Chamber talks provincial election issues

The Provincial election campaign is underway and not everyone seems to be aware of it.  That's the finding of the Chamber of Commerce; President Harold Wilson says some residents are blissfully unaware. Wilson says they hope to raise voter awareness through a candidate survey on their website. Wilson feels creating resource and knowledge based jobs, and the cost of electricity will be hot election topics.

Top 20 under 40

The Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the first ever Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards.  Board Chair Michael Nitz says it's a way to celebrate the rich array of young talent in the region.  The awards will recognize the top 20 under the age of 40.  The awards will be handed out in January, nomination forms are due by October 15th.

Provincial election campaign underway

The Provincial election campaign is officially underway. We asked residents outside of City Hall what they thought of the upcoming vote. We head to the polls October 6th.

Tri-party deal inked

Three area First Nations are hailing an agreement signed between them which they say prevents industry from pitting the communities against each other.  The letter of intent involves the Aroland, Ginoogaming and Long Lake 58 First Nations.   The agreement is designed make sure that all of them tell each other about any activities on their lands.

Burn victim flown to Winnipeg

A Thunder Bay man is now receiving treatment in Winnipeg for burns to his face and hands after a weekend grease fire  that fire officials say could have been prevented.    They say the Melvin Avenue resident had to be flown out of the city because of the seriousness of the injuries. 

PA Stadium loses out to London

Baseball officials in Thunder Bay are taking it in stride. Port Arthur Stadium finished in second place behind London's Labatt Park in voting for Canada's Favourite baseball stadium. Thunder Bay's Larry Hebert says it helped to boost the sport in the city.   About 19 thousand votes were cast in the online poll.

T.Bay man sentenced to 9 years

A 28-year-old Thunder Bay man is looking at up to 9-years in prison for his role in a series of violent, drug-related events.  Steven Nelson Leeson was sentenced Tuesday in connection with events that involved kidnapping, assaulting and intimidating suspected low-level drug dealers. Leeson was sentenced for three counts of unlawful confinement, three counts of aggravated assault, choking someone with a seat belt, using a firearm, kidnapping and assault causing bodily harm.

Naughty Dryden residents

The Dryden Police Service has laid charges of indecent act.  Police located 2-individuals engaging in sex acts in a public place.  Police say the incident occurred on the weekend in broad daylight and note some individuals were offended by the display of public affection.

Leading concussion expert coming to town

Brain Injury Services Northwestern Ontario is calling for better record keeping for concussion victims.  Spokesperson Alice Bellavance says right now there is no way to know how many people have suffered concussions in the area and that needs to change. Bellavance says long term effects from concussions are becoming more and more now and keeping records will be vital to moving forward.  Brain Injury Services Northwestern Ontario is partnering with the District Health Unit to host information sessions October 5th with leading concussion expert Doctor Charles Tator.

T-Wolves training camp underway

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves are on the ice this week at the Tournament Centre for the start of training camp.  Coach Joel Scherban says that there are 16 returning players and 10 new ones vying for a roster spot which Scherban says he is in no hurry to finalize.   The first game will take place on September 23rd at the Gardens against Trois Rivieres

Accident at Memorial and Central

Thunder Bay Police were kept busy with a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Memorial and Central late Tuesday afternoon.  Police controlled traffic until the scene was cleared. They say the driver of the bike was taken to hospital with injuries that aren't considered a threat to his life.

Help on the way for Pikangikum

The Federal Government says it's taking action to deal with the suicide epidemic on the Pikangikum First Nation.  Last week a coroner's report made several recommendations to help the troubled community, including re-building the school.  Kenora MP Greg Rickford says they have committed funding for the reconstruction of the school.  The Coroner's report dealt with the death of 16-people between the ages of 10 and 19 who killed themselves in Pikangikum, between 2006 and 2008.

Mac's Mart Robberies

Thunder Bay Police are looking into two separate robberies of Mac's Marts over the weekend.  It's alleged that a man pushed an employee in the Oliver Road store after he was confronted about merchandise that was hidden in his shorts.  Police say a woman armed with a syringe robbed the South Waterloo Street Mac's just before 1 Monday.  No one was injured and the woman made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Robbery victim is stable

The 90 year old victim of a robbery on Friday is in stable condition. The elderly woman remains in hospital. Police are asking for anyone who was in the area of Park Avenue near the Casino to contact them. The robbery happened Friday evening at the Casino when a man believed to be in his 20's grabbed the woman's purse and pushed her to the ground.

Northern plan in place

Northern Ontario's new tourism organization has a draft plan in place.  Board member Doug Reynolds says the plan focuses on marketing, investment, product development and workforce training.  The board has been in place since the spring and they'll start working on a strategic plan starting in November. 

New diabetes clinic opens

Getting diabetes care in Northwestern Ontario is easier thanks to a pilot project in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout. The Regional and Meno Ya Win hospitals are now home to The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care. Director Dr. Saleem Malik says it will focus on specialized treatment.  St. Joseph's Care Group is also a partner in the project.

Alzheimer's Society launches fundraiser

Thunder Bay's Alzheimer Society is celebrating 16 years of "coffee breaks".  Executive Director Alison Denton says the fundraiser is being held throughout the month of September. Anyone interested in holding a coffee break can pick up a kit from the Alzheimer Society office.

Health Unit recommending 2 Chicken Pox Vaccines

To prevent getting Chicken Pox as an adult, the Health Unit is recommending parents get their kids 2 vaccine doses.  Spokesperson Darlene Binette says Health Canada studies are showing a single dose can lead to a loss of immunity as an adult.  Binette says the vaccine is available for kids under the age of 12.

Collision sends one to hospital

Thunder Bay police are investigating a collision that left a motorcyclist in the hospital.  Police say the collision happened at the intersection of Golf Links Road and Harbour Expressway between a motorcycle and a mini van.  The collision happened late Sunday night.

Two grease fires keep crews busy

One man is in hospital with burns after a fire in the North side of the city.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to the blaze yesterday afternoon at around 1 and found a man with burns on Melvin Street.  The man suffered the burns when trying to run with a pot of flaming grease outside.  Heavy smoke damage was caused in the house. Later in the afternoon crews responded to a second fire that destroyed a kitchen on the South side.  Officials say a woman was doing some deep frying that got away from her and consumed her kitchen.  No one was hurt in the fire on Limbrick Street.