Boxing Day Shopping

Stores are open for boxing day and shoppers are out in full force.  Many, including Travis Setala, are just out to see if the shopping really is better. Setala was hoping to get a good deal on a camera but couldn't find the deal he was looking for. He says the crowds don't bother him: "I don't mind coming out. It's something to do after Christmas."  The post-Christmas shopping is attracting lots of people despite the cold weather.

Man Dies In Hwy 17 Accident

A 32 year old man is dead and his 2 year old daughter is in Winnipeg Hospital after a fatal motor vehicle collision, 10 kms east of Ignace on Highway 17.  Police say a westbound pick up truck crossed into the eastbound lane hitting a Pontiac.  The 69 year old driver of the westbound pickup and 17 year old passenger both from Hawkestone Ontario were taken to Dryden Hospital.  The name of the deceased has been held until notification of next of kin.

Pedestrian Vehicle Accident Near Arthur

Thunder Bay Police are continuing to investigate a pedestrian vehicle accident last night at the intersection of Arthur and Edward Street. The incident happened around 7:00 last night and the 63 year old woman was sent to hospital with minor injuries.

OPP Nab Drunk Driver On Expressway

Someone is going to be on Santa's naughty list.  OPP are charging a 55 year old woman with drinking and driving.  Police say the incident stemmed from a call yesterday at around 1 o'clock from a concerned motorist reporting a vehicle seriously out of control.  Officers say she was driving with four times the legal limit of alcohol in her system on the Thunder Bay Expressway.

Missing Teen Found

14 year old Abigail Olafson is safe and sound. Thunder Bay Police are reporting that she returned home safely. Olafson was reported missing December 20th and police say tips from the public assisted in bringing Olafson home.

Highway 17 Open

Highway 17 east of Ignace is open to both lanes of traffic after a fatal motor vehicle collision last night.  The highway was closed for most of the evening while Police investigated.  No other details are available at this time.

Crimestoppers Crime Of The Week



Thunder Bay District Crimestoppers and Thunder Bay Police are asking the public to assist with locating several firearms that were stolen from a local residence. Sometime between October 18th and 24th of this year, someone broke into a David Street home. The suspect gained entry through a basement window. Once inside, the lock on a gun locker was cut and 4 firearms and ammunition were taken. 2 rifles and 2 shotguns were taken along with ammunition and cash from the gun locker. Crimestoppers is asking anyone with information about who may have taken these firearms or where they may be located to call Crimestoppers at 623-8477 or 623-TIPS. 

Highway 17 Closed Due To Fatality

Highway 17 is closed 10 kilometers east of Igance because of a motor vehicle fatality. The highway will be closed for an unknown amount of time.

South Pole Expedition

A Thunder Bay man is preparing for yet another exciting expedition. Dale Shippam and his team, including Dr. Heather Ross, will be cross-country skiing to the South Pole in a week's time, all to raise awareness for organ transplants and donation. Their fundraising efforts have so far contributed more than 1.4 million dollars to Toronto General Hospital's heart and transplantation research projects. To follow Shippam's progress, you can go to www.testyourlimits.ca

Missing Person Abigail Olafson

Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing person. 14 year old Abigail Olafson was last seen by her family on the 20th of December at home. She is described as Caucasian, 5'-4", 115lbs, fair complexion, reddish/brown straight hair, with a pierced nose and a scar over her left eye. Abigail was last seen wearing a slim-fit brown leather jacket, jeans, black boots, and carrying a multi-coloured ethnic back pack.

18 Year Old Charged Following Collision

An 18-year-old Thunder Bay man has a court date in the New Year following a collision involving two cars early this morning at the intersection of Tupper Street and Prospect Avenue. No one was injured but the man was charged for driving with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in his blood. Thunder Bay Police want to remind people not to drink and drive.

Outbreak at Roseview Manor and Hilldale Gardens

Officials at the Health Unit have declared an outbreak of respiratory illness at Hilldale Gardens Retirement Living along with an outbreak of influenza A at Roseview Manor. In an attempt to contain this illness, family and friends are asked to limit visits to the facilities and to contact them for more information. The Health Unit is urging people to stay at home and refrain from visiting hospitals, long-term care facilities and retirement homes when feeling unwell to avoid spreading infections to those most vulnerable.

Norovirus The Food Poisoning Culprit

The Health Unit is confirming through lab tests that the Norovirus was the cause of food poisoning at 3 events catered by Maltese Grocery.  To date, 85 people have reported being ill.  Now that the Health Unit has determined the source of the outbreak, Maltese Grocery will be reopening catering operations.  The Health Unit says the grocer has a good inspection record and the illness is generally spread to people through contaminated food or contaminated commonly-touched surfaces.

Tourism Guide Out

The city's new tourism guide is out.  There are 100 thousand of them printed at a cost of 70 thousand dollars according to Tourism Manager Paul Pepe who says advertising helps to offset the costs.  Pepe says the guide is available at all hotels, motels, tourism centres and online.

Police Officer Ok After Late Night Incident

A city police officer is now out of hospital after being hurt last night while trying to arrest two men. A man approached an officer at McDonald's on Memorial Avenue and demanded a ride home; he was arrested for public intoxication after allegedly becoming belligerent. Constable Julie Tilbury says when the officer was getting into the vehicle, a second man opened the passenger side back door and let the arrested man out. A 39 year old man is charged with Obstructing Police, Resisting Arrest and Being Intoxicated In A Public Place.

Toys For Tots Campaign A Success

It's another success for Thunder Bay Firefighters' Toys for Tots Campaign. Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says they give the money to the ladies at Christmas Cheer who then go out and buy the toys. $153,530 was raised during this year's Toys For Tots campaign.

Weldon Plans For Brazil 2016

Thunder Bay's Robbi Weldon is remembering a golden year. The local cyclist won the women's "B" Road Race at the London Paralympic Games back in September. Weldon says she now has new goals for representing Canada 4 years from now. Weldon will begin training with a new pilot next year as her old pilot, Lyne Bissette, is now retired.

Police Association Gives To Needy Pets

It's not just humans that need love on Christmas.  Thunder Bay's Police Association is donating 250 dollars and a bunch of food, blankets, toys and treats to the local Humane Society.  Vice President Jim Glena says they've been donating to the humane society for sometime. Two police constables will be delivering two cruisers full of goodies to the local humane society today.

Province Gives Cash To John Howard Society

The Provincial Government is providing 28-thousand dollars to a new Health & Wellness Program in Thunder Bay.  The John Howard Society will deliver the program for low income people.  The program is expected to teach people how to eat healthy within a budget.

Bentley Coming To Town

Energy Minister Chris Bentley will be in town next month.  He'll be meeting with Mayor Keith Hobbs about the Ontario Power Authority's decision to halt the conversion of the Mission Island Power Plant.  Representatives from the OPA, and MPP Bill Mauro will also be invited to the discussion.  A Spokesperson with the Minister says Bentley will spend the day talking with officials about the conversion.