Handi Transit Service Goes In House 2014

City Council is approving the merger of handi transit services with Thunder Bay Transit.  Manager of HAGI Transit Brenda Deck was emotional when pleading to councillors last night to continue to allow HAGI to run the service.  Thunder Bay Transit will take over running the service in January 2014.

Maki Bay Solar Asks For Support

Maki Bay Solar is asking for City Council's support for their rooftop solar panel projects.  The business is looking for Municipal approval because the Ontario Power Authority requires it before they can implement their projects.  Maki Bay has a number of deals in line to place solar panels on a number of area business roof tops.

State Of The City Address

Thunder Bay's Mayor is proud of council's partnership with Fort William First Nation.  Keith Hobbs talked about the relationship between the two communities in his State of the City Address Monday night.  Hobbs hopes that one day there will be a unity bridge connecting Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay.  Other issues that popped up in the yearly address include the May 28th flood, and the City Lean cost saving program.

Christmas Cheer Fund Needs Help

Thunder Bay's Christmas Cheer needs your help. Spokesperson Linda Gambee says they are facing a 50-thousand dollar shortfall and a decline in food donations. You can donate food until Tuesday at 7 pm.  Cash donations can be made at the Christmas Cheer office at the CLE until Wednesday at 7.

Highway 11 Open

Highway 11 is now open to traffic after a motor vehicle collision Monday.  A transport truck was on its side blocking the highway.  Police believe there is only minor injuries for the people involved in the crash.  The accident happened 15 kilometers south of Beardmore.

2 Kenora Men Face 2nd Degree Murder Charges

Two Kenora men are charged with second degree murder and arson after a fatal house fire over the weekend.  21 year old Langford Ogemah was found dead in the residence.  20 year old Peter Fisher and 22 year old Ringo Carpenter appeared in court for a bail hearing today.  The North West Regions Crime unit is continuing the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigations Branch.

NAN Offers Condolences

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is offering its condolences to the family of former NAN Deputy Grand Chief Dan Kooses. He passed away Sunday after battling a lengthy illness. The former deputy was from Kashechewan First Nation and was one of the founders of Grand Council Treaty #9.

Border Cats Schedule Finalized

The Thunder Bay Border Cats kick off their 11th season in the Northwoods League Wednesday, May 29th, with a three game road trip beginning in Willmar against the Stingers.  The Cats will play two games in Willmar and one in St. Cloud against the Rox before returning to Thunder Bay for their home opener on Saturday, June 1st, against Willmar .

Results Of Food Drive "Amazing"

Organizers of a weekend food drive are more than happy with the results. Volker Kromm, of the Regional Food Distribution Association, says with the help of area police forces they managed to collect 23 thousand dollars in food and 3 thousand dollars in cash in the Stuff A Cruiser event. He calls it amazing and says it equals one of their top food drives during the year. The food will be used to supply area food banks for the Christmas season.

Success Of Deer Hunt Can't Be Measured

The first ever controlled deer hunt in the city is now in the books.  By-law enforcer Ron Bourret says it all appeared to go very well but says there is no way to find out how many deer were killed.  He says early in the new year there will be a meeting of all those involved to find out how success can be measured in the future.  Bourret says there were very few complaints filed with the police and of those, all of them were settled easily.  

Johnson Favours Thunder Bay Transit

The issue of whether or not to renew the contract with HAGI Transit comes up for debate tonight at City Council. Councillor Rebecca Johnson is in favour of the move that will bring the handicapped transit service under the umbrella of Thunder Bay Transit. The HAGI Transit contract with the city officially runs out on December 13th of next year.

City To Host National Soccer Tourney

A major soccer event is headed to the city. Thunder Bay will host the 2013 Canadian Soccer Association National Championships for All-Star girls ages 15 and 16. It's the first major soccer tournament to be held in the city in a hundred years according to Chair Peter Augruso. He says six teams in each age group will compete for the national championship starting July 16th next year at Chapples Soccer Park and Fort William Stadium.

Police Chief Says Small Towns Not Immune

Dryden Police Chief Rob Davis says he is horrified by the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.  Davis says it just proves it can happen anywhere.  He says there's a perception that it can't happen in a small town, but the world is changing and we have to be prepared for such situations.  In the spring, the Dryden Police conducted a simulation-school shooting, where they practised how they would handle such a situation.

Superior-Greenstone Teachers To Walk

The latest group of public school teachers to join the list of rotating strikes across the province are those in Superior-Greenstone.   Colleen Lemieux of the elementary teachers union says they're holding a one day strike on Thursday to protest a government law that stops strikes, freezes wages and cut benefits. Lemieux believes the teachers have the support of parents in the community.

Highway 11 Closed South Of Beardmore

Highway 11 is closed this morning approximately 15 kilometres South of Beardmore. O.P.P. say a transport truck is on its side completely blocking the highway. An ambulance is on the scene but O.P.P. say they believe only minor injuries have been sustained. Motorists are being urged to use Highway 17 as a detour.  

Crimestoppers Crime Of The Week