Money for off reserve native housing

The Matawa First Nations are getting over 3 million dollars for off reserve housing units. The funding will allow Matawa to either build new houses or to buy exisiting homes. It's part of a 7 million dollar pool of taxpayers dollars that is being spread among native non profit housing agencies in Thunder Bay, Red Lake and Kenora.

City gets provincial funds for green transportation study

The province is giving the city of Thunder Bay almost 40 thousand dollars towards a transportation study. MPP Bill Mauro says the study will help to improve on green transportation choices for citizens.  Its to support municipalities who are encouraging the public to use public transportation more than they do now.   Mauro says it will be up to the city to decide which direction they would like to take the study

More cash for health research

Around 250 thousand dollars is going to the Health Sciences Centre and the District Health Unit for two new research studies. Doctor Rhonda Crocker Ellacot says the study at the regional will focus on patient falls.
The regional is getting 220 thousand dollars for the two

Honorary Indian released

A local author is hoping people will get a better understanding of themselves from her first book. Sandi Boucher wrote Honorary Indian as an autobiography to tell of the trials she has overcome and pass on a few life lessons she has learned.  Boucher also wants to share the gifts and traditions of First Nations people.  It tells of her struggles after the early death of her first child and how that profoundly changed her life and how she thinks.

Wind turbine debate rages on

Tonight the group that is against the wind farm on the Nor' Wester Mountains is holding a meeting at the ATAC building at Lakehead University. They'll present two speakers who will back their health fears about the wind turbines. Meantime, the public relations firm that represents the wind turbine developers, Firedog Communications, is allowing local media to interview a British scientist. Geoff Leventhall has written a book that debunks the so called "Wind Turbine Syndrome"

Keith Hobbs on the verge of mayoral announcement

It appears that Lynn Peterson may have a challenger for the mayors chair. Keith Hobbs of the city police has indicated on his Facebook page that he will be retiring next month. Once that's made official he says he'll be in a position to make his intentions on running for mayor known. There is already a Facebook site dedicated to the cause and the website draftamayor.com has been tracking his support.

Students will be rocking the Gardens at Cavendish

Were just over a month away from Cavendish Cup and the city is already gearing up. The Thunderwolves announced a new program aimed at getting more students into the stands. LUSU president Dave Grad says LUSU has partnered with SUCCI, the Thunderwolves, RBC and the Keg to provide affordable tickets to students with the 7th man campaign. Thunderwolves Executive Director Jason Mallon says having more students at the games will bring the atmosphere in the Gardens over the top.

Neebing Fire Hall saga continues

The Neebing Fire Station is now in a new temporary home. The Thunder Bay Fire Service has moved the crews, equipment and trucks into the MNR Fire Centre on West Arthur Street. The Neebing Station on the 20th Side Road was closed February 10th for health and safety reasons when mould was found. Officials have no idea how long it may take to fix the problem

Injured girl flown to Winnipeg

A three year old child, who has serious injuries police deem suspicious in nature, has been moved to a Winnipeg hospital. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says she was taken there for further treatment. Meantime Adams says interviews are still being conducted to find out what happened to the youngster. Police say the incident took place at a home on Candy Mountain Road in Oliver-Paipoonge on Tuesday

Summer festival highlights centennial

The building that is home to the Hoito Restaurant, the Finlandia Club, is celebrating it's 100th anniversary. The Bay and Agoma Business Association wants to recognize the occasion. President Norm Sponchia says they will begin with decorating the area. As well there will be a summer festival where Bay street will be closed to showcase the Finnish culture.

T-Dot man fined for illegal hunting

A Toronto man is 35 hundred dollars lighter after he was convicted of illegal hunting. He was with a hunting party north of Thunder Bay in October when the incident occurred. The Ministry of Natural Resources says the man shot two deer without a hunting licence and then left them in the bush. In addition to the fine he is not allowed to hunt in Ontario for one year.

Geralton couple victims of fatal crash

Two Geraldton residents have been identified as the victims of Wednesday's fatal accident on the Trans Canada Highway between Vermillion Bay and Kenora.
64 year old Raymond Buhr and 62 year old Joanne Buhr were in a vehicle that collided with a transport truck.
Highway 17 was closed for most of the afternoon and was reopened four hours later after debris had been removed from the roadway.

Salvation Army kicks off tents for Haiti

The Salvation Army is launching a new fundraising program for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Thunder Bays' Major Mervyn Halvorson says when you donate, the money will go towards the purchase of tents to help shelter homeless families. You can make your donations at either of the Thrift Stores in the city.

OFL prez calls for hydro relief

The Ontario Federation of Labour kicked off its Communities that work, campaign in Thunder Bay. Newley elected president Sid Ryan says the North is one of the hardest hit areas in the province and needs more support from the McGuinty Government. Ryan says the energy rate needs to be subsidizes like in southern Ontario. Ryan says a lower industrial energy rate would go a long way to create jobs in Northern Ontario.

New cable channel is only for the Olympics

Shaw Cable TV customers shouldn't get too used to having CFTO broadcasting on channel 23. A spokesperson at the Shaw call centre says the Toronto channel will only be around until the Olympics are finished. The local TV station cut its ties with CTV last week. Without the CFTO feed, cable customers wouldn't have been able to watch Canadians compete in the Olympics

Thunder Bay Hydro is warning the public about a new scam

Thunder Bay Hydro is concerned about a telemarketing campaign that may be hitting the city. Spokesperson Eileen Dias says customers have complained about it saying the caller is trying to sell a so called energy saver device costing hundreds of dollars. Dias says the utility has asked Thunder Bay Police to investigate

Thunder Bay police recover crack cocaine Tuesday

Thunder Bay police have taken almost 20 thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs off the streets. A Toronto man was arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop on the south side of town. Officers searched his vehicle and a nearby hotel and found the drugs along with 5 thousand dollars cash.

Police continue to investigate after three year old girl is seriously injured

A three year old girl from Oliver Paipoonge remains in serious conditiion in hospital after an incident at her home on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says the girl was taken to the Health Sciences Centre with head injuries. He says the investigation is continuing as police interview family members to find out how she was injured in what they have termed suspicious circumstances.

Council accepts new rate hike for water rates

You could be paying more on your water bill soon. City Council will look at adopting a new rate structure for our water bills that will see the average household pay an extra five percent. Homes that use a lot of water could pay as much as 30 percent more.

Candidate to run on Aboriginal ticket

There is a new name on the list of candidates running for an at-large seat in this falls municipal election. Cindy Crowe is running openly as an Aboriginal candidate with the specific purpose of bringing First Nations concerns to the council table.