Assault victim's condition remains serious

There is a slight improvement in the condition of a 52 year old man who is in hospital as the result of a weekend assault at the Victoria Inn.   Police say he remains in serious condition.  The person who is charged in connection with the incident is a 33 year old man from Summer Beaver.  Police say the two were known to each other.

Temporary mill closure at Resolute FP

Less than a week before Christmas, Resolute Forest Products is announcing a temporary mill closure for its Thunder Bay operations.   A spokesperson says the kraft mill will be closed beginning this week and last until January second.  Market conditions are sited for the decision.

Fatal train accident in Fort Frances

A Fort Frances man is dead after being hit by a train on the weekend.   OPP say the incident took place at the CN railyard in Fort Frances when a pedestrian was struck by the freight train around 2 a.m Sunday morning.  Dead is 28 year old Justin Degagne.  Police say the incident did not involve foul play.

Strasser to receive to honour

The Founding Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is getting Australia's highest civilian honour. Roger Strasser will be receiving the Order of Australia at a special ceremony Tuesday in Sudbury. It's for the work he's done for medical education in that country.

Last council meeting of 2011

The final council meeting of 2011 doesn't contain too much that looks controversial tonight.   It includes the Mayor's state of the city address, a look at what to do with the 100 thousand dollar surplus from the Mary J-L Black Library construction and choosing the replacement for city solicitor Rosalie Evans who is taking a one year sabbatical

Police release accident pic

Thunder Bay Police are releasing an amazing picture of a vehicle that was involved in an alleged drunk driving accident over the weekend.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams hopes it will send a message to party goers.  The 21 year old woman lost control of her car on Arthur Street causing it to flip several times and trap her inside. The woman survived with virtually no injuries.

Federal NDP Leadership Candidate pays visit

One of the candidates looking to become the new leader of the Federal New Democrats has wrapped up a tour of Northwestern Ontario.  Northern Quebec MP Romeo Saganash stopped in Kenora and Fort Frances over the weekend to outline his campaign and garner support from party faithful.  Saganash says he's now visited every part of Canada, making him one of few candidates to do so.

OFIA challenging caribou protection

The Ontario Forest Industry Association is challenging caribou protection measures. The group is upset that the Provincial Environmental Commissioner has stated that the regulations won't impact the Northern Ontario forest industry.  Spokesperson Scott Jackson says the measures will cause dramatic reductions in available wood supply across the North.  The areas outlined as caribou management zones supply wood fibre to mills in Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Terrace Bay and Timmins.

Highway is open

Highway 17 near Ignace is back open to traffic Monday morning.  Sections of the Trans Canada were closed yesterday due to a Transport going into a ditch.  The road was closed to both lanes and reopened to one lane while crews cleared the area and removed the truck.

Child playing with lighter causes fire

A child playing with a lighter is the cause of a fire on Prescott Crescent.  The fire was kept to a second floor bedroom and minimal amount of structural damage is reported.  However, heavy smoke damage was significant enough to keep the family from returning to their home.

Fire guts Brock Street home

Thunder Bay Fire was kept busy last night with a massive fire that gutted an older two storey home on Brock Street. Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it was hard to supress the fire and the house is now considered a right off. Two firefighters were trapped when fire broke through the main floor burning their fire hose and leaving the two stranded in heavy smoke. They were able to escape through a kitchen window. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical heaters being used to heat the home.

Man on the Street: Waterfront

The new look Thunder Bay waterfront is now open to the public. The 60 million dollar facelift includes two new buildings and a skating rink. We asked people what they thought:

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Beating victim in critical condition

A 53 year old man is in critical condition after a beating at the Victoria Inn. The victim was found severely injured in a hotel room yesterday. Police have one man in custody in connection to the beating.

Stabbing on the south side

A 48 year old woman is in police custody after a stabbing on the city's south side. Police say the woman cut a man's neck on the 100 block of south May Street. The woman was charged with assault with a weapon and will be in court via video today.

Special Olympics athletes robbed

Police are investigating a robbery at the Knights of Columbus. Officials say a man entered the May location and stole purses and wallets from Special Olympics athletes. The man is said to be 20-30 years old and was last seen wearing a light grey hoodie.

Impaired driving collision

A 21 year old woman is charged with impaired driving after a single vehicle collison early this morning. City police say the woman struck the center island on Arthur Street before hitting a cement barricade. The woman suffered non-life threating injuries.

Waterfront celebrations attract a crowd

Thunder Bay's new look waterfront is now open for everyone to see. Hundreds came to help the City celebrate the grand opening of Prince Arthur's Landing last night which culminated with fireworks. On hand for the festivities was Lynn Peterson who was mayor when the 60 million dollar project worked its way through council. It now means the waterfront can be a place where people can go anytime of the year to enjoy.

