Dryer Fire Dealt With

Fire officials responded to a dryer fire on County Boulevard around 4am yesterday. The fire was extinguished with no issues. The only damage caused by the fire was to the dryer, with minor smoke damage elsewhere in the house.

Dugmore Memorial Discussion

The city is going to look at ways to honor the memory of Katherine Dugmore.  The one time waterfront development manager died recently and city spokesperson Darrell Matson says officials are looking at putting up a memorial to her at Prince Arthur's Landing, but the exact method isn't known. Matson says the issue comes before city council July 22nd.

MNR Conducting Surveys

The Ministry of Natural Resources is taking a close look at 61 lakes in northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Kim Armstrong says lake surveys are underway. Armstrong says they are also checking for invasive species. Information gathered through the surveys will be used to make decisions on setting fishing seasons and size limits for anglers.

Local Music Legend Returns To Bluesfest

Shaffer on-stage at Bluesfest

A Thunder Bay musical legend makes his return to Bluesfest. Despite the poor weather, Paul Shaffer surprised thousands of blues fans at the Waterfront last night and even played a song with Los Lobos. Shaffer was in town visiting family. 

Kraft Celebration Tour

Kraft Canada is encouraging residents in communities challenging for the Kraft Celebration Tour to get behind their bids. Dryden and Fort Frances are going head to head. Kraft's promotions manager Sue Brooks says the public has the final say on who will win.Along with the 25-thousand dollar cash reward, Brooks says Kraft will set up a variety of events the day the winning community hosts TSN.

Free Fishing

It's time to get your family hooked on fishing. Licence-free fishing begins on July 6th and runs until the 14th across Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says it's a chance to try the sport without the hassle of getting a licence.

Treaty Three Police Service Will Close Its Doors

The Treaty Three Police Services Board is shutting down the police service effective August 19th. The main reasons being the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, didn't agree to their demands to be under the provincial jurisdiction and agreeing to major wage concessions and restrictions on sick leave by withdrawing unfair labour practice complaints. PSAC Regional Vice-President Sharon DeSousa says it's disappointing to see that this is the only solution the service has come up with, adding they haven't really spoken to the workers or consulted with the union.

Water Park Officially Open

It's not often that a children's water park causes this much excitement.   However in this case the new County Park splash pad is the exception to the rule.   The facility's opening has been delayed for a couple of years because of plumbing problems that required extensive work.  It is the city's third such splash pad and will be open from 11-8 daily during the summer months.

CWL Holds Provincial Conference

The Catholic Women's League is holding it's provincial conference in Thunder Bay starting this weekend.   Organizer Marlene Pavletic says over 300 delegates are attending. They will be conducting business meetings, listening to speakers and touring the city.   A flag raising ceremony at City Hall this afternoon is the kickoff to the weekend events.

Angler Rescued

An area angler is thanking the Ministry of Natural Resources today.   Spokesperson Gary Harland says the man was lost fishing yesterday on a river not far from Rinker Lake, 120 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.   His two friends help direct an MNR helicopter crew to the spot the man and he was directed to a safe location and later rescued.

New Grocery Store For City

Thunder Bay is in for some No Frills action. Loblaw Companies Limited confirms that the company will open a No Frills grocery store in the city by the end of this year. While no location has been confirmed the County Fair Plaza and Northwood Plaza have been mentioned.

Cirtwill Hits The Ground Running

The new president of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute is already on the job. Charles Cirtwill plans to be working out of his Thunder Bay headquarters in September but until then he's steering the ship from Halifax. He says that includes working with the board to start posting staffing positions, finalizing funding from the province and commissioning a couple of papers. Cirtwill says he took the job because he was looking for a new opportunity.

New CAO In Red Lake

A new face to the Chief Administrative Officer Position in Red Lake. Mark Vermette will take over effective immediatly. He is replacing Brian Anderson, who is retiring after nearly 40 years.

Fort Frances Mill To Reopen Briefly

A deal has been reached on starting up one of the paper machines at the Resolute Forest Products Mill in Fort Frances. Over 40 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union will be heading back to work for 2 to 3 months. National CEP Rep Stephen Boon says that will hopefully give the mill the boost it needs. Boon says a lot of workers that were laid off in February have found other jobs, but this deal will make the recall completely voluntary.

Wind Farm Opponents Resume The Fight

Wind farm opponents on the city's south side are confident they have a solid case against proposed turbines on the Nor' wester Escarpment. Spokesperson Irene Bond says their consultant has torn apart some of Horizon Winds environmental claims and believes the government will see their point of view, especially when it comes to noise issues.  The report was filed as part of the government's environmental assessment process on the project

No Injuries In Pellet Plant Fire

No one is hurt after a fire this morning at a wood pellet plant on Mission Island.   Fire officials say the blaze started in some dust around 10 o'clock in part of a pellet making machine.   Firefighters stayed for about two hours because in order to make sure the fire was out, they dismantled part of the machinery.

Dilico Workers Poised To Strike

The picket signs are ready to go up at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care offices here and across the district.   Three hundred and fifty workers from Thunder Bay, Armstrong , Longlac, Marathon and Nipigon are set to walk off the job Monday at 8 am.   They are members of the Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union,  and are pressing their case for a new contract. There are no scheduled talks to try to end the dispute.

AIMS Boss To Head NOPI

A Nova Scotia economics whizz is coming to Thunder Bay to head the Northern Ontario Policy Institute.   Reports indicate that Charles Cirtwill, president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, will be the Institute's first head.   The Ontario government set up the think tank to put together a plan for the north which will then be presented to the province.

MNR Doing Invasive Species Study

The Ministry of Natural Resources is out on area lakes monitoring fish populations, taking water samples and checking for invasive species. Surveys are being done on 61-lakes in northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Kim Armstrong says the process should take until about early September.
He notes it could take over a year to know the final results.

Acadia Applies To Buy N.B. Station

In business news - Acadia Broadcasting is moving to add another radio station to its stable - the parent company of  Giant 105.3 has filed an application with the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase CKNI-FM - News91.9 in Moncton from Rogers Broadcasting.  The Saint John based company currently owns ten stations in the Maritimes - and - here Ontario.  Acadia Vice President Jim MacMullin says he looks forward to bringing our brand of community focused - quality local radio to Moncton.