Inflation Rate At Zero

A bit of a drop in the national inflation rate.  Statistics Canada says inflation fell in August to 1.1 percent, down from 1.3 percent the month before.  Thunder Bay's inflation rate is at zero for last month.

Age Friendly Gets New Website

Age Friendly Thunder Bay now has it's own website.  City Councillor Rebecca Johnson sits on the committee and says they want to reach out to seniors through the site.  Johnson says the site also offers local businesses a checklist to see if they are considered senior friendly.  To check out the new website click here.

The "People's Microbiologist"

Dr. Donald Low

This week's death of SARS doctor Donald Low hits close to home for Thunder Bay's Dr. David Williams.   Williams worked side by side with Low during the SARS crisis in Toronto in 2003. Williams credits Low with keeping the public calm during the crisis, calling him the people's microbiologist.  He says Low was able to explain complicated technical health issues in a very down to earth  manner which won the confidence of the public.  Williams says it was ironic that he heard about Dr. Low's death in the very building where he first met him.

Food Strategy Launched

The City is one step closer to creating a food strategy.  Spokesperson Kendal Donahue says they've started to discuss where they go from here.  The working group involves representatives from the education sector, farming, business and health fields and will work together to create the strategy that will see local food used in our main public institutions.

Review Of Dryden Operations

A comprehensive review of City of Dryden operations and services is underway.  Sudbury based KPMG addressed council for the first time last night to outline their plans of the review.  The group pulled no punches by saying every department will be looked at and Council may not like some of their recommendations.

Fiddler Sheds Light On New Committee

A new First Nation Juries Review Committee has been named.  Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler is co-chair of the 11 member committee.  Fiddler says they will work towards implementing recommendations in Justice Frank Lacobucci's report.  Other members announced on Thursday include Thunder Bay's Honorable Marc Bode, Former Treaty Three Grand Chief and Lawyer Diane Kelly as well as former Kenora Judge Erwin Stach.

Cliffs Rails Against Road Ruling

A major player in the Ring of Fire mining development is questioning its future in the project.  Cliffs Natural Resources says a recent ruling by a government commission against its road proposal for the area is a disappointment and threatens the development of the Ring of Fire mining district.   They say the road is an essential and necessary component of the company's chromite project.

Pickle Lake Man Charged With Break & Enter

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 24 year old man from Pickle Lake with Break, Enter and Robbery. Police say they received a 911 call of a break and enter at a Van Norman Street business early this morning.  Officers report that a cleaning employee was confronted by the suspect with a broken piece of glass.  The man made a court appearance this morning.

$$ For ER Nurses Helps Free Up EMS

The Province is giving the Health Sciences Centre 228-thousand dollars to hire more nurses for the emergency room.  The new nurses will only care for patients with non-life threatening conditions who arrive by ambulance.  EMS Chief Norm Gale says it's freeing up his paramedics and allowing them to get back on the road.  Gale says they were losing 11 hours of ambulance time and 22 hours of paramedic time per day because there was no one to look after the patients once they arrived at the ER.  Mayor Keith Hobbs is pleased noting it should have a positive impact on the City's emergency services budget.

Assault Near LU

City Police, conducting a Ride Program on Oliver Road near Lakehead University, got more than they bargained for.  While officers were checking for impaired drivers just after one o'clock this morning, a male nearby came up on a group and assaulted two other men.  Cops gave chase and apprehended the suspect after a brief struggle.  The two victims and one officer suffered minor injuries in the incident and they were all treated at the scene.  A 20-year old Thunder Bay man is being held on charges of assault, resisting arrest and breach of probation.    

Severe T.Storm Watch

Environment Canada is issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for the Thunder Bay area.  Around 25 millimeters of rain was expected to fall Thursday afternoon.  An E.C. Meteorologist says there's the potential for strong winds and hail during the storm. More rain and thunderstorms are also being called for Thursday night.

New Chief At Wabigoon Lake First Nation

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation has a new leader.  Paul Watts has defeated incumbent Rueben Cantin Senior in band elections.  Watts will lead the community for the next two years.  Councilors elected include Bill Parenteau, Lanna Kooschet and Clayton Wetelainen.

Madder Touring NWO

Aboriginal education is seen as one of the key areas of growth for Confederation College.  The college has released its five year Strategic Plan and president Jim Madder says its important that they have relevant program to represent their aboriginal demographic.  Madder says improving their technology infrastructure is also key to reaching out to their aboriginal students.  Madder was in Kenora Thursday to discuss the plan.

Horwath Reacts To Energy Minister

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is still concerned about the future of the Thunder Bay generating station.  Horwath says she was happy to hear the Province will be making an announcement in the next several weeks. However, she says she was worried by Chiarelli's side comment saying the local plant would only run for six hours a year.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Co-Chairs Committee

The Province is announcing the 11 people who will sit on a First Nation Juries Review Committee.  Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler will be a co-chair of the committee and will work towards implementing the recommendations in Justice Frank Iacobucci's report on Ontario Juries.  Former Treaty Three Grand Chief and Lawyer Diane Kelly as well as Thunder Bay's Honorable Marc Bode are other committee members.

More Forestry Work

The Province is creating 160 jobs in Hornepayne.  They announced money today for a 10 megawatt facility that will use sawmill wood by-products to generate electricity for the provincial power grid and produce heat for nearby sawmill operations.

Chiarelli Says Announcement On The Way

Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli is telling NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to hold her horses!  Horwath stood in Question Period today to ask the Liberal Government what they will be doing to help ensure the Thunder Bay power generating station remains open.  Chiarelli responded saying an announcement was on the way in about 3 weeks time.  Chiarelli notes they're plan for energy in the Northwest goes beyond the Thunder Bay plant and encompasses communities such as Dryden.

More Fires Out

A pair of forest fires that had been burning at the south end of Quetico Provincial Park since the end of the August have now been declared out. Both lightning-caused blazes never amounted to much. It leave just three active fires, all in the Far North around the Sachigo Lake area.

Energy East Pipeline Public Sessions

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is offering his opinion on the Energy East Pipeline.  Public consultations are taking place across the region this week.  Dave Canfield says he wants to see the pipeline have automatic shut off valves if a leak is detected.  The Energy East project would pump oil from Alberta to the East coast.

Grann Files Lawsuit

Court documents confirm a Thunder Bay police officer is taking legal action against the city police service.  Named in the action are former police chief Bob Herman, the Police Services Board along with 3 other officers. In her 29 million dollar lawsuit Toni Grann is alleging  harassment and being overworked as part of a conspiracy to have her quit her job.    The allegations still must be proven in court.