It's a Thunderfest weekend

There's a taste of Italian culture on the south side this weekend. Thunderfest is taking place at the Da Vinci Centre. Organizers say there will be entertainment. For the first time only local musicians will be taking to the outdoor stage. There will also be Italian food.

Nelson stands by new hospital prez

Ron Nelson calls it pure politics. Nelson headed the committee that chose New Brunswick's Andree Robichaud as the new president of the Health Sciences Centre. Robichaud's departure has caused a stir in that province, with some politicians saying she was forced out of her job as CEO of a health network.   Nelson says Robichaud has what it takes for the job adding she knows what it takes to make tough but necessary decisions.  He says that Robichaud is being accused of things that simply aren't true and doesn't believe it will bring a distraction to her job here.

The water rescue that wasn't

A false alarm on the waterfront. Thunder Bay rescue crews weren't needed for a water rescue at the Marina on Wednesday afternoon. The call came in as a sailboat overturned on Lake Superior. However it turns out it was a sailing school practicing capsizing

Robichaud's departure causes stir

Controversy is surrounding the incoming president of the Regional Health Sciences Centre. A news report indicates Andree Robichaud is in the middle of a political storm in New Brunswick where she is leaving her post as a health corporation CEO to come to Thunder Bay. The story says that the province's opposition Conservatives believe Robichaud was forced out of her job there. They claim she is taking the heat over allegations of poor management. However, Robichaud is quoted as saying that the New Brunswick Health Authority wanted her to stay as CEO.

Police nab suspect

City police are investigating a reported south side assault.   They say they were called to an incident on May Street near Miles at around 11 a.m.     One person was handcuffed and arrested while pedestrians and passing motorists looked on.  The alleged victim had apparently left the scene.

Humidity helps keep fire hazard under control

Our hot muggy weather may actually be helping to keep the forest fire hazard in check. Jeff Antoszek of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's because the humidity is helping out. He says moist heat waves don't affect the hazard as much because the humidity helps to keep wood and other fuels from drying out. The fire hazard for most of the Northwest Region is low to moderate.

FTC Canada to feed our hungry

A Canadian charity organization is going to be active in Thunder Bay Thursday. Feed the Children is partnering with An Eagles Cry Life Centre on Simpson Street to help the poor according to FTC's Darrell Mills. The Centre will be helping to distribute food and health boxes to the needy. FTCs Darrell Mills says that in
total 350 families will benefit.The distribution takes place from 10 until 4.

Thunder Bay athlete at 2011 PAN AM Games

A Thunder Bay athlete has been asked to be the assistant to the 2011 Canadian Pan American Team. Curt Harnett says his position will be a mentor to the members of the Canadian team. Harnett says he's honored to be given the opportunity.

Firefighters need to keep cool too

Responding to a fire in the hot weather can be a challenge for city firefighers. They have to wear their heavy coats when it's 30 degrees. Fire Chief John Hay says there's a plan in place for such an event.  He says precautions are taken to ensure their health and safety.  He says that includes rotating the crews and keeping them hydrated at all times.   Hay says it's similar to the precautions they take when fighting a fire in minus 30 degree temperatures.

Fire Hazard is low

The fire hazard is still low to moderate for the region. No new fires were reported in the region yesterday.  The Ministry of Natural resources says rainfall and high relative humidity have affected the fire hazard.  High relative humidity prevents wet vegetation from drying.  There are currently 12 active fires in the region.

India's Mining Minister set to vist Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is going to host India's Mining Minister. Bijoy Krishna Handique will tour Ontario starting tomorrow and will be making the rounds of the province until Tuesday. Handique will be visiting mines in an effort to attract some of those companies to India.

Constable demoted for discreditable conduct

City police say the Police Service Act proceedings against a city constable have ended. Constable Jamie Maijala has pleaded guilty to two counts of Discreditable Conduct in connection to an incident in May of last year. The Constable has been demoted from a First Class to Fourth Class Constable. Meantime, in an unrelated case, hearing dates have been set for Sgt. Jim Mauro. He is facing two charges of misconduct. The hearing will take place starting October 4th.

Rickford cool with moonlighting

No complaints from Greg Rickford. The Kenora Conservative MP thinks there's nothing wrong with some MPs having an extra income. He says the only rules should be that elected duties come first and that there are no conflicts.  The names of about 150 MPs who had outside income were named recently, that included Thunder Bay NDP MPs Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty.

Grand Chief meets the Queen

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is feeling good after his meeting with the Queen today. Stan Beardy says it was important that she met with him because it means she respects First Nation treaty rights. Chief Beardy says he told the Queen that it was the 100th anniversity of the signing of Tready 5. He said she just responded with a nod of her head. He says in total he spent about 2 minutes with Her Majesty.


.

Bike lanes added in Westfort

There are now more bike lanes in the city. Lane markings have been painted on Walsh Street and Syndicate Avenue. City Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says it's the last of the lanes for this year.   He says plans are already in the works for 2011.  Kupper says so far there has been some good response to the bike lanes.

LU hosts digital conference

About 80 researchers from 33 countries are attending a digital information conference at Lakehead University. The 3 day event is being organized by LU professor Rachid Benlamri who believes bringing the conference here is a significant accomplishment.   Speakers have come from Nova Scotia and Florida for the conference.

OFIA against forest tenure proposal

A coalition of northern businesses, municipal leaders, unions and forestry groups are against the province's forest tenure proposal.  The coalition includes the Ontario Forest Industry Association and President Jamie Lim says they're dead set against the initiative.  Lim adds its going to have a negative impact on the industry driving up costs and creating uncertainty.  The forest tenure proposal is expected to be approved by the government sometime this year.

Thunder Bay Police Chief likes new legislation

Police officers from Ontario and other provinces can now better collaborate to target crime. The McGuinty Government recently passed the Interprovincial Policing act. Thunder Bay Police Chief and President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Bob Herman says the act makes it easier to investigate crime that occurs across Canada. Herman adds the Chiefs of Police Association has been calling for this legislation for some time.

MNR fire hazard is low

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire hazard is still low in the region. Despite the rain, two new fires were confirmed in the Red Lake district. One fire is northwest of Sandy Lake and the other is west of Keewaywin. There are 9 other fires being monitored in the Sioux Lookout and Nipigon districts.

Abitibi close to getting out of bankruptcy

AbitibiBowater could end nearly eighteen months of creditor and bankruptcy protection on October 1 if its restructuring plan wins creditor support next month. A meeting on the plan takes place August 26th. The plan would see unsecured creditors receiving between nothing and 48 per cent when their debt is converted to equity, depending on their class.  Current shareholders will walk away empty-handed.  Others fall somewhere in between, including workers who received no severance when their mills were shut over the past year.