WinterFest Set to Go at Prince Arthur's Landing

It's time to celebrate winter on the waterfront as the first ever WinterFest is being put on by the city at Prince Arthur's Landing.   Organizer Sophie Best says the highlight of the day will be the snow sculptures that have been in the works all weekend. Activities begin at 1 o'clock this afternoon and ends with a fireworks display at 8 pm.

Hope Classic Raises 155 Thousand

It's another impressive sum. This weekend saw 155 thousand dollars raised at the 17th Annual Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic. The event, which took place at the Fort William Curling Club, raises funds for the Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening and Assessment. The event has raised nearly two and a quarter million dollars since its inception.

No Injuries In Cumming Street Fire

An investigation continues into a fire that began early this morning in the city. The fire was contained in a vacant apartment building at 145 Cumming Street. A crew is still on the scene as they try to determine the cause. No one was injured as the building has been empty for some time.

NOMA Wants Better Physician Recruitment

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says the province isn't helping in physician recruitment efforts. Vice-President Dave Canfield says several communities have lined up doctors to practice but stresses they are experiencing long delays in gaining provincial approval. Canfield says the current model is based on population. The Mayor of Kenora points to his community which has a size of 16-thousand people. He notes the true number is 30-thousand.

Rainy River Resources is On Target

Rainy River Resources says its on target with its plans to open an gold mining operation in the district. The company's has identified key objectives it intends to achieve in 2013. Spokesperson Indi Gopinathan says it includes continuing the search for more minerals. The company also intends to release a feasibility study by the summer.

Family Fishing Weekend

It's shaping up to be a perfect weekend for ice fishing in northwestern Ontario. You can fish for free as it's Family Fishing Weekend. No license is required today or Monday. The initiative is aimed at getting more young people interested in fishing. Approximately 1.3 million anglers fish in Ontario each year and spend 2.5 billion dollars in the province annually.

Patrick Sharp Surprises Woman

Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp surprised a Chicago Blackhawk fan for Valentines Day as part of a special promotion for the Illinois State Lottery.

Potential Changes to Endangered Species Act

Public support is needed to ensure forestry jobs remain in place in northern Ontario. That's the message behind a Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association campaign to keep proposed regulation changes in the Endangered Species Act in place. Vice-President Dave Canfield says the government can't buckle under an attack by environmentalists. Canfield says the changes strike a balance between protecting the environment and helping the forest industry.

MP Rickford Talks Student Summer Jobs

The Federal Government wants to see more students in the workplace. Kenora MP Greg Rickford is encouraging local businesses to apply for funding through the Canada Summer Jobs program, to help create student jobs. People between 15-30-years-old who are full time students and intend on returning to school the following year qualify for these job opportunities.

Conmee Hosting Family Fun Day Today

Conmee Township is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Although the celebrations began on January 1st, the activities are going on throughout the year, including the family fun day taking place today. Reeve Kevin Holland says activities are taking place at the Conmee Community Centre. Holland says there will also be a family bonfire.

OPP Move Worthwhile In Kenora

It's been several years since Kenora  handed over policing services to the Ontario Provincial Police.   It's a move that our Mayor Hobbs is openly discussing for Thunder Bay.  Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says in his community it has been a worthwhile move...so far.   Canfield says in 2014 the OPP will become the highest paid police service in the province, and they don't know what the impact will be yet.

No Injuries After Apartment Fire

Fire damage is limited to the bedroom of a 7th floor apartment at 335  Adelaide Street in Current River after a blaze that took place just before noon Friday.   The cause is not known and no one is hurt because the apartment wasn't occupied at the time

Provincial Grants For Three Businesses

Three local businesses are benefiting from provincial government grants totalling over 400 thousand dollars.    The bulk of that, 300 thousand, is going to Nu-Tech Metals to allow the company to expand its shop.   Gollat Contracting is getting over 80 thousand dollars for renovations while Unveiled Bridal Boutique is getting 25 thousand dollars for improvements.

WinterFest About To Begin

It's time to celebrate winter on the waterfront as the first ever WinterFest is being put on by the city at Prince Arthur's Landing on Family Day.   Organizer Sophie Best says the highlight of the day will be the snow sculptures that  will be worked on this weekend. There will also be all kinds of outdoor snow activities including a toboggan hill, curling and pond hockey along with the skating rink.  Activities begin at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon and ends with a fireworks display at 8 pm.

No Stand Alone Building For Cyclotron

Hospital officials are saying they are saving over 1 million dollars by housing a new piece of medical equipment in the building next to the Health Sciences Centre which is currently under construction.   They say the savings come from not building a new stand alone building for the new cyclotron which is expected to be ready to make isotopes by the spring of next year.  

Angelman Syndrome Awareness Day

It's a condition that is so rare that only three children have it in Thunder Bay. It's called Angelman Sydrome and Leia Portfors is one of the Mothers of a child who has the neuro-genetic disorder which affects both sexes. Today marks the first annual International Angelman Awareness Day. 

Woman's Death Ruled Not Criminal

The Death of a 23 year old Kasabonika Lake First Nation woman is not the result of any criminal offence. That's the conclusion of an O.P.P. investigation after Nishnawbe-Aski Police asked the O.P.P. to step in and assist. Lena Anderson died while in police custody on February 1st of this year. Meanwhile the Regional Coroner's Office says an inquest will be conducted to review the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

City Man Wins Big At Grand Portage

One Thunder Bay man is celebrating a huge winfall. A long-time patron of Grand Portage Lodge and Casino won a whopping 330-thousand dollars U.S. on a progressive slot machine on Tuesday. It's believed to be the second largest payout in the casino's history and the man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said "It's going to make life a whole lot easier."

Bordercats Announce Five Players

The Thunder Bay Bordercats are announcing their first five players committed for the upcoming season. Outfielders Cory Kay and Tyler Duplantis are coming back for another year. The team also signed shortstop Joey Hawkins, third baseman Jason Vosler and pitcher Jordan Church. The team will play their home opener on June 1st.

Thunderwolves Hockey Team Faces Elimination Tonight

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team are facing elimination Friday night in game two of their series against Waterloo. The team fell 7-2 in the opener of their O.U.A. quarter-final on the road and will now need a pair of wins at home in front of the Gardens faithful. Interim Coach Mike Busniuk says everything that could've gone wrong for the Thunderwolves did in game one and they'll have to re-focus quickly in order to stay in the playoffs.