Santa Bus Brings Tonnes Of Food

Over 2 thousand pounds of food is going to the Thunder Bay Food Bank. The goods were collected through the Amalgamated Transit Union's Santa Bus Food Drive.

Another Child Porn Bust

City police are announcing another kiddie porn bust.   Detective Constable Chris Dunnill says that in early October they discovered that a man was using an Internet  file sharing network to trade child pornography.Dunnill says that lead to a search of a South Cumberland Street apartment in late November. That's where a computer was seized.    Facing three child pornography related charges is 42 year old Terrance Roe of Thunder Bay.

Man Killed On Highway 17

It was a tough day on area roads Sunday.  A single vehicle accident on Highway 17 claimed the life of  55-year old  John Lackey from the Barrie area.  OPP say yesterday afternoon around 3 o'clock a pickup truck rolled over, one kilometre west of Finmark Road, that resulted in the highway being reduced to one lane.   Meanwhile, a two-vehicle collision on Highway 61 near Mount Forest Boulevard sent four people to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The male driver of the Nissan truck was charged with Unsafe Lane Change contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

No Injuries In NWO Derailment

Trains are moving again on the CP rail line in northwestern Ontario. A train derailment about 10-kilometres east of Ignace forced the closure of the national line early Saturday morning. 14-grain cars left the track and there was damage to a small section of the track. Repairs were made and the investigation concluded and service was back to normal yesterday afternoon. No one was injured.

Seatbelts Save Lives

"Seat belts save lives"  is the theme of a high school campaign this week.   Judi Marton of the Health Unit says a crumpled car wreck, whose victims survived a collision,  is being taken to several schools this week. Marton says the initiative is a partnership between the Health Unit, the regional hospital and a local car dealership.

OPP Commish To Retire

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis is set to retire from the force. He made his announcement recently saying he'll end his 35 year police career on March 28th of 2014.   A search for Lewis's replacement will begin immediately.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers is looking for information to help solve a break and enter in Thunder Bay that resulted in the theft of catalytic converters. Sometime between midnight and the morning of December 4th, the Buck Auto compound on 104th Street was broken into and a total of 69 catalytic converters were stolen.  The estimated value of this theft is $3500.00.  Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a web tip at www.tipsubmit.com

LHIN To Be Reviewed

Regional health authorities will be get a review in the new year. A provincial legislative committee intends to hold public meetings in late January and February to review the Local Health System Integration Act. It include a meeting in Thunder Bay on February 3rd. The 7-year-old act led to the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks, including one for the Northwest, to oversee the planning, integration and funding of local health.

Food Bank Use Up

The demand for food banks is growing in Ontario. The Ontario Association of Food Banks finds 375-thousand people now relying on food banks every month.  Executive Director Bill Laidlaw says there were 16-thousand new users identified this year. Laidlaw says food bank use this year has been greatest in rural areas and communities hit hard by plant closures.

Bell Let's Talk Clara's Ride Coming In June

Six time Olympian Clara Hughes is cycling across Canada raising mental health awareness.  Mary Deacon is Chair with the Let's Talk initiative and says events will kick off soon with Bell Let's Talk Day which over the past few years has raised 62-million dollars.  Clara's trip begins in Toronto on March 14th and will be in Thunder Bay in June.

Christmas Cheer Hamper Pick Up

It's almost time to pick up your Christmas Cheer hampers. If you live on the south side of the City Tuesday is your chance to pick it up, while the north ward will pick up their hampers on Wednesday. Hampers can be picked up at the CLE from 9 in the morning till 7 at night.

City Council Preview

City Council is set to clear up some administrative duties during the last meeting of 2013. Deputy Chief of Superior North EMS Ernie Kadikoff says they're asking council to approve the spending of their new ambulance for Armstrong. The Provincial Government provided 165-thousand dollars towards the vehicle. Meanwhile, A permanent memorial for Katherine Dugmore will be discussed at council tonight. Dugmore was the city's Project Manager for the waterfront development before passing away in March to cancer. The memorial would be placed at the Viewing Circle entrance at the end of Pier Two. Also up for discussion tonight, the city's Community and Cultural Funding grants are expected to remain consistent with last years. Council will review a submission tonight passing two point three million dollars in funding. Finally, an application to have the Sister Leila Greco Apartments included in the cities Charitable Tax Rebate program should be looked at favorably according to councillor Brian McKinnon. If approved the apartments would receive a full tax rebate.