A Happy New Year for Union Gas Customers

Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario will see a slight decrease in their bills starting January 1st. Spokesperson Kerry Dudley Tatsu says it's good news especially during the cold winter months. Customers in Northern area should see a decrease of about a dollar per year on their average gas bill. The Ontario Energy Board approved a decrease in the cost of natural gas of about 2.3 cents per cubic metre.

New Years Day Tradition

On this first day of 2011, many brave Canadians will take part in a New Year's Day tradition. They'll be jumping into frigid rivers, lakes, and oceans for Polar Bear Swims to raise money for charity. But conditions will be warmer than usual in Ontario and Quebec, where today's predicted high in many centres is plus 10 Celsius. It's so warm that skating on Ottawa's Rideau Canal is banned until the ice thickens.

Seat belt law turns 35

Ontario's seat belt law is turning 35. The law went into effect January 1st, 1976. Ontario was the first province to make it mandatory to buckle up and since then it's estimated seat belt use has saved more than 8,000 lives. OPP Traffic Sergeant Ken Mantey says fastening your seat belt is the most important thing you can do when you get into a motor vehicle. Nearly 93% of all Ontarians use seat belts; that's up from just 17% when the law came into effect. Mantey says he's perplexed by those who still don't take the simple precaution.

Police beefing up New Year's patrols

City police will be out in force this New Year's Eve.   32 extra officers are being deployed this evening.  There's also additional support staff to handle extra files and other administrative work.   Plans are to heavily patrol both downtown cores. 

Cabbies set for busy New Year's

If you are out partying Friday night  and plan to get a cab ride home, call well head of when you plan to leave. Dennis LeBeau of Roach's Taxi says New Year's is always busy.   He says the wait times for a cab will be about an hour.   LeBeau says they'll have all 42 taxi's on the street New Year's Eve.

Food delivery prepares for rush

New Years Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for the food delivery business. Local eateries are gearing up by getting huge quantities of ingredients ready and calling in extra staff. Papa Piccolino's Pizza owner David Falvo says it's a good idea to order early and that he's expecting about double the normal business. Golden Bakery owner Angelo Perna also suggests planning ahead and ordering much earlier in the day if you know you'll want food at a certain time.

Snow rings in 2011

It's going to be a snowy start to the new year. Meteorologist Alyssa Young says a second Colorado low is about to bear down on us.  She says depending on how intense the ice pellets are, we could get 10 to 15 cm by New Years Day.   Meantime to our west Atikokan, Fort Frances and Dryden have been getting hit with up to 15 cm and up to 20 cm more is expected.

Police save drunk from himself

A city snowplow operator has a story to tell today. Police say he was working overnight on Court Street near John when a man walked in front of his machine and wouldn't let him pass. They say the man was drunk and wanted to be run over. The man spent the night in police custody

Wind farm debate tops local news

2010 was another busy news year in Thunder Bay.  There was no escaping the wind farm debate at city council. The proposal to build wind turbines on the Nor' Wester escarpment caused a major stir and was felt by our newsroom to be the top story in Thunder Bay for this year. Keith Hobbs victory in the mayors race came in second.

Hoad says it's about time for new warning labels

A local health official says he is relieved warning labels on cigarette packages will finally be bigger and more graphic. The Health Unit's Simon Hoad says the government's decision to change the warnings should have been done sooner.  Hoad says the newer images are necessary because the older ones aren't as effective anymore.

Adam Leon's legal saga continues

A law enforcement official in Thunder Bay says Adam Leon could be returning here soon.   Thunder Bay RCMP Detachment Commander Norman Roy says Leon will be released from federal jail today in the States and will next appear in U-S immigration court. At that time he says a judge will determine whether he should be deported to Canada or not. As well there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Thunder Bay. Leon is the Confederation College student who took a Cessna from the college flying school and flew it illegally in American airspace.

Injuries in snow machine accident

One man is hurt following an early morning snowmobiling mishap in Shuniah Township Thursday. OPP say it was a collision between two snow machines on West Loon Lake. They say one of the victims may have sustained two broken legs.

Citizen's arrest attempt

A local man got more than he bargained for when he tried to make a citizen's arrest last night on East Empire Street. The 22 year old chased two people after he saw them break into his truck. He caught up to one of them--a teenage girl--but quickly backed off when her male accomplice pulled out a knife. The two suspects then ran into a laneway. The K-9 unit was called into to track the pair; no arrests have been made. Thunder Bay Police say making a citizens arrest can be risky and that it's often better to call 911 and just keep an eye on the suspects.

Operation Red Nose wraps up

Operation Red Nose has wrapped up for the year. While the exact numbers are still being calculated, Honourary Chair Ken Boschcoff calls this year's program a success. He says there was an increase in sponsorships, volunteers, kilometers traveled and rides given. Boshcoff says he hopes community groups consider partnering with the program next year to help offer more rides and expand the service. The program currently isn't able to run on New Year's Eve. However, Boshcoff says it's only the second year for the program and New Year's Eve service is something they'd like to offer in the future once more volunteer support is in place.

Future health pros looking to stay here

It appears local students studying in the health profession want to work in Thunder Bay. Many of them were at a city reception held  just for them.  A common theme appeared to be the desire of many students there to find work at home after their studies are complete.  It was the 10th annual affair

Hunt continues for robbery suspect

Police are still looking for  the person responsible for Tuesday's robbery at Jenzen's Pharmacy in Westfort.  They say A man wearing a mask and armed with a knife and syringe, entered the store and demanded oxy's and morphine.  He ran off and hasn't been seen since.

Surveillance cam follows drunk driver

City police have a man in the cells this morning who gave them a bit of a video show overnight.   They say the man was spotted on the Eye on the Street surveillance system getting out of a south side bar drunk and getting in his vehicle.  Officials followed him on video for about 5 minutes as he returned to the bar, relieved himself and was taken into custody.

Stevenson Getting Down to Business

2011 is going to be a pivotal year for Brian Stevenson. The new president of Lakehead University says he has a number personal goals. Developing an international strategy and establishing scholarships for aboriginal students are a few of Stevenson's goals he would like to see started by this time next year. Stevenson says there were no surprises when he arrived to take on the new position this year and that he is ready to make positive changes for the school and the community.

2010 Successful for Crime Stoppers

Thunder Bay's Crime Stoppers program is reporting another successful year. Constable Jerry Tabucci says they've received over 700 tips in 2010 with over 1400 dollars worth of awards for tips being given out. Tabucci says even though tips declined from 2009 they're still pleased with the program.

Boxing Day Madness

Thunder Bay experienced one of its busiest boxing days in recent years with hundreds of customers flocking to Future Shop, Wal-Mart and the Intercity area. The most popular of items being sold were electronics specifically big screen T.V's, but the most surprising item flying off the shelves were frying pans some that were price reduced up to 100 dollars. One associate store manager said this year it seems shoppers are taking advantage of the economic downturn and are buying more for themselves.