Hobbs to give state of the city address

The Mayor will be giving his annual state of the city address to council Monday.  Keith Hobbs says he's looking forward to outline some of the year's highlights and will also give a look ahead to the new year.  Hobbs says he thinks economic development has been and will continue to be the biggest issue in the city.

NAN supports UN Inquiry

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is supporting a decision by the UN to conduct an inquiry into the murders of Aboriginal Woman in Canada.  Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its about time an inquiry was called.  The UN made the decision after hearing calls from the Native Women's Association and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action.

Feds help people with disabilities

The Government of Canada is helping people with disabilities.  MP Greg Rickford announced the government will be giving the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay almost 600 thousand dollars.  About 350 people are expected to benefit from the funding. 

FedNor funds small business development

Two Thunder Bay organizations are benefiting from Federal government funding through FedNor. MP Greg Rickford says over three quarter million dollars is going to the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.  The Enterprise Gateway gets 450 thousand dollars while the Innovation Centre receives 320 thousand.

RIM is in real danger

Things are not looking good for Research in Motion.  Local Technology Consultant and Former RIM Executive Anthony LeBlanc says 3rd quarter results are concerning but its biggest problem is delays with new software.  Leblanc says with the company's shares as low as they are, the vultures are circling and a take over could happen soon. 

Police arrest 4 in drug bust

Four people are behind bars after police made a drug bust in the city yesterday.  Officers search 2 homes on Christina and Logan Streets and Black Chrome Apparel on Red River Thursday and found large amounts of drugs and Hell's Angels clothing.  Officials say the drugs had a street value of 70 thousand dollars.

Christmas charity robbed

The Salvation Army is out almost 500 dollars after someone stole a stack of bills from their counting centre.  Major Merv Halverson says a person went to the counting centre last night asked a question and then grabbed a stack of bills and left.

Another historic day on the FWFN

It's official, the governments of Canada, Ontario and the Fort William First Nation have now signed a land settlement which concludes a long standing boundary claim.  It includes a payout of 150 million dollars from Canada and also includes Pie Island on Lake Superior.  A ceremony took place on the reserve Friday morning which included MP Greg Rickford and band Chief Peter Collins.

Man on the Street: Multi-Plex

There's strong support among some Thunder Bay residents to continuing the quest for a new arena. In the wake of the federal governments decision not to fund the project right now, we asked residents, should the city still go for it.

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Grand Marais shooting

A 42 year old man who was attending court in Grand Marais, Minnesota is in jail after opening fire in the Cook County courthouse.  3 people were injured yesterday including the County Attorney and two others.  Daniel Schlienz was the defendant in a criminal sexual conduct case that was being heard in the courthouse yesterday.

Westfort Apartment Fire

One woman is in hospital after an apartment fire on West Frederica Street this morning.  All of the apartment residents got out of the building.  Crews brought the fire under control, some smoke damage is reported.  Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it appears the fire started in one of the apartment's kitchen.  One woman is in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.

New Brunswick company gets home contract for Attawapiskat

Maple Leaf Homes of Fredericton has been tasked with building 22 homes for the Attawapiskat First Nation. Sales Manager Jacques Roy says their homes are very energy efficient with superinsulation.  The first homes will begin the long trek to the Northern Ontario community Friday and then next week 3-4 homes will leave every day.

Singer warns against texting and driving

Local Thunder Bay singer Shy-Anne Hovorka has produced a music video about the problem of texting and driving. The song is called “Too Young, Too Late” and was released today on YouTube.

Feds won't back down from TPM

The gap between the Attawapiskat First Nation and the Harper government is wider than ever.  The First Nation says it's going to court to try and put an end to Third Party Management.  The announcement from Chief Theresa Spence follows a meeting between her and Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan in Thunder Bay.   Duncan did not back down from the appointment of the independent manager to handle the finances of the impoverished James Bay community

MacLean's pegs us at 17 in annual crime rankings

Thunder Bay is the 17th most dangerous city in Canada according to MacLean's Magazine.  The Annual list pegs us 7th overall for violent crimes and 23rd for non violent crimes.  Prince George BC, tops the list this year with Victoria and Saskatoon rounding out the top 3.  Thunder Bay Police Chief JP Levesque says while its not good to be ranked so high, he isn't surprised.  He says until the social issues are addressed our crime rate will stay close to where it is. 

Attawapiskat meeting over

The meeting of two adversaries is over.  Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan and Chief Theresa Spence have concluded their critical meeting in Thunder Bay.  They met for about 90 minutes at the regional Aboriginal Affairs office in Fort William First Nation.  The two sides continue to struggle with how the band's finances should be handled.  The two sides were attempting to smooth over their conflicts over how to deal with the community's housing crisis.

Sketches of deceased woman released

OPP have released sketches of a woman whose remains were found in Kenora in 2009.  Sgt. Shelley Garr says they're hoping the sketch will help jog the memory of a doctor or family member.  Foul play is not suspected in her death. Investigators describe the deceased as a Caucasian female, between the ages of 35 and 55 years, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds, with shoulder length light brown hair.

