RegenMed gets donor designation

Another first for Thunder Bay's knowledge based economy. The Centre for Regenerative Medicine, which recycles human bone and tissue,  now has designation from the Trillium Gift of Life Network in Ontario.  CEO Robert Thayer says it essentially gives the non profit company a new lease on life.  They now have the legal right to be a bone and tissue bank for the Regional Health Sciences Centre

Waterfront project has extra staff

The City of Thunder Bay has hired a part time employee to over see the Waterfront project.  City Manager Tim Commisso says it's because the project is becoming more complex.  The Mayor has said he wants the project micro-managed and asked for the extra position.

Calendar parking over

Most of the snow is gone from the roads; and so is calendar parking. You can now park on either side of the street.

Student Housing By-laws to be discussed

Administration is recommending to council they hold off on enforcing by-laws that impact student housing.  The current by-law prohibits people from renting out more than three rooms in their home.  City Lawyer Rosalie Evans says they want to waive those by-laws to allow for affordable housing.  Council will make a decision on the request by mid-April.

Comuzzi-Stehmann on election

Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann carries the Conservative banner in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.  It's her first campaign, but is eager to help the Tories win the riding by showcasing projects helped by programs initiated under Prime Minister Harper.  Comuzzi-Stehmann says her team is already in place and has her campaign headquarters set up in Thunder Bay

Earth Hour Saturday

Thunder Bay residents are being asked to turn off their lights tomorrow from 8:30 until 9:30 in recognition of Earth Hour.  The city has supported the program since its inception and will be handing out prizes for participants who power down for those 60 minutes.

Public $ for cycling safety

EcoSuperior is getting 115 thousand dollars in public funds to teach people how to ride a bike safely. The city's Adam Krupper helped EcoSuperior get the grant says it will be used to teach the teachers about the CAN-BIKE Safe Cycling Education Program.   The money comes from the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Two arrested for breaking into vehicles

For the second time in the last two days city police have arrested someone for breaking into vehicles.  Officers nabbed the 29 year old this morning after they saw him going from car to car.  A 45 year old man was arrested Wednesday after he was caught trying to break into cars near Fort William Gardens.

Thunder Bay has it's say

Thunder Bay residents seem to be split on whether they want a spring election or not.  Our newsroom hit the streets to see what the public had to say.

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Angus voices concerns

The Chair of the District Social Services Board is satisfied after speaking with a provincial government commitee. Iain Angus gave his two cents on the new Social Housing Act and says there are a couple of things they should change. Angus says they want the Province to ensure the province doesn't download any more costs onto the DSSAB. Angus made the presentation to the government committee on Thursday.

OPP charge officer with criminal offences

An OPP officer in Schreiber is in some hot water. Police say that Constable Gregory Sutton is charged after the Thunder Bay police contacted them back in December. OPP Sgt. Shelley Garr says it involved incidents between the accused and another person.   Garr says it's alleged that the accused made false statements against the victim and that he allegedy intercepted a private conversation.  The 41 year old Sutton is charged with intercepting private communications and two counts of public mischief.

Hyer reluctant for an election

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP Bruce Hyer isn't looking forward to Friday afternoon's non-confidance motion.  Hyer says he's received calls from residents saying they'll be mad at him if he helps cause an election.   The NDP MP says he's also heard from residents who think we need a new Government.  Hyer says if an election is called he will be ready to fight for his job.

Rickford thinks public may not want election

The clock is ticking on the Harper government. At 1:30 Friday afternoon a vote of non-confidence will be held in Ottawa, that's expected to bring it down and force an election. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the opposition may be making a mistake by forcing an election that the public may not want. Regardless, Rickford says he's prepared to take the governments record to the public

Science meets celebrity , Thunder Bay style

There's a new business in town selling the DNA of celebrities both living and dead. Celebrity Gene claims to have the DNA of such people as Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley as pendants and other forms. Company biologist Ryan Letho says they can even have something custom made for you, like having he DNA of Jimi Hendrix embedded into a guitar pick. He says there have been calls from publicists of some current Hollywood celebrities who are interested as well.  Letho says more names will be revealed at an official launch next month

Coroner launches probe into jail death

The Regional Coroner's office is launching a full investigation into the death of Dwane Turk.The 55 year old Thunder Bay man was accused of second degree murder and died in police custody. Dr. Peter Clark says they've already started preliminary work. Turk was charged with the death of fellow Thunder Bay resident 32 year old Christopher Jean.

Possible spring election in place

It looks like we're headed for a spring time election this May. MP's vote Friday afternoon on a Liberal non-confidence motion that could trigger an election. Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he's election ready and wants the public to be too. Rafferty says if the government loses the vote; the Prime Minister will probably ask the Governor General on Sunday to dissolve Parliment.

Name of Sioux Lookout girl released

Hypothermia is the cause of death for an 11 year old girl in Sioux Lookout.  Chloe Matthews of Big Trout Lake died Saturday and was found outside, near a school yard.

Boshcoff ready for spring time election

The Liberal candidate in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding is ready for a possible spring time election. M-P's will vote Friday afternoon on a Liberal non-confidence motion that would trigger an election. Federal candidate and City Councillor Ken Boshcoff says he hasn't set up campaign offices as of yet. When the election is called, Boshcoff says he will take a leave of absence from his council seat.

Compton stopped for drunk driving

The former mayor of Kenora , Len Compton, will appear in court in May on impaired driving charges. The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle in downtown Kenora at 2 o'clock this morning because it was being operated in what they called a suspicious manner. 

Icebreaker on it's way

There's been a delay, but the icebreaker Mobile Bay is still due to come in to port today. Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says it was supposed to have been here by now, but was delayed by some winds but should be here by 8 tonight