Harding back as Chair

Maria Harding is back as the Health Unit's board chair. Superior North EMS Chief Norm Gale is also back as vice chair. The elections took place at a board meeting recently.

"Baby Doc's" return puzzles poli-sci prof

The return of Jean-Claude Duvalier to Haiti is stumping a lot of people including a Lakehead University political science professor. Lore Paquette says it was a surprise to her. She adds that his arrest by the Haitian government is also interesting.  She advises to watch for how long he stays in custody and if there will be restrictions on his movement if he is released.  Paquette suspects if that happens, Duvalier will go to his country home and keep a low profile.

Snowmobile Safety Week

Five people have died in Ontario this winter in snowmobile related collisions.  This is Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week.  OPP Sergeant Michael Price says most fatalities and injuries are preventable.  Price says don't drink or drive, wear the proper safety equipment and don't drive aggressively.

AbitibiBowater still looking to sell hydro assets

AbitibiBowater is still considering a sale of its hydro assets in Ontario. The hydro dam at Fort Frances, is among those that have long been targeted for sale. Executive vice-president William Harvey says proceeds from any sale will go towards reducing the companies debt. Harvey says any sale, though, will be done without impacting mill operations.

NAN ready's for summit

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is preparing for its first economic summit.  Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit says a variety of government officials will be taking part.  The summitt runs for three days in February with one day set aside specifically for the Ring of Fire.

Hyer wants you to think about summer jobs

It may seem like summer is in the distant future, but the Federal Government is already preparing for the season. Applications for the summer jobs program are available from February 1st to 26th. Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says last year the riding received over 290 thousand dollars in funding for student jobs.

Fednor Minister visits Thunder Bay

Fednor Minister Tony Clement is paying a visit to Thunder Bay on Wednesday.  Clement will be making an announcement at Thunder Bay Hydraulics.

Board Launches Apple iPad/Laptop project

The Catholic school board is trying out laptops and iPads in three of it's elementary schools. Spokesperson Joan Powell says 50 students in each of the schools will be given the portable computers. Powell says she wants to duplicate a program she saw in Maine recently where every student in grade 7 to 12 has their own laptop.  Apple Canada is partnering in the project.

LU prof predicts Tunisia will settle

A political science professor at Lakehead University predicts the political strife in Tunisia will settle down. Residents there forced the prime minister out of office. Lore Paquette believes the unrest in the North African country is temporary and that there will be a national unity government will be created.   She says the problems began soon after WikiLeaks exposed government corruption in Tunisia.

Don Smith is Shuniah's Police Board Chair

Don Smith is back as the Shuniah Police Service Board's Chair.  Smith says his goal for 2011 is presenting the budget. The budget is expected to be ready by their next monthly meeting. Smith adds the community received over 39 thousand dollars in funding for six months of policing from the OPP.

Police Board approves budget

The Police Services budget is now ready for city council scrutiny. It shows an increase of just over 1 per cent from last year. Board Chair Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he'll recommend his fellow councillors approve it.  He calls it appropriate.  The total budget for Police Services stands at about 32 million dollars.

RAP speaks to council

Councillor Andrew Foulds would like to see the City become more involved with the community's "remedial action plan".  City Manager Tim Commisso says putting RAP into the strategic planning process would mean there would be target completion dates.  He adds it would be good for Thunder Bay to work with RAP to chase down Federal and Provincial funding.  The environmental group provided council with an update on their work at Monday night's meeting.

Council passes EMS building contract

The cost of building the new Superior North EMS station is not sitting well with one City Councillor.  Rebecca Johnson had a back handed compliment for Chief Norm Gale Monday night.  She congratulated the Chief for bringing a league leading building to the community and for coming under budget.  Johnson says because the project was moved and it's being debentured the project will cost almost 1.4 million dollars more than the previous location.   The project will cost 10.6 million dollars.

Toronto woman's death tragic

Thunder Bay's Alzheimer's Society calls the death of a 66 year old Toronto woman tragic.  The elderly woman suffered from Alzheimer's and left her home shortly after 2 am in minus twenty degree temperatures.  Executive Director Alison Denton says the society has a wandering registry that is connected to the RCMP.  The registry helps track where the missing person might have travelled to.   Denton wants local residents if they see a distressed senior to lend them a helping hand.

