Charges Laid In Murder

City Police are charging a 23 year old man with second degree murder and breach of probation. Randel Wabasse is in custody at the district jail and will make a court appearance on Tuesday. The victim of the homocide on Cumberland Street has been identified as 46 year old Adam Beaver. The second person that was taken into custody at the scene was interviewed and released.

Constable Prevett's Funeral Speeches

Click below to listen to Chief JP Levesque's speech at Constable Joseph Prevett's funeral mass today at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Detective Robert Bonthron delivered the eulogy.

Police Remember Constable Prevett

Bag pipes sounded and hundreds of police officers marched in honour of fallem Thunder Bay Police Constable and K9 Unit Officer Joseph Prevett. A visibly shaken OPP Constable Dan Bailey was one of many K9 officers who is in the City today for Constable Prevett's funeral. Bailey started dog training with Prevett in 2005 and will be looking after Prevett's new dog Timber.  Bailey took pictures with Timber and members of the local tactical team that Prevett was apart of. City dignitaries, police, fire, and members of the emergency service were all on hand for the march to St. Patrick's Cathedral where the funeral mass will be held at 11.


Constable Joseph Prevett on PhotoPeach

"Chemical Agent" Used In Robbery

Thunder Bay Police investigating a disturbing early morning robbery at the Best Western Hotel on West Arthur Street. At approximately 4:30 this morning, a man entered the building and proceeded to spray the staff with a chemical agent. He then ran off with an undisclosed amount of money.  The suspect is described as six feet tall with a thin build.  He was wearing a blue hoodie and jacket, blue jeans and white runners.  Any one with information is asked to call Thunder Bay Police or Crime Stoppers.   The hotel staff received minor injuries

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.