPPs to pass new bills to protect vulnerable workers before an election is called. They feel several bills if passed will give all Ontario workers decent work so they can have quality lives.

F.N's Reaffirm Position

Marten Falls and Aroland First Nations are committing to the North-South Alliance. It's a deal that calls for road access to the Ring of Fire from the North to the South.  The two communities feel that the road makes the most sense and will pass through their territories.

Man Dies After Collision

A 51 year old man is dead after he was involved in last week's collision on the Harbour Expressway near the intersection of Golf Links Road. Police say Gary Soderholm suffered a medical crisis that caused him to lose control of his car. He veered into oncoming traffic and struck three vehicles.  The other two people involved in the crash are in good health and suffered minor injuries.

Courthouse Move Complete

It's a new era for the legal community in the city.  Employees from the Ontario Court of Justice on Arthur Street moved into the new consolidated courthouse on Brodie Street over the weekend, joining their colleagues from the Superior Court who moved in last week.    It means that all court business in the city can now take place in one location.  

Foulds Goes To Bat For CBC

The city will consider a motion from Councillor Andrew Foulds this evening that would see Thunder Bay endorse more Federal funding for public broadcasting. It comes following significant job cuts announced by the CBC last week. The cuts will mean the loss of two jobs at the local station after the afternoon program Voyage North is replaced by programming from Sudbury.

Rydholm Wants FCM Position

City Councillor Linda Rydholm is asking for her fellow members support. She plans to apply again to be a board member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Council will hear her request tonight.

Fox Museum Not Likely

It doesn't look like Terry Fox's family wants to loan some artifacts to the City for a museum exhibit. The City spoke to Terry's Brother Darrell who says Thunder Bay, St. John's and Ottawa would be logical locations for a museum but notes they favour a museum and research centre in the Vancouver area.

Event Centre Parking Could Be Nixed

Parking at the proposed event centre remains to be a hot topic for city councillors.  Councillor Andrew Foulds says potentially removing the parkade,  at the proposed event centre, as recommended by administration, would help the city financially and help to leverage funding from other levels of government.   Foulds adds that keeping the project under 100-million dollars is the goal to making sure  provincial and federal funding is available.

Shipping Season Delayed

Normally by now the shipping season is underway, however due to a colder than normal winter, it will not begin until possibly later this week.   That would make it the latest start to the season on record.  The ice on Lake Superior has  made it difficult for ships to get through causing the delay

Commitment Award Given To Thunder Bay Woman

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is announcing this years Community Celebration Volunteer Award winners. Thunder Bay's Michelle Blackburn is receiving the CIBC Run for the Cure Commitment Award. Blackburn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and says the Run for the Cure is how her and her family let people know that they are not backing down from the disease. Blackburn says her fundraising team, The Leopard Pack, have already begun brainstorming fundraising ideas for Octobers Run for the Cure event. Anyone with questions are urged by Blackburn to contact: Bonnie Tittaferante at 807-333-4428.

Local Reservists Earn Recognition

Three Thunder Bay Army Reservists are being recognized at Monday nights Jays, Twins game in Minneapolis. Captain George Romick says the three will each be involved in pre-game ceremonies during the three game stand. Those being recognized are: Warrant Officer Craig Loverin, Master Corporal Taylor Crozier and Corporal Tucker Arnold.

Peppercorn Recall

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding a recall made April 5th, to include Pusateri's Fine Foods Organic Whole Black Peppercorns. The peppercorns are being recalled due to a possible salmonella contamination and were sold in Ontario. Consumers are being asked to throw the product out or return it to the grocer they purchased it from.

Reminder To Stay Off The Ice

Thunder Bay residents are being asked to remain off all frozen bodies of water due to recent spikes in temperature. Fire Chief John Hay says its nearly impossible to tell how thick ice may be because of water currents. Hay adds that a fall through the ice could result in hypothermia, and ultimately be fatal.

Help Line For Aboriginal Women

Help is just a phone call away for Aboriginal women facing violence at home. Talk-4-Healing is a 24-hour hotline that's available to Aboriginal women living across northern Ontario. Coordinator Robin Haliuk say women get services they need in the language they need, as their services are offered in Objibway, Oji-Cree and Cree as well as in English. Haliuk says phone line was set up over a year ago.

Province Provides Help To Young Entrepreneurs

Ontario is looking to help young people succeed in today's economy. The province is announcing a new program called the Starter Company program, which provides youth with training and business skills development from local business leaders. The program is part of Ontario's Youth Jobs Strategy, and will support 18 to 29-year-old entrepreneurs across the province. 

