Grow Me Instead Guide Launched

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is teaming up with the Invasive Plant Council to make sure you plant only native plants in your flower beds and gardens. Spokesperson Hailey Powell says they've launched the "Grow Me Instead" guide that tells people what's native to the area and what's an invasive species. The guides can be found at most local Greenhouses.

"Dynamic Hiring Climate" Predicted

There's good news for job seekers in Thunder Bay.   Manpower's quarterly survey shows that 40 per cent of employers surveyed planned to hire for the upcoming three months and none of them expect to lay off anyone.  The employment services company says another 60 per cent plan to at the least maintain their staff

Province Creates New Energy Incentive Program

The Provincial Government is offering a new industrial electricity program. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle hopes the incentives will help spur industrial growth in the Northwest.

The cheaper electricity rates will be provided to existing companies who are expanding or new ones that are willing to relocate to Ontario.

CAS Boss Happy With Adoption Subsidy

The head of the local Children's Aid Society is applauding a provincial move to pay eligible parents 950 dollars a month if they adopt children 10 years of age or older. Rob Richardson says it's a shot in the arm for the Society and for those kids whose families don't tend to adopt. The McGuinty government is hoping the cash incentive will boost the adoption rate for these older children.

Vacancy Rate Dips

Renting an apartment in the city is becoming more and more difficult. Canada Mortgage and Housing says there are less than 2 apartments for rent for every 100 people in Thunder Bay. That's down slightly compared to the same time last year. Thunder Bay boasts the 4th lowest available vacancy rate among major centres in Ontario.

Water Restrictions Lifted

Feel free to wash your dishes, flush the toilet, and do some laundry.  The City has lifted the volunteer water restrictions.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says even though the restrictions are lifted they still want you to use common sense.  The City made the announcement this morning.

Emergency Operations News Conference June 12, 2012 10 AM

Video streaming by Ustream

Young Man Faces 7 Charges

City police have a young man in custody following a pair of motor vehicle collisions near Wendy's restaurant on Red River Road. Police say the accused allegedly took-off from the parking lot after the initial collision and then hit a vehicle head-on at the corner of Junot and Walkover. The female driver of the head-on collision and a female passenger inside the young man's vehicle were both taken to hospital with minor injuries. The youth will appear in court facing 7 charges including impaired driving causing bodily harm, impaired driving, failing to stop at the scene and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. 

Forest Fire Update

Widespread thunder storms and heavy down pours have put a damper on the forest fire hazard across northwestern Ontario. The Fire hazard is now considered "Low" across the Northwest region. A number of fires were called "Out" in the last two days. There are now 15 active fires in the region. No problems are anticipated with any of these fires. All fires have had rainfall in the last 24 hours and are only creeping and smouldering on the forest floor.

Cats Back On Track

The Thunder Bay Border Cats got back on track last night at Subway field. They crushed St. Cloud 10-5. The Cats are now 5 and 1 on home field and 5-and-8 in the first half. The 2 game series concludes tonight.

T.Bay Looks To Be More Age Friendly

The City is getting ready to become more age friendly.  Over the years Council has taken a number of steps to become more senior accessible.  The next step will be at next week's council meeting where they will vote on whether to accept the Age Friendly Charter.

Council Learns About Contraband Tobacco

City Council is a little bit wiser when it comes to the pitfalls of contraband tobacco.  The C.E.O. of Ontario's Convenience Stores Association spoke to Council at Monday night's meeting.  Dave Bryans feels the sale of the illegal tobacco products harms business and youth.  Bryans asked council to support his organization's message against contraband tobacco.

Hillcourt Mobile Home Park Not Surplus

It appears Hillcourt Mobile Home Park is going to stay under City control.  Councillors voted Monday night to take the piece of property off their surplus property list.  Hillcourt Resident Eric Leat says he's upset over what he feels was a plan by the City to sell the park.  Residents of the park cheered during the meeting and were visibly relieved once the decision was made.

Flood Victims Get Water Bill Rebate

The City is going to give flood victims some relief when it comes to their water bills.  City lawmakers approved a billing program that would provide 207 dollars towards home owner's water bills if they are connected to the City sanitary sewer system.  Those homeowners who are not connected will receive 118 dollars off their water account.  Homeowners with flooding are also exempt from late payment penalties on their next water bill. The rebate program is being implemented because clean up has involved a high amount of water use.

City Provides Update On Sewage Treatment Plant

The City continues to assess the condition of its Atlantic Avenue Sewage Treatment Plant.  Officials still don't know what went wrong.  General Manager Darryl Matson says they want to paint a picture of what type of weather hit the Thunder Bay area last month.  Matson adds they also plan to conduct assessments of all of their sanitary, storm and combined sewers.  There is still no word on when the voluntary water restrictions will be lifted.

Peterson Sits On Disaster Relief Fund Committee

Former Mayor Lynn Peterson will sit on a new 8 person Disaster Relief Fund Committee.  Peterson is joined by a number of other community stakeholders.  The Red Cross and Salvation Army will be non-voting members on the committee.  The group will be in charge of fundraising for the fund and allocating the money to those applicants who do not have insurance for their homes.

Bill 55 Protested

The new budget bill is causing concern for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as the full extent of the bill is not known to the general public. CUPE's Jules Tupker says a section of bill 55 could allow for Privatization of services that Ontario citizens rely on. CUPE held a protest today in front of Michael Gravelle's constituency office.

Tensions Boil Over In East End

Tempers are running high in the East End as residents try to cope with their flood damaged homes.  Police report that in one case two neighbours got into a verbal battle which escalated into a near violent incident when one of the neighbours went into his home and came out with a pick ax and chased the other man down Hargrave Street.  No one was hurt.  Police have a charged a 55 year old man and have him in custody.

T-Wolves Add Size

The Lakehead University men's basketball team have added some much needed size. They announced 6-foot-9 Centre David Kohler will be joining the team as a transfer from Medicine Hat. Kohler joins Dwayne Harvey and Joseph Hart as newcomers who are expected to step-in right away for the team that was ranked number-2 in Canada for much of last year. Head Coach Scott Morrison meanwhile is with Canada's Under-18 men's team as they prepare for a competition in Brazil.

Funnel Cloud Reported In Rainy River District

There are reports of a tornado touching down in the Rainy River district. Emergency officials say it happened last night in the Stratton area. There are no reports of any damages or any injuries. David Rogers of Environment Canada says a system passing through the area was prime for severe weather and prompting a number of warnings. Because of the funnel cloud report, much of the district was briefly placed on a tornado watch.