Morning Accident On Arthur Street

One man is in hospital following an early morning crash on the south side.  City Police says just after 6 o'clock this morning, a transport truck and a 2-door car collided at the corner of Arthur Street and Madison. The jaws of life were used to remove the victim from the car.  He remains in hospital recovering from his injuries. The accident scene caused that area of Arthur Street to be closed during the morning commute.  

Treaty Three Weighs In On Pipeline

The Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty 3 is weighing in on the Energy East Pipeline Project.  Warren White says he has met with the president and vice president of the project with Trans-Canada. White is making sure that the voice of treaty 3 is heard.  He notes that during the Grand Council national assembly this month they might sign a consultation agreement with Trans-Canada.

Fort Frances Museum Looks At Mill

A new exhibit focusing on the mill in Fort Frances is now open at the Fort Frances Museum.  While planned months ago, it's opening comes just a week after Resolute Forest Products announced closure of the pulp and paper plant.  Curator Sherry George says it's still important to showcase the role the mill had in the community over the past one hundred years. The exhibit will remain until August.

NDP Release More Platform Tidbits

The NDP are out with a campaign promise of reducing small business taxes and increasing minimum wage. Thunder Bay Atikokan candidate Mary Kozorys is backing her party's vision says it's a responsible approach that will help businesses sustain the increase to the minimum wage with a reduction in the small business corporate tax.  The plan will see the tax rate go from 4.5 to 3 percent by 2016. Meanwhile, Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke in Walkerton on the anniversary of the tainted water controversy and promised  $30 million over the next 10 years in the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.  The Progressive Conservatives released more details on their platform and it includes scrapping Liberal promised raises for teachers, and ending tuition breaks for students.

Wisk Air Goes North

Several First Nation communities at James Bay and Hudson Bay are getting helicopter services thanks to Thunder Bay's Wisk Air.  Company President Mark Wiskemann says his company has reached an agreement with Cree West to help residents fly around between the communities.   As part of the deal, Sioux Lookout's Northern Skies will provide fixed wing
service to the communities.

Grassy Narrows In Court

Arguments are continuing this morning at the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of a pair of Grassy Narrows trappers versus the Province of Ontario. Lawyer for Grassy, Robert Janes says only the federal government has jurisdiction of the lands covered under Treaty Three. The Wabauskang first nation, Treaty Three and the Metis Nation of Ontario also have intervenor status in the case.

Victim Pronounced Dead

A 46 year old man is dead after police attended an alleged stabbing at 122 Cumberland Street South.  The victim, whose face was bloody and beaten,  was taken out of the building on a stretcher around 8:30 this morning and was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital.  Darlene Coultis lives in the building and says it was a mess.  Two individuals were taken into custody at the residence. Charges are pending. The name of the victim will be released once next of kin have been notified.

Group Touts All Gender Washrooms

A new lobby group in the city is trying to increase the number of so called "all gender washrooms" in Thunder Bay.   They say that they want to reduce the risks of bullying and violence faced by members of the LGBTQ community. They say in most cases the switch can be made easily with a simple changing of the signage that existing washrooms already have.

NDP Call For Minister For Savings

The NDP candidate for Thunder Bay Superior North is backing his leader's call to appoint a minister responsible for savings and accountability. Andrew Foulds says after years of Liberal spending scandals, focusing on stopping the waste and making government accountable to taxpayers makes sense. Foulds is taking on Liberal incumbent Michael Gravelle and PC candidate Derek Parks in the June Provincial election.

Hagi Workers On Strike

75 unionized HAGI Community Services employees are striking.  The workers haven't had a wage increase since 2009. Union Spokesperson Colby Flank says they'll stay on the picket line as long as it takes to reach a better deal. Meanwhile, HAGI's management says the strike will impact operations at six apartment buildings which are staffed by the personal support workers. The company says they are taking steps to mitigate any disruption to those who require help. 

Safe School App Available

The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board is out with a new safe school app for smartphones.   Spokesperson Ryan McWhirter says it's available in both Apple and Android versions.   He says the app has information on what to do if a student is in a bullying situation and there is also a link to Crime Stoppers.   McWirter says you can download the app through the Internet.

LU Researchers Get Cash

Two Lakehead University researchers are getting some money from a technology group for seniors.  50-thousand dollars will go to the duo each year for two years as they continue their work.  The cash is from the Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network.

MNR Flood Watch For Dryden

The Ministry of Natural Resources has issued a flood watch in the Dryden area.  The MNR says the Wabigoon Chain of Lakes and Eagle Lake are experiencing increased water levels.  Officials say anyone living close to or downstream from the lakes may be hit with flooding.  Residents should take steps to protect their property.  The forecast is calling for more precipitation.

TVO To Air Picton Park Doc

The clean up and makeover of Picton Park of the City's North Side is being showcased on TVO tonight. A television crew from the show "Giver" documented the design and construction of a new playground at Picton Park last summer. The show documenting their work will air tonight at 6:30 and again Saturday at 2. 

New Student Trustee

The public school board has a new student trustee.  Hanna Smith is replacing Logan Turner who graduates this year. Smith starts her new gig on August 1st.

Police Week

OPP are hoping to inspire kids through this week's police celebration. On Wednesday, provincial police Constable Diana Cole welcomed elementary school students into their Thunder Bay detachment.  Cole says they hope the students will feel more comfortable around police and consider a career in the law enforcement field.

Hernandez Verdict Postponed Again

The verdict in the Christian Hernandez case is still another month away.    The 28 year old is charged in connection with the 2010 city traffic death of 45 year old pedestrian Richard Carmichael.   Hernandez faces two impaired driving related charges along with failing to remain at the scene of an accident following a death.  The judge in the case was supposed to deliver the verdict today, but that has now been moved to June 19th.

Green Praises Letter Of Intent

A top player in the local event centre project says the process is unfolding as it should.   Gary Green of the entertainment consortium Thunder Bay Live, says the signing of a letter of intent with the city is a key development, but only a small part of a bigger picture.  He says it's now up to his group to come back with a plan that will help to leverage funding from the provincial and federal governments. An update on the project will be presented at an open house May 27th at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Gambee Case Back June 10th

A court date has yet to be set for the former chair of the Christmas Cheer fund. Linda Gambee's trial date is expected to be decided on June 10th. She is charged with defrauding the Christmas Cheer fund of about 22-thousand dollars.

Superintendent's Daughter Charged

A Red Lake OPP officer is in some hot water. The Ontario Provincial Police say they were conducting a RIDE Check stop on the weekend.  They pulled over a vehicle and discovered the driver had been drinking.
Constable Caitlyn Van Straalen, a 6-year member of the police force and the daughter of OPP superintendent Ron Van Straalen, is charged.  The OPP say she will be restricted to non-operational duties until her first court appearance on June 5th.