TSB Still Investigating Plane Crash

Still more questions than answers surrounding the fatal plane crash in Pickle Lake last week. Members of the Transportation Safety Board have worked tirelessly to remove the wreckage from a densely wooded area. Spokesperson Peter Hildenbrand explains where they are in the investigation stage. He said a full draft report on the crash probably won't be available for four to five months. Three men from Quebec died in the crash.

Cancer Society Looks For Program Efficiencies

The Canadian Cancer Society is looking at ways to find efficiencies in it's volunteer program at Ontario Cancer Centres. Society spokesperson Barb Spencer says that include the Regional Cancer Centre in Thunder Bay. Just under 100 volunteers help out at the centre doing various duties to help comfort those who come for cancer treatment. Spencer says the goal is to make the most efficient use of donor dollars that are used to run the program. Spencer says when the changes are made in the future they won't remove volunteers from the hospital or impact patient support. She says discussions with cancer centre officials are ongoing.

NAPS Recruiting

Part of this week's Career and Job Expo at Lakehead University is showcasing a new recruitment campaign by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.   Spokesperson Sergeant Jackie George says they are interested in anyone who is 19 years of age or older and wants a challenging but rewarding career in law enforcement.  The official launch of the "Faces Behind The Flash" campaign begins at 11:00 a.m. in the ATAC building at L.U.

Hope In The City

Cancer survivors and their supporters are invited to Thunder Bay's Hope in the City Thursday November first. This year will be filled with prizes and shopping opportunities for all women who attend. Fundraising Coordinator Kyle VanRavensway says the biggest prize will be a trip for 2 to New York City. All women of Thunder Bay are welcome to attend the event.

Mining Ready Wraps Up Wednesday

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is hosting a mining ready summit.  The 2 day event comes to a close Wednesday at the Valhalla Inn and Spokesperson Brian Davey says they  want to bring all mining stakeholders together.  Over 300 aboriginal, industry and government delegates are attending.

LU Researchers Share 1.3 Million

Over 1.3 million dollars is being shared by three Lakehead University researchers. Dr. Rui Wang is one of the LU researchers to receive the cash from the Canadian Health Research Institute. Wang says they'll use the money to continue their work on dementia, HPV and blood vessel inflammation.

MP Calls Vets Treatment Deplorable

 The Auditor General's report says war veterans in the country still don't get the information they need to get back into civilian life or the benefits they're entitled to. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty calls it deplorable and says it should be a concern here because of the closure of the Veterans Affairs office.

Police Officers Undergo Training

Two Thunder Bay Police officers are going to undergo training after a Police Services Hearing found them guilty of unlawful use of authority. Detective William Wowchuk will also have 8 hours of pay docked while Detective Constable Brad Bernst is going to receive a reprimand. The lawyer for the two officers is filing an appeal with the Ontario Police Commission.

Pickle Lake Transmission Line

An environmental assessment is in progress for a new transmission line to Pickle Lake.  The two-phase project was presented last night at an open house in Dryden.  Phase one would provide the required power for First Nations communities who currently are serviced by diesel generation.  Committee member of the Corridor Energy Group Richard Habinski says diesel comes with quite the price.  Habinski says they are working with the provincial government to access funding for the project.

Police Service Business Plan

Thunder Bay Police are working on implementing a 3 year business plan. In the first year, the force has started to provide online reporting for citizens. More training in Crime Prevention has been provided to officers as well. An update on the police service's progress was provided to the board this morning.

McKinnon To Sit On Police Board

The Police Services Board will have a new member.  Councillor Brian McKinnon was appointed at Monday night's city council meeting.  McKinnon's term on the Police Board will expire in November 2014.

City Keeps Spay & Neuter Program

City council is going to continue it's spay & neuter program for cats and dogs but with a few changes.  Council decided to lower the adoption fee for young animals because they are too young to be spayed or neutered at the time of their adoption.  The City will also allow the adoption fee to be reduced when the number of cats or dogs in the Animal Shelter is at or near capacity.

Sir John A Up For Debate

Representatives with Nordmin Engineering are pleading their case to turn the old Sir John A MacDonald School into an office building.  President Chris Dougherty told council Monday night that the project received very little complaints from the neighbourhood. Council is asking for a traffic study before they allow the school to be transformed into an office.

Kitty Kare In Running For Cash

Thunder Bay's Kitty Kare is competing for Aviva Community Fund’s million dollar challenge.  They want to build a Cat Sanctuary that would spare cats from being put down.  To vote for Kitty Kare click here..  The group's idea number is ACF13537.

Resolute Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products says 345 employees will be impacted when it takes production down at its kraft and paper mills in Fort Frances later this month. Both mills will be temporarily halted for two weeks beginning October 28th. Resolute cites market conditions as the main reason. The company says the halting of a contract for pulp with Boise's mill in International Falls is also seen as having an impact.

Rafferty On Omnibus Bill

New Democrats won't be supporting the massive federal budget bill introduced last week. Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty says the Harper government is once again contradicting itself by introducing a bill that includes changes to several act that should be dealt separately. Rafferty expects limited debate on the bill as the Conservatives push for implementation as quickly as possible.

T.Bay Business Gets Provincial Cash

Two Thunder Bay businesses are on the receiving end of funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.  Aviation InterTec Services is getting 98-thousand dollars towards upgrading their computer software.  NWO Golf Development & Fitting Centre will use 25-thousand dollars.

Multiplex Plebescite Meeting

A group of concerned taxpayers want to see the location of the proposed Multiplex brought to a vote.  Chair Ray Smith says it's only right for the City to allow its tax base a vote in the decision making process.  A public meeting on the multiplex will be held at the Waverly Resource Library tonight from 7 until 9.

LU Career Expo

Lakehead University will be holding a Career and Job Expo this week from 10 until 3.  The workshops will provide a excellent opportunity for students to explore career choices.  Career Employment Specialist Christina Buzzi says there will be chances to meet industry professionals and employers.  Companies taking part include the hospital, and the OPP.

House Explosion Treated As "Suspicious"

Police say they are treating last week's explosion on St. Claire Avenue as suspicious. The Police are working hand in hand with the Ontario Fire Marshal's office on the case. Meantime the 57 year old victim of that blast is now in Toronto being treated for serious injuries. Police say the probe is expected to take some time to complete.