Voluntary Self ID Program Starts In The Fall

Thunder Bay Public School staff are going to be asked to voluntarily identify if they are of First Nation or Metis background.  It's part of a larger program that also sees students volunteer that information.  Spokesperson Nicole Walter Rowan says it should start in September.  Walter Rowan notes the move will help foster cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

Cup Here Likely In August

 Expect to see the Stanley Cup in Thunder Bay sometime next month.  Patrick Sharp of the NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks says organizers are working at putting together plans for another community celebration centred around the cup. He says an exact date is still up in the air.   In an exclusive interview with our newsroom Sharp says winning the cup again was an amazing experience, even the second time around.
Sharp says he's looking forward to sharing the cup with those people who helped him get there.

Local Volunteers Help In Western Canada

Thunder Bay Red Cross volunteers are in Western Canada helping out with flood relief efforts.   Spokesperson David Wright says two volunteers and a staff member were deployed on the weekend to lend their experience to those in Saskatchewan and Alberta who have been hit hardest by the recent weather events.  Wright says the three will be there for a week to 10 days.

Police Arrest Robbery Suspect

Thunder Bay police say they have a 37 year old man in custody following two robberies last week.   The first was the Mac's Convenience Store  on Oliver Road, the other was the knifepoint robbery of a man near a credit union ATM on Syndicate Avenue.  Police also believe the man may be connected to a recent Canadian Tire store theft.

Target Announcement This Week

We should know very soon when the new Thunder Bay Target store will open.    A company spokesperson says they are performing the final inspections to make sure the Intercity Mall store is ready and will announce the opening date later this week.

Simpson Street Mac's Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a man they say is responsible for a robbery at the Mac's Convenience Store on Simpson Street.  Early this morning a man entered the store and threatened the employee with a needle.  He got away with money and the employee was not hurt.  The suspect is described as 25 years old, 5'11, weighing 180 pounds.  The man was last seen running southbound on McKenzie Street.

Air Canada Flight Diverted

Officials are playing down an incident on Sunday involving the unscheduled landing of an Air Canada Embraer jet.   Airport manager Scott McFadden says it began when a cargo warning light went off on the plane.   McFadden says it turned out to be a false alarm and the plane went on its way.

Iacobucci New Ontario ROF Negotiator

Ontario's lead negotiator for the Ring of Fire is former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci.  He'll report directly to Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle and will represent the province in negotiations with the Matawa Chiefs Council.  Iacobucci will be negotiating with Matawa Chiefs negotiator Bob Rae.

The Exchange Out In The Fall

A former Thunder Bay resident is set to release his first book in the fall.  In the book, Dave Mossman claims was locked in a room with only bread and water to eat when he was an exchange student in Belgium. Mossman says he noticed things were off upon arriving in the foreign country.  Mossman says he's working on getting the book to be sold in local stores.  

City Lawyer Preparing For Inquest

The City's representative says they've been granted permission to take part in an inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal youth in Thunder Bay.  Lawyer Stephen Wojciechowski says they've got some time to prepare before the inquest is held.  Other groups who received permission from Coroner Dr. David Eden include the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Police Services Board.

Picton Park Gets Makeover

It's going to be quite a week for residents of the Picton Park neighbourhood.  Their park is going to get a makeover thanks to the TV show "Giver".   Werner Schwar of the City of Thunder Bay says volunteers will take part as well.   The makeover will take place starting Thursday with the official grand opening on Saturday.

Beaches Looking Good

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is reminding swimmers to check the water quality at local beaches before they take a dip.  Beaches officially opened on Friday and Health Inspector Abby Mackie says you should keep an eye out for signage.  Recent tests have shown the water quality to be good for swimming.

Highway 11 Open

Thunder Bay OPP are reporting that both lanes of Highway 11 are now open after a 3 vehicle collision early this morning.  The collision happened 30 km east of Atikokan at Sapawe.  Police say some of the people involved in the collision are injured.

Attempted Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking for two young men they say attempted to rob a 90 year old man walking on Brodie Street Saturday night.   Police say he was approached by the two men in their 20s who demanded his wallet.  An 18 year old Brodie Street resident came to the senior's aide and confronted the suspects.  Police are looking for the two suspects who are clean shaven wearing casual clothes.

RCMP Lawsuit Makes It To Court

An ex-RCMP Constable's class action lawsuit will be heading to court in 2014. The gender harassment lawsuit involves Thunder Bay women and is represented by Watkins Law Sandy Zaitzeff. Zaitzeff says the women in the lawsuit are happy they won against the Federal Government's request to delay the case. The next round of court time will be in     April or May of 2014.

Crime Of The Week

 Here is this week's Crime of the Week. Crime Stoppers and the Nipigon OPP are looking for help solving a break, enter and theft in Macdiarmid township. Sometime between May 20th and the 22nd, someone broke into a parked camper and stole two fishing rods and a hummingbird fish finder. They also decided to steal a 14 foot Sea Nymth aluminum boat. The damage to the camper and the value of stolen items are around     5-thousand dollars. If anyone has information about the incident call Crime Stoppers

City Celebrates Canada Day

Canada Day is being celebrated on two fronts in Thunder Bay. The Fort William Historical Park will be busy during the day hosting numerous activities with a historical theme according to spokesperson Marty Mascarin. This evening's activities begin with a parade according to organizer Sophie Best. And to wrap up the day's activities there will be the annual waterfront fireworks display

Dryden Opposes Domtar Assessment

A major setback for Dryden. The City has failed in its first attempt to overturn the property assessment of the Domtar Mill. Mayor Craig Nuttall says they aren't giving up the fight. Nuttall says the City can't afford to repay Domtar 5.4-million dollars and notes he wants to wait and see what happens with the appeal.

MNR Gives Canada Day Safety Tips

You can never be too safe. That's why the Ministry of Natural Resources is out with some reminders this Canada Day long weekend. Spokesperson Deb Mclean says if you're lighting fireworks, do them in a safe location. McLean says the wet weather should help the fire hazard, but it doesn't change the fact that people have to be responsible in how they handle their outdoor fires.

Keeping Canada Day Safe

City police say they're going to make sure everyone who attends tomorrow nights Canada Day activities at Marina Park is safe.  Glenn Porter of the city police says there will be lots of officers on duty to keep things under control. Porter says there will be an alcohol ban at the park and bags will be checked.