Tbaytel Reaches Safety Milestone

Tbaytel is patting itself on the back for reaching a safety milestone.   The workers have gone half a million hours without a workplace injury.  The city run utility credits the dedication of the staff for keeping it a safe working environment.   A special  ceremony to mark the occasion was held today.

New President At George Jeffrey

Firedog Communication's Stephanie Ash is George Jeffrey Children's Centre's new President.  Ash was previously a Board Director, and replaces long-standing President, Bob Speer.  Ash says her goal is to help to service as many children as possible and to reduce the waiting list which currently stands at about 200 children.

Hobbs Hoping For Fed Funds For Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon.  During an event today the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed.  Hobbs says he has high hopes for the project and will keep pushing for Federal funding.  Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

LU President Going To Queen's Park

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is going to visit Queen's Park on Monday and Tuesday.  It's part of the annual Lobby Days. Stevenson will be joined by VP of External Relations Deb Comuzzi, and Director of Government Relations Richard Longtin.  They'll be meeting with key ministers, critics and party leaders.

3 Million Dollars In FedNor Funding Announced

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is in Thunder Bay today and he brought his cheque book with him.  Over 3 million dollars was announced for several area projects including over a million for the City to renovate the Whalen Building and the Delaney Arena.  Rickford says the investment in Thunder Bay is going to improve the economy.  49-thousand dollars is going towards the Friends of Chippewa Park and another 49-thousand will go towards hosting the Canada Rural Revitalization Foundation's national conference in Thunder Bay.

MV Thunder Bay Welcomed

It's a proud day for Canada Steamship Lines.   The freighter MV Thunder Bay made its first stop at Keefer Terminal today.  A special ceremony was held to welcome the ship to the city. CSL President Louis Martel says the ship was built to fill a need for the company on the Great Lakes. This is the fourth ship named after our city in the company's history.  

LRCA Budget Set

The operating budget for the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is set.   Chair Bill Bartley says after a modest increase of 1 and a half per cent it works out to about 1 and a half million dollars.  He says while nothing special is planned the Victor Street erosion project will continue to be a priority.  The budget was approved at this weeks authority meeting

Prescribed Burn In NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources is preparing to ignite a prescribed burn in the Horse Lake area in the Sioux Lookout District. Officials say the burn will renew almost 700-hectares within the Lac Seul Forest which suffered severe weather damage between 2001 and 2007.  The burn is scheduled for today.

NPI CEO Has Big Plans

The independent think tank the Northern Policy Institute is embarking on a number of projects.  They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says one of the first things they've done is commission a review of the Federal Aboriginal Education Act.  NPI is also looking to create an online community consultation tool that will poll Northerner's thoughts on Provincial Government policies. Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Thunder Bay yesterday.

NDP Press Matthews On Hospital Overcrowding

The provincial government continues to plead for time in fixing the overcrowding problems at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  In the legislature NDP leader Andrea Horwath pressed the health minister on the issue and Deb Matthews said it's a work in progress.  She says the regional health authority, the Northwest LHIN, is working hard to resolve the problem.  Matthews points to the new 544 bed seniors complex being building in the city by St. Joseph's Care Group.

Dryden Boys Honoured By OPP

The OPP are recognizing several Northwestern Ontario civilians for their brave actions.  Dryden's Kale Greer, Christison Maua and Koen Taylor were honoured for saving the life of Kale's four year old sister while they were playing at the Big Eagle Lodge tourist camp.  The young girl disappeared when the boys thought to see if she had wandered off to the dock.  That's when Christison says he saw her in the water and they decided to scoop her out with a fishing net.  The boys were given an award today in Thunder Bay by the OPP Deputy Commissioner.

Humperdinck Cancels Again In Thunder Bay

Health issues have forced British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck to scrub his Thunder Bay appearance at the Community Auditorium. He was scheduled to sing Saturday night, but  Humperdinck's Facebook page says he called off the performance  because of "a trapped nerve in his neck." His website, www.engelbert.com , says his Thunder Bay show is postoned.

Canfield Says NOMA Frustrated

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are telling the Minister of Northern Development and Mines that they are frustrated.  Several municipal leaders spoke today with Michael Gravelle about their growing concerns about the future of the Thunder Bay Generating Station and the Ring of Fire development.  NOMA President Dave Canfield says they're understanding but something more needs to be done to help speed up the process.  The comments were made during the annual NOMA conference in Thunder Bay.

City Roofer Fined

A Thunder Bay firm has been fined 50-thousand dollars for violating Occupational Health and Safety Act. Lakehead Roofing and Metal Cladding was charged May 2012 after a worker was injured while working on a roofing project in Sault Ste. Marie. The worker suffered serious leg injuries after falling 14 meters before a piece of safety equipment engaged to stop his fall.

Police Nab Driving Suspect

City police have their man.  They say that they have captured the person they were looking for yesterday following a car chase in Westfort . Police say the officer involved in the incident was able to identify the suspect.   A 27 year old man is scheduled for a video court appearance on charges of dangerous driving.

TBRRI New VP

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute is welcoming a new Vice President of Corporate Services and Operations.  The hospital has hired Peter Myllymaa from the local health authority.  Myllymaa will also act as the hospital's new Chief Financial Officer.

NOMA Ready For Conference

The annual Northwestern Ontario Municipal conference  is underway in Thunder Bay.  NOMA President Dave Canfield says they will bring municipal leaders from the region up to speed on a number of important topics.  Canfield says energy concerns surrounding the Thunder Bay Generation Station, mining and forestry will also be on the agenda. 

Culture Days Are Here

The City is celebrating it's fourth annual "Culture Days".  A flag raising ceremony is being held this  morning at City Hall to kick off the four day event.  Over the next couple of days you can check out belly dancing demonstrations, and learn how to Ukrainian dance in 60 minutes.

OPP Honour Officers & Civilians

Members of the OPP from across Northwestern Ontario are being honored today in Thunder Bay.  A Pickle Lake officer is set to receive the Commissioner's Citation for Lifesaving for rescuing a man from a burning building.  A Thunder Bay civilian is receiving a bravery award for pulling a quadriplegic man to safety from a burning vehicle.  Meanwhile, three young Dryden boys are being honoured for saving the life of a young girl.

Investigation Closed

City Police are closing the book on the case of a woman who was found dead in an Archibald Street home.  A post mortem exam was conducted yesterday and the death is no longer considered suspicious.  Police responded to the home early Tuesday morning following a 911 call. The name of the woman has not been released.