Rafferty hopes for role in new look NDP

John Rafferty doesn't believe he'll be lost in the shuffle.  The Thunder Bay MP admits that with a record number of members in the NDP caucus he may not get the attention from leader Jack Layton like he used to. The new session of Parliament starts on June 2nd and Rafferty says he'll take whatever role the party wants him to play.   He expects to spend most of his early days helping new members learn the ropes.

Wind farm debate at the next stage

The wind farm controversy in Neebing moves to a new level tonight. It's the provincial phase of the approval process for the Big Thunder Wind Park. The first of two public consultations on the project takes place at Blake Community Hall starting at 6 o'clock

Aspenware plans for Dryden on hold

An economic blow to Dryden. Officials there say that Aspenware has put construction of a manufacturing plant in that city on the back burner. Mayor Craig Nuttall says they have been notified that the company, that specializes in wooden cutlery, wants to concentrate on its manufacturing plant in B.C. first.

Fewer dollars coming from OLG

The City of Thunder Bay will be losing money as the result of accounting changes at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The OLG's Tony Bitonti  says the changes will result in a reduction in the quarterly dividends which this year will amount to about 65 thousand dollars.  Bitonti says, however, the city's 5 per cent share of slot machine revenues from the casino is not changing.

Blue Parrot set to close

After 38 years the Blue Parrot Restaurant is closing its doors. The family who owns and operates the Greek restaurant on Lisgar Street will be retiring with their last day of business being this Sunday.

Hilton Hotels talks to City Council

Representatives from Hilton Hotels spoke to Thunder Bay City Council Monday night.  The Thunder Bay Hotel Partnership Group wants council to amend the zoning by-laws to allow the proposed hotel to be built on Airport lands on Arthur Street.  The Hilton Hampton Inn is a four story building that would have a resort like setting.  The construction of the hotel is expected to cost 10 million dollars and property taxes for the city would be around 225-thousand dollars a year.

Police Chief recognized

Thunder Bay Police Chief Bob Herman is among three northwestern Ontario officers being recognized for their contributions to policing. Treaty Three Police Chief Henry DeLaronde, along with OPP Detective Inspector Dennis Olinyk have been appointed members of the Order of Merit of the Police Services.

Workshop dissects Community Forestry

A controversial idea gets a hearing at Lakehead University Tuesday.  Peggy Smith of the Natural Resources Department says a workshop will examine the concept of Community Forestry which sees decisions on forestry made at the local level.   Smith says the workshop brings together people across the north to discuss the issue.

Horwath talks forestry

The Provincial NDP is not letting up in its offensive against the McGuinty Liberals and its wood re-allocation policy.  In Queen's Park on Monday, Leader Andrea Horwath brought up the Hudson Sawmill bankruptcy.  Horwath says she's frustrated by reports of interest from Lac Seul First Nation, noting that interest is tied to a secure wood supply.

Nursing program deemed success

A community based nursing program currently offered across the Region will be featured in a soon-to-be released paper from Lakehead University and Confederation College.  Dryden Hospital Spokesperson Darlene Furlong says the program has been a critical recruiting tool.  This is the second installment of the program which will graduate 21-nurses at the end of the 4-year course.

Curtola says Richardson's death a big loss

Thunder Bay's Bobby Curtola calls him a great man. Curtola says the death of record producer Jack Richardson is a big loss for the industry. Richardson recorded some of Curtola's songs in the 1960's. Curtola says Richardson was a no nonsense guy who demanded perfection. Richardson died on the weekend at the age of 81. He is best know for producing the Guess Who

MNR sending help to fight Alta fires

Help is on the way for weary firefighters in Alberta. Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says a group of over 80 Ontario firefighters are going to help with the forest fires in that province.  MacLean says half of the force will come from the Northwest Region the other half from the Northeast Region.

