Mining boom has 20 year shelf life

The President of the Ontario Mining Association is predicting the current mining boom only has a 20 year shelf life.  Chris Hodgson says we need to strike while the iron is hot.  Hodgson adds in order for the region to provide a solid workforce more women need to consider careers in mining.

OFIA unveils election asks

The NDP, PC's, and Liberals are being put on notice from the Ontario Forest Industry Association.  Spokesperson Scott Jackson says they want to see better provincial government policies.  Jackson says they also want a buy Ontario policy for the Forest Industry.

Power outage plaguing North side

Around 150 Thunder Bay Hydro customers are without power on the North side of town.  According to the company's outage line, the homes on the Northwest outskirts of town lost power at around 3 o'clock and officials aren't sure when power will be restored.

Fatal fire under investigation

OPP in Kenora are investigating a fatal fire.  Officials say the fire happened Monday at a cottage on an island on Lake of the Woods.  One person died and another is in critical condition.  No word on the cause of the fire. 

Fire rips through duplex

No injuries after a two alarm blaze tore through a duplex on the city's southside.  The inferno started just before 11:30 on Sherbrooke street and Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Captain Rick Kerley says when crews arrived they saw blackened windows and smoke in the area. Kerley says they found extensive damage in the house but managed to confine most of the damage to the main floor.  There is no word on the cause at this time.

Canfield thinks McGuinty will be last minute show

There are still some members of NOMA that think the Premier will show to the first ever Northern Ontario Leaders Debate.  Vice President Dave Canfield has a sneaking suspicion that Dalton McGuinty will have a change of heart.  The Mayor of Kenora believes even though the Premier has said he won't attend; he might find a way in the long run.  Canfield feels any Premier needs to be engaged with the region since we have all of the resources.

Business needs to grow communities

The Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is rallying the business community to support remote communities.  Elyse Allan spoke at the Prosperity Northwest Conference today and says Government and Business have a role to play.  Allan says investments need to be made in skills training and basic infrastructure.  Allan is also the President and CEO of GE Canada.

Airport sets new record

Thunder Bay's airport has set a new record.  During the month of August just over 67 thousand people went through the airport which is the highest ever.  Officials believe the airport will see over 700 thousand passengers this year.

Inflation jumps in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's inflation rate is even with the national rate for August at 3.1 per cent.  That is an increase from 2.9 per cent the month before.  Government statisticians tell us it's the result of increased prices for gasoline and food.

The longtime face of CF dies

Condelences are pouring in on Facebook for a  Thunder Bay woman who grew up in front of our eyes on local television.  Carla Long has died at the age 35.   She passed away last night at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.   Long was one of the local residents who appeared yearly on the Cystic Fibrosis Mother's Day Telethon.

Marten Falls tries addiction treatment program

The First Nations community of Marten Falls is trying a new way to get their members off their prescription pain killer addictions. They are trying out a 30 day program which will provide Oxycontin addicts with a drug that will taper them off the hard stuff. Marten Falls is 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.