Accident Injures Pedestrian

Details are sketchy, but Thunder Bay police say at least one person was taken to the hospital to be treated for two broken legs following a vehicle pedestrian accident in the city late Friday afternoon. It took place on Simpson Street just metres from the Neebing McIntyre Floodway bridge.  

Dryden's Money Woes Continue

Dryden's debt is higher then originally thought. At last night's public meeting regarding the sale of DMTS, the topic of the city's debt was often brought up.  City Manager Joe van Koeverden says that there is an extra 10 million on top of the 27 million that the city is down by. He adds that council is taking the issue very seriously. Van Koeverden says part of the extra 10 million, is 6 million dollars in overdraft.  However Mayor Craig Nuttall says paying off the overdraft shouldn't be too difficult.

Tbaytel Offer Remains Cloaked In Secrecy

"Keep moving forward" was the motto of last night's meeting regarding the sale of Dryden's phone service and Dryden Mobility. While the offer from Bell Alliant has been revealed, there still lies some mystery regarding the offer from Tbaytel for wireless services. City Manager Joe van Koeverden says they have received a generous offer but adds, the purchase price cannot be revealed at this time.

Mauro Blasts Hudak's Logic

Liberal MPP Bill Mauro is disputing comments about arbitration awards by Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak. While in Thunder Bay Friday Hudak told municipal leaders his party wants to change the laws and hopes to have its own passed this session. However Mauro says that Hudak's proposed law is one the PC's turned down already in the spring budget.   Mauro questions why Hudak would promote an idea the PC leader once voted against.

Smile Cookie Numbers In

Thunder Bay's cookie monsters can pat themselves on the back. They helped Tim Hortons to raise almost 33 thousand dollars in the recent Smile Cookie campaign. In the region Fort Frances raised almost 5 thousand dollars, Kenora raised 36 hundred dollars, Dryden 16 hundred, Nipigon 14 hundred and Red Lake 11 hundred dollars.

Memorial Day Service Sunday

Thunder Bay Police are going to remember the officers that have died while in the line of duty.   They are holding their annual National Memorial Day service on Sunday afternoon.  It begins at 1:30 with a march from the Provincial Court building on Arthur Street to St. Paul's Church on Ridgeway Street.  

Hangar Space For Rent

The local volunteer air search and rescue organization is looking to the future. Civil Air Search and Rescue President Dan Kuss says the group currently runs its airport hangar on 24 thousand dollars year, money which needs to be fundraised. However Kuss says that could soon change. They soon plan to rent out hangar space to help pay the bills. The organization just received a new hangar door thanks to 30 thousand dollars from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

M.N.R. Announces Staff Cuts To 10 Parks

Northern Ontario will see 10 provincial parks have their staff cut and their designation downgraded, meaning campers will no longer have access to any services. The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the cuts on Thursday and say they will eliminate 28 full-time jobs and 102 seasonal jobs in an effort to save $7.1 million a year. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says the staff cuts and other changes will help the government eliminate a deficit of nearly $15 billion and modernize the way the ministry does business.

Kidnapping & Sexual Assault In Big Trout Lake

Details are coming to the surface about a kidnapping in Big Trout Lake. O.P.P. were called on Wednesday after parents apprehended the suspect who had taken their four kids, ages 5 through 8, earlier that day. Police say two of the kids managed to escape and alert their parents but not before a 6 and an 8 year old were sexually assaulted. The 33 year man remains in custoday and will appear in a Sioux Lookout court today facing charges of kidnapping, assault, sexual assault and uttering threats. The children received immediate and on-going medical attention in Big Trout Lake and in Thunder Bay.

Full Slate For Thunderwolves' Alumni Weekend

Alumni weekend kicks off a great weekend of sports at Lakehead University. The men's hockey team is on the ice against the Brock Badgers tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. The men's and women's basketball team opens an exhibition against Brandon at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Thunderdome, and the women's volleyball team gets it all started this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Thunderdome with an exhibition game against the Bobcats.

Mother Credits Son For Saving Her Life

A Thunder Bay woman says she's alive today thanks to her son. Jennifer Lunn says her son was stabbed three times trying to save her life from another person on the Fort William First Nation on Tuesday morning.. Lunn says it was a life changing experience.  She says her 25 year old son was taken to the hospital and had life saving surgery performed on him. A 40 year old man was also taken to hospital. So far police have not laid charges in the case.

Drug Bust On Ambrose Street

A cocaine bust on the city's north side.   Police say that a home on the 200 block of Ambrose Street was raided  on Thursday.   It resulted in the arrest of a 59 year old man and the seizure of almost 70 grams of coke.

Cultural Days This Weekend

The city is preparing to show off Prince Arthur's Landing once again during the 3rd annual Cultural Days.  The city's contribution kicks off Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock with a cultural fair at the Baggage Building Arts Centre with activities into the evening.  The Baggage Building will remain open for the weekend so you can view displays and other activities. 

Cancer Centre Moving To E-Charts

The Regional Cancer Centre is taking another step in a technical direction with the announcement that all it's patient records will be computerized. Program Director Joanne Lacourciere says the 2.1 million dollar project is now in the works with a goal of going paperless by March of next year.  Cancer doctors in thirteen regional sites will have access to the new record system.

Nine Mines Worth Big $

A new study on the mining industry in Northwestern Ontario predicts nine mining projects in the region will be worth 136 billion dollars. The study, headed by Lakehead University's Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, says the mines will also create over 13 thousand jobs and he says that's low-balling it. The study also says government taxes revenue could hit 16 billion dollars.   However, the study says in order to move ahead as quickly as possible,  industry, government and First Nations have to work out their differences.

United Way Day In Thunder Bay

Today is United Way Day in Thunder Bay. The orginzation which raises funds for community groups and agencies held a flag raising ceremony today. The United Way flag is now proudly waving in front of City Hall. Dignitaries on hand included Mayor Keith Hobbs. The United Way is collecting money throughout many businesses today as part of their $2.6 million fundraising goal. 

E.L.A. Travels To Parliament Hill

The battle to save the Experimental Lakes area east of Kenora is heading to Parliament Hill once again today. A number of petitions will be presented to M.P.'s. Diane Oriehl heads up the group Save the E.L.A. and says they are trying to protect research that's vital to our eco-system. People from across Canada and even internationally have signed the petitions. The E.L.A. is slated to close in March of next year.

Campbell Hosts Health Meeting

Atikokan has been added to a series of town hall meetings on health care being organized by Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell. It will take place tonight at 5:30 Central time at the Atikokan Pioneer Centre. Campbell and NDP Health Critic Frances Gelinas are gathering comment on the health care system and its ability to meet the needs of northwestern Ontario. They'll be in Fort Frances, Rainy River, Kenora and Dryden tomorrow.

Sexual Assault Charge Laid In Ignace

O.P.P. are laying sexual assault charges against an Ignace man after a minor came forward to police. The 46 year old man was arrested Wednesday after a reported incident on September 19th. The man remains in custody, charged with sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference. His name is not being released in order to protect the identity of the victim.

Thunderwolves Sports Weekend

Lakehead University sports teams will be on full display this weekend. The men's hockey team welcomes the Brock Badgers for pair of games Friday and Saturday night starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. The men's and women's basketball teams will tip-off at the Thunderdome for a pair of exhiition games against the Brandon Bobcats. The women tip-off at 6, the men at 8. The L.U. women's volleyball team also has an exhibition series against Brandon. Game times are set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.