Court hearing for Terrace Bay Pulp next week.

The legal manoeuvering continues to get Terrace Bay Pulp back in operation. The mill is owned by Thunder Bay's Buchanan Forest Products and has been under court protection from creditors. Now the company lawyer, Yves Fricot, says they will be back in Ontario Superior Court May 26th. He says at that time they will ask the court to set a date in June in which creditors vote on the company proposal. Fricot says if the creditor vote succeeds then Terrace Bay Pulp can exit court protection and is the key piece that will start the mill back into operations.

Fitter faster further

There's a new walking group in the city.  The City of Thunder Bay's Older Adult Unit is hosting the "fitter faster further" walking club for women age 55 to 70.  Organizer Nancy Angus says it's a great way to meet new walking buddies.  Walking will take place ever Monday and Wednesday at 10 am at Thunder Bay's two McDonald's restaurants.  The premier walk will take place Wednesday May 26th.

Marina Boat Launch closed to the public

Boaters in Thunder Bay have to take a detour if they want to launch their vessels. The City of Thunder Bay says the the launch facilities and the parking lot at Marina Park are closed to the general public during the construction. Only those who have paid to have their boats docked at the marina this year will have access to the launch. Alternate launch sites in the area include: The Current River Launch, the LRCA launches at Silver Harbour and Little Trout Bay Conservation Areas, the Nipigon Marina and the Red Rock Marina.

KI First Nation Creepy Creature

Big Trout Lake First Nation is receiving world wide attention for an unusual find. A strange creature washed up on the shore of a creek recently. Photos of the furry, bald-faced animal were posted on the official website of the Big Trout Lake community. According to the website, two local nurses were hiking near the creek when they noticed their dog sniffing something in the water. The dog pulled the 30-centimetre-long dead creature from the water and the two women snapped some photos of it. Internet reports from around the world are speculating as to what it is, with some even linking it to the Ogopogo and the Lochness Monster.

PM in Dryden

The Prime Minister is paying another visit to Northwestern Ontario.  Stephen Harper will make an announcement at the Domtar Mill in Dryden on Saturday.  Harper will be joined by Kenora MP Greg Rickford at the opening ceremony of the Snowbirds Air Show.

Habitat construction season starts

Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay has kicked off its 2010 construction season. A ground breaking ceremony was held this morning for two houses being built on Mary Street East. President Dianne Mitchell says families who will live in the houses must complete 500 volunteer hours. Habitat is also renovating an existing house for a third family in the City.

Police out in full force for the weekend

OPP are gearing up for a very busy weekend. Spokesperson Diana Cole says officers will be out in full force looking for speeders, aggressive drivers and impaired drivers on all highways and even on the water. City Police are also going to be out this weekend although traffic Sergeant Glen Porter says the May Long is usually rather quiet in the city with most people heading out of town.

We could see some rain over the weekend

We could see some rain this long weekend but at least it'll be nice and hot. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says there could be some light shower activity Sunday and possible Monday but the temperatures will remain above normal with highs above 20 degrees. Coulson says the above average temperature should last well into next week as well.

Fundraiser nets record amount

The 18th annual Great Billboard Rescue has raised a record amount of money for the United Way. 30 teams spent time on scissor lifts Thursday, calling for donations. The result was almost 130 thousand dollars in pledges That's the highest ever raised in the 18 years of the event.

Ontario's top doc is wrong: Freitag

An opponent of the proposed Nor' Wester Mountains wind farm disagrees with the provinces Chief Medical Officer of Health. Margot Freitag says Ontarios top doctor is wrong when she concludes there are no adverse health effects from wind turbines. Freitag says Dr. Arlene King is only saying what the premier wants her to say. She says her group knew Dr. King would come out with that exact finding and that it's a political and not a health agenda Freitag says other studies clearly show wind turbines do cause health problems.

