Traffic delays expected on Monday

Motorists may experience some delays Monday morning as three 60 tonne pieces of a mill will be hauled through the city. Michael Anderson is the President of the moving company and says traffic delays could be experienced on the Harbour expressway.  The parts are being transported to a Timmins Mill.

Airport increasing fees in 2012

Thunder Bay's Airport is increasing it's landing, terminal and bridge fees.  President Scott McFadden says it's a necessary rise in costs.  The rate changes will come into effect in 2012.

Mac's robberies continue

No one is hurt following the latest Mac's Convenience store robbery.  Police say it took place this morning at the May and Dease location. They say a masked man armed with scissors robbed the clerk of money and cigarettes.

Tembec and MOE bury the hatchet

The battle involving the idled Tembec Mill site in Marathon appears to be over. A provincial tribunal has accepted an agreement between the province and the company on the environmental cleanup. Environment Ministry spokesperson Lisa Brygadier  says the company now has deadlines to meet.  Brygadier says if the terms of the agreement aren't met, previous ministry orders will be forced on the company again.

Festive train coming back

A popular family oriented fundraiser is coming back to Northwestern Ontario for another year. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will roll into Thunder Bay December 2nd . Spokesperson Kevin Hrysak says they will once again be collecting food and money for area Food Banks.

Cross Country Skiing in T.Bay

The Thunder Bay National Development Centre Cross Country Ski team is hoping to increase its profile. They kicked off the season by unveiling this year's squad yesterday and Coach Eric Bailey says its time the sport started taking centre stage in Thunder Bay.

Campbell wants to work with Gravelle

Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle can expect a call from Sarah Campbell in the very near future.  The Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Natural Resources and NDP Aboriginal critic says she's anxious to sit down with the Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP to share ideas. The former Thunder Bay resident believes the Northwest will benefit by having two local MPP's working together.

Police Chief weighs in on homicide rate

Thunder Bay's Police Chief says social issues are the reason why we are being called the murder capital of Canada. JP Levesque says it isn't as bad as it sounds because the stats are all based on murders per 100 thousand people.

Lakehead ranks 11th in Canadian Universities survey

Lakehead University's President isn't overly concerned with where his school ranks in a Maclean's magazine survey. Dr. Brian Stevenson says the school moved up a spot and now sits at 11 tied with two other Canadian schools. Lakehead ranks second among the five undergraduate universities in Ontario.

Mauro talks city road contracts

At least one city road contract is not going to be completed this year. Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says there will be some asphalt work which will have to be carried over into next season. However Mauro says there's no indication that road work is overly delayed as suggested by one city councillor.

Murder rate not alarming to Hobbs

Keith Hobbs says he doesn't take much stock in statistics.  That's why the Mayor's not overly alarmed about our city being rated as the murder capital of the county by Statistics Canada.   Hobbs says the city is working to get to the root of our violence issues...specifically drug and alcohol abuse.

Mac's considers options

Mac's Convenience Stores in Thunder Bay may be changing the way they operate as the result the recent rash of robberies.   Company spokesperson Sean Sportun says that a variety of ideas have been considered including experimenting with a buzzer system along with reconsidering which stores should stay open 24-7.

Stats Can says T.Bay has the highest homicide rate

Thunder Bay has earned a not so flattering title. Statistics Canada has crowned the City the deadliest in the Nation in 2010. For the second year in a row, Thunder Bay has the highest homicide rate in the nation.

Stone balloon animals unleashed on waterfront

Prince Arthur's Landing is now home to 10 stone balloon animals.  Public Art Coordinator Reana Mussato says kids played an important part in picking the art work.  Granite from Vermillion Bay was used in some of the structures.

Police examining cold case

Thunder Bay Police are dusting off a cold case from 1985.  October 26th marks the 26th anniversary of the death of Kip James Hallow.  Hallow's body was discovered on Vickers Street North at Weigand Avenue just before 2 am. Police believe his death was a result from injuries sustained in a hit and run.  Officers are remapping the location of the original incident Wednesday at 3.

Mac's officials continue to meet in T.Bay

Thunder Bay Police and Mac's Mart Officials continue to meet this afternoon to talk about the recent string of store robberies.  Detective Inspector Phil Levesque says he knows Mac's Mart isn't in favour of a buzzer system but they will continue to push for a similar system.  Other safety precautions discussed include clearing the clutter from store windows.

Long Gun Registry Challenge

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has issued a challenge to his fellow Members of Parliament from Northern Ontario.  Rickford says he wants them to support the government's legislation to abolish the long gun registry.  Rickford expects the legislation could be passed sometime early in the new year.

Wanted Quebecers caught here

A couple wanted on Canada wide warrants, are back in Quebec after being captured in Thunder Bay this week. The OPP say police in Longlac originally contacted them about the two and requested the help of police here who picked them up after they got off a Greyhound bus.

OLG quarterly payout

The latest payout to the city of Thunder Bay from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is 640 thousand dollars. That quarterly sum amounts to 5 per cent of the revenue from the slot machines at the local casino.