Collins eyes good relations with city

Chief Peter Collins and the new Fort William First Nations Band Council are now sworn in. Collins says the next two year term will be a busy one with numerous projects on the go.   Collins is also looking forward to improved relations with the City of Thunder Bay through a Memorandum of Understanding .  He says it will help build the economy of both communities together

Foundation launches 2011 Prostate Campaign

Lets start talking about our prostates...that's the message in this year's Regional Health Sciences Foundation campaign.  President Glen Craig says a few years ago men wouldn't talk about anything south of the belt and that is changing.  Craig says hundreds of men have put their names into the hat to become a prostate man and that shows the increase in awareness. Craig says both Quality Market locations will be selling Prostate Man T-shirts for the campaign.

Beardy heads to the UN

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is heading back to the United Nations. Stan Beardy will be leading a NAN delegation to the annual forum on indigenous issues in New York this week. The two week forum will focus on topics including economic and social development and the environment.

OPP look for distracted drivers

The O-P-P in Thunder Bay are out in force starting today looking for distracted drivers.If you are caught chatting on a cellphone the ticket is 155 dollars. Using a cellphone isn't the only distraction police are looking for. Eating while driving and fiddling with your mp3 player can also land you a fine.

The difference a year can make

At this time last year Thunder Bay residents could fill up for 98 cents a litre. According to the website gasbuddy.com, the price of unleaded gasoline has risen nearly 40 cents since last year.

Chemotherapy shortage not impacting T BAY

A National shortage of chemotherapy drugs isn't impacting Thunder Bay.  The hospital and Regional Cancer Care Northwest say they have a sufficient supply to meet demand. Planned treatment is not expected to be impacted in the near term including all patients in hospital, as well as clinic and outreach patients.

Senate approves law school

Lakehead University's Senate has approved the school's proposed law curriculum and faculty of law. The senate's approval was the final step before submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Training for funding support.

Sioux Lookout Mayor upset over mill

The Mayor of Sioux Lookout is lashing out at the Province for not allocating wood rights for the Hudson Mill. McKenzie Forest Products has filed for bankruptcy protection and will result in around 300 jobs lost.

Abitibi Bowater invests in its sawmill

Good news for Thunder Bay's Abitibi Bowater plant. The company is investing 8 million dollars to upgrade capacity at the sawmill. The upgrades started last month and should be finished within the next 2 years.

Stand off with police

For the fourth time this year Thunder Bay police were forced into a standoff. Spokesperson Chris Adams says a 52 year old man claimed to have guns and was trying to provoke police into shooting him. Adams says luckily in this case there were no injuries and the man surrendered peacefully.

Wind Farm Public Meetings start Tuesday

The Norwester Escarpment Protection Committee isn't giving up their fight against the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park.  Wind Concern Ontario President John La Foret says Horizon is going to be holding a series of meetings this week.  Public information sessions are being held in Neebing and Thunder Bay on Tuesday and Wednesday.  La Foret is speaking at an anti-wind farm rally on Monday at the Best Western Norwester Hotel.

Autopsy doesn't reveal cause of death

An autopsy on a 36-year-old woman, who was found in the bush in Kenora this week, has not been able to confirm the cause of death. The body of Rosella Digirolamo was found Wednesday morning by the OPP's Emergency Response Unit. She had been reported missing from her home last Thursday. The OPP say they don't suspect foul play, but are continuing to work with the Coronor's office on the investigation.

Fishing database launched

All the information you need for a successful fishing trip in northwestern Ontario is now just a mouse-click away.  The Ministry of Natural Resources has put all of its fishing data on-line for the first time.  Matt Garvin is a spokesperson for the MNR and says the amount of information available is pretty impressive.  Garvin says the guide to eating sport fish in Ontario and fishing regulation guidelines are also included in the on-line data base.

Mental Health issues in schools

A youth panel provided their thoughts on mental health issues in area schools recently.  Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Stambrook stressed the importance of early detection of mental health illnesses. Stambrook says teachers must have their eyes more wide open to identify students at risk and provide referral to Mental Health Agencies. He stresses that Northwestern Ontario has a significant proportion of children who are affected by parental substance abuse.

