Two new doctors in Thunder Bay

Two medical experts are relocating to Thunder Bay.   Dr. Michael Wood has been appointed as the new Vice President of Research at the Health Sciences Centre and the Research Institute.  Wood says he's looking forward to advancing the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.  Dr. Margaret Sweet will be taking up the role of a clinical neurologist.

Field of Greens comes to a close

If you plant it they will come.  The Field of Greens Community Garden has come to a close with harvesting taking place this weekend.  Spokesperson Kevin Holloway says the food grown will be used in the Salvation Army's hostel and food bank.  The project was a partnership between Port Arthur Rotary Club and the Salvation Army.

Rafferty goes back to work Monday

It's back to work for Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty.  A vote on dismantling the long gun registry is scheduled for later in the week.  Rafferty says he's sticking by his original stance and voting to dismantle the legislation.  Rafferty is introducing a private members bill asking the government to create a national strategy on FASD.  The Northern Ontario NDP MP notes he will also maintain his original position on the long gun registry and vote to abolish it.

United Way kicks off fundraiser

United Way wants to help provide help to the community 24/7.  The group kicked off its 2010 fundraiser by announcing their goal for the year.  Campaign Chair Wayne Fletcher says they hope to raise 2 million 470-thousand dollars.  That amount is higher than the amount raised last year.  Thunder Bay's United Way supports 69 programs and services that help 1 in 3 in the community.  The services are provided by 28 local agencies.  Fletcher adds they feel strongly that Thunder Bay will be able to dig deep and come up with that money.  The campaign wraps up in December with the final numbers being announced in January.

A man on the most wanted list could be in the city

A man on the RCMP's most wanted list may be in the City. Police say Paul Gallagher was spotted in the city yesterday trying to cash a cheque. Gallagher is wanted on a Canada wide Warrant for Parole Violations. He has a history of Identity theft and a picture can be seen on our news blog.

Marathon man talks to students

Motivational speaker and marathon runner Dick Beardsley is in Thunder Bay.  He's here to help promote the Miles with the Giant Marathon and talk to local high school students with a positive message of living a drug free lifestyle.  He says he knows his message is getting across, because many come to thank him later. Beardsley is no stranger to the city, he's been here to speak before.

Debate brings up many election issues

It was standing room only at the mayoral candidates debate at the Lakehead Labour Centre last night.  250 people took part, and only one candidate didn't show Brian Kwasny.  Audience members brought up the proposed Multi-plex and questioned if they city can afford such a project.  Keith Hobbs says if he's elected Mayor big ticket items will go to the public for a vote. Meanwhile, incumbent Lynn Peterson says it's not a done deal they are just conducting a feasibility study. Frank Pullia says nothing is final since council will change in two months time. Collin Burridge says he would engage the public on major infrastructure projects.  Another hot topic was the city's tax rate.  Councillor Frank Pullia says the city can't raise taxes any higher or else people will be forced out of their homes.  Meanwhile, Collin Burridge says he would put the money used to pay off the Health Sciences Center towards lowering property taxes.  Lynn Peterson says they pay close attention to what is in the budget, balancing cutting items and providing critical services.  Keith Hobbs says he would put off projects that are not necessities such as the waterfront project.

Outbreaks at old age homes

There are a couple of outbreaks at local old age homes.  Officials at the health unit have declared a respiratory illness on Plaza One.  Meanwhile, there's an outbreak at Versa Care on the fifth and sixth floors only.  The health unit is urging people to stay at home and refrain from visiting those sites.

First Nations sign agreements

Marten Falls and Webequie First Nation signed a relationship protocol with each other.  The document deals with exploration of any Ring of Fire discoveries.  The two first nations also signed a protocol with the Ministry of Northern, Mines and Forestry and Natural Resources.

No transit deal yet

The transit dispute still isn't settled, but the buses will still be running Friday.   Conciliator Myrna Mann will be flying in from Toronto to help both sides come to an agreement.   Union boss Charlie Brown says for now, there will be no strike as long as the talks are continuing.  Brown also promises that he will give the public plenty of warning if there is a strike. 

