No one hurt in Current River fire

No one is hurt following a fire in Current River Wednesday evening. The blaze was in a building that houses a day care centre at 313 Grenville. Fire Platoon Chief Manfred Rohr says the fire started in between the floors of the two story building and appears to have been accidental. He says it appears it started when a lit cigarette started a joist on fire. The owner of the day care says the business was closed at the time the fire was discovered just after 5:30.  Fire damage is confined to one small corner of the building. 

Warmer weather helps waterfront work

The warmer weather is making work easier on the city's waterfront development at Prince Arthur's Landing. Construction Supervisor Gary Wood says the unseasonable temperatures have helped workers catch up a bit on the 40 million dollar project. He says some lost time was made up, adding they're doing work now that was not scheduled to begin for a few more weeks. Wood says to watch for the contract to be awarded shortly for Pier Two landscaping.

MNR has an early bear warning

A warning from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Linda Wall of the Bear Wise program says because of the unseasonably warm weather, bears are likely to come out earlier than usual. She says they'll be scavenging for food and that could mean encountering a bruin in the city. She says it would be a wise decision to take down any bird feeders to avoid a bear coming onto your property. Wall anticipates most of the bears will be younger ones, about two years old.

Joint forces seize more drugs

Two people are in custody following a drug bust Tuesday on Rowand Street. OPP Detective Staff Sergeant Chris Lawrence says they seized about 30 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone pills. They then went to a bank and  found 50 thousand dollars in a safety deposit box.   Lawrence says the amount of drugs seized is just a small portion of the prescription pills available illegally in the city.

NAPS makes post office drug seizure

No one is under arrest following a drug seizure at a remote northwestern Ontario post office. The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service says with the help of Canada Post they seized over 38 thousand dollars worth of drugs being sent through the mail in the James Bay community of Moose Cree First Nation. The drugs included marijuana, cocaine and prescription pills.

Icebreaking starts on the harbour this week

It's a sure sign of spring in Thunder Bay. This week two American icebreakers will be working to break up the harbour ice. Canadian Coast spokesperson Andy Maillet says the Penobscot Bay and Mobile Bay will be here by Friday. He says they are smaller ships than Canada's Samuel Risley or the America cutter Makinaw, but are well suited for the work they will be doing. Maillet warns the work will create unstable ice conditions.. (Pictured: Penobscot Bay)

Gang activity on the rise in Thunder Bay

Police in the Northwest are facing a rise in gang activity. Three major native gangs based in Manitoba are expanding into the city. Police Chief Bob Herman says these gangs are getting very sophisticated in drug distribution. Herman says these gangs are recruiting new members from troubled back grounds. Herman says while we aren't seeing much violence yet, there is the possibility of turf wars breaking out and that is something police are closely watching.

Record breaking warmth continues to blanket the Northwest

The record warmth continues in the Northwest. Environment Canada confirmed record highs in Thunder Bay as well as a number of other locations in the region. Meterologist Jim Prime says we could see more records today. Prime says it will be a different story by the weekend with temperatures dropping back to seasonal levels.

Cavendish rankings are in and Thunder Bay is fourth

The Thunderwolves are ranked 4th for next weekend's Cavendish Cup. The Wolves are in Pool A with topped ranked Alberta and 6th ranked UQTR. McGill, St. Marys and Manitoba are round out pool B. The first action for the Wolves will be next Friday against the loser of Thursday night's game between Alberta and UQTR.  The McGill and Manitoba kick off the tournament Thursday afternoon at 2pm.

Fire Chief issues thin ice caution

An ice warning from the Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service. Chief John Hay says the alert is coming earlier than normal. He says you should stay off the ice on all the rivers, streams and lakes adding, water on top of the ice and waterflow underneath has caused considerable erosion. Hay says there have been no close calls so far

BISNO hosts virtual dirt races

A local charity is back raising money for Brain Injury Support Services of Northern Ontario. The group hosts a computer dirt racing event at the SportsDome every year. Spokesperson Jessie Bielski is inviting you to take part. They're looking for you to put together a team of 5 people. The entry fee is 500 dollars in pledges per team. Over the last 3 years 20 thousand dollars has been raised. The event takes place April 17th.

Health Unit introduces new MOH

The new Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District is Dr. Henry Kurban. Because of rules by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, the 34 year old Kurban says his scope of responsibility is limited for one year. The restricted licence means he'll be under the supervision of Dr. Graham Pollett the MOH from the Middlesex-London Health Unit and also Dr. Samuel Graham in Thunder Bay. Until that year is complete Kurban is officially considered the Acting Medical Officer Health.

NAN Women's council hosts 4th annual forum

The fourth annual Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women's Traning Forum is underway. Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its an empowering event that gives a voice to NAN women. He says drug and alcohol abuse is deffinately the greatest issue facing his people. The event includes workshops on a number of topics including wellness, education, parenting and violence.

NAN Grand Chief encourages Harper Government to adopt UN resolution

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is encouraging the Harper Government to adopt a UN resolution on the rights of aboriginals. Grand Chief Stan Beardy says Canada is the only country who hasn't signed the declaration and its about time the Federal government gets inline with the rest of the world. Beardy says the declaration sets the perametres on how business is done with aboriginals and is vital for the future First Nations people.

Police looking for drug store robber

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a man who robbed a North Edward Street Drug Store. Police say the man entered the Shoppers Drug Mart Sunday and walked out with a quanitity of prescription drugs. The suspect appeared to have a handgun.

Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit make drug bust

Over 15 thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs have been taken of the streets. The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit conducted a search of an apartment yesterday morning in the 100 block of Marks Street. A 24 year old man was arrested and a number of firearms, drugs and almost 5 thousand dollars in cash was seized.

Early morning fire rips through North side house

A house fire in the North side forced Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue to call in 5 pumpers. Crews responded to a two alarm blaze just before 5:00 this morning at a house on 100 block of Fitzgerald Street. Officials says no one was home at the time.

Missing man found

Missing man Donald Potan has been found safe and sound. Thunder Bay police found the 49 year old on May Street last night. Potan had been missing since last Thursday.

Decision on temporary bus terminal put off for a week

It will be next week before city councillors decide on a temporary site for a south side bus terminal while a new courthouse is being constructed.   Councillors voted Monday to send back the issue to administration for more information.  There was concern about the preferred site on Donald Street from Archibald to Syndicate Avenues, which was selected by Transit.   It followed a presentation by area residents who were concerned what such a terminal would have on their quality of living.    Instead some councillors appeared to favour a temporary site at City Hall and wanted to hear back from administration on the pros and cons of that location. 

Councillors say yes to giving pools heritage designation

Two city pools have now come under the umbrella of the citys' Heritage Advisory Committee. The Dease and Heath pools have been given heritage designation. Committee chair Andrew Cotter and member Gloria Cyr stressed that the designation doesn't mean that the pools are protected from being closed down. Instead Cotter says it will simply allow for the sites to be recognized as significant. If the pools are considered for closure the appropriate steps can be taken to give the sites their historical due.