Free comic book day

Thunder Bay comic shop owners are calling Saturday's "Free Comic Book Day" a success. The industry promotion happens every May. Anyone can walk in a participating store and pick up free comics.

Hill City Comics owner Rob Quinn says he had hundreds of people come through the store throughout the day. He hopes the promotion gets kids interested in the medium. Hill City also raised around $400 for
Harbour Youth Services during the event by allowing customers to make a donation for extra comics. It was a busy day for Comix Plus owner Gary Gummeson as well. He says comic books have much to offer in terms of storytelling and are a great way to get kids interested in reading. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event.

Early morning vehicle fire

Thunder Bay Fire & Rescue responded to an abandoned vehicle fire near South Court Street early this morning. The fire was quickly extinguished. There were no injuries; firefighters are unsure of what caused the blaze.

Friday drug bust

Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit says they siezed nearly $28,000 worth of cocaine and just over $6,000 in cash from a Lawrence Avenue residence. A man is facing charges in connection.

LeBlanc seeks P-C nod

The north side Tories may be looking for some star power for this October's provincial election.  Anthony LeBlanc is looking to become the Progressive Conservative candidate in the provincial riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North.   The former Research in Motion executive is the only person to file his nomination papers with the party

Law school inches toward reality

The provincial government's approval is the only thing standing in the way of a new law school at Lakehead University.   A major hurdle was cleared after the Law Society of Upper Canada voted to approve the academic program for a proposed Faculty of Law.

Mining Centre of Excellence possible for the city

Talks are quietly taking place in the city to set up a so called Mining Centre of Excellence. City Manager Tim Commisso says the centre would be a home for mining companies, related businesses and possibly even training.  He calls it a natural development for Thunder Bay given what's been happening in the mining industry.  Commisso says discussions on the concept are in the early stages with the Economic Development Corporation and an interested business partner

Multi Plex site locations to be reviewed

City Councillors will discuss the best location for a proposed Multi-Plex at tonight's meeting.  One of the sites is near the Downtown bus terminal.  Others include property near the Airport, a site near the Canada Games Complex, the Innova Business Park area, the former Pool 6 site, and the current Fort William Gardens Site.

BMX group to speak to council

Thunder Bay's BMX club wants Council to help them build a five acre BMX park.  They're speaking to councillors tonight asking that administration embark on a feasibility study.  The current BMX park does not meet the club's needs.

The LHIN finds new chair

The North West Local Health Integration Network has found a new Chair of the Board of Directors. Joy Warkentin is taking over the position from Janice Beazley whose term expires later this year. Anne Krassilowsky has been appointed the new Vice Chair of the board.

Health Sciences Centre gets provincial funding

ER wait times are being attacked at the Thunder Bay Health Science Centre.  The Provincial government is providing over 2.2 million dollars for 11 short stay beds and another just over 100 thousand to help shorten wait times in the ER.  The province also announced an additional 800 thousand dollars for the Northwest Community Care Access Centre.

Police handing out tickets at Waste and Recycling facility

Free Entry week at the Thunder Bay Waste and Recycling centre is keeping city police busy.  Officers have handed out over 100 tickets for a number of violations.  35 people have been given 160 dollar tickets for hauling unsecured loads. 

Habitat wraps up raffle

There won't be much of a profit but Habitat for Humanity in Thunder Bay will be making some money off its raffle.  CEO Diane Mitchell says the situation has improved dramatically.  A month ago it looked like Habitat was going to lose thousands on the raffle but has since hit the break even mark.  Tickets are available at the Habitat Restore until tomorrow afternoon. 

Health unit urges caution with found needles

Spring cleaning is on the mind of many Thunder Bay residents, but not everything can be simply thrown out. The Thunder Bay Health Unit is urging residents to take extra precaution if you find discarded or used needles. Always use tools when picking up used needles and store them properly in the yellow disposal units found in various locations in the city.

MNR hears residents concerns

The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking for public comment on their draft Lakehead forest management plan.  Spokesperson Leona Tarini says they've heard area residents concerns about cutting around their cottages and the impacts on the surrounding lakes and fish.  The plan will manage the forest for five years starting in 2014.

Teachers to eye kids at risk

A suicide prevention group in the city is getting 140 thousand provincial dollars to teach teachers. The program will see school teachers get information on how to spot potential suicide victims among the students they see daily. The program is run through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Drug bust nets kilo of cocaine

Police are boasting about yet another drug bust.  This one netting police a kilo of cocaine with a street value of over 100 thousand dollars. They say the coke was destined for the city.  A 42 year old man from British Columbia was arrested at the Terry Fox Lookout on Highway 11-17

Local bar to face strict conditions

The owner of Dragon's Den Sports Bar is again being allowed to serve liquor. Lisa Murray of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission says a 40 day licence suspension will be lifted May 13th.  Murray says the owner will have some strict conditions to follow in order to avoid another suspension.

More heat on Liberals over Bill 151

The PC's Northern Development Critic says the McGuinty Liberals have blown through discussion on the Forest Tenure Reform bill. Randy Hillier believes the forestry industry in the province is about to take the shape of current Local Health Integration Networks.  That is, the minister would be able to back off on making wood supply decisions by using political interference as the excuse .   Hillier is also condemning the government for voting down some amendments to the legislation

May Street Mac's Mart robbed again

The May street Mac's store has been robbed again. Thunder Bay Police say the suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and lottery tickets. The suspect is believed to be 30 to 40 years old, six feet tall, and wearing a red hoodie, sunglasses and red gloves.

Folino's robbed

Thunder Bay Police are looking into a robbery at Folino's Superette on South Algoma Street.  A man armed with a knife made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.  The suspect is described as a 20 to 30 year old Native Canadian, with a scar on his cheek and nose.