Brett Kay Named All-Star

Thunder Bay Border Cats Shortstop Brett Kay has been voted to the 2012 Northwoods League Post-Season All-Star Team. Coaches and members of the media voted him as the lone representative of the Border Cats. He batted .320 with 3 triples, 14 doubles and one home run while collecting 77 hits in 64 games during the regular season.

Thunder Bay Wants Trade Talks Exemption

The city of Thunder Bay wants to be left out of any negotiations involving Canada's discussions with the European Union on a new trade deal. Councillor Paul Pugh is fearful having no exemption from the talks could leave us vulnerable to policy changes involving mass transit thus putting local jobs in danger at the Bombardier plant.

Funding Priorities Set

The city's top requests for infrastructure funding from the Harper government are now set in stone.   Councillors voted to promote a list of five projects including improvements to the Delaney Arena and Fort William Stadium.  Other priority projects to be submitted by the city include improvements to trails, lighting and bridges and transit shelter upgrades.

Surveillance Program Has It's Critics

It appears the city's Eye on the Street program may get some council scrutiny in the future. In presenting the program's annual report to council, some city lawmakers, like Councillor Andrew Foulds believe it may be time to rethink the video surveillance program altogether.  He feels the 200 thousand dollars could be better spent on something else. The mayor too feels the program has no value.

Police Warn Of New Scam

Police are warning drivers to be aware of a scam.  They say it involves someone flagging you down the the highway and claiming to be out of gas.   The schemer offers to exchange a piece of jewelry they have for money,  claiming it's worth hundreds of dollars when in fact the jewelry is fake.  Police say they had two reports of the scam, one close to Nipigon, the other near Thunder Bay.

ATV Accident Injures Man

Police say a local man is recovering from an ATV accident on his Marks Lake property on the weekend.   They say he was thrown from his vehicle and up against a boulder after the machine rolled.  OPP pointed out the 35 year old man wasn't wearing a helmet. 

4 Year Investigation Leads To Arrest

A Manitouwadge man is out on bail but faces severa conditions as he waits for his next court appearance. The Northwest Crime Unit assisted Manitouwadge O.P.P. with a four year investigation that has resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old man. Police arrested him on Thursday and faces two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering threats, one count of assault and breaking and entering charges. Police say the man is expected back in court on September 26th.

City Prepares For Bow Hunting Season

In less than a month the city will be allowing bow hunting for deer within city limits. In advance of that, the city is putting on an information session to inform you of exactly what will be involved according to city spokesperson Ron Bourret. He says that includes consent forms that must be filled out and other rules that must be followed. That public meeting takes place a week from this Thursday, August 23rd at Confederation College.

Dryden Doctor Breaches Code Of Conduct

The Dryden Regional Health Centre says a physician has breached the Hospital's Code of Conduct. The Hospital has reviewed an incident that occurred on August 4th, during which an emergency room doctor reportedly used inappropriate language while attending to a First Nations patient and his family. Officials say they take this breach seriously. The physician in question has acknowledged that his conduct was inappropriate and has asked to apologize to the family. He has also agreed to attend cultural sensitivity training. The hospital has expressed regret that this incident occurred. There is no word on possible disciplinary action.

Local Woman Crashes Truck

A 29 year old Thunder Bay woman is in Kenora hospital following a collision on Highway 1 in eastern Manitoba. The RCMP say the single vehicle accident took place Saturday afternoon around 3:00 about 3 kilometers west of Falcon Lake. The Mounties say the woman lost control of her pick-up truck and rolled the vehicle. She was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital in critical but stable condition. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Injured Bear Spotted Near L.U.

City police are warning bikers and trail walkers to be on the lookout for an injured bear in the area of Lakehead University. The report was filed with police after 9:00 O'clock this morning. Police are patrolling the area and have contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources. Caution is being warned for residents in the area of Oliver Road especially near trails surrounding the university campus.

Hotel Announcement In The Fall Now

The developer of the condominium project on the waterfront says condo sales are going better than expected. Giselle MacDonald says that the first of the two condominium projects is 80 per cent sold out which is ahead of projections. Shesays originally they thought it would take them 3 months to reach the 80 per cent mark instead it took them only a month. Meantime MacDonald says that negotiations are going full tilt with the proposed hotelier and an announcement on that is now expected in the fall.