Gravelle touts rebate

You can bank on a northern Ontario energy rebate if you're deemed low or middle income. The McGuinty Government passed the rebate legislation on Thursday. Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says the legislation is here to stay. Single Northerners could see up to 130 dollars, while families and single parents will get up to 200 dollars.

Rafferty critical of EI office closures

Service Canada has announced plans to close several Employment Insurance Claim processing sites in Northern Ontario. The sites deemed for closure by 2014 include Thunder Bay, Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Timmins. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty isn't happy with the cuts. He says at a time when EI filings are at or near record levels the Harper government is closing up shop in some of the hardest hit communities. Rafferty says it's beyond poor judgement. The move is meant to centralize services bringing the number of offices in the province down from 24 to 6.

Government passes energy rebate legislation

The provincial government has the passed legislation having to do with the Northern Ontario energy credit. Government Spokesperson Alicia Johnston says low and middle income residents will receive an application form in the mail this August. Single Northerners could see up to 130 dollars, while families and single parents will get up to 200 dollars.

Beardy slams boreal agreement.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy is angy again. This time the leader of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is upset the recent Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement was written without input from NAN.  It's a deal reached between forest products companies and environmentalists in Canada to protect the Boreal Forest.   Beardy says it treats his nation like a stakeholder rather than a government.  He says his people have never given up the treaty right they have been given to govern themselves.  Beardy says NAN will continue to take all legal means to make sure their rights are protected

Forest fire hazard high

The forest fire hazard is currently listed as high to extreme in parts of Northwestern Ontario. Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Debbie McLean says despite the hot dry weather; there won't be a restricted fire zone. To date fire crews have responded to 206 fires. In 2009 crews were called out to 109 fires. McLean notes they would like people use propane cookers for their shore lunches instead of fire.

City politicians doing their funding homework

Preparations are underway by city politicians to bring key issues to the attention of senior government leaders over the summer. Councillor Joe Virdiramo heads the city committee that is preparing a list of priorities for the Ontario Municipal Association meeting in August. He says if the city doesn't raise the bar on certain issues then the government won't provide the money we need to deal with the critical problems that face the city. Virdiramo says the top priority for funding will be the detox beds that the police chief has been asking for. Other issues include the Northern Growth Plan, the Endangered Species Act and highway safety.

Get it on-your life jacket that is

Before you head out on the water, "get it on". The Ontario Provincial Police, Ministry of Natural Resources and Thunder Bay Health Unit are behind a new campaign geared at fishermen who do not wear life jackets. Outdoor Writer Gord Ellis says there's no excuse for not putting on a personal floatation device. Ellis notes that fishermen spend lots of money on the latest equipment, that it seems silly to be concerned about a 200 dollar pfd. Last year two people in Northwestern Ontario drowned in area lakes.

Local athletes give students a thrill

The kids at Nor' wester View School are a little fitter today. They got a chance to meet some local athletes Thursday as part of a day to promote physical activity. Star curler Krista McCarville was there to teach students about the sport and promote it a little. She was hoping to increase enrollment in the Little Rock and Junior curling programs at the school. Olympic gold medalist Haley Irwin was also there. She loves to see how excited the kids are to see the gold medal and to hold it. Irwin also gave props to the local schools for helping students follow the Vancouver games.

Careless Drivers caught by police

Not paying attention cost a few Thunder Bay drivers some money yesterday. City police were cracking down on people running the new four-way stop at the intersection of Donald and Brodie Streets by city hall. Yesterday officers handed out 15 tickets for various offences and in one case a driver was caught running the stop sign while taking on his cell phone. 

Couchiching chief stands firm

There is no backing down for Chief Chuck McPherson of the Couchiching First Nation. Plans are in place for the band members to set up a toll booth tomorrow on the Trans Canada Highway that runs through the community near Fort Frances. Chief McPherson says he's taking a lot of heat for his position, but says it's a matter of principle. He insisists the band has not received fair compensation from the federal government for building the highway through the reserve. McPherson says he is prepared to go to jail for his stand.