Woman Remains In Custody

A Thunder Bay woman charged in connection with a 2009 murder case will not know until next week if she will be allowed out on bail.  23 year old Samantha Drake is charged as being an accessory to murder after the fact in the 2009 death of Edgar Marion.  Her case will be dealt with in Superior Court on Tuesday.

Nipigon River Bridge Tenders Out

The Provincial Government is looking to make traveling easier in Northern Ontario. The Northern Highway Project will include a new four-lane bridge along Highway 11-17, in Nipigon. It will be the first of its kind in Ontario, and will include a walkway for pedestrians. Tenders for the project went out today. Construction is set to begin this summer.

Gravelle Hears Mining Concerns

Mines Minister Michael Gravelle is getting an earful from the junior mining exploration companies in the northwest.   They say government policies are stopping them from exploring for minerals or driving them out of the country.  Gravelle doesn't see the doom and gloom.  Gravelle believes the industry runs in cycles and that the companies realize the opportunities remain here.

Morrisson Happy With LU Win

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team beat Cape Breton today in a national tournament game 74 to 61. Coach Scott Morrisson says it feels great to move onto the next round of play and notes normally at this time of year he'd be drowning his sorrows.   The Thunderwolves will play Ottawa tomorrow at 5:30 pm ET.

Revera Employees Join CEP

25 Revera employees are joining the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union.  CEP Spokesperson Marvin Pupeza says in a vote today, 60 percent of the staff from Thunder Bay and Kenora voted in favour of joining the union.  Revera home health care provides service across Northwestern Ontario and the CEP already represents 40 personal support workers in the Dryden area.

NDP Nomination Race Now Has 2

City Councillor Andrew Foulds will have some competition for the N.D.P. nomination in Thunder Bay Superior North.  Lise Vaugeois is throwing her hat in the ring.  The Lakehead University educator and musician says she has great respect for Foulds and looks forward to discussing issues with him at the nomination meeting.  The nomination meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 14th.

CMHC Releases Housing Starts

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation feels housing starts will pick up again once the weather gets warmer.  In February there were no new starts reported in Thunder Bay.  Analyst Warren Philp expects the Spring to bring more single family starts.  Philp says people are using the colder months to plan their future builds.

Stats Can Releases Job Numbers

The jobless rate in Thunder Bay is on the rise.   Statistics Canada released new information today indicating the city's jobless rate rose by almost a full percentage point, up to 5-point-9 percent from 5 percent last month. Canada's unemployment rate is unchanged at 7 percent.

Wynne Vows To Work With First Nations

Premier Kathleen Wynne is keeping to her promise of working with First Nations on developing the Ring of Fire.  Wynne met with Matawa Chiefs in Toronto alongside Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer.   Wynne feels the meeting was productive and says she wants to work with First Nations to ensure future economic growth and job creation for generations to come.

Thunderwolves Begin National Tourney At Noon

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team takes on Cape Breton today at noon to begin the national tournament. Head Coach Scott Morrison says there is a bit of history between the two teams as they played against each other at nationals in 2010. The Thunderwolves are ranked 7th at the tournament in Ottawa while the Capers are ranked 2nd. You can watch the game starting at noon by clicking here: http://www.cis-sic.tv/

New MNR Minister Says All Ministries Face Financial Pressures

The new Minister of Natural Resources is weighing in on jobs cuts within his Ministry.  The Province talked in September of 2012 of possibly closing the Ignace MNR office, as well as cutting positions at several area Provincial Parks. In an exclusive interview with our newsroom, David Orazietti says he'll try to balance providing first line MNR service with cost efficiencies.  Orazietti says all Ministries are facing financial pressures.