Hudak Says TBGS Must Stay Open

The province's opposition leader is taking aim at the Liberal government over the possible closure of Thunder Bay Generating Station.  PC leader Tim Hudak says the Mission Island facility needs to stay open to play an economic role in getting clean energy to the region. Hudak suggests  it's a mistake for the Wynne government to keep local officials guessing on the matter and conversion of the plant to natural gas should resume.

Former NAN Grand Chief Dies

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is mourning the death of a former NAN Grand Chief.   Frank Beardy died yesterday following a lengthy illness.    He was the Grand Chief in the 1980's and also served as the chief of the Muskrat Dam First Nation.   Frank Beardy, dead at the age of 63.  

Recool Truck Catches Fire

A recool recycling collection truck is being inspected after catching fire at the Chronicle Journal loading dock. Around 9am, onlookers noticed smoke rising out of the back of the truck. Steve Ree, the truck's driver, says this was the first time something like this had happened to him. Ree managed to escape completely unharmed.

Big Trout Lake First Nation Welcomes Visitors

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is heading to Big Trout Lake First Nation Monday.  Hyer and 24 Canadians from all walks of life will be living in Big Trout Lake for a week.  The remote First Nation wants people to see their living conditions.

Kenora Murder Case Sentencing Today

Three-and-a-half months after being found guilty of second degree murder, Kenneth Ivall will finally find out how much longer he'll have to spend in jail.  Ivall will be sentenced this morning in Kenora Superior Court in the death of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009.  Ivall's co-accused, Angela Duchese is already spending three years in a federal penitentiary.  She plead guilty to manslaughter charges midway through the eight week long
trial.

Rafferty Wants More Protection For Bus Drivers

A northwestern Ontario MP wants better protection for transit bus drivers in Canada.  Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty says his private members bill stems from recent incidents against drivers in Thunder Bay.  Rafferty proposes an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada that would give greater sentences if an assault is against a transit driver.

Rickford Supports Welfare Plan

Helping Aboriginal people in Northwestern Ontario get off welfare.  That's the focus of a new plan being pushed by Canada's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt.  Kenora MP Greg Rickford says 241-million dollars will go to help youth achieve the same job opportunities as other Canadians.  First Nations who choose to participate in the program will have those under the Income Assistance Program undergo personalized case management.

Policing Issue Heading To NOMA

Concerns about policing costs are being raised.  Fort Frances has drafted a resolution it's forwarding to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association that seeks more financial support from the province.  Councillor Andrew Hallikas says the current funding formula is inadequate.  In its resolution, the town cites economic and financial challenges, as well as a pending wage increase for OPP officers next year.

ER Losing Doctors

The emergency room at the Health Sciences is losing 6 doctors later this year.  However Dr. David Wood says there is enough time to find some replacements, but failing that there's always temporary doctors to choose from.  Wood says it's not a problem the ER is unfamiliar with.

Probe Into 24 Year Old's Death

An inquest into the death of a 24 year old man is going to be held in Thunder Bay on July 29th.  Gustavo Argueta died from injuries received during the course of his employment inspecting the under-surface of a new bridge in the Thunder Bay area. The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding his death.  It's expected to last five days to hear from 15 witnesses.

Collision On South Side

No injuries to report following a two vehicle collision at the corner of Arthur and James Streets just before 5 o'clock this afternoon.  One person was shaken up and police say that person was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Elementary Teachers Ink Tentative Pact

The province now has labour peace with the union representing public elementary teachers after protests that saw teachers withdraw from extra-curricular activities last fall.   Ellen Chambers of the local Elementary Teachers Federation says it's a testament to the determination of the membership. Teachers will vote on the new tentative agreement with the government later this month.

Repair Work Will Force Power Outage

Some businesses and residents in the central part of the city should prepare for a power outage.   Thunder Bay Hydro says an excavation crew damaged an underground electrical cable today.   Repair work is going to take place starting at 6 o'clock so utility officials say power will be out in that area until midnight. The section affected is John Street, High Street and Fort William Road.

Tsekouras Faces New Charges

City police say new accusations are facing  a city man who's already going through the court system on major drug charges.   Thirty nine year old John Tsekouras is now looking at more drug charges as well as conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to kidnap. That means he's back in custody and is due to appear in court June 17th.  

Premier Not Pressured By Cliffs Decision

Premier Kathleen Wynne says she wants to get it right.   Wynne says the decision by Cliffs Natural Resources to put their Ring of Fire project on hold is simply part of the process to making sure all the sensitive issues are settled up front, especially those involving First Nations.   Wynne doesn't see it as a pressure tactic by the mining giant. Wynne says the government remains willing to talk to Cliff's about its concerns.

City Hires Aboriginal Liaison

The  City has a new Aboriginal Liaison.  It's Ann Magiskan who is currently the chair of the city's anti racism Advisory committee.  She comes from the catholic school board where she was an aboriginal outreach worker.

Bluefin Fire Thought To Be Accidental

A preliminary investigation is focusing on a wood-burning fireplace and chimney as the possible cause of a weekend fire at a popular resort along Lake Superior on Highway 61 in Minnesota.  Saturday's fire at the Bluefin Bay resort damaged five of the resort's 70 vacation rental units. No one was hurt.  The resort is hoping to repair the fire damage by the end of summer.

Sobeys Buys Safeway

The parent company of Sobeys is buying the Canadian assets of Safeway.  The 5.8-billion-dollar deal involves 213 Safeway stores from Thunder Bay to British Columbia.  Some local shoppers said they were stunned and were loyal Safeway shoppers.  Sobey's hasn't decided if the Safeway name will disappear.
    

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Boor Defends Decision

A top executive at Cliff's Natural Resources is defending a controversial company decision. Bill Boor says the move to suspend work on environmental assessments on the Ring of Fire chromite project is necessary because of government and court delays in the process. Boor can't say if the move will end up delaying the start up of the mine, but hopes the issues can be resolved soon.

Horizon Wind Saga Continues

As the proposed wind farm project on the Nor' Wester Escarpment makes its way through the provincial approval process City Hall is getting involved. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says the city has hired a consultant to go over Horizon Wind's renewal energy submission to the provincial government. Smith says the consultant will make sure the city's interest are being met.