Stolen bike leads to arrests

Two men are in police custody after a break and enter. The two are responsible for breaking into Fresh Air Experience around 11 o'clock last night and stealing a bike. A 32 year old male and a 25 year old male have been charged.

Police investigate sexual assault

Police couldn't get into details about an early morning sexual assault. The assault took place in the area of Ravenwood Street and Bethune Street. Police are looking for two male suspects who may have been involved.

Power back on

Residents north of Ear Falls now have power after a forest fire damaged several power lines. Hydro One crews repaired 80 hydro poles, allowing nearly 630 people to turn their lights back on. The area was without power for nearly one week.

Police seize oxy's and cash in bust

 A 57 year old city man is in custody following drug bust on the 400 block of Ambrose on Thursday. Police Staff Sgt. Murray Brown says it involved over 90 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone tablets.  The man faces drug and proceeds of crime charges after almost the same amount of cash was discovered.  The man, who recently moved here from Quebec, will make another court appearance on Monday.

NAN talks water quality

Nishnawbe Aski Nation feels a recent water quality report confirms what they've known all along; that there's a lack of infrastructure in their communities.  NAN Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says they don't need more studies to confirm what they already know; they need action.

Council tackles Birthday certificates

A Thunder Bay City Councillor doesn't think age should be an issue.  Ken Boshcoff is asking for a review of their Commemorative Gift Policy.  Boshcoff wants the review because several residents celebrated 80th Birthdays and the City wouldn't give them a certificiate.  You need to be 85 to receive a certificate from the City.

Social Assistance Review on the way

A review of the welfare system is underway.  The Social Assistance Review Commission will be in Thunder Bay this week for two public sessions.  Commissioner Frances Lankin will hear from front line staff and social service workers.

Northern Lights School starts in the fall

The Northern Lights Alternative School will be open this fall.  The temporary school will house 15 students until the public board starts its own alternative education program.  Organizers have yet to select a location for the school.

Drug bust in Sioux Lookout

Three Thunder Bay residents are charged after a drug bust in Sioux Lookout.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime unit searched a local hotel and seized a quantity of Oxy's, Marijuana, and cash.  A 36 year old man, 28 year old woman and 15 year old were charged.

MNR kepts busy with fires

Nine new fires have been reported in northwestern Ontario, bringing the total to 81 raging in the region. One of the new blazes is in the Dryden District, two in the Nipigon District, four are in the Red Lake District and two in the Sioux Lookout District.  The Fire Chief in Sioux Lookout has suspended all burning permits and open air burning including campfires and fireworks until further notice.

Accident near Fort Frances

At least two people have been taken to hospital in Fort Frances following a two-vehicle accident on Highway 502 this morning. It happened at around 9:30 this morning in the area of the Crow Rock Bridge, about 7 kilometres north of Highway 11. Police say the two people were from one vehicle and sustained injuries that are described as serious. The highway is open to one lane while officers continue to investigate.

Walmart finishes expansion

Big box powerhouse Walmart is even bigger.  Store Manager Ryan Holomego says the store has finished its expansion and now offers a full grocery area.  He says he's been hearing nothing but good feedback from customers.  The construction took 16 months to complete.

Kakabeka resident wins 50 K

A Kakabeka Falls resident is 50 thousand dollars richer thanks to a game of Instant Super Bingo.  Evelyn Otto won the cash on an OLG scratch ticket that she bought at the Good Luck Lottery Shoppe in Thunder Bay.

Double fatality in the Northwest

A Pikangikum man and woman are dead as the result of a traffic accident 60 kilometres north of Red Lake on Thursday afternoon.  They say the two were the passengers in a pick up truck that rolled several times. Two other people were treated in hospital.

Police investigate Red Lake death

The OPP in Red Lake are probing the death of a 46 year old woman. Police say she was found unconscious in that community and was flown to Thunder Bay where she was pronounced dead at the Health Sciences Centre early Thursday morning. They aren't saying anything about the cause of death. The woman was from Pikangikum but was residing in Red Lake

Tory's northern platform unveiled

The Progressive Conservatives are targeting First Nations and our natural resources in their northern election platform.   Leader Tim Hudak unveiled the platform in Thunder Bay today.  The platform includes a promise for the premier to meet with First Nations leaders two times a year  and to hold cabinet meetings in the north. There's also a promise to make better use of natural resources and to create jobs.

Matawa makes it's move

More area First Nations are holding their ground when it comes to development on their traditional territory.  This time the Matawa First Nations have signed a declaration to stand together to protect their natural resources.  The declaration states that they are asserting their treaty right to require that  all nine communities give written permission before any development activity take place.

Goldcorp stung for 50 K

Goldcorp Canada says it's guilty of violating the provinces Occupational Health and Safety act at it's Musselwhite Mine.  On November 14, 2009, a Ministry of Labour inspector visited the mine. After reviewing the mine's training records, the inspector determined that one of the mine's workers was not registered as fully trained in all of the prescribed training programs for work in a hard rock underground mine.  The mining giant was fined 50 thousand dollars for failing to ensure that a worker was fully trained.

Hobbs keeps mum on possible apology

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he will "absolutely not" comment on a report that he's about to publicly apologize to former Police Chief Bob Herman to end Herman's defamation lawsuit.   Hobbs says more will come out at a news conference Wednesday at noon.  The suit is in connection with comments Hobbs made at a March news conference. 

Hospital entrance could get traffic lights

Lakehead University students may get their wish for traffic lights on Oliver Road at the entrance to the Regional Hospital. City Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says he's asking councillors to consider it as a budget item next year.  He says if approved then the lights could be up in about a year or so.  The issue comes before councillors on Monday.