20 accidents so far

It's been a busy day for Thunder Bay police.   They've been taking care of numerous traffic accidents which have been caused due to the snowfall.   According to police since 9 this morning there have been almost 20 accidents reported to them.   There are no serious injuries to report.

Arson not suspected in fatal fire

A six month old child from Summer Beaver remains in critical but stable condition following last weeks fatal house fire in that community.   Police say that the fire was likely accidental but the exact cause isn't known.   The blaze killed two boys aged 2 and 3 years old.   The 6 month old is now at the Children's Hospital in London with breathing problems. 

Barrick doles out big bucks to LU

Barrick Gold says it's giving back. The mineral giant is giving Lakehead University 150 thousand dollars. For company Executive Vice-President Jamie Sokalsky it's a chance to give back to the city he was born in and the school he went to. The money will be going towards a graduate scholarship and to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Local police arrest man wanted in Soo beheading

Thunder Bay OPP have a man in custody wanted in connection to a decapitation in Sault Ste. Marie.  The man appeared in court this morning on separate charges  and will be sent back to Sault Ste Marie sometime this week.  The body was found Tuesday and police had been looking for a suspect since.  The man has been in police custody since Thursday.

Hernandez needs a new lawyer

Christian Hernandez will remain in custody at least until his bail hearing.  Hernandez is looking for a new lawyer after Justice Pelletier ruled that his current lawyer Chris Watkins was in a conflict of interest.  Hernandez is in jail in connection  to a fatal collision that happened just before Christmas.

More snow is on the way

It looks like what you see, is what you'll get for the rest of the day. Our meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says a low pressure system is hanging over the Northwest and will drop as much as 20 centimetres when all is said and done.  Tonight expect it to clear up and cool off with temperatures pushing close to the minus 30 mark.  Laidlaw says more snow could fall Thursday and there is a chance for an even bigger winter storm next week.

Arthur Street pile up

There was a jumble of an accident early Saturday morning that involved a car, a pick up truck, a grader owned by the city and an ambulance.


The pile up at the intersection of Arthur Street and Selkirk Street was actually the result of two separate collisions that happened minutes apart.

It all began with an initial collision between a car and the grader. The noise from the crash happened to be overheard by paramedics at a nearby EMS station who then responded to the scene. A few minutes later, a pick up truck collided with the wrecked car and an ambulance.

Three people were taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries. Two paramedics and a paramedic student were also examined and released.

Bruce Hyer responds to receivership

Thunder-Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says he's disappointed by the news that Buchanan Northern Hardwoods and Great West Timber have been placed under a bankruptcy trustee at the same time Northern Sawmills and Atikokan Forest Products are being placed in receivership. Hyer says affected workers are welcome to contact his office for help accessing whatever assistance that may be available.

Vincent not guilty

Not guilty is the verdict in a city assault case.  Judge Helen Pierce has dismissed an aggravated assault charge against 27 year old Michael Vincent.  It's in connection with a fight outside a Wesfort bar in 2009 that left another man with a serious head injury.   Judge Pierce said that Vincent was not the aggressor in the case and did not start the fight.

Drugs seized at airport

Another person is charged with possession of a Controlled Substance following a raid at the Thunder Bay Airport.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime unit charged the 39 year old woman after seizing Oxycodone and Hydro-Morphine pills.  Police believe the drugs were headed to Cat Lake First Nation.

Two kids dead in house fire

Two kids under the age of five are dead after a house fire in Summer Beaver First Nation.  Another child is being treated for injuries.  Nishnawbe Aski Police Sgt. Jackie George says not much information is known at this point.  Officers were called to the house fire late Thursday afternoon. 

Horizon lawsuit awaits judge's ruling

It's now a waiting game. A judge in Toronto will decide which direction the Horizon Wind farm case will be taking. The company wants to sue the city over the changes council made to a contract. City Manager Tim Commisso says the city's position is solid. He says they want the case to go to arbitration. If the judge rules against the city the 126 million dollar lawsuit will continue.