Police face teen with knife

City police are reporting an encounter with a knife wielding teenager Tuesday night.  They say that it was after they went to  a call at a north side address.  They say the youth met them at the door holding a knife and refused to put it down.  Police were able to subdue him and take the 15 year old into custody.

Mac's officials meet with CPC

Meetings between the Crime Prevention Council and Mac's Mart officials are being described as productive. Acting Coordinator Sheila Hendrick says the company expressed an interest in becoming part of the community surrounding their stores. Hendrick says she will continue to meet with the two local Mac's Mart representatives. Mac's Mart officials met with police and the council to discuss the recent rash of store robberies.

City budget meeting in the books

Just a handful of people turned out to an open house on the City's budget directions for the next two years.  Anne Ostrum says she understands the City has an infrastructure shortfall that needs to be taken care of.  City Manager Tim Commisso says people are concerned about the possibility of taxes being raised to help pay for the rising infrastructure deficit.  The comments from the meeting will be brought to council November 28th.

NAN looking at gardening to increase healthy eating

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation wants healthy food at affordable prices for their people.  Spokesperson Joseph Leblanc says that's why they're holding a food symposium looking at reintroducing gardening to First Nation communities.  Farmers from across the Northwest are sharing their trade secrets with NAN and helping them create community gardens.

Raffery wants to hear from his constituents

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is going to let his constituents do the talking on the latest legislation to scrap the gun registry.  Rafferty says he wants to hear from the public.  The new legislation includes a clause to destroy the records collected through the registry.

Legion isn't happy about Federal Cuts

The Federal Government's proposed 226-million dollar cut to Veteran's Affairs isn't sitting well with everyone.  Roy Lamore is the past president of the Port Arthur Legion and says if these cuts go through it will mean less benefits for future veterans.  MPs are currently studying the funding cut.

Mission Nutrition enjoys a successful 2nd year

From humble beginnings to smashing expectations a new food drive is making waves in Thunder Bay.  Nicole Konkin with the Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre says this year's Mission Nutrition Food Drive made huge strides in only its second year.  She says their first attempt at a food drive didn't even collect one can.  Now in its second year 4 Chiropractic offices hope to collect 4 thousand pounds of food and smashed their goals.  Konkin says 3 of the offices have made their collections and so far over 4400 pounds of food has been collected for the hungry in Thunder Bay.   Konkin says the community support has been overwhelming.  The Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre, along with Santin Chiropractic, Doctor Lila Coulter of the Healthy Families Wellness Centre or Doctor Christina Peterson at Jessiman Family Chiropractic took part in this year's food drive.

Mauro repeats wind farm concerns

The cat is out of the bag. A letter to two cabinet ministers from MPP Bill Mauro about the proposed Horizon Wind Farm has been leaked. In it Mauro asks Environment Minister Jim Bradley and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle  to turn thumbs down to the project.  He says it was important to remind Gravelle that his predecessor had concerns with the project as they related to the peregrine falcon population.  Mauro feels it was important to get the two ministers up to speed.

Behavior issues tackled by Catholic Board

The Catholic School Board is about to embark on a new policy to help students with behavior problems. Director of Eduction Joan Powell says the policy received preliminary approval from trustees last night. It's hoped formal approval can be given in about a month or so.  The board is also looking at new cell phone rules for staff and visitors at it's schools. Powell says the new policy will make texting and talking during school hours a no-no, putting everyone on the same level as students.

Mac's robbery foiled by feisty female

A female customer is a hero today after she helped to capture a person who was holding up the Mac's Convenience Store at Arthur and Syndicate around 4 o'clock this morning. Police say she held back the culprit as he was beating on the clerk.  A cab driver who was outside witnessed the incident and called police who came and arrested a 25 year old man who appears in court today.

Gun registry bill to be introduced

The Federal Government is introducing another bill to scrap the long gun registry. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says they've kept the bill closely under wraps. Rafferty adds he doesn't know if today's bill will look anything like the previous bills that aimed to scrap the registry.

Cell Phone Tower resolution fails

A call for administration to work with the health unit to look into the health impacts of cell phone towers died last night.  Instead Council voted in favour of creating a standard notice for the public that let's them know when a cell phone tower is going to be placed in their neighbourhood.

Council grills Police Chief over deficit

Thunder Bay's Police Department's million dollar budget deficit didn't go unnoticed at Monday night's council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and several other councillors expressed their displeasure and worry over the announcement that was made last week at a Police board meeting.  The cost over runs are being blamed on overtime and legal fees.

Tax ratio changes on hold

The City's tax ratios are staying the course for now.  City lawmakers are holding off on implementing a four million dollar shift from business to residential tax payers.  Councillor Mark Bentz says property owners won't stand for what's being proposed.  A decision will be made on whether to approve the changes at a December council meeting.

Regenerative Medicine Report back in November

City Council will have to wait to be updated on the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine project.  The city provided five hundred thousand dollars towards the implementation of a business strategy for the centre.  Administration will bring a report back to council on November 28th.

