OPP Investigating Two Deaths

Provincial Police are investigating two deaths along with the Forensic Unit, Sioux Lookout Police and North Caribou Lake Police in the Weagamow Lake First Nation.  Police responded to a disturbance call and when they arrived at the residence they found a deceased woman.  Early this morning a pickup truck believed to be involved with the incident was found along with a deceased man nearby.  The identities of the victims are being withheld.

Hobbs Files Papers

Mayor Keith Hobbs making it official today.   He filed his papers this morning to stand for re-election in October and says he's counting on voters to give him another 4 years in office.  Hobbs says he's taking nothing for granted and plans to work hard to get his message across.

Flu Outbreak Over At Lakehead Manor

The flu outbreak at Lakehead Manor has been called off meaning all admissions, discharges and social activities are allowed to resume.  The Health Unit reported the first signs of the outbreak January 10th on the fourth floor of the facility, before it spread throughout the building.

LU Researchers Launch Palliative Care Kit

There's a new toolkit for long term care homes who want to offer palliative care to their residents. The kit was developed by a group of people at Lakehead University.  Dr. Mary Lou Kelley says there really wasn't anything like this in Canada before.  Kelley says thanks to their research they can tell Long Term Care homes how they can create their own palliative care programs in their facilities.

Joint Funding For Greenstone

The Provincial and Federal Government are giving Greenstone's Community Forest 3.5 million dollars to open a training centre.  The money will be used to open a regional skills training centre at the Greenstone airport.

Top 20 Under 40 Celebrated

Northwestern Ontario's young movers and shakers were honoured on Saturday in Thunder Bay.   The top twenty professionals under the age of 40 were named in the second annual event which is sponsored by the Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario Chambers of Commerce and SHIFT the Young Professional's Network.    Here are the winners:                                                                      

Thunder Bay                                      
Anthony Marrelli                                      
Ashleigh Quarrell                                        
Chris Fralick                                              
Colleen Peters
Curtis Hildebrandt
Daniel Skaarup
Dave Thomas
Derek Lankinen
Marcus Luft
Meaghan Sharp
Michelle Mack
Nadia Kurd
Nadia La Russa
Nikos Mantis
Robert Animikii Horton
Teri Joseph
Thomas Russell

Regional 
Annabella Zwada, Terrace Bay
Daryl Skworchinski, Marathon
Jessica Lunday, Kenora

WestJet Brings New Service To T.Bay

WestJet Airlines is bringing a new service to Thunder Bay. The company announced this morning that it will start Encore routes between Toronto and Thunder Bay and between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.  WestJet says the new service will start in June.

Police Find Hikers

City Police say two 17 year olds are safe after getting lost at the Cascade Conservation Area on Sunday afternoon.  The two teens took their dog for a hike in the trail system, got lost and called home for help. Police went out on snow machines and found them in the area of the Shuniah Mine. Both the hikers and the dog were very cold and possibly suffering from frost bite. Police are urging people who are heading out for hikes to be adequately dressed for the weather and to stay on a trail system that they are familiar with.

Drivers Approve Deal

City buses are rolling today after a strike by transit drivers was avoided over the weekend.  An all night mediated session led to an agreement early Saturday morning.  Drivers with the Amalgamated Transit Union, local 966, voted 76 percent in favour of the new deal Sunday.  Transit workers had been without a contract since June of 2012.  City Council will vote to ratify the contract at its meeting tonight.  ATU President Sheila Kivisto says the five year deal includes an increase in wages.

Missing Teen Found

A teenager is home safe after going missing over the weekend.  Thunder Bay Police found 17-year old Rayna Johah in the company of another female last night on south May Street.  Jonah, who was uninjured, was reported missing on Friday after last being seen at the County Fair Walmart.

Light Night At Council

It's a light night at City Council tonight. Up for discussion...a request to allow a 4 unit apartment building on Hutton Park Drive.  City Staff were also scheduled to talk about a by-law issue dealing with the number of pets a person can own but that topic is being put off for the time being.

Model Ship Finds Home

A model of the ship MV Thunder Bay will soon be on display at the Mariner's Hall at Prince Arthur's Landing.  City Archivist Matt Szybalski says Canada Steamship Lines presented the City with the model of the Laker on a visit to the Port of Thunder Bay in September. The MV Thunder Bay made its maiden voyage in 2013.

Head Lice Policy Changed

The Catholic School Board is changing its head lice policy. Spokesperson Omer Belisle says it was their approach to keep kids with head lice in school as long as their parents were taking action to stamp out the bugs. However, some parents were not taking the appropriate actions. Belisle says they will keep kids in school as long as their parents vow to treat the head lice.

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Coming To T.Bay

Diversity Thunder Bay will have a prominent figure attending their March 20th 'Celebration Breakfast'. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and will be speaking at the event in support of ending racial discrimination.  Chair Tina Tucker says their guest speaker brings with him first hand experiences. Abuelaish is now an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.

Moose Populations

The Ministry of Natural Resources is conducting aerial surveys this winter, determining the local moose population in Northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Jolanta Kowalski says the survey will have an impact on how hunting tags are distributed. Currently there are roughly forty-six thousand moose in hunting regions.

Ischkinakker Shaker

Just under ten-thousand dollars is going towards the United Way's Community Fund following the 11th annual Ischkinakker Shaker on December 23rd. The money will be spread between sixty-four human service programs. Roughly six-hundred people were in attendance.

Missing Person

Thunder Bay Police are asking for your help in locating 17 year old Rayna Jonah who was reported missing on Friday. Jonah is described as being aboriginal, 5'7 140lbs, with long black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket around the County Fair Wal-Mart that evening. Anyone with information is being urged to contact police.

NOVA At The Valhalla Inn

Tonight's Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards at the Valhalla Inn will include over 72 nominations. Shift, Thunder Bay's Young Professional Network is one of the organizations behind the awards, Spokesperson Keith Anderson says he is very pleased with the high number of nominations. The NOVA top 20 under 40 celebrates residents who have accomplished great things in their community.

Bus Strike Averted

Talks between the Amalgamated Transit Union and the City of Thunder Bay have resulted in a  last second tentative deal set to keep buses on the road. Local ATU President Sheila Kivisto says talks lasted throughout the night and that now its a matter of having the deal gain the approval of drivers and city council. Kivisto adds that if the deal holds up Monday morning commuters shouldn't notice any disruption in service. Kivisto is recommending acceptance.

Climate Change Initiative Adopted

Mayor Keith Hobbs is joining other mayors in supporting a new plan aimed at helping Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities adapt to climate change.  The province is kicking in 145 thousand dollars towards the initiative.   The mayors adopted the plan at their regular meeting in Windsor. They noted that all municipalities in the region are feeling the effects of climate change already,  citing the flooding in Thunder Bay and Duluth.