OPP make arrest in copper theft

Thunder Bay OPP have made an arrest in the theft of copper wire.  31 year old Jeremy Bisson of Thunder Bay and 44 year old John Keating of Nova Scotia are charged with possession of stolen property, mischief and theft under 5 thousand dollars.  The duo will appear in provincial court on June 15th to answer the charges.

Paterson Family Food Centre open

The Regional Food Distribution Association still needs your help. The Paterson Foundation helped the organization renovate its South Syndicated building. Past Chair Larry Brigham says they still owe 247 thousand dollars on the building, and hopes the provincial government or community will help them with the cost.

Fines for Atikokan fire

A Quebec man has ordered to pay the cost of putting out a forest fire last year in the Atikokan area after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to keep a fire under control.  The blaze occurred in the area of Raft Lake Road last April after a fire started for cooking was spread by strong winds to the nearby bush.  Two Ministry of Natural Resource fire crews and a water bomber had to be dispatched to put out the fire.

Confederation College using wood to heat buildings

Confederation College is going green.  The provincial government is providing a million dollars towards the creation of a new bioenergy learning and research centre.  President Pat Lang says the facility will heat the REACH facility and the Shuniah building.  Wastewood from across the Northwest will be used to heat the two buildings.

Dryden Airport scraps customs service

Airports in Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake will no longer be offering customs service.  Dryden Manager George Friesen says sudden changes by Canadian Border Services prompted the change.  Friesen says costs have gone up in excess of 100-percent and notes keeping customs would have been passed along to those who fly-in from the States.  Kenora and Fort Frances are now the only Regional Airports currently offering customs, although Kenora is on a seasonal basis.

Union Gas holds public information session

Union Gas is carrying out its plan to bring natural gas to the Thunder Bay Generating Station on Mission Island. A public hearing on proposed routes is being held Thursday night and Spokesperson Glen Burton says it's part of the provincial approval process. Gas would be transmitted from the Thunder Bay Meter Station, south to the Union Gas Onion Lake Station and continue to the generating station. If approved, construction starts in 2013.

Government offers condolence to Wabasse family

Ontario's Attorney General is passing on his condolonces to the family of Jordan Wabasse.  Chris Bentley says the government is working to address missing first nation teens in Northwestern Ontario. Bentley addressed Wabasse' death in the Ontario legislature.  Police confirmed Wednesday the body that was found in the Kam River was the missing teen.

Hampton calls for inquest into missing teens

New Democrat Howard Hampton says it's time the government moved ahead with an inquest into the deaths of aboriginal teens attending high school in Thunder Bay.  Hampton made the call today after Jordan Wabasse' body was identified after being found in the Kam River this week.  Hampton says while we wait for the inquest, teens keep dying. The inquiry has been delayed in part because of a lack of native representation on the jury, an issue Attorney General Chris Bentley says is being worked out.

Cow births triplets

A northern Ontario beef cattle farm has experienced a  rare birth in the industry.  A cow owned by Wayne Flatt gave birth to three identical calves Tuesday night on his farm near Emo.  Flatt says there was no indication of triplets after the first calf arrived.  But he says he checked about an hour later, and there were three.

Habitat is enjoying a huge turn around

Its been a turbulent year so far for Habitat for Humanity but right now things are looking up.  CEO Diane Mitchell says last minute success from the raffle along with a donation from RBC made a huge difference.  The raffle netting 120 thousand dollars and RBC donated 20 thousand dollars.  Mitchell says with the added funds Habitat is able to purchase several plots of land and can fund a build this year. 

Vote on LU Law School Friday

Thunder Bay may soon be home to the Province's first new law school in 40 years.  The Law Society of Upper Canada has approved the idea and Lakehead University's Senate will vote on the proposal on Friday. The University says the school would give preference to Northerners and First Nations applicants.  Tuition at the Thunder Bay school will start at about 12-thousand dollars, about twice that at the University of Toronto law school.