Council holding off on Bending Lake Iron

Thunder Bay City Council is holding off on throwing its support behind Bending Lake Iron's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace.  Speaking Monday night, Chief Executive Officer Henry Wetelainen says it's OK that council needs some time to digest the information he's provided them.  Bending Lake Iron is asking for support as part of its environmental assessment process.  Council will vote on a resolution of support at it's November 7th meeting.

T.Bay lands Can-Am Police-Fire Games

Thunder Bay has beaten out several large American cities to host the 2016 Can-Am Police Fire Games.  The games will be held in The Lakehead July 2nd to 10th, and will bring in more than a thousand competitors.  Police Chief JP Levesque says the games are expected to bring in over 5 million dollars in economic activity.

Pukaskwa Park: The Movie

Parks Canada is paying tribute to Pukaskwa Park in film.  Spokesperson Nancy Saunders says "A Park for all Seasons" is going to play at Thunder Bay's SilverCity on November 13th.  You can purchase your tickets online at cineplex.ca

Half a million dollars worth of drugs seized by police

Police have made a major drug bust at Boulevard Lake.  Officials says officers saw a 31 year old man known to be involved in the drug trade walking near the lake last Tuesday.  The man fled police but was quickly found.  Officers found a back pack on the man with half a million dollars worth of cocaine.

PETA weighs in on deer issue

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is urging our city councillors not to choose bow hunting as a method to control the deer population.  PETA's Kristen Simon says it's one of the cruelest forms of hunting since bow hunters routinely spend hours tracking the bloody trails of deer who are stuck by arrows,  before finding them.  She says the simple solution would be not to feed the animals.

Protesters "occupy" City Hall

From Waverly Park to Donald Street.  The Occupy Thunder Bay protesters brought their "make the rich pay" message to City Hall Sunday.  About 50 took part including MP Bruce Hyer and Councillor Paul Pugh.   The protest is part of the Canadian offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon that has spread across the world.

Early morning fire at Travelodge

Guests at the Travelodge on Memorial Avenue experienced a frightening wake up call Saturday morning. A 2 alarm blaze broke out in the Sushi restaurant around 4 am. A portion of Memorial Ave. was closed briefly and guests of the hotel had to be evacuated with the help from the Canadian Red Cross. Smoke damage spread throughout the restaurant and one person was thought to have suffered smoke inhalation. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.

Raffery calls for ban on asbestos

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice in the call to ban asbestos.  He presented a petition in the House of Commons this week calling on the ban of the toxic material. The petition also calls for an end to government subsidies of asbestos both in Canada and abroad.

Bending Lake Iron talks to Council

Bending Lake Iron Group is looking for City Council's blessing on it's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace. Council's resolution is part of the province's Environmental Assessment process. The company already got the go ahead from Ignace and Atikokan.

Bif Naked lends her support to the Cancer Centre

The Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre is getting a huge endorsement.  Canadian Rock Icon and Cancer Survivor Bif Naked toured the facility today and says its a beautiful facility that is built with patient care and comfort in mind.  The Juno Award nominee was in town to speak at the annual Hope Luncheon. 

Matawa First Nations put Feds on notice

Enough is Enough.  That's the message from the Matawa First Nations to the Federal Government.  Marten Falls Chief Eli Moonias says they want to take part in the Ring of Fire, but they can't unless the Feds agree to a Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment.  Moonias says if the Federal Government continues to ignore First Nations they will take legal action and force an injunction to stop the comprehensive study.

T.Bay Teen up for music award

A young Thunder Bay musician is nominated for a 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award.  17 year old fidller/violinist Olivia Korkola is up for a "Young Performer of the Year."  The awards will be announced on December 4th.

Delivery man robbed..not hurt

City police are looking for three men who they say robbed a delivery man at knife point yesterday afternoon.  They say the man was accosted by the three as he was getting back into his vehicle after making a delivery in the Limbrick Place area.  The three thugs were given money and they ran off.  The victim wasn't hurt

Inflation jumps in Thunder Bay

There's no stopping the cost of living from going up these days. Government figures Friday show that inflation in Thunder Bay took a big jump in September from August. It went up a full half a per cent to 3.6 per cent. Nationwide, Statistics Canada says high costs for gas and food increased the rate to 3.2 per cent.

Oh Deer! Heated discussion on population

Let's put the deer on the pill. That was one of the ideas brought up at a meeting about the City's deer population Thursday night.  Mapleward Road Resident Cheryl Bak mentioned that Quebec is managing their deer by putting out birth control laced salt licks.  Other residents were in favour of the bow hunting in rural areas idea, and noted the deer are bringing wolves into residential areas.  City Council will discuss what to do with the deer population at it's November 21st meeting.

Construction work update

Expect some close quarters when you use the Red River, Expressway intersection this weekend. The Ministry of Transportation says the number of lanes will be reduced as crews work to finish paving.