Nelson heads NOMA....for now

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has a new interim president today. Ron Nelson has been chosen to lead the lobby organization until April's annual meeting. He's no stranger to the position having held it ten years ago, so he'd like to have it back again. Nelson adds, that he's ready to mobilize the group in this election year to make sure Northwestern Ontario is looked after. Dave Canfield of Kenora is the interim executive vice-president.

Towns take up police costing with Gov't

Kenora City Council is endorsing a resolution drafted by Fort Frances about the cost of policing.  The resolution says the cost of policing has increased dramatically over the past decade, exceeding the cost of living.  They want the Provincial Government to cover all the increased costs of the recently negotiated OPP contract.  That includes a 5-percent increase for this year.

New technology at Con College

Confederation College is putting the final touches on its new high tech REACH centre. Nursing Professor Barb Morrison says the skills labs for paramedics and other health related fields will have EMS technology.  The EMS technology will allow students to watch themselves performing tasks, and will help grade them.  The REACH centre is expected to be open in the Spring.

RAP to speak to council

Thunder Bay's Remedial Action Plan Coordinator will be speaking to City Council Monday night.  The group was formed in the 80s and helps clean up sites that are contaminated such as the harbour.   Aaron Nicholson says they'll be pointing out future locations that need help.  Nicholson says they want to introduce the program to the new councillors and Mayor.

EMS contract on council agenda

The contract for the new Emergency Medical Services station has come in at a million dollars under budget. Administration is recommending council award the contract to Tom Jones Construction. Chief Norm Gale says they're happy the contract came in lower than expected. The contract came in at 10.6 million dollars.

Mixed emotions about Zellers takeover

Shoppers in Thunder Bay have mixed reaction to this weeks big news that Target is buying Zellers stores in Canada. Our newsroom spoke to a few of them.

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Thunder Bay is a good fit for Target

A Target in Thunder Bay makes a lot of sense, that from Lakehead University Professor Livio Di Matteo. He says Thunder Bay should be an attractive location for the US retailer because it is a fair size city and a hub in the Northwest.  Di Matteo also believes Target would be great for the consumer by providing more competition for Walmart and Superstore.

DSSAB waits for more info on fatal fre

An official with the District Social Services Administration Board says the death of a tenant in one of it's apartments is tragic. The blaze Wednesday night in room 113 at 120 South Cumberland killed one man. Don Tront says they are trying to reach out to any concerned tenants.  He says in this case staff made contact with the Tenants Association and offered any assistance to reduce the impact.  Tront says he's waiting to get more information about the incident.

NOMA meets Friday

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association plans to appoint an Interim President Friday.  NOMA is meeting in the City Friday afternoon.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is the current acting President and says he would like to keep the job if no one else wants it.

Mills in receivership

Two Northwestern Ontario mills are now in receivership. Spokesperson Yves Fricot says a Toronto court has put a receiver in charge of Atikokan Forest Products, and Northern Sawmills. A Bankruptcy Trustee is now in charge of Buchanan Northern Hardwoods and Great West Timber.

Still no bail hearing for Hernandez

The earliest that Christian Hernandez can be free on bail is Monday. The 25 year old Thunder Bay man's bail hearing is being delayed by a legal issue. The prosecution wants the lawyer for Hernandez, Chris Watkins, taken off the case citing a possible conflict on interest. Justice Joyce Pellettier will make a ruling on that Monday morning. Hernandez is facing a charge of impaired driving causing death. It follows a traffic accident just days before Christmas which killed 45 year old Richard Carmichael.

Forest Reform on the way

The Provincial Government continues to work towards modernizing the forest tenure and pricing system.  The government plans to launch a pilot project of two local forest management corporations which will manage crown forests.  Minister Michael Gravelle says they're also launching enhanced shareholder sustainable forest licences.  The changes mean municipalities and smaller forestry companies will have access to sustainable forests.  Forest Industry organizations were against the proposed changes in the Spring, but Gravelle says they've taken in their concerns and made the necessary changes.

