Closed-Door Meeting

Little is being said about a closed-door meeting this week in Thunder Bay involving Mayors from four northwestern Ontario communities and the CEO of Resolute Forest Products. The mayors of Fort Frances, Kenora, Ignace and Thunder Bay were asked to meet with Richard Garneau Tuesday. Fort Mayor Roy Avis isn't saying much about what was discussed.

MPP Invites Health Minister to Region

No word yet on whether Ontario's Health Minister will consider an invite to visit to the Kenora-Rainy River riding. MPP Sarah Campbell issued the invite to Deb Matthews so she could hear first hand about the challenges faced in the region's health care sector. The ongoing efforts to staff the Rainy River Health Centre's emergency department was among issues prompting the MPP to issue the invite.

New website hopes to connect Thunder Bay

Do you want to know whats going on in Thunder Bay, well a new website is hoping to be able to answer your questions.  OUTLETPOWERED has just launched and the site will help events, organizations, people or businesses connect with the community.  Founder Kayla Quinn says sometimes it's hard to connect with things you are passionate about and this site will help bring it all together.  Quinn hopes to open a physical location this summer that will give people a place to meet and discuss all things Thunder Bay.

  

  

Lakehead Public Board embraces Twitter

The Lakehead Public School Board is embracing Twitter.  Communications Officer Bruce Nugent says the board sees social media as a way to stay connected to students and parents and since they've started using Twitter, traffic on the Board's website has increased.  Nugent says he wants to do a survey to see if social media increases awareness about what's happening at the schools.

Police close Kam River hole case

The hole in the ice on the Kam River is now a closed case.  Police say they received a call from a person who fell through the ice Wednesday night and managed to get themselves out.  Police says the person is in fine health and the case is closed.

Michael Kelly sentenced to life

The jury has found Michael Kelly guilty of First Degree Murder in the death of Judie Thibault.  The Alberta man was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years.  He was charged in the death that happened in 2000, although Thibault's body wasn't found until 2004.  Thibault's family is happy with the verdict. 

Collision sends pedestrian to hospital

A 25 year old woman is lucky to have only minor injuries after being hit by a car.  The woman and 2 others started walking across Oliver Road towards the Hospital after being motioned by a motorist.  An eastbound car hit the woman and she was taken to the hospital.  Police say no charges have been laid at this time.

Terrace Bay Pulp is under creditors protection

The situation for Terrace Bay Pulp has gone from bad to worse.  The mill is under creditors protection.  Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle couldn't be reached but did send us a statement saying he hopes the facility can return to successful operation under new ownership.

OPP looking into fatal fire

OPP are investigating a fatal fire in Red Lake.  The Blaze tore through a house yesterday and destroyed the building.  OPP says a 49 year old woman was found inside the fire and they say the cause isn't suspicious.

An ice hole causes some tense moments

A hole in the ice on the Kam River lead to police searching the area.  Police Spokesperson Julie Tilbury says people in the area over the lunch hour say they saw foot prints leading to the hole.  Tilbury says a search turned up nothing and if anyone did fall through they likely escaped. 

OPP still looking for missing Terrace Bay man

OPP in Terrace Bay are still looking for a missing 31 year old man.  Greg Muckaday hasn't been seen since early Monday morning at his house.  A picture of the man can be seen on our news page. 

Police make major drug bust

Over 130 thousand dollars worth of marijuana is off the streets thanks to a huge police bust.  Officers searched a pickup truck and a house Monday and found over 14 pounds of marijuana and cash.  A 27 year old man and 26 year old woman have been arrested and are facing several charges.

No change for Hobbs on golf

There's no change in Keith Hobbs stand on city golf courses. He still believes at least one of them should be sold. His comments come as a new report states the courses will never make money. That report goes before city council on Monday.

Bartley stays LRCA chair

No change at the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. Bill Bartley is back as Chair of the LRCA. It follows the Annual General Meeting. Donna Blunt returns as Vice-Chair.

Move over Motor City

Minneapolis TV stations will begin broadcasting in Thunder Bay on Shaw Cable starting on Tuesday. The company has been calling it's subscribers with an automated system informing them of the changeover from the Detroit and Rochester stations. The CRTC gave permission for the switch late last year.

Jury to begin deliberations today

The Michael Kelly murder trial is about to go to the jury. Justice John Wright will be giving his instructions to them this morning.  In his closing address Crown Attorney Dan Mitchell told the six men and six women that there can be no doubt , based on the evidence presented, that Kelly was the killer of Judie Thibault   He says the evidence showed Kelly told an undercover officer facts that only the killer would know about the case including the 22 calibre gun, the shot to the back of the head and the carpet her body was wrapped in. 

Golf report sets course debate on fire

The debate on if the city should sell the city run golf courses is raging.  A report is coming to council Monday that shows the courses will never make money.  Councillor Andrew Foulds says while no decisions will be made for months, he thinks this is just another attack on public services.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff on the other hand says if there is a time to sell it is now. 

Murder trial winds down

The closing arguments are complete in the Michael Kelly murder trial.   In his final address to the jury Defense Lawyer Gil Labine said it would be up to them to decide whether Kelly would lie to an undercover police officer,  to get his hands on half a million dollars being offered to him to confess to the killing of Judie Thibault.  Labine also showed them that the so called hold back evidence that Kelly told undercover officers about, was information that was known in the community through various means including police news releases.   Kelly is charged with First Degree Murder in Thibaults death.

Lakeshore collision turns tragic

A 9 year old girl has succumbed to her injuries after Monday's collision on Lakeshore Drive.  OPP say Paige Matte-Gurney died yesterday in hospital.  The other injured child is still in hospital.

NDP's Peggy Nash coming to T.Bay

You can have a pub night with the latest NDP Leadership candidate to come to Thunder Bay.  Peggy Nash will be in the City on Monday and is hosting a "pub night" at Tony and Adams for NDP supporters.  The event runs from 7 until 9.