Jordan Staal out for the start of the season

Thunder Bay's Jordan Staal is going to miss the first six weeks  of the NHL season.   The star forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins needs 5 to 6 weeks to recover from a foot infection that followed an operation.    The surgery necessary to repair a tendon injury Staal suffered during the playoffs. It's a bit of a blow for Staal since he has only missed one regular season game in his 4 year career

Waterfront the backdrop for PM visit

Final preparations are complete at the  site of the waterfront project   for Prime Minister Harper's visit to the city Friday.  A huge tent has been set up on the construction site and police and security have scoped the area.   Harper will be part of an event there during the noon hour.   At 6 o'clock Friday evening he'll be at the Victoria Inn to make a speech to Conservative party faithful.

LU prez calls tuition news shocking

There are tough words coming from the president of the Lakehead University Student Union.   Mike Snoddon  says Stats Canada figures that show Ontario has the highest average undergraduate tuition fee at 6 hundred dollars,  is shocking. Snoddon says even LU is getting up there after it broke the 5 thousand dollar barrier this year. He also accuses the McGuinty government of allowing it's own tuition increase guidelines to be broken.

Fundraiser receives boost

There are smiles all around at the local Alzheimer Society office. It follows a 5 thousand dollar donation towards the Coffee Break fundraiser. Director Alison Denton says it came from Bob Stewart of the Caribou Restaurant.   Denton says the money was raised at Stewart's 50 birthday party

Home owner is charged after not maintaining smoke alarms

The Owner of a house on Redwood Avenue is facing some fines after being caught without working smoke alarms.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to a small fire Tuesday evening and found smoke in the home.  The fire was confined to an electronic air filter in the furnace.  The home did have two smoke alarms but were not working.  Officials are reminding people to make sure all their smoke alarms are working properly. 

Thunder Bay Marathon is just days away

Organizers are geared up for this weekends inaugural Miles with the Giant Marathon. President Barry Streib says runners will be able to pick up their kits at the Chamber of Commerce Superior Living health and wellness leisure expo Friday and Saturday.  The race starts at 8 o'clock Sunday morning on Red River Road.

Terrace Bay Pulp is out of creditor protection

Great news for Terrace Bay, the pulp mill is reopening. Yves Fricot says the facility pulled out of creditor protection late yesterday evening and is bringing employees back to the mill. There will be about 340 people employed at the mill and around the same amount working in woodlands operations.  Fricot says it will take about two weeks of prep work before the mill will be ready to produce pulp.

Transit talks ongoing

The City and Amalgamated Transit Union officials are still locked in talks trying to hammer out a deal.  City administration has said talks are in a critical state.  Manager Tim Commisso says some progress was made in terms of non-monetary and language issues.  The earliest transit workers could walk off the job is Friday morning.

Opponents review Horizon's plan

Opponents of the Horizon Wind Park project have reviewed the company's environmental plan.  The plan was one of the steps required by the company to move forward on its proposed Big Thunder Wind Park.  The Nor'Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee is asking the Ministry of Environment to halt the project until it meets several conditions.

Bearskin sold

A major announcement impacting the airline industry in Northwestern Ontario. Exchange Income has signed a letter of intent to acquire Bearskin Airlines. The acquisition is valued at 32.5-million dollars. Bearskin President Harvey Friesen says the timing was right. Friesen says the sale will help stabalize the company and stresses there will be no layoffs or change in service. Exchange Income owns and operates CalmAir and Keewatin Air as well as Perimeter Air. The cash and share deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Staal signs 20 million dollar contract

Thunder Bay's Marc Staal is 20 million dollars richer.  The New York Rangers defenceman agreed to a five year contract extension.  The 23 year old set career highs with eight goals and 19 assists in 82 games last season.

Contaminated waterfront soil set for removal

Contaminated soil at the waterfront development will soon be removed. The city has received 5 local bids to take away the soil at the site of the proposed hotel and condos. It would be replaced with clean soil. Waterfront Manager Katherine Dugmore says the work is required as part of the original deal.  She says the city knew when the request for proposals was put out, it was with the understanding the city would provide a clean and serviced site for a future developer.   The bids came in at between 1.1. and 2.1. million dollars.  The contract for the soil removal goes before council on September 27th.

