CPC Plugs Away At Implementing Plan

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is reaching out to the community as part of their crime reduction plan.  They've started a campaign welcoming remote First Nation residents to the City, as well as work in individual neighbourhoods.  Acting Co-ordinator Sheelagh Hendrick says they've also started partnering with other community groups.  Hendrick updated the council on her work during the last few months at their monthly meeting Wednesday night.

Crimestoppers To Launch High School Program

Thunder Bay's Crimestoppers Program is looking to launch a Highschool version of themselves.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they want to provide an anonymous tip program for students who want to prevent underage drinking. They'll be recruiting members this summer and launch the program sometime in September or October.  Tilbury spoke about the program at Wednesday night's Crime Prevention Council meeting.

NOMA Goes To Bat For ELA

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is the latest group to plead with the Harper government to continue funding the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora. President Ron Nelson says the nearly 40 municipalities in the organization are troubled by the proposal to close the ELA next year. The plea comes in a letter to the prime minister on the issue.

Business Owners Stay Pumped About Economy

Expectations for the future are positive according to the 15th annual small business survey by Thunder Bay Ventures. Manager Royden Potvin says as an example, seventy-four percent of business owners questioned believe that the Thunder Bay economy will have positive growth over the next year. Meantime the survey also showed that 75 per cent of owners surveyed believe a new multiplex is affordable. However the survey was taken before the May 28th flooding disaster.

Via Rail Sioux Lookout Safe

The daily run east and west from Sioux Lookout isn't impacted by cuts at Via Rail.  Trip frequencies are being cut on some of the big routes, including the Montreal to Halifax route ``The Ocean'' which will be cut from six to three round trips per week.  In the West, ``The Canadian'' , a Toronto to Vancouver route, will be reduced from three to two round trips per week in the off-season.  There will also be a number reductions in southwestern Ontario.  Via Rail says it expects to cut 200 unionized jobs, or about 9-percent of its positions, as the government-owned passenger rail service deals with federal budget cuts.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author In Town

Michael Wood

A Pulitzer Prize winning author is speaking to the Regional Research Institute Board today.  Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee wrote a book about Cancer and CEO Michael Wood says they look forward to hearing what he has to say.  Mukherjee will also be speaking tonight at the Victoria Inn.

Immigration Social Network Launched

Thunder Bay's Multicultural Association is launching it's Immigrant Social Network today.  Spokesperson Michelle Lander says the group will help new comers settle in Thunder Bay.  The new group's board is made up of about 12 people and is being launched on Canada's Multicultural Day.

Life's A Beach

Bad news for the Canada Day long weekend. The Health Unit has put Boulevard Lake's main beach and sunnyside beach under a swimming advisory. You can still swim at those beaches but be warned there is high levels of e-coli which can lead to skin, eye, nose and throat infections. The Health Unit is testing the water and will alert the public when the e-coli dissipates.

Beardy Elected Regional Chief

A local face is the new face of the Chiefs of Ontario. Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy has been elected Regional Chief. Beardy received 59 votes in traditional voting this morning. Incumbent Angus Toulouse received 53 votes. The 38th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference is on the go in Toronto. Beardy's election will mean the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation will be electing a new Grand Chief.

Cosmo Valente Dies In Custody

A Thunder Bay Man serving jail time in Stony Mountain has died. Cosmo Valente died at a hospital in Winnipeg on Monday. The 69 year Valente was serving a 5 year 8 month sentence for trying to hire a "hit man" to kill his ex-wife and her lawyer. The cause of his death is not known but is being reviewed by police and the coroner.

Canada Day Activities

Fort William Historical Park along with the OLG Casino and Marina Park are the host venues for Canada Day festivities. Admission to Fort William Historical Park is free and activities include a scavenger hunt, tug of war, ceremonial canoe arrival with musket salute and Canada Day birthday cake. Communications Officer Marty Mascarin suggests you can start at the Historical Park and then make your way to the casino and marina for their planned activities. The Historical Park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Canada Day. 

Public School Board Passes Budget

The Lakehead Public School Board is going ahead with a budget of more than 131-million dollars for next year. The budget was approved at last night's meeting. Board Chair, Deborah Masserro says “Developing a balanced student-focused with stakeholder input is a significant accomplishment.” Highlights of the budget include: maintaining programs such as Full-Time Senior Kindergarten in existing schools, continued support for French as a second language and Native language support in elementary schools, more money for textbooks and e-books as well as e-learning opportunities for High School students. 

Thunderwolves To Compete In Olympic Trials

Lakehead University Thunderwolves Alastair Brown and Hillary Quirion are set to compete at the Canadain Olympic Track and Field Olympic trials starting today in Calgary. Brown is ranked 11th Canada in the 1500 metres and has a shot at making the finals. Quirion, who is from Thunder Bay, qualified for the 10,000 metre run following a 3rd place finish at the O.U.A. provincials this year. Three other L.U. Athletes will compete in pre-trial events, Tess Naroski in the 800 & 1500, Heather Maxfield in 400 & 800 and Travis Roske in the 800.

Cats Split Series In St. Cloud

The Thunder Bay Border Cats eneded up splitting a mini 2-game series with St. Cloud after dropping a 3-2 decision last night. The Border Cats now have a first half record of 12-15. They start a 3-game seris against Alexandria this afternoon.