Airport Headaches

Officials at Toronto's Pearson International Airport are warning it won't be a normal travel day today due to fallout from Tuesday's extensive delays and cancellations caused by freezing temperatures.  For the second straight day Air Canada cancelled its two early morning flights from Thunder Bay to Toronto today.  WestJet and Porter are not showing any delays or cancellations this morning.  

School Bus Accidents

The School Board's Transportation Manager says three of their school buses were involved in minor fender benders this morning.  Dave Carroll says it's cold outside and cars are sliding into buses.  The three incidents this morning happened in the Westfort and Current River areas, while another occurred in the parking lot of Hammarskjold High School.  Carroll says no one was injured.

Arrest Made

City Police are charging a 26 year old man with a robbery at Mac's Convenience Store on Simpson Street. On Sunday the Mac's store was held up by a man with a syringe. The accused appeared in court today.

McKinnon Seeking Re-Election

Red River Ward constituents will see Brian McKinnon's name on the ballot in this fall's municipal election.  In announcing he's running for re-election, McKinnon said he has unfinished business to deal with in the next term.

City Film Project Needs Cash

A City film project that aims to build a greater understanding between the aboriginal population and the broader community is in need of more money. City Clerk John Hannam says they set a goal of 45 thousand dollars and they're still six thousand short. Hannam says if they don't get the 6 thousand raised before the film premier in February they will still go ahead with it.

Taxi Committee Continues To Meet

The Police Service Board's Taxi Committee wants the service to fall under City by-law officer's authority. Councillor and Police Services Board Member Brian McKinnon says they'll spend their next meeting bringing the idea to local taxi companies.  McKinnon says the recommendation also needs to be approved by the Police Board before it can go to City Council for final approval.

Ride Check Stats Out

City Police are releasing their latest RIDE stats from December.   21 drivers were charged with drinking and driving and 12 of those were as a result of the RIDE program.  Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says police also noticed several of the people they pulled over were in their pj's which is a sign more people are acting as designated drivers at the end of the night.  Porter adds one man was found passed out behind the wheel at a local fast food drive-thru window and tried to pay the police officer for his order.

City Preparing Appeal Strategy

The Resolute Forest Products tax appeal hearing will be continuing in the city January 27th.   City Manager Tim Commisso says he plans to lay out the reasons for appealing the province's decision to reduce the amount of money the company pays in property taxes to the city.  The hearing takes place at City Hall and could run until the middle of next month.  

LU Undergoes Sustainability Tracking

Lakehead University is undergoing a tracking and rating system to see how sustainable their two campuses are.  It will look at the facilities achievements in economic, environmental and social sustainability.  The review should be done in a year from now.

Sharp On Team Canada

Chalk up another milestone for Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp.   He has been chosen to play on Team Canada at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.    The Chicago Blackhawks forward was named along with 24 others at a news conference in Toronto this morning.  Regionally,  Duncan Keith, who played his minor hockey in Fort Frances, also made the team.   Canada's first game is on Feb. 13 against Norway.

Camp Fire Near Vermillion Bay

Fire crews continue to investigate the cause of a major fire at Willard Lake Resort, west of Vermilion Bay.Officials were called around 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon.  The flames spread from cabin to cabin as firefighters had to deal with limited water in battling the blaze.  Damage to the gas station and restaurant is unknown at this time. No one was injured.

Cell Sorter Goal 3K

Northern Hearts and several other charity groups are teaming up to help raise 300-thousand dollars to purchase a cell sorter for the  Regional Research Institute.  Northern Hearts Chair Jack Playford says the cell sorter will help improve heart health research. Anyone who wants to donate can do so by dropping off a cheque at the Northern Hearts office, or at the Curans Heart Centre.

New & Old Faces In Municipal Race

There's some added names to the 2014 Municipal election race. David Polhill is running in Northwood. Meanwhile, Councillor Joe Virdiramo is seeking re-election in Westfort,  Brian McKinnon in Red River and Aldo Roberto at large. Andrew Brigham is also joining the at large race.

Highway Closure

The blustery conditions has forced the closure of Highway 17 east of Thunder Bay.  OPP report Highway 17 is closed between Highway 556 and Wawa due to reduced visibility.  Provincial Police closed that section around 3 o'clock this morning.

Wood Stove Warning

Wood stoves and heaters are working overtime as northwestern Ontario continues to sit through a deep freeze. Richard Wetelainen is a fire official in the region and he is urging local residents to ensure their heating instruments are properly inspected.  He says sometimes people may put off inspections for various reasons.He points out that dirty chimneys are a major cause of fires in our area during this time of year.

Hospital Gets More Props

The regional hospital is tooting its horn again about another recognition.  Spokesperson Nella Lawrence says the facility recently made sixth place on a list of the world’s 30 most architecturally impressive hospitals.  She thinks it's an award the community can share, since many people participated in making the hospital a reality.  Lawrence calls a recognition an reward in itself

TBSO Fundraiser Hired

Thunder Bay's Stephanie Bateman is the new Development Manager with the Symphony Orchestra.  Her job is to fundraise about 2 million dollars a year for the TBSO something she admits will be a challenge. Bateman admits with money being tight it may be harder to raise funds from the community and governments.

Body Shop Open After Fire

Frankie and Johnny's Auto Body shop on Vickers Street is back in operation after the devastating October 31st fire.   Owner John Wiekowski estimates the blaze caused about half a million dollars in damages.  He says he has lost 50 thousand dollars a month in income and at least 50 thousand dollars worth of his own vehicles that were not insured.  Wiekowski adds 3 of his customers lost up to 70 thousand dollars worth of insured vehicles.  So far officials have not given out the cause of the fire only to say that it was suspicious.    

H1N1 Cases May Be Close To Peaking

The H1N1 virus may be reaching its peak in Thunder Bay.  Dr. David Williams of the District Health Unit says they're crossing their fingers that the worst may be coming to an end.  He says while there have been 78 confirmed cases of the flu so far, with more expected, he's hoping to know by the end of this week if we have reached the crest.    Dr. Williams says there says the H1N1 death toll in the district remains at two.

Students Kept Inside During Deep Freeze

With the dangerous cold upon us both school board's in the city are keeping students inside.   The catholic school board's Pino Tassone  says that's the way it will stay until the the deep freeze is over.   Tessone says it will apply to recess, lunch, nutrition breaks and the period just before school starts.  Tassone says closing schools is not an option that's considered unless there's a major heating malfunction in any school building.