Marathon has potential as an annual event

This weekend's Miles With The Giant Marathon could be the start of something big.   City tourism boss Paul Pepe says runners from 60 different communities in North America will be here for the event which he hopes will become a major attraction and an annual event

Police charge 25 year old

Thunder Bay police charged a 25 year old man for uttering threats to a bus driver.  Police were called to the transit bus area at City hall at 1 today.  Reports say the man threatened the bus driver and told him he had a gun and would shoot the driver.  No gun was found and the man was drunk.

More heat on local MP's to change vote

MP's John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer are getting more pressure to support the national gun registry. This time it's from a coalition of city groups that includes the Canadian Auto Workers Union Local 229 and it's president Kari Jefford who has a warning for the two members.  She says this is very much an election issue and that labour had a large part in getting both the NDP members elected and could easily turn on them in the next vote.   The coalition also includes the City Police and the Faye Peterson Transition House.

Harley owners to converge on the city

There will be millions of dollars worth of chrome on display in the city next year.  That's when Harley Davidson owners in Ontario will gather here for their annual rally.   Organizers are hoping for about 800 riders from the province to visit here. They're also hoping riders will come from Manitoba and the American Mid-West.

Northern Networks Conference

Delegates from northwestern Ontario, Minnesota and Wisconsin are taking part in the Northern Network's Trade Conference.  Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says  the conference is now into its 16th year.  125 representatives from across the Northwest are gathering to talk about ways of improving economic development and trade.

Two Feather Project update

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Chief Ruben Canton says he can understand why some people may be frustrated over the Two Feathers Forest Products Value-added initiative, but stresses patience is needed.  Canton says its a new project, with new ideas, and it's going to take some time to put it together.  Pikangikum First Nation, Eagle Lake First Nation, and Finland's Wood Tech Group are involved in the project.

NAN still dislikes Bill 191

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are expected to protest at Queen's Park Thursday.  The two groups are upset over the McGuinty Government's attempts to push through the bill 191 legislation.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says there will be conflict in the north if the bill is forced through.  Thunder Bay's Chambers of Commerce will be joining in on the NAN protest at Queen's Park today.

Official statement expected Thursday

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is keeping mum on his fellow NDP counterparts changing their positions on the long gun registry.  Rafferty will be making an official announcement on how he will vote Thursday afternoon.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer has announced he is committed to seeing the long gun registry scrapped.  N-D-P Leader Jack Layton says he's confident his caucus will deliver the votes the opposition needs to defeat a Tory bill to abolish the registry.

Murder was a stabbing

The cause of death in Tuesday's murder is a stabbing.  Police say 25 year old Keegan Williams died of the wound he suffered on high street just before 3 o'clock in the morning.  Charged is 19 year old Patrick Kanate and police say the two knew each other.

Murder shocks nearby resident

A 19 year old man is facing a second degree murder charge in connection with a death in the city Tuesday morning. The incident took place around 3 o'clock on High Street near Markland, where witness Raili Chiodo lives. She says her family was awakened by the emergency lights that were flashing in her house. She says she looked out in the street to see a person slumped on High Street, which she says turned out to be the victim. Chiodo says the incident is shocking but says she still feels safe in the neighbourhood. Police have yet to release any names or the cause of death.

Hundreds to participate in local marathon

Organizers of this weekends Thunder Bay Marathon are happy with the number of participants.  They say that there are over 800 runners so far.   Just over 500 of those will be running the half marathon with about 125 doing the full 42 kilometres.   The first Miles with the Giant Marathon takes place Sunday morning starting at 8 o'clock at bottom of Red River Road.  

NDP could help keep the gun registry alive

Thunder Bay's MP won't be changing his position on the long gun registry.  Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says enough votes will be coming from his party to potentially save the gun registry.  John Rafferty is not voting to keep the registry in place.  His office confirmed that he would not change his vote.

Transit negotiations continue

The Amalgamated Transit Union says negotiations are plugging along with the City.  President Charlie Brown says the city spent yesterday looking over their counter offer.  Both sides have provided each other with proposals, and another full day of negotiations is scheduled. If negotiations fail transit workers could strike as early as Friday morning.