Body found in Kenora

A post-mortem exam is scheduled to be performed today on the body of a woman found in the bush near Miller's Rapids Road in Kenora.  The OPP says its Northwest Search and Rescue unit discovered the body of Rosella Digirolamo around 9:30 Wednesday morning.  At this point, the OPP say they do not know the cause of death, but they are continuing to investigate the fatality.

Buchanan Sawmill enters bankruptcy protection

Another Buchanan sawmill has entered bankruptcy proceedings. McKenzie Forest Products filed for bankruptcy protection on April 26th, after learning the Hudson sawmill had not secured a wood supply from the province. Meantime, work continues on the proposed purchase of the former Atikokan Forest Products mill. A scheduled hearing in Toronto will again look at the possible transfer of a forest license to Eacom Timber of Montreal.

NW LHIN touts doctor recruitment

The Northwest LHIN is confident most residents have a primary care provider.  CEO Laura Kokocinski says there have been a number of initiatives in recent years that helped match orphan patients with doctors. In 2009, 86 percent of residents had a primary care provider.

Police confirm Wabasse death

A Thunder Bay coroner has confirmed a body found Tuesday night in the Kam River as Jordan Wabasse. A post mortem exam says the 15 year old drowned and foul play is not suspected. Wabasse has been missing since February 7th. The Webeque teenager's family and friends conducted ground searches in recent months and created an awareness campaign on Facebook.

Rotary gives away cash

Two Thunder Bay residents are a little richer thanks to Rotary.  Karen Lauzon won 25 thousand dollars and Dee Bodnar won five grand.  The two will get their checks next week.  Each week leading up to the House Draw on Canada day a cash draw will be made.  Rotary is giving 75 thousand dollars in early bird draws.

Northwest shut out of UFT competition

Dryden and Ignace didn't make the cut in the Ultimate Fishing Town on-line competition.  Both communities were in the mix, but fell just short of cracking the Top 20 in Canada.  The closest community to our area is Chapleau, which currently sits in second place behind Port Colborne, Ontario.

Cabin gutted by fire

The owners of a Cedar Bay Road cabin could face a 235 dollar fine. A blaze on Tuesday night completely destroyed the small home and Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services Chief Blair Arthur says they may charge the owners once they ensure there were no working smoke alarms in the building.  The cause of the fire is electrical and two people were in the cabin at the time of the fire. They escaped unharmed.

Northern Growth Plan sparks feud

The NDP are attacking the Liberal Government's Northern Growth Plan. Northern Development Critic Gilles Bisson says the Liberals short changed the region with its plan. Bisson feels the Province should follow Quebec's lead and put the money where their mouth is. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says he's not surprised by the NDP's actions noting as opposition it's their job to complain. Mauro says he's busy working on getting the plan's Northern Policy Institute based out of Thunder Bay.

High price of gas is bad for tourism

The high price of gas is going to impact Northwestern Ontario's tourism industry.  Doug Reynolds is the President of Northern Ontario's Tourist Outfitters Association and says it's going to cost more to run area tourist camps.  Reynolds adds it's also going to cost more for Americans to drive here for fishing trips. The price of gas is over a dollar forty in some parts of the city today.

Port finishes year in the black

Thunder Bay's Port Authority ended 2010 in the black with over 38 million dollars.  The Port held its annual general meeting on Wednesday. C.E.O. Tim Heney says it was a good business year.  Heney adds grain demand is up so far this year and project cargo will also bring in a lot of work for the Port.

Longlac EMS station closed

Paramedics in Longlac will be working out of the community's Fire Station for a little while.   The Longlac EMS station has temporarily been closed because of mould. As soon as it's mould free, crews will return to work.

Police release name of deceased

A 20 year old Thunder Bay man is dead after his pick up truck crashed into a dump truck on Highway 11/17 last week. Justin John Dickey was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in Shuniah Township. Police are still looking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision.

Autopsy underway today

Thunder Bay's coroner will be conducting an autopsy on the body that was found in the Kam River last night. Thunder Bay police spokesperson Chris Adams says it's hoped that the body will be identified later today. Adams won't speculate on the identity but it was found in the area where searchers had been looking for Jordan Wabasse.