Police Welcome Stun Gun News

The Thunder Bay Police Service is welcoming the news from the province, that front line officers will now be allowed to carry stun guns.   Spokesperson Chris Adams says it's an idea they have always supported.  However Adams says it could take up to two years to impliment. 

Serbian Men Charged With Trafficking Oxy

Thunder Bay Police are reporting the seizure of 659-thousand dollars in Oxycodone.  Police have charged two Serbian nationals in connection to the drug trafficking investigation.  Over 3-thousand pills were taken from a Memorial Avenue motel room.  Two men in their 70s are charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, and proceeds of crime. 

Teens Get Hands On Experience

Over a dozen aboriginal youth have a better idea of what it takes to start their own business.  The teens took part in a training program at the Northwest Innovation Centre this summer. Spokesperson Melissa McClement says some of the youth even started their own businesses.  Other businesses included a community radio station, and film production company.

Dryden Manager Spot Filled...For Now

The City of Dryden has found a replacement for outgoing Airport Manager George Friesen. Long time employee Norm Sanders has been appointed Acting Airport Manager and is now in control. The Airport will be included in a comprehensive review of all city services and officials say decisions with regard to management at the Airport will be dealt with after the review.  Friesen announced his resignation last month.

Busy Night for City Police

City Police were kept busy Monday night.  Officers responded to a call of an unwanted person outside a North Cumberland Street residence which led to a male being pepper sprayed.  He's been charged with assaulting a police officer and breach of probation.  The officer was not injured during the arrest.  Meanwhile, Police are investigating a rash of tires being slashed in the Limbrick Street area.  At least 13 vehicles were targeted overnight.

Council Allows Hair Salon Change

City Council is giving the go ahead to a property owner who wants to turn a hair salon into an apartment. The salon on Junot Avenue has been operating since the 80's and shares the building with two existing apartments.  Council gave their approval for the change in use of the building at its
meeting Monday night.

TCP Officials Talk East-West Pipeline

Pipeline Officials

Trans Canada Pipeline's kicking off a series of consultations in Northwestern Ontario.  The public information session's on the Energy East Pipeline project will be held in Kenora, Vermillion Bay, Dryden, Ignace and ending in Thunder Bay on September 24th.  Officials with the project spoke to City Council Monday night and updated them on the status of the proposed project that would see Alberta's oil to the East coast.

Two Properties On Heritage Register

The City is adding two properties to the Heritage Register.  They've approved Windrose House on Ridegway Street East and the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

Building Permits On Par With Last Year

Construction in the City is on par with previous years.  That's the report from Chief Building Official Des Stolz who says as of the end of June they issued 731 building permits worth 134 million dollars in construction.  Stolz says future permits this year include a new maintenance garage on Front Street, a new restaurant on Arthur Street and the remainder of the new Industrial Centre on Waterloo Street.

Fair Trade Takes Time

It's going to take some time before Thunder Bay becomes a "Fair Trade City".  Council is asking the "Food Strategy" committee to look into what the City needs to do to get the fair trade title.   One of the conditions would include purchasing and using free trade products.

Pet Issue On Hold

The City is waiting for councillor Aldo Roberto to come back from China before they go for a final vote on his request looking into the number of pets people can own.  The issue was to come up for a final vote Monday but was put off until Roberto is back so he can speak on the issue.  Several weeks ago Ruberto's fellow councillors shot down his request, it will come back for a final vote on September 9th.

NAN Mourns Gabriel Echum

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is mourning the loss of Long Lake First Nation Councillor Gabriel Echum.  Gabriel was the husband of the band's Chief Celia Echum.  He passed away suddenly Monday morning.

Another Specialist Shortage At TBRHSC

The search is on for more pathologists at the Health Science's Centre.   A hospital official confirms a report that there is a shortage of four pathologists at the facility and that only one replacement has been found so far with another on the way next month.  It's forcing some lab testing to be sent outside the city.

Small Fire At Villa St. Home

Careless smoking appears to be the cause of a small fire on Villa Street this afternoon.  Thunder Bay Fire Investigators are being called in to look into the exact cause.  A fire official says it looks like a cigarette was discarded in the home's basement.

Ribfest Another Hit

After another successful Ribfest a north side business official is hoping the momentum can live on.  Jim Comuzzi of the Waterfront Business Improvement Association believes it has the potential to become a part of the north downtown culture, like the street fair in Westfort or the annual fair in Murillo.  Comuzzi estimates there were upwards of 27 thousand people who attended the weekend festival that focused on the eating of barbecued ribs.

Prisoner Still On The Lam

 Police in northwestern Ontario are continuing the search for a prisoner who escaped from custody a week ago. They say 53 year old Harvey Smith of the White Dog First Nation escaped custody while being moved from the Kenora Court House.   Smith is now charged with escaping from custody and an arrest warrant has been issued for him.

Moving To Montana Soon

Widespread rain on Saturday has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario. That has allowed the Ministry of Natural Resources to lend a helping hand to crews in Montana. A total of 109 staff from across the province are expected to spend 19-days in Montana battling wildfires. A large group left the Dryden Regional Airport this morning. The forest fire hazard is low across the northwest region, with 20-active fires burning.

Collisions Blamed On Alcohol

A couple of weekend traffic mishaps are being attributed to too much alcohol.    Police say one was between a car and a minivan at Fort William Road and Main Street on Saturday.   The drivers of both vehicles were hurt but not seriously. The car driver is charged with drunk driving and for possession of marijuana.   Then in the early hours of yesterday a pick up truck smashed into a hydro pole in Oliver Paipoonge.  Only minor injuries for both the occupants and the twenty year old driver is charged.

TSN Broadcasts From NWO

It was a live broadcast of TSN Sportscentre that drew many to the Marina. In an address to the crowd, co-anchor Darren Dutchyshyn expressed his amazement of the town's beauty. During the show, co-anchor Jennifer Hedger remarked about the weather, admitting she made a series miscalculation in expecting much cooler weather.  The show included a feature on the 1952 Canadians Allan Cup winning team, a top ten centered around former resident and NHLer Duncan Keith, and a few notes about Fort Frances as a community. International Falls was also mentioned for being the backdrop for "Frostbite Falls" in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Pet Issue Coming Back

City councillor Aldo Roberto isn't giving up just yet on reviving his request for a limit on the number of pets you can own. The issue comes up for a vote again at City Council tonight .   Two weeks ago the proposal to examine the idea was shot down by Ruberto's fellow councillors, but it comes up for a confirming second vote this evening.