Funding For Northern First Nation

A remote First Nation community in northwestern Ontario has received 125-thousand dollars in Ontario Trillium Foundation funding. The money will be used to renovate the Wapekeka First Nation recreation and cultural facility as well as purchase equipment. The centre and equipment will be used by community groups to offer traditional land-based recreation, culture and healing programs. 

New Councillor For Conmee

The Township of Conmee is announcing that Cathy Woodbeck has been sworn in as councillor. Woodbeck fills the seat of the late Robert Rydholm, who passed away in February. Conmee mayor Kevin Holland says Woodbeck brings vast knowledge and experience to the position. 

Hammarskjold High School Evacuation

Crews are investigating the cause of a gas smell at Hammarskjold High School this afternoon. The school had to be evacuated after the odour was reported on the second floor. Staff and students have since been allowed back inside.

Kloosterhuis Excited For Museum's Next Chapter

Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis is excited Oliver Paipoonge is going to take over the Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village.  The Founders Museum Incorporation has decided to split up their organization. She says they've hired a liquidator who will be looking for people who are owed money.  Kloosterhuis hopes to have the museum back open for Canada Day.

Gas Is Up

Gas prices are going up in the City.  They jumped last night and today according to Gasbuddy.com are anywhere from 146.9 and at their cheapest 114.5 on the First Nation. The average price of gas in the province is coming in at 133.

29 Year Old Charged

City Police are charging a 29 year old man in relation to two robberies last week.  Officers say they spotted the man near the corner of Franklin Street and East Arthur Street on Wednesday at 8:30 in the evening. Police believe he is connected to a robbery at two local businesses on April 3rd.  Blake Kowalchuk is charged with two counts of robbery, uttering threats and breach of probation and recognizance.

Gravelle Doles Out NOHFC Cash

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is in the City today and he's doling out Northern Ontario Heritage Fund cash.   Gravelle says Sencia Canada will get 500 thousand dollars. Another 500-thousand dollars is going to KBM Forestry Consultants, and a 100 thousand to XLV Diagnostics.

College Receives Funding For Biomass Study

Confederation College is receiving 100-thousand dollars from TD Bank Group today for their biomass heating research study. College President Jim Madder says they have at least one remote First Nations community involved in the study and are looking to expand. Madder adds that one of the projects goals is to see similar communities eventually transition from diesel as a primary source of power. Phase one of the project is expected to wrap up by next Spring and is being done in conjunction with the biomass research centre at Nipissing University.

No One Hurt In Apartment Fire

No serious injuries are reported following a kitchen fire at a 52 Walkover Street apartment this morning. Fire crews responded to the blaze after receiving reports of smoke on the 3rd floor of the building. Platoon Chief Brant Kiessig says crews continue to clear up the apartment. The cause of the fire is suspected to be a pot on the stove.

Provincial Investment For Local Project

The provincial government is investing $21,800 into a shop local coupon project in Nipigon. The support comes from the Rural Economic Development Project and will go towards the Top of the Lake Chamber of Commerce and other local Chambers involved. Three full-time positions will either be retained or created.

Police Car Involved In Crash

Four people were sent to hospital including two children following a collision between a police cruiser and a car at the intersection of Arthur and Franklin Street last night. The accident occurred just after 7:30 while the cruiser was responding to a call. Those sent to hospital had only minor injuries. The Police Traffic Unit continues to investigate with more details expected to be released next week.

Send A Kid To Camp

Thunder Bay's Safeway Stores continue to raise awareness and money for Easter Seals.   Easter Seals Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says they'll be using the money to send kids to camp.  Starting today and running until April 25th, local Safeway stores will be asking customers to donate two dollars towards the charities in return you'll receive 5 bonus air miles points.

Teen Recovering After Heart Surgery

Thunder Bay's Bronwyn Huffman and her family will be back in the City this summer after the teenager received a heart transplant in Toronto on Wednesday. Her Mom, Kellie says she was elated to get the call from the doctor.  Kellie says the surgery went great and they'll spend the next three months at the Sick Kids Hospital.

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Rickford Remembers Flaherty

Heavy hearts across the province today as those mourn the loss of former finance minister Jim Flaherty. Minister of Natural Resources Greg Rickford shares just of many things he will be remembered for.  Flaherty was 64.

Flaherty Touched A Lot Of People

Former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has passed away at the age of 64. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says Flaherty's career touched a lot of people.  Rafferty adds that although they didn't always see eye to eye politically, they always maintained a high level of respect for one another.

Hyer Reacts To Flaherty's Passing

Thunder Bay Green Party MP Bruce Hyer says it was sad to see Jim Flaherty's health deteriorate.  Hyer says that Flaherty had profound and long-lasting impacts on Ontario and Canada, albeit in different directions than he would have preferred.  Hyer calls Flaherty a one-man institution.