Riding Commission Change Of Heart

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is having a change of heart. Public hearings on riding changes in northwestern Ontario were held in Kenora recently, and there was a lot of feedback from residents in Lake of the Woods Township. George Valin is chairman of the Commission and says they understand their concerns about being moved out of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding. Valin says they will likely recommend that Lake of the Woods Township stay put and not be moved into the Kenora Riding.

Report Picks Waterfront For Multiplex

The feasibility study on the proposed event centre is recommending the waterfront at Prince Arthur's landing as the site for the new multiplex. Study Coordinator Conrad Boychuk says the report shows the site is leaps and bounds better than the other sites. Council will hear about the site at it's Monday night council meeting. Mayor Keith Hobbs says the City can afford to build the 106 million dollar facility as long as the Provincial and Federal Government comes to the plate with funds. Council will decide on whether to proceed with the next phase of the project at it's November 26th meeting. 

Community Impact Success

A former gang clubhouse in the city has been restored to a neighbourhood friendly home. The house on Heron Street has been converted thanks to the United Way and a neighbourhood association. The United Way's  Sandra Albertson says the House can be used for many things. The revamp house will be available to the community as resource center and hub.

Hyer To Hold Nuke Meetings

Bruce Hyer is planning a road trip.    The Thunder Bay MP says he wants to hold a series of public meetings. They would be in towns that have the potential to be along the transportation route for nuclear waste which could be shipped to the northwest.  The meetings would start at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ontario on November 9th and work their way north.   Hyer says he's doing it because he has been repeatedly turned down by the Nuclear Waste Management Agency and has issues with the way the government agency is conducting public meetings on  possible nuclear waste burial sites.

New Walmart Set To Open Shortly

The newest Walmart store in Thunder Bay will be opening this month. The company says October is one of the largest month of grand openings for the company. The County Fair location is part of a total of 30 set to open soon.  It's one of two former Zellers stores in the city which are being converted to Walmarts.  

Wilson Gives Thumbs Up To Alberta Office

The province of Ontario is opening a trade office in Alberta to help businesses in our province make the best of opportunities in the West. Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says it's a good move that will benefit businesses here by providing a solid presence in that province that looks at how we can tie our suppliers and companies with the demands there. Wilson says the move makes sense.

Police Penalties Hearing Set For Later Date

Two Thunder Bay police detectives will find out their fate at a Police Services Hearing set for October 23rd.  The adjudicator in the case hear both sides argue what the penalties for the officers should be ranging from a reprimand to docked pay.  Detective William Wowchuck and Detective Constable Brad Bernst were found guilty of Unlawful Use Of Authority in connection with the way they handled a drug arrest a year ago.

Experimental Lakes Area Discussions Hit City

Diane Orihel, the leader of the coalition to save the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario is in Thunder Bay today speaking out against its closure. Orihel will be at Lakehead University and Confederation College for a pair of presentations and open discussions on the topic. Scott Harris with Environment North says the scheduled closure of the E.L.A. in march of next year is disturbing to scientists all over the world. Diane Orihel will be at Lakehead University's ATAC building from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at Confederation College from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tonight.

Pig Roast For Flood Victims

The Thunder Bay Dining Club is inviting you out to dinner on Friday night. A pig roast at the Moose Hall is being held to raise money for the Disaster Relief Fund. Tickets are 20 dollars and Coordinator Kim Berley says local bands will provide entertainment free of charge on Friday night. Thunder Bay Transit is offering free transportation to the Moose Hall providing you show the driver your ticket.

Disaster Relief Office Moves

Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief office is moving to a new location. Starting Wednesday, the office will be located at 401 Donald Street in the former EMS Building on the corner of Donald Street and Simpson Street. Meanwhile, the Disaster Relief Committee is reminding citizens that the application for losses and damages is due on Oct. 31st.

Operation Impact Wraps Up

The results from the OPP's operation impact long weekend blitz are in.  Sgt. Ann McCoy says they charged 361 people in the Northwest region with speeding, 41 with hazardous moving violations and 25 seat belt charges.  5 people in the region were charged with drinking and driving.

CMHA Wants To Help

The local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association is weighing in on reports three teen girls allegedly attempted to overdose this weekend. Executive Director Maurice Fortin wants young people to know there is help. The help line is 346-8282.

September Housing Starts

Thunder Bay's housing market is slightly off from last year.  Market Analyst Warren Philp says that's because of a big multi family project last year that increased our totals and notes things will improve.  In September we saw 28 single detached starts and no new multi family starts.

Flu Shots At Pharmacies

Pharmacists in Ontario are now allowed to renew prescriptions and give flu shots along with offering more services that are currently provided by doctors. It's a decision that pleases Brenda Adams of Thunder Bay who owns Janzen's Pharmacy. Adams says it was a move that has been in the works for many years. 

Fake Gun Causes A Stir

Two people are in police custody and are charged with weapons dangerous to the public. The incident on Sunday involved police being called to a Hudson Avenue apartment building after tenants said they saw a man waiving a gun. When police arrived the male continued to point the gun at officers and ran into the building. The area was contained while officers attempted to ensure the safety of the area. A man and woman entered the lobby of the apartment complex and were arrested at gun point. The weapon turned out to be a plastic toy replica gun. A man and a woman in their 20s are facing weapon related charges.

Fatality Victims Identified

Police say that three members of the Nabigon family in Pic River are dead as the result of a traffic accident that claimed four lives near Marathon on the weekend.   Police identify the dead as 36 year old Greg, 22 year old Jordan and 17 year old Kody Nabigon along with 20 year old Jaret Leclair.   The accident, between a car and a pick up truck, took place on Highway 627 just south of Highway 17.  The victimare now immortalized in a YouTube video.  

Police Following Up Attempted Overdose

Three teen girls who allegedly tried to overdose this weekend are being looked after by their families.  Police are following up the circumstances behind the incident that saw the teens sent to the hospital Sunday night.  Health professionals are now providing the support needed for these young people to deal with this situation.

Hodder Avenue Macs' Robbery

Police are releasing photos from a weekend robbery at the Hodder Avenue Macs' Convenience Store. Constable Julie Tilbury says they're looking for the public to identify the three suspects that walked into the store early Sunday morning. The three suspects are described as 5'10" wearing long dark jackets and had their faces covered. Two suspects had dark hoodies pulled up over their heads and the third was wearing a red, black and white toque with ear flaps.

Condo-Hotel Preparations Begin

There's activity on the waterfront. Construction crews are preparing the site of the new waterfront hotel and condos.Manshield Construction President Peter Belluz says they're just prepping before construction starts in about six weeks time.

No E-Coli Reports In Thunder Bay

The District Health Unit is reassuring you that there is no contaminated meat on store shelves in the city.  Darlene Binette, a spokesperson for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit says all of the contaminated meat was pulled immediately from all store shelves.  She also confirms that there are no reports of E-Coli in Ontario from contaminated meat from X-L Foods in Alberta.