Health Unit Recognized Provincially

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has been recognized provincially. As part of its celebration of National Nursing Week, the Health Unit announced that it has achieved the Best Practice Spotlight Organization designation from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. The award was given out during the RNAO’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto on Thursday. The Health Unit is 1 of 3 health units in Ontario to have received the recognition.

Wet Weather Continues Warmer Weather On The Way

Cool, wet weather for the Thunder Bay area will last at least another 24 hours according to Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw. A slow moving, low pressure system is making its way across the region. Laidlaw says residents can expect conditions to improve by the middle of the week and we may anticipate higher than average temperatures for the weekend ahead. Laidlaw says we could see temperatures in the mid teens for Friday and Saturday.

On-Line Crime Reporting Numbers A Success

Thunder Bay's newest on-line crime reporting tool is working well. According to Inspector Alan McKenzie they've received 50 reports from the public since the tool became operational two and a half weeks ago. McKenzie says people have been telling police that they are reporting more crimes such as vehicle break-ins that they would otherwise not have reported. Users can visit the on-line crime reporting page by going to www.ThunderBayPolice.ca

Marina Report Heads To Council In Fall

The future of Phase two of the Prince Arthur's Landing marina development project appears to be in City Council's hands. The City's Greg Alexander, says provincial and federal funding needs to still be identified and council will have to decide on how to proceed after finding sunken treasures following the completed Environmental Assessment. Council will receive the report and discuss the various options contained within it in the Fall.

Police Search For Missing Woman

City police are looking for a missing 57 year old woman.   They say that Margaret Scott-Beatty was last seen at her Lincoln Street apartment by health care workers last Tuesday.   Police say she lives alone and is known to frequent the casino. 

Dryden Socked With Big Debt

Financial trouble for the City of Dryden. The city is sitting with an accumulated debt of roughly 24-million dollars. Mayor Craig Nuttall says the 2010 audited financial statements are concerning and says the city is examining all of its options because the taxpayers can't afford to carry such a huge debt.

Weather Dampens Fire Danger

The threat of a busy forest fires season in northwestern Ontario appears to have eased. Over 100 fires are now in the books. Heather Pridham of the Ministry of Natural Resources says recent wet and cool temperatures is limiting the activity now.   There were only thirteen fires last month in the Thunder Bay district, six of which have been identified as human caused.

Bear Program Changing

Local police will be saddled with more responsibility for nuisance bears . The provincial government's Bear Wise program is changing. Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says from now on the ministry will no longer trap and relocate bears.   He says that will be left up to police.   Gravelle denies that it's a hands off approach to the problem saying the relocation program has been proven not to work.

No Bail For Tsekouras

A Thunder Bay man remains in jail this morning after being denied bail late Friday in a Thunder Bay courtroom.  John Tsekouras  is charged in connection with a police drug sweep in the city last month.  Among other things, the 38 year old Tsekouras is charged with being a director of a criminal organization.  Meantime at the Superior Court of Justice, 22 year old Bradley Tomeck is due back in court to be sentenced May 28th after being found guilty in connection with a credit union robbery in January of last year

Fire Hits Picton Home

No one is injured following a house fire on the one hundred block of Picton Avenue last night.  Platoon Chief John Mill says when crews got there around 9:30,  flames were coming from a second floor window of the semi detached home.  He says fire damage to the bedroom is extensive while there is smoke damage through the rest of the house.   The cause isn't known.