More traffic infractions

Thunder Bay police continue to hand out tickets for a number of driving offences.  147 speeding tickets, 8 cellphone tickets, and 12 stop sign tickets were handed out.  On Monday, police also dealt with a car hitting a person and a small dog on a leash at the intersection of Balsam and Margaret Street.

Healthy living workshops this weekend

It's the fifth year for the Chamber of Commerce's Superior Living health wellness leisure expo.  This year's theme is improve your mind, body and spirit.  Chamber Spokesperson Nancy Milani says there's a need for this type of trade show.  Over 70 exhibitors are taking part in the healthy lifestyle tradeshow that runs Friday and Saturday.

New Scholarship at LU

Lakehead University will soon be offering a new scholarship for accountant students.  BDO Canada provided 80 thousand dollars for an endowment fund that will provide scholarships for students in need of financial assistance.  Dr. Bahram Dadgostar says they're happy to be able to offer the scholarship.  Successful candidates must maintain an 80 percent average and be involved in the community.

Mayoral Debate this Thursday night

Not everyone is signed up to take part in the Mayoral race debate Thursday night at the Lakehead Labour Center.  Keith Hobbs, Lynn Peterson and Frank Pullia are going to be in attendance.  Labour Council President Melanie Kelso says they're looking forward to talking about election issues.  Colin Burridge, Jeff Irwin and Brian Kwasny have not RSVP'd to the debates.

CAS unveils foster parent campaign

The push is on to get more families in the city to consider foster care. The Director of the Children's Aid Society, Rob Richardson, says it's a need that is almost always around.   He says they have children in their care that need permanent placement and those that can't be offered appropriate placement.    Richardson is hoping to attract up to 200 new foster parents.

Bike trail becomes part of national system

A new city bike trail is completed at Boulevard Lake thanks to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation.   City Park Planner Werner Schwar says the Foundation contributed over 60 thousand dollars.  The new 2 km section is now part of the Trans Canada Trail.  Cam Clark of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation  says his organization funded the trail as a way of reviving interest in the cross country system here.  

Police investigating City's third murder

The major crime police were investigating this morning was indeed the city's 3rd murder this year. Detective Sergeant Don Lewis says the incident happened at a high street residence just before 3 o'clock.  Lewis says a 25 year old man was found with injuries and was taken to the Health Sciences Building, where he was pronounced dead. Lewis says a 19 year old man has been arrested and has been charged with second degree murder.  The cause of death and the name of the deceased hasn't been released at this point.

Police make major drug bust in Strange Township

The combined forces organized crime unit has made another major drug bust in the region.  Officers searched a home in Strange Township last Wednesday and found over 300 thousand dollars in marijuana and three firearms.  One man has been arrested and will be in court in October.

City offers proposal to transit union

The city feels day one of talks with the amalgamated transit workers union went well.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they presented the union with a proposal and hope to hear back from them today.  Commisso reiterates that they are dedicated to reaching a resolution with the union and won't give up talks.  The strike deadline for the transit union is this Thursday.

Council wants Far North Act put on hold

The City of Thunder Bay is throwing its support behind a movement aimed at halting the Far North Act.  Recently area first nation groups, and northern business communities have asked the McGuinty Government to put the legislation on hold to accomodate more discussion.  Councillor Lynda Rydholm says they want to lend their support and take a stand for the smaller communities in the Northwest.  Council wants the government to withdraw the current legislation and work with first nations and Northern Ontario communities.

RV ban by-law shot down

The City of Thunder Bay won't pursue a by-law banning overnight parking of RV's at local retail stores. Councillor Ian Angus introduced the resolution, but didn't receive enough support from his fellow councillors. Councillor Robert Tuchenhagen is against the resolution. Angus is worried the overnight stays in store parking lots is taking away money from RV parks and city owned campgrounds.

Multiplex gets good and bad reviews

The Multi-plex received a mix of good and bad reviews from the Thunder Bay public.  Two reports on public consultation sessions were presented to city council last night.  Margaret Wanlin is with Northern Insights and helped conduct the poll of high school, college and university students.  Wanlin says the students wanted to make sure the facility would be bus accessible, in a good neighbourhood and have plenty of parking.  The next stage of the multiplex consultation process is a feasibility study.