Larry Brigham stepping down

The Regional Food Distribution Association is saying goodbye to its Chair. Executive Director Volker Kromm says Larry Brigham is stepping down to deal with his health. Kromm says he will be missed and no one can rival his passion for the RFDA's programs and services. Vice Chair Kelly Hicks will be stepping into the role.

Target could be coming to Thunder Bay

Will Thunder Bay soon be the home of Target? That's too early say company officials. The US retailer is purchasing over 200 Zellers stores for 1.83 billion dollars. Spokesperson Amy Riley says the company is really excited about coming to Canada and will now be contacting land owners.  Riley says once that process is complete, the company will begin evaluating possible locations with the goal of opening as many as 150 locations by 2013.

Fatal fire claims one overnight

One man is dead after an apartment fire late last night.  Just before midnight Thunder Bay Fire and rescue responded to the blaze at an apartment in the 100 block of Cumberland street.  Crews quickly dealt with the inferno and discovered the body of the man in the apartment.  Officials believe careless smoking is the cause of the fire and are investigating.

Dryden only regional stop for health panel

A provincial panel examining rural and northern health care is due to stop in Dryden next month. That's the only stop in the region for the panel according to co-chair Rick Johnson. They want to get feedback on a report on the issue. Johnson says all the information relating to the process can be found online

Hernandez still in custody

An interesting twist to a city court case involving Christian Hernandez. He's the 25 year old charged with impaired driving causing death after 45 year old Richard Carmichael was killed in a traffic accident just days before Christmas.   The prosecution wants Hernandez's lawyer Chris Watkins off the case because of a possible conflict of interest.   Watkins says until that's settled Hernandez's bail hearing can't go ahead.  Madam Justice Pelletier will hear the case at 10 Thursday morning.

NOMA steps up lobbying

Northwestern Ontario's municipal leaders are preparing to step up lobbying efforts in 2011.  Dennis Brown is the acting President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and he anticipates that they'll get more attention with a provincial election on the way.  Brown says NOMA met with several Provincial cabinet ministers last year and that resulted in some positive policy changes for Northwestern Ontario.

Health Care discussion held in Dryden

The Provincial Government wants to hear from Northerners about the region's health care system. A series of roundtable discussions will be held throughout the North, but the closest will be in Dryden. You can also put your two cents in by logging onto http://www.ontario.ca/ruralnorthernhealth .

New job website launched

Your one stop shop for job information is now online.  The North Superior Workforce Planning Board has launched a labour market information portal.  Project Coordinator Steven Bill says the site offers a job bank and more.  The site can be found at http://www.nwolabourmarketinfo.ca/

City well represented at winter games

6 athletes from Thunder Bay will be heading to Halifax next month for the Canada Winter Games.  The group includes 4 skiers, Jimmy Gunka, Christopher Hamilton and Michael Somppi on the men's team with Erin Tribe competing for the women.  There are also two hockey players, Amanda Makela and Brittany Zubeck.    They were introduced at a flag raising ceremony at City Hall.

Duguid visits Abitibi

Energy Minister Brad Duguid is in Thunder Bay today to tour the Abitibi Bowater paper mill. Duguid says he's looking forward to seeing his government's Industrial Conservation Initiative in action. Duguid says Abitibi Bowater has been able to save money on their hydro bills by using electricity during off peak hours. The Minister feels the initiatives found in the government's long term energy plan will help the North.

Hobbs says streetcar deal could be saved

Mayor Keith Hobbs says there's hope for Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has said he wants to tear up a streetcar deal with the company. Ford favours subway cars instead. Hobbs says he has heard through sources the plan could be modified to include a mix of streetcars and subway vehicles.  Hobbs adds he still hopes to meet with Ford next month.

Arson likely the cause of South side blaze

Fire investigators are saying vandals may be responsible for a Tuesday morning fire on North Syndicate Avenue. Terry Hanchar says it looks like the blaze at the Christian Fellowship Centre could have been deliberately set based on one account.  He says a neighbour says he has seen kids hanging around there in the past.   A big storage facility was heavily damaged in the blaze.