Groups fight for Multi-Plex

Everybody wants a piece of the Multi-Plex pie.  The Bay and Algoma Business Association and Victoria Avenue BIA pleaded to council to consider locations on their side of Thunder Bay.  Councillor Larry Hebert and Mayor Keith Hobbs feel its too early to narrow down their choices to just three sites. The Downtown Waterfront, Innova Business Park, and a site on Airport Lands will move to the next phase of a feasibility study.

Art Gallery looks to the future

Thunder Bay's Art Gallery wants to move to the waterfront.  City Council has asked for a report to see if they can dove tail a new art gallery building into a phase of the waterfront development project. Director Sharon Gowin says they need to double the size of their current location at Confederation College.  Godwin adds they love their current home but moving to the waterfront would give the art gallery more visits from foot traffic.  The report will come back to council in November.

No injuries in boat collision

Two boats full of people are safe after their vessels collided on the south end of Whitefish Lake Saturday night.  OPP say a boat full of four people capsized after striking a fishing boat. There were no injuries and the fishing boat managed to stay afloat with some damage.

Dugmore takes medical leave for cancer treatment

The city's Waterfront Project Manager is taking a medical leave of absence to get treatment for cancer.   Katherine Dugmore says she looks forward to returning to the position in the near future.  Until then Tourism Manager Paul Pepe will be Acting project manager.

Industrial accident victim from Thunder Bay

A 24 year old Thunder Bay man is the victim of Friday's scissor lift accident in Shuniah Township. OPP identified him as Gustavo Argueta. He was on the fully extended lift when it tipped over falling about 50 feet to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.


    

Humane Society not investigating injured puppy

The Humane Society's new Inspector has only been here a month and is already up to his shoulders in work.  Clancy Martin has taken up the post and one of his first tasks is looking into last week's report of an alleged abused puppy.  Martin says because there are no witnesses there is no conclusive evidence of any abuse.  Martin says if anyone has more information on this case call 475-4425.

Rainfall warning in effect

Expect lots of rain and some scattered Thunderstorms today.  Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw say a slow moving system will dump about 20 to 30 millimetres of rain on us this afternoon.   Laidlaw says heavier thunderstorm cells could bring more rain.  Once this rain pushes past overnight, Laidlaw says warm humid weather will be coming our way.

RFDA gets donation from Union Gas

The Regional Food Distribution Association in Thunder Bay and the Rural Cupboard Food Bank in Kakabeka Falls have received $7,500 from Union Gas in support of their mission to provide food and necessities to those most vulnerable.

Local player drafted to the NHL in the 3rd round

Thunder Bay could have another young NHLer in a few seasons.  Justin Sefton was the lone Thunder Bay player drafted over the weekend.  He was picked up in the 3rd round by the San Jose Sharks.  Sefton says his goal for next season is to earn an invite to San Jose's main training camp. The 6'2" defenceman skated for the Sudbury Wolves last season and says he can bring solid defensive zone coverage and physicality to the table.

Work orders issued after fatal accident

A total of 8 work orders have been issued to a Sudbury based company after a fatal industrial accident in Shuniah Township on Friday. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says Tera North Construction is the company facing the orders after the worker fell from a scissor lift. The accident took place at the construction site of the McKenzie River Bridge. A 24 year old worker was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Man dies after falling 50 feet

A 24 year old Thunder Bay man has died after falling 50 feet at a construction site.  The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are investigating the incident that happened Friday afternoon.  The man was operating a scissor lift near the McKenzie Bridge on Highway 17 when it tipped over and he fell. 

Massive Forest Fire nears Mishkeegogamang

A massive inferno more than double the size of Thunder Bay continues to inch towards a Northern First Nation.  The fire which is already over 57 thousand hectares is now within 10 kilometres of the already evacuated Mishkeegogamang.  Over 200 MNR personnel are battling the blaze but strong winds and a lack of rain have hampered efforts.  Officials say rain in the forecast will help. 

Multi-Plex process moves forward

City lawmakers will narrow down the choices for a proposed Multi-Plex location at their Monday night meeting.  The three in the running include the Downtown Waterfront, Innova Business Park, and the Airport.  If approved, a second phase feasibility study will look closer at the costs and parking issues related with each site.

Rafferty stands up during marathon filibuster

The filibuster continues in the Commons, where the Harper government is trying to pass a bill to end the Canada Post labour dispute. It's not known when the debate will come to an end.  Its been going non-stop since Thursday evening.  The N-D-P is stalling the back-to-work bill, calling it Draconian.   Among the New Democrats who spoke in the debate Friday evening was Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

OPP investigate industrial accident

OPP are responding to a second industrial accident in the Thunder Bay area this week.  A 23 year old man was operating a scissor lift on the McKenzie River Bridge in Shuniah when it tipped over.  He fell over 50 feet, and was transported to the Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries.  The investigation is continuing.

Cancer Care Northwest launches plan

Cancer Care Northwest is launching its four year cancer plan.  Vice President Michael Power says they'll be putting money towards advancing their IT department.  Cancer Care Northwest also plans to start a new Palliative Care Program.

Lab gets 1.3 million dollars

Over 1.3 million dollars in public funds is going to a bio energy lab at Thunder Bay's Abitibi Bowater mill.  The lab will use federal and provincial tax dollars to extract lignin from black liquor a by-product of the paper making process.

Cheques must be picked up

The postal dispute is forcing the city to ensure that welfare cheques are delivered to those in need.    The Social Services Administration board  and the District Housing Corporation  say all social assistance cheques for July will not be mailed and must be picked up next week at the CLE's Coliseum building.

Hawks may extend Sharp's Contract: LeBrun

It looks like Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp could be about to get a contract extension with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.   ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is Tweeting that Sharp's agent met with GM Stan Bowman and they agreed to talk again in a few weeks.  LeBrun adds that the Hawks are confident they can hammer out an extension.  Sharp is a year away from unrestricted free agency. 

Donations needed to help abused puppy

A 2 and a half month old puppy is at a vet clinic after being rescued from an owner who allegedly beat her with a golf club.  New Hope Dog Rescue Owner Valeria Mackett says she's looking for donations to pay for 35 hundred dollars worth of surgeries.  Donations can be made online or by calling New Hope.