OPP nab speeders

The Thunder Bay Expressway has become a popular place for speeders now that the snow is off the roads.  OPP nabbed three people for speeding in the 90 km zone.  Police are still finding people driving and using their cellphones.

Fire Season Starts April 1st

With spring around the corner, fire season is on it's way.  Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie Mclean says she's anticipating a quiet start to the 2011 season.  Forest fire crews are going back to work in early April and water bombers will be put into use in mid-April.  Mclean says the average number of fires in the area has dropped in the past few years.

Cancer Care reduces wait times

Regional Cancer Care Northwest plans to help reduce the waiting times for Lung cancer patients awaiting test results.  They plan to cut waiting time from 18 weeks to just 6 or 7, easing the anxiety of patients and their families.

Gliddy murder case could face delay

Another Thunder Bay murder case may be about to be thrown into disarray.   29 year old Thea Gliddy is charged with Second Degree Murder in the death of Randy Lawrence Cromarty last May. His body was discovered at the Inntowner Hotel. In court Gliddy's lawyer Chris Watkins asked to be taken off the case, as did the prosecution who says it's over a conflict of interest. That is, Watkins had at one time been Randy Cromarty's lawyer. The preliminary hearing in the case was to have started this Monday. That now could be in jeopardy. Justice Frank Valente is to make a ruling on the request on Friday.

Trial for OPP Sgt. delayed

The trial of a Thunder Bay OPP officer will now take place year later than originally scheduled. Sgt. Darryl Storey is charged with criminal negligence causing death in connection with the death of an 18 year old woman in a traffic accident in 2008. He was driving an unmarked cruiser at the time. The trial will now take place in June of next year.

LU students receive 15-thousand dollars

Six Lakehead University graduate students are getting 15-thousand dollars for field research in Northern Canada.  The money is flowing through the Federal Government's department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

NAPS offers summer jobs

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has unveiled a new summer student employment program.  Youth, aged 14 to 17, will spend 8-weeks working alongside police officers in several NAN communities.  Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and Sandy Lake First Nation are among the participating communities.  Applications can be picked up at local Band offices until April 20th.

Pat Lang comments on provincial budget

The Head of Confederation College is pleased with Tuesday's Budget.  Pat Lang says the Province is taking a step in the right direction with 44-million dollars over 3-years for literacy and basic skills programs.  Lang says the addition of 60-thousand new post-secondary spaces showcases education as an economic driver for Ontario.

Fort Frances possible UFO sighting

Hot off the silver screen release of the alien comedy "Paul"; Fort Frances residents are claiming they've seen a UFO.  Some residents are talking about a strange object that appeared in the night sky over Fort Frances Tuesday night.  Sandra Allan, who took photographs, says it hovered in the south in an area over the AbitibiBowater mill for nearly half an hour before it disappeared.  Some resident in Couchiching also reported seeing the object.

OPP divers to resume search for Wabasse

The family of missing teen Jordan Wabasse is hoping for answers from the OPP dive team.  The Underwater Search and Recovery Unit will be conducting a search of the Kam River near the James Street Bridge Thursday.  Divers did a limited search last month in the area and found no sign of the 17 year old who has been missing since February 7th.

Hillier weighs in on provincial budget

The Progressive Conservative Critic for Northern Affairs says the Provincial Budget is 300-pages of nothing for Northern Ontario.  Randy Hillier says there's no mention of anything of importance including help for the forestry sector.  Hillier points out the only announcement was one that was already made; 10-million dollars extra for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Thunder Bay MPP's defend budget

Thunder Bay's MPPs are touting the 10 million dollar increase to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.  The cash boost was included in Tuesday's provincial budget.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's good news for the region.  The money for the NOHFC was originally announced several years ago.  Mauro feels the province wide announcements for health care and education will also benefit the Northwest.  Meanwhile, Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is standing by his government's provincial budget.  Gravelle says there wasn't specific money set aside for the region but there was projects that were mentioned such as the Ring of Fire and the expansion of Highway 11/17.

Thunder Bay man wins $50 thousand

Thunder Bay's Jeffrey Russel won 50 thousand dollars on an instant win lottery game.  Russel plans to use his prize to pay off some debt.  The winning ticket was purchased at The Winners Circle on Victoria Avenue in Thunder Bay.

Hampton on provincial budget

The NDP feel the provincial budget leaves Northern Families in the dust.  Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says not even a political compass can get the McGuinty government headed in the right direction.  Hampton says the Liberals cut funding for important ministries like Natural Resources, Aboriginal Affairs and Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Young woman disarms companion

An 18 year old girl is a hero to a couple of city police officers. It comes after she grabbed a knife from her 18 year old guy friend who flashed it in front of the officers. Police spokesperson Chris Adams admits the girl did risk injury to herself and such action isn't recommended.   The incident took place at May and Leith Street's Monday afternoon

Transit Service seeks input

You can have your two cents heard Wednesday night at a public meeting put on by the City of Thunder Bay.  The City is collecting input on the services provided by Thunder Bay and HAGI transit services.  The first meeting is from six until 8 Wednesday in City Hall's lobby.

Jimi's owners back in court next month

The fate of "Jimi the dog"  remains up in the air.   His owners are facing charges after "Gus the Chihuahua" died at a city owned dog park last year.   Defence lawyer Francis Thatcher says a confidential pre-trial hearing was held this morning.  The case will be heard again in Provincial Offences Court on April 27th at which time a trial date will be set or it could be settled.   

Police Chief releases statement

The Chief of Police isn't being drawn into a war of words with the Mayor. Chief Bob Herman released a statement today saying it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation. Herman also said in the statement that he is taking the necessary actions to maintain his integrity and that of the office of the Chief of Police. Herman declined an interview. Herman has filed a formal complaint against Hobbs with the Civilian Police Commission in regards to his conduct at the Police Services Board meetings.

City hires auditor

The City of Thunder Bay is hiring BDO Canada to audit its books.  The five year contract comes in at 215-thousand dollars.  The accounting firm will also audit the books of outside boards and agencies the City is a member of.  The District Services Board and Thunder Bay Hydro are the only exceptions which are able to hire their own auditor.

Budget for external lawyers boosted

The City of Thunder Bay is boosting the budget for hiring lawyers.  City Solicitor Rosalie Evans will now have the opportunity to hire external legal counsel at a rate of 500 dollars per hour.  The previous budget for lawyers outside of the city payroll was 300 dollars per hour.