3.7 Million In Health Care Spending

The local health agency is delivering 3.7 million dollars to a variety of programs aimed at helping seniors, addicts and people living with chronic conditions. St. Joseph's Care Group will be using 500 thousand dollars to provide a drug outreach program for pregnant and parenting moms in Thunder Bay, Kenora and Sioux Lookout. Spokesperson Nancy Black says it's a unique program for Northern women age 16 to 24. The Region's Brain Injury Service will be using money to bring two people living with physical disabilities out of the hospital and into the community.

Underground Gym Fundraises

The Underground Gym is asking you for your help and is launching a new fundraising effort. The Gym has offered a variety of services throughout the years for disadvantaged youth in the community. Founder Peter Panetta hopes for it to stay that way. He says it seems that this has been a bad year for the gym adding they have only taken in half of the money they did last year. The sixth month goal is to raise 20 thousand dollars.

OPP On Ride Program & Snow Plow Safety

The OPP's Festive R.I.D.E. program starts on Saturday. Sgt. Ann McCoy says it's during the holiday period that drinking and driving seems to spike with police statistics showing it's worse this time of year. The RIDE program wraps up on January 2nd.  The OPP is launching a snow plow safety campaign.  Police want to remind the public to slow down when they see a snow plow's flashing blue light and let the plow lead the way. Sgt. Ann McCoy says if you pass the plow and end up in an accident you could end up being charged.  McCoy says driving too fast and passing snow plows are major causes of winter collisions.

Gitchhiker Coming To T.Bay

The Gitch-hiker is coming to Thunder Bay Sunday.  Mark McIntyre is a below the waist cancer survivor and is hitch hiking across Canada in only his Stanfielfd underwear.  McIntyre will receive 20-thousand dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society if he makes it to Stanfield's Head Quarters in Nova Scotia in under 21 days.

Big Brothers Launches New Program

Big Brothers Thunder Bay is launching a new program for young boys.  Game On will be available at 4 schools in the area starting in February according to Program Coordinator Reco Southerland.  The program is for young guys aged 11 to 14.  Southerland says they are currently looking for volunteers to help mentor the young men.

Hebert To Ask For Vote To Be Postponed

City Council will hear from their staff about ways they can help reduce the property tax on a Victoria Avenue building.  Habib Enterprises wants to create an affordable housing unit at that property, but requires from the City reduced property taxes or a grant.  Councillor Larry Hebert says he hopes council votes in favour of the project Monday night. The project has Social Services Board approval and can only receive funding from the Provincial Government's Affordable Housing Program if the City helps.  Meanwhile, City Councillor Larry Hebert is asking to put off a vote on the Event Centre Monday night.  Hebert says he wants to hear about budget priorities and how much the water treatment plant will cost the city before they vote on whether to proceed with the Multiplex.  Hebert says there may not be a need to take a breather on the Event Centre; he just wants to ensure there are no surprises when it comes to the water treatment plant and budget.

Rafferty Points Blame at Feds

Fingers are being pointed at the Federal government for some of the reasons behind Resolute Forest Products' decision to shut down their number-5 paper machine.  In Ottawa, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the government's commitment to the forest industry has been less than adequate. Infrastructure and Communities Minister Denis Lebel says any difficulties within the industry remain  market related.

Getting Ready For United

Thunder Bay's Airport is preparing for United Airlines to offer it's daily service to Chicago.  President Scott McFadden says the service will start February 14th and they're making room for them in the terminal.  The new Chicago flight leaves Thunder Bay at six in the morning and comes back into the city at 8:40 at night.

Campbell On Resolute

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is among those who is still hopeful that operations in Fort Frances will get back to normal at a later date.  Campbell says she met with Resolute representatives as early as yesterday, but indicated they weren't asking for any provincial assistance at this time.  Campbell says the company isn't marking a date as to when operations may resume, but says she did come away with a sense that it will happen.

Kenora Train Pedestrian Accident

A 36 year old Kenora woman is recovering from injuries sustained after she was hit by a train.  Kenora Police were called to a train crossing Tuesday night.  Two people were walking along the tracks when the 36 year old woman was struck by the westbound CP Rail train.  She was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Work To Rule In Rainy River

Elementary teachers across the Rainy River district are expected to begin a series of work-to-rule job actions to back demands for a new contract.  The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says it's received the no board report from a Ministry of Labour conciliator regarding its stalled negotiations with the Rainy River District School Board.

Layoffs Still Loom

The prospect of more downtime still looms at the local Bombardier plant. Union Spokesperson Dominic Pasqualino says it's because workers voted to continue their strike at the company's  Quebec plant. The facility makes walls and roofs for the rocket subway line Thunder Bay's plant works on. Pasqualino says they'll start running out of parts by Christmas. He adds layoffs could be avoided if the Quebec plant resolves their labour issues or the company finds another supplier.

Ski Hills Could Open December 1st

With no snow on the ground yet, you might think local ski hills would be suffering.  Ward Bond, Owner of Loch Lomond Ski Area says memberships for him are actually up in numbers from a year ago.  Bond says they'll start making snow with 20 machines starting tomorrow and hope to open as early as December 1st.

Snow On The Way

Travellers taking to the road tomorrow will need to know about an incoming weather system that is expected to bring varying amounts of snow to the region overnight.  Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says 15 to 20 centimetres could hit along the North shore of Lake Superior but other areas around the region, including Thunder Bay will see less accumulation.  Coulson says the tail end of the system will bring much cooler temperatures over the coming week with highs of minus 5 and 6.

Liberal Leadership Debate Coming To T.Bay

The Ontario Liberal Leadership debates will be making a stop in Thunder Bay.  Northwestern Ontario will get it's chance to ask questions to the candidates on Sunday, December 9th at 1 in the afternoon.  A location for the debate has yet to be selected.

Golf Courses Still Open

Golf in November? With the temperatures as mild as they have been, golfers are still swinging their clubs at Northern Lights Golf Course. Clubhouse Manager Billy Shewchuck says the driving range and the full course are still open for business. Shewchuck says it's been really busy this week with above normal temperatures and they'll be open again today. Dragon Hills Golf Course is open today as well.