EC investigates Murillo tornado

The possible tornado that hit Murillo and parts of Thunder Bay Friday morning is being called a "down-burst wind event." A preliminary assessment has been conducted by Environment Canada and they plan on investigating the damaging winds further by examining their radar system. Powerful winds damaged property and took down trees in Murillo, while hail was experienced in parts of Thunder Bay.

Buses avoid bridge

Thunder Bay Transit will stop going over the James st. bridge starting September 6th. Instead buses will take Montreal Street to highway 61 and down Chippewa Road. Although this route adds a few minutes, Transit planning analysts say its safer for passengers.

T.Bay Port not slowing down

Thunder Bay's Port Authority is seeing increases in the amount of cargo it sees on a monthly basis. In August, over 789 thousand tonnes of coal, grain, potash, bulk goods and general cargo came through the local port. That's a hundred thousand more tonnes than that same month in the previous year.

Chief re-elected

Ginoogaming First Nation has re-elected its Chief. Celia Echum is back for a third term as the head of the First Nation beating her opponent 127 to 60.

Candidates in Kenora-Rainy River Riding

There could be as many as 5-candidates in the upcoming Provincial election in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding. The Northern Ontario Heritage Party says it has 1-candidate ready to file nomination papers locally. The party is expected to release the name of the candidate in the next few days. Leader of the party, Ed Deibel says they plan to have a candidate in all 11 riding's across Northern Ontario.

T.Bay Police attend 9/11 ceremony

Thunder Bay Police are taking part in the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in New York. Constable Roxanne Samec, Detective Constable Heidi Moore and Detective Constable Diane MacLaurin leave on September 7th. The three will present a special plaque during the ceremonies in NYC.

EC investigates Murillo tornado

Parts of Thunder Bay and Murillo experienced wicked weather this morning.  Environment Canada is investigating a possible tornado in Murillo.  A barn and riding arena were damaged during the storm.  The investigator will look to see if it was caused by a strong burst of wind or a weak twister.  Large chunks of hail came down during today's storm in the Lake Superior area.

Its the final weekend to vote for PA Stadium

Its the final weekend of voting for Baseball Canada's Favourite Ball Park in Canada and the city's International Baseball Association is hoping for a big push.  Chair Larry Hebert says we are trailing London by a couple of percentage points.

Break and Enter at Wasco Drive

A 26 year old local man is in custody after police received a call that someone had broken into a home in the 100 block of Wasco Drive. He's charged with theft under 5 thousand dollars and 2 counts of breach of probation.

Con College stays open

Its pretty much business as usual at the 9 Confederation College Campuses across Northwestern Ontario.  Some 230 support staff walked off the job this morning.  Vice-President Academic Judi Maundrell says most programming will run as scheduled when classes resume on Tuesday.  The continuing education courses will be delayed by a week.  The College may be forced to delay its aviation program.        

Body of American found

The body of a missing American has been recovered from Lake of the Woods.  68-year-old Bill Amason left his camp last Saturday and failed to return.  His body was located yesterday by the OPP Marine Unit.  Police believe that the Florida resident, who lived seasonally in Morson, tried to swim to his boat after it drifted away.  A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today in Kenora.

T.Bay man gets fined

A Thunder Bay man probably wishes he hadn't been speeding.  Dryden OPP stopped the motorist on Highway 17 for going above the posted speed limit of 90.  Officers learned that the man had no drivers license.  OPP say 54-year-old Robert Burns has been charged as a result.

WCO weighs in on Minister's letter

The President of Wind Concerns Ontario is calling a letter from the Minister of Natural Resources a political charade. The letter says it's not likely the Horizon Wind Farm Project will receive an environmental permit. The MNR feels the project could harm the area's Peregrine Falcon population. John LaForet says the Liberals are stalling. He feels the statement is meant to buy votes for incumbant Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro.

EU is increasing pressure on Syria

The European Union is taking baby steps to pressure the Syrian government.  Thats the oppinion of LU Political Science Expert Laure Paquette who says the EU is putting financial pressure on the regime by banning the purchase of Syrian oil.  Paquette says she still sees a zero percent chance of military intervention.

Suicide problem continues to rise in the North

Another call for help is coming for Northwestern Ontario First Nations.  A member of the Pikangikum First Nation has written a letter he hopes will bring about more awareness of his community's plight.  Gordon Peters says in the last month and a half 5 young people have committed suicide.  Peters says more needs to be done to improve the living conditions at Northern First Nations. 

Strike at Confed College has started

Support staff at Confederation College are on strike.  OPSEU Spokesperson Elaine Kerr says the union wants job security. Pickets are set up at the Thunder Bay Campus and at campuses across the region.  President Jim Madder is expressing disappointment that a negotiated settlement could not be reached. Programs and services at Confederation College will continue to operate.

Two vehicle crash sends 3 people to hospital

Three people are lucky to have received only minor injuries after a two vehicle collision.  Thunder Bay Police say it happened yesterday afternoon on Government road when the two cars collided and ended up in the ditch.  Three people were taken to hospital. 

Fire crews deal with another apartment fire

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue is investigating another apartment fire.  Crews responded to the blaze on the second floor of a Simpson Street building early this morning.  Damage was confined to one unit and the cause is being investigated.

Prescription drug walk ends in T.Bay

The Pensai Walk for Prescription Drug Abuse is making a stop in Thunder Bay Thursday.  It's led by Thunder Bay resident and Bearskin Lake First Nation member Lyle Fox.  The walk started August 22nd in Sioux Lookout and wraps up at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School today.

MNR continues to fight fires

The Ministry of Natural Resources says its making good progress on several forest fires still burning across Northwestern Ontario. There are now 41-forest fires considered active. 4-new fires have been discovered in the past 24-hours.