DSSAB waits for more info on fatal fre

An official with the District Social Services Administration Board says the death of a tenant in one of it's apartments is tragic. The blaze Wednesday night in room 113 at 120 South Cumberland killed one man. Don Tront says they are trying to reach out to any concerned tenants.  He says in this case staff made contact with the Tenants Association and offered any assistance to reduce the impact.  Tront says he's waiting to get more information about the incident.

NOMA meets Friday

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association plans to appoint an Interim President Friday.  NOMA is meeting in the City Friday afternoon.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is the current acting President and says he would like to keep the job if no one else wants it.

Mills in receivership

Two Northwestern Ontario mills are now in receivership. Spokesperson Yves Fricot says a Toronto court has put a receiver in charge of Atikokan Forest Products, and Northern Sawmills. A Bankruptcy Trustee is now in charge of Buchanan Northern Hardwoods and Great West Timber.

Still no bail hearing for Hernandez

The earliest that Christian Hernandez can be free on bail is Monday. The 25 year old Thunder Bay man's bail hearing is being delayed by a legal issue. The prosecution wants the lawyer for Hernandez, Chris Watkins, taken off the case citing a possible conflict on interest. Justice Joyce Pellettier will make a ruling on that Monday morning. Hernandez is facing a charge of impaired driving causing death. It follows a traffic accident just days before Christmas which killed 45 year old Richard Carmichael.

Forest Reform on the way

The Provincial Government continues to work towards modernizing the forest tenure and pricing system.  The government plans to launch a pilot project of two local forest management corporations which will manage crown forests.  Minister Michael Gravelle says they're also launching enhanced shareholder sustainable forest licences.  The changes mean municipalities and smaller forestry companies will have access to sustainable forests.  Forest Industry organizations were against the proposed changes in the Spring, but Gravelle says they've taken in their concerns and made the necessary changes.

Larry Brigham stepping down

The Regional Food Distribution Association is saying goodbye to its Chair. Executive Director Volker Kromm says Larry Brigham is stepping down to deal with his health. Kromm says he will be missed and no one can rival his passion for the RFDA's programs and services. Vice Chair Kelly Hicks will be stepping into the role.

Target could be coming to Thunder Bay

Will Thunder Bay soon be the home of Target? That's too early say company officials. The US retailer is purchasing over 200 Zellers stores for 1.83 billion dollars. Spokesperson Amy Riley says the company is really excited about coming to Canada and will now be contacting land owners.  Riley says once that process is complete, the company will begin evaluating possible locations with the goal of opening as many as 150 locations by 2013.

Fatal fire claims one overnight

One man is dead after an apartment fire late last night.  Just before midnight Thunder Bay Fire and rescue responded to the blaze at an apartment in the 100 block of Cumberland street.  Crews quickly dealt with the inferno and discovered the body of the man in the apartment.  Officials believe careless smoking is the cause of the fire and are investigating.

Dryden only regional stop for health panel

A provincial panel examining rural and northern health care is due to stop in Dryden next month. That's the only stop in the region for the panel according to co-chair Rick Johnson. They want to get feedback on a report on the issue. Johnson says all the information relating to the process can be found online

Hernandez still in custody

An interesting twist to a city court case involving Christian Hernandez. He's the 25 year old charged with impaired driving causing death after 45 year old Richard Carmichael was killed in a traffic accident just days before Christmas.   The prosecution wants Hernandez's lawyer Chris Watkins off the case because of a possible conflict of interest.   Watkins says until that's settled Hernandez's bail hearing can't go ahead.  Madam Justice Pelletier will hear the case at 10 Thursday morning.

NOMA steps up lobbying

Northwestern Ontario's municipal leaders are preparing to step up lobbying efforts in 2011.  Dennis Brown is the acting President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and he anticipates that they'll get more attention with a provincial election on the way.  Brown says NOMA met with several Provincial cabinet ministers last year and that resulted in some positive policy changes for Northwestern Ontario.

Health Care discussion held in Dryden

The Provincial Government wants to hear from Northerners about the region's health care system. A series of roundtable discussions will be held throughout the North, but the closest will be in Dryden. You can also put your two cents in by logging onto http://www.ontario.ca/ruralnorthernhealth .

New job website launched

Your one stop shop for job information is now online.  The North Superior Workforce Planning Board has launched a labour market information portal.  Project Coordinator Steven Bill says the site offers a job bank and more.  The site can be found at http://www.nwolabourmarketinfo.ca/

City well represented at winter games

6 athletes from Thunder Bay will be heading to Halifax next month for the Canada Winter Games.  The group includes 4 skiers, Jimmy Gunka, Christopher Hamilton and Michael Somppi on the men's team with Erin Tribe competing for the women.  There are also two hockey players, Amanda Makela and Brittany Zubeck.    They were introduced at a flag raising ceremony at City Hall.

Duguid visits Abitibi

Energy Minister Brad Duguid is in Thunder Bay today to tour the Abitibi Bowater paper mill. Duguid says he's looking forward to seeing his government's Industrial Conservation Initiative in action. Duguid says Abitibi Bowater has been able to save money on their hydro bills by using electricity during off peak hours. The Minister feels the initiatives found in the government's long term energy plan will help the North.

Hobbs says streetcar deal could be saved

Mayor Keith Hobbs says there's hope for Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has said he wants to tear up a streetcar deal with the company. Ford favours subway cars instead. Hobbs says he has heard through sources the plan could be modified to include a mix of streetcars and subway vehicles.  Hobbs adds he still hopes to meet with Ford next month.

Arson likely the cause of South side blaze

Fire investigators are saying vandals may be responsible for a Tuesday morning fire on North Syndicate Avenue. Terry Hanchar says it looks like the blaze at the Christian Fellowship Centre could have been deliberately set based on one account.  He says a neighbour says he has seen kids hanging around there in the past.   A big storage facility was heavily damaged in the blaze.

Patient Transfer's studied

Superior North Emergency Medical Services is welcoming an Ontario Ombudsman study.  The probe will look at non-emergency patient transfers and whether they need to be regulated.  Gale says he hopes in the future another patient issue is addressed.  The EMS head wants the Ombudsman to look into the high demand on the EMS for patient transfers. The Ombudsman launched the investigation after receiving 30 complaints about private companies that transfer non-critical patients.

Housing starts continue to rise

Thunder Bay's housing market continues to break records.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says 2010 was a good year.  In 2010 the city saw 204 new housing starts, which breaks the record first set in 1994.  In December, 13 single detached starts were reported.

Facebook brawl video solved

The parents of the brawling teen girls involved in a facebook video will be in charge of disciplining their kids.  Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says they've wrapped up the investigation into the Sunday night fight behind Silver City.   Adams says it's not unusual for police to let the parents deal with the situation.