Firefighter Is Military Hero

A rookie Thunder Bay firefighter is now a decorated hero as the result of his work with the Canadian military.  Sgt. Randy McOrmond was awarded the Canadian Star of Courage in Ottawa today.  It was for a life saving ice rescue in Nunavut in 2009.  McOrmond only joined the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Service in December. 

Murder Victim Was Sister Of Accused

A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Ministry says a court ordered publication ban on the name of the murder victim in Richmond Hill last weekend has been lifted.  We  can now tell you that the victim was 38 year old Jeannine Ross of Thunder Bay.   Police identify her as the sister of the person who is charged with Second Degree Murder, 36 year old Jonathon Ross.   Her body was discovered in a condominium complex early Saturday morning. Police say the victim died as a result from blunt force trauma.    

MP Takes On New Challenge

A new role for the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.  John Rafferty is part of a new all-party Entrepreneur caucus in Ottawa.  It's aim is to support and foster discussion on entrepreneurship in Canada.  It held its inaugural meeting yesterday.

Wabasse Anniversary Remembered

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is helping to prepare the families of seven youth who died under similar circumstances while attending High School in Thunder Bay over the span of 11 years.  Today marks the second anniversary of the disappearance of 15 year old Jordan Wabasse, whose body was later recovered from the Kaministiquia River.   Ontario's Chief Coroner announced a joint inquest into the seven deaths back in May of last year.

Local Jobless Rate Rises

Thunder Bay ranks fifth best for unemployment rates among major cities across the country. Last month the city's jobless rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5 five percent overall.  Thunder Bay's jobless rate continues to be well below the national average of 7 percent.

Fatal Snowmobile Accident

City police are saying the driver of a snowmobile was not wearing a helmet when a 22 year old man crashed his sled and died just before 6:00 o'clock last night.  Police say the snow machine went airborne before striking a tree on private property on Paquette Road yesterday.  The 22 year old and a 20 year old woman were rushed to hospital where the man died as a result of his injuries, the woman has since been released.

Hackner In The Hunt

Thunder Bay teams are right in the mix at the Northern Ontario Men's Curling Championships being held in Nipigon. Al Hackner won 2 of 3 yesterday and now sits at 3-1 alongside Trevor Bonot. Sault Ste. Marie's Brad Jacobs leads the way at 4-0. Bryan Burgess also has a wining record at 3-2, while Jeff Currie is 2-3. Three draws are scheduled today with the top three seeds advancing to the playoffs for the right to represent Northern Ontario at the Brier.

Thunderwolves Basketball Needs Wins At Home

The Lakehead University men's and women's basketball teams are back at home this weekend at the L.U. Thunderdome against Windsor, starting at 6:00 o'clock. The men's team is two wins behind Windsor for top spot in the division and control their own destiny for claiming top spot with a pair of wins at home. Head Coach Scott Morrison says L.U. and Windsor has developed into an intense rivalry in recent years. The women's volleyball team is also at home this weekend with a pair of games on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 o'clock against Ottawa.

Crime Stoppers Charity Hockey Game Tonight

Crime Stoppers holds its 24th annual charity hockey game tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. The Police all-stars will be taking on former players from the former Thunder Bay Senators and Thunder Cats. Jason Disher, a former Senator and Thunder Cat is the spokesperson for Crime Stoppers and says fans will recognize some of the names making a return to the Gardens ice such as Llew NcWana, Vern Ray, Neal Purdon, Mike Figliomieni and Pat Szturm. Disher says kids are allowed in free, adults are asked for a nominal fee that will benefit Thunder Bay and District Crime Stoppers.

MPAC Anger Spawns Coalition

The City of Dryden is forming a coalition with Thunder Bay, Espanola and Fort Frances to fight the recent Municipal Property Assessment Corporation mill assessments.  Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they are trying to arrange a meeting with the incoming Premier.  Nuttall says northern communities can't afford to cover the shortfall left by the dramatic drop in assessments.

United Way Reaches Goal

Once again the United Way is celebrating another successful fundraising campaign.  The 2012 campaign brought in over 2.6 million dollars.  Chair Carol Busch says the campaign was hard fought.  The exact amount of cash brought in is $2,619,567.  The United Way financially helps support 28 local agencies.