Red Cross collecting donations for Alberta

Thunder Bay's Red Cross is looking for help for Slave Lake residents.  Spokesperson Ken Widdifield says they're collecting money for relief efforts in Alberta.  Money will go towards shelters, food, and emergency clothing.  To make a donation call the local Red Cross or stop by their office. 

Mom recounts her child's bike accident

It's a scary moment in a parent's life when your child is involved in an accident. That's no different for Sarah Rommell-Gray whose son, Josh, was hit by a car on Redwood Avenue while on his bike.  It turns out that Josh was wearing his helmet which resulted in only minor injuries.  Police presented Josh with a new helmet to help promote their use. 

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Former PM stands up for Dennis Franklin Cromarty

A former Prime Minister is calling on the Federal Government to fund a residence for the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. Paul Martin says a residence for young remote first nation teens attending high school in Thunder Bay is critical. Martin is making the comments after the school requested funding for a residence from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Martin says INAC has turned them down.

Fishing season starts this weekend

The May long weekend marks the start of the fishing season in Northwestern Ontario.  Conservation Officer Ross Johnston says you can expect to see them out on area lakes and roadways.  They'll be checking to see that boats have the proper amount of floatation devices as well as fishing regulations are being observed.  Johnston adds it's illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol.

NW LHIN has new blood

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is welcoming two new members to it's board.  Former Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation Goyce Kakegamic is embarking on a three year term. Ignace resident Dianne Loubier is appointed to a two year term.

Confed Teacher ready for Iron Man

A teacher at Confederation College is attempting his 13th Iron Man this weekend. Tim Matthews says he is doing the race because the training is a great way to stay fit. Matthews will be swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and then run a full marathon Saturday.  He says once you are done physically its a mental battle to finish the race.

Camping season starts this weekend

The alcohol ban at provincial parks continues this May long weekend.  Parks Spokesperson Barb Rees expects a busy weekend despite the booze ban.  The alcohol ban is in place at Blue Lake, Rushing River, Sleeping Giant, Aero Lake and Silver Falls until May 24th.  Rees adds there's still open spots at Thunder Bay area camps.

Bike Helmet saves boy

Its another example of how bike helmets save lives.  A six year old boy was hit by a car yesterday evening at around 7 o'clock on Redwood Avenue.  Thunder Bay Police Constable Gordon Snider says the investigation concluded his helmet, coupled with the car going slower than the speed limit, likely prevented serious injury.  Snider says without a helmet it could have been a very different story.   

Ginoogaming wants wood allocation decision

Ginoogaming First Nation wants to know whether they'll be receiving a wood allocation from the Province.  Economic Development Manager Adolph Rasevych says they're going to be speaking with the Minister Michael Gravelle.  The Long Lac area First Nation has been waiting for over a year and a half to hear if they'll be successful.

No jail time for former daycare exec.

A former daycare official is serving a conditional sentence after pleading guilty to breach of trust.  In court this week  Sherrel Pucci had 4 fraud and theft related charges against her withdrawn. The charges related to her time working as the Executive Director of Footsteps Daycare.   In addition to the conditional sentence, Pucci was ordered to pay a 100 dollar victim surcharge. 

Canfield talks Northern Policy Institute

The Northern Policy Institute is starting to take shape.  The Institute was one of the key promises contained in the Northern Growth Plan released earlier this year.  Dave Canfield is vice-president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says they recently had a chance to provide their input to the province.  Canfield admits that universities in Sudbury and Thunder Bay will likely get to host the Northern Institute.

Steps taken to prevent fire at Centennial Park

Actions are being taken to prevent a wild fire in Centennial Park.  Over the past 100 years fires have been suppressed creating an unhealthy forest.  City Parks Planner Werner Schwar says they're taking immediate actions like pruning trees and removing dead wood that will act like an accelerant. 

Fire Fighter hurt during apartment blaze

A Firefighter was hurt during an apartment fire in Westfort.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to the fire last night just before 8:30 in the 100 block of Frederica Street.  The firefighter cut his hand and suffered smoke inhalation.  All the residents of the building managed to escape injury.  No cause has been released. 

Wasaya and Kelner in business partnership

Wasaya Air is getting into the helicopter business now that it's in a new partnership with Kelner Helicopters. Wasaya chair Hez Sakakeep says with the move his company is looking into the future by taking advantage of the demand for choppers by junior mining companies working in the northwest. Sakakeep says in return Kelner has new connections with First Nation communities.

OPP find new sponsor for bear giveaway

The OPP are continuing their efforts to help out children who are victims of trauma.   They've received a new supply of 16 hundred stuff toy bears to give away thanks to a new sponsor,  Aviva Canada.  

McDonald's now offering free WiFi

You can now surf the web while you eat a BigMac.  Thunder Bay's McDonalds restaurants are now offering free WiFi.  Spokesperson Louis Payette says its been something customers have been asking for, for quite a while.  Payette says by the end of the month 90 percent of McDonalds locations will have WiFi. 

Police take more drugs off the street

Seven people are facing drug related charges after a 5 month undercover investigation in the city.   Police say they seized over 100 thousand dollars worth of drugs in two separate busts, one on Powley Street and the other on Bethune.   They say a number of the people arrested are alleged to be responsible for trafficking in cocaine, oxycodone and morphine pills in the city.

Confederation College has chosen a new President

Confederation College has announced its new President.  Jim Madder will be taking over for out going President Pat Lang who will be stepping down in July.  Madder was the Program and Campus Leader at Sir Stanford Flemming College in Lindsay before becoming the Executive Vice President-Academic at Red Deer College in Alberta. Madder will be officially taking over in July. 

Chancellor to head law school task force

Attempts to get a new law school at Lakehead University are taking another step forward with the announcement of a task force. It will be headed up by L-U Chancellor Dr. Arthur Mauro who says a Faculty of Law would be a natural move for the institution.  Mauro says fundraising will be a key component of the task force.

LU Thunderwolves release 2011-2012 schedule

The LU Thunderwolves Men's Hockey team will kick off their play with a non conference match up against University of Quebec Trois Rivieres September 22nd and 23rd.  The team released its schedule that will see them play a pair of exhibition games in Duluth the following weekend against the defending NCAA champions University of Minnesota Duluth.  The Wolves will host McGill for a pair October 7th and 8th to kick off the OUA regular season.