Waterfront Celebrations Friday

You can tour the newly renovated waterfront Friday night.  The City is holding a grand opening celebration and Spokesperson Doug Henry says there are a number of areas of the waterfront re-opening.  Henry says public response has been great so far.  The event starts at 6:30 pm and will wrap up with fireworks at 8:30 pm.

300-thousand raised for Attawapiskat

The Red Cross has raised 300 thousand dollars for the troubled community of Attawapiskat.  Spokesperson Karen Snider says they've ended their fundraising campaign.  Donations came in from across Canada.

Rafferty surprised by swear

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says opposition MPs are frustrated with the Conservative Government.  Rafferty's remarks come after Environment Minister Peter Kent chided the NDP's Environment Critic for not being at a climate conference in South Africa.  The Environment Minister's questioning prompted Liberal MP Justin Trudeau to use a swear word in the House of Commons.

Highway near Kenora closed

The winter weather has resulted in a Highway closure. Highway 17A is closed at Airport Road near Kenora. The road was closed around 2:30 this morning. OPP say traffic is being re-routed through Kenora. Motorists are urged to use caution on the road today due to blowing snow and slippery conditions.

Aboriginal Affairs and Attawapiskat meet today

The housing crisis at Attawapiskat will be examined today when Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan meets in Thunder Bay with Chief Theresa Spence.  Spence has threatened to sue Ottawa for imposing a third party to manage the band's finances.

T.Bay Tel restores service to most areas

Thunder Bay Telephone is reporting that all cell service in the Westfort area of town is back up and running. Landline and Internet service is also restored to most impacted areas. Service issues still remain in some rural areas and crews continue to work towards fixing the problem.

Plane makes emergency landing in Geraldton

No one was hurt after a twin engine plane made an emergency landing in Geraldton Wednesday afternoon.  Greenstone Mayor Renald Beaulieu says a Thunder Air plane flying from Attiwapiskat to Thunder Bay had one of its engines die during the flight.  Beaulieu wasn't sure but thinks the passengers are band officials from the troubled First Nation coming to Thunder Bay for a meeting with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Wojak barred for 6 months

It could be 6 months before local man Henry Wojak can speak at council again.  Wojak was barred after swearing at council in November and his punishment will last 6 months unless he apologizes.  Wojak says council is trying to silence him and says he will "apologize for council's behaviour but that's all." If Wojak apologizes his punishment would be reduced to 3 months.

Councillor looks to feasibility study for multi-plex answers

One city councilor says we'll get more answers about the proposed multi-plex once a feasibility study is done.  Andrew Foulds says we need to know how this facility would be configured.  Foulds says he is looking forward to seeing the results of the study this spring.

Man on the Street: open border

There doesn't appear to be much support for a open border policy with the United States if it means some sacrifices. We asked people in Thunder Bay...do you agree with an open border in exchange for increased security and a loss of some personal freedoms?

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Duncan to meet Chief in Thunder Bay

The Attawapiskat controversy makes its way to Thunder Bay on Thursday.  That's when Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will be meeting with the Chief of the James Bay First Nations community Theresa Spence.   The two have been waging a verbal war with each other over the Harper Government's decision for third party management on the reserve.

OPP hope to solve Kenora mystery

More details will be released Thursday in Orillia on an unsolved mystery in Kenora. The investigation centres around human remains found in June of 2009. OPP say a Forensic Artist has enhanced the investigation with facial re-creations. OPP will be seeking further assistance from the public and medical community to identify the individual.

Waboose trashes government over FASD

There's an accusation that the McGuinty Government isn't doing enough about the problem of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says the province needs to get serious about the problem because his people can't do it on their own.  He says "countless children" born with the disorder "are falling through the cracks because of  Ontario's continued failure to fully address FASD"

Solar farm? No problem

There doesn't seem to be any complaints from residents in Shuniah to a proposed solar farm in the community.  Many people who attended an open house on the proposal were satisfied that the project will not pose a problem.   GTE Solar plans another open house in Thunder Bay today about a separate solar farm in the Dawson and Paquette Road areas.

Mac's store robbed again

There may be added security measures, but that didn't stop someone from robbing another city Mac's Convenience Store.  Police say that the store on North Cumberland was robbed by a man with a knife around midnight and ran off with some money, police won't tell us how much.  No one was hurt

Homeowner captures suspect

A 20 year old Webequie man is in police custody after a homeowner on the 500 block of Marks Street captured him after he broke into the house. Police say the homeowner held on to the culprit until they arrived. Another suspect got away and police are still looking for him. The incident happened around 1:30 am

Christmas Cheer busy again today

It's going to be another busy day at the CLE Colliseum Building as Christmas Cheer hampers are given to needy families.  Today it's the south side families that will be picking up their goods, yesterday it was for the north.    The organization still needs 65 thousand dollars to meet this years goal