Woman Jogger In Critical Condition After Being Hit

Blindline Road at Fraser Road is now open again after city police had to close it after being called to the site of a auto-pedestrian motor vehicle collision. The incident happened just before 10:00 a.m. yesterday. A 47 year old woman had been jogging east bound on Blindline Road when she was struck from behind by a Jeep being driven by a 57 year old woman. The 47 year old female victim remains in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital listed in critical condition. The accident is still being investigated by the Thunder Bay Police Traffic Section. The woman has been identified but police are not releasing her name until all family members have been notified.

Cougar Watch

City police are warning the public to be on the lookout for a cougar. Police say they were alerted to a possible sighting in the vicinity of Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Police did check the area around 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon but were unable to locate the large cat. They are asking the public to report any sightings to police as soon as possible and to use caution when walking or biking in the area.

O.P.P. Officers Allegedly Assaulted

Two Ontario Provincial Police Officers were allegedly assaulted over the weekend in Pickle Lake. Police were flagged down by a man in a store parking lot when one man began shouting obscenities to police. Police arrested one man for public intoxication when they were allegedly assaulted. A 34 year old man faces multiple charges. Neither of the two officers were injured.

Woman Faces Assault Charges

A verbal argument escalated to assault in Pickle Lake. A 20 year old woman is being held for bail by O.P.P. and is to appear in court today after police responded to a call where they could hear shouting from inside a home. Police say the woman assaulted her 22 year male partner and now faces assault charges in a Sioux Lookout court.

Cats Season Ends

The Thunder Bay Border Cats season came to a screaching halt yesterday when their game was cancelled due to poor weather in Willmar. The Cats ended the second half with a 16-18 record in the North Division, finishing out of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Serious Collision on Fraser & Blindline Rd.

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a serious collision involving a Pedestrian and a Vehicle this morning at Fraser Rd. & Blindline Rd. Police say the unidentified women pedestrian has been taken to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital with life threatening injuries. Police are asking drivers to avoid travelling in this area until further notice as the roads are blocked for investigative purposes.

Enforcement Blitz

An enforcement blitz at a lake along the Canada-U.S border has found several anglers not following the rules.Conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources laid 20 charges and issued 78 warnings during the four-day blitz in the middle of July at Basswood Lake located within Quetico Provincial Park

Infractions included anglers fishing without a licence, having an over-limit of fish and using barb hooks or live bait, both of which are prohibited in the park.

Border Cats Stung

The Thunder Bay Border cats were stung 9-2 playing the Willmar Stingers at Taunton Stadium on Saturday. They face off again this evening in Willmar.

Border Cats Win 8-1

The Thunder Bay Borders Cats put the game in the bag 8-1 at the Subway feild agianst the Duluth Huskies last night. The Border Cats ended their at home schedule on a winning note. Tonight they're away playing the Willmar Stingers

Feds Announce Another First Nations School

It took five years, but Pikangikum is going to get a new school. Today Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan announced the federal government would be building a new school. He says at this point they don't know how much the school might cost since the tenders have not gone out yet. In July 2007, the only school in the community burned to the ground.  Yesterday Duncan announced a new school would be built in Fort Severn

No Changes For Eye On The Street: Admin

City Council gets it's yearly update Monday on the Eye on the Street video surveillance program. Administration is recommending no changes and you'll get no argument from Councillor Brian McKinnon who supports the program 100 per cent because he say it works. McKinnon says in the future he'd like to see more surveillance cameras

Happy Anniversary FedNor

FedNor is celebrating. The economic development funding initiative specific to northern Ontario was established 25 years ago. Minister Tony Clement says FedNor has played an important role as a catalyst for development and growth in the region.

Sioux Lookout Fire Bug

Sioux Lookout O.P.P. are investigating a possible fire bug. Provincial Police were called to a residence yesterday and met up with the Fire Service to put out a fire. Damages to the home were undetermined but police say people were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire. O.P.P. say they are looking into a rash of fires in the recent months and are appealing to the public for help with any information. 

Pikangikum Braces For Education Announcement

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, John Duncan is expected to make an announcement related to First Nation education today. Minister Duncan will be joined by Pikangikum Chief Peter Quill at the local community centre. Yesterday John Duncan announced a new elementary school would be built in Fort Severn First Nation. The announcement is expected to be made just after 1:00 O'Clock today.

Mauro To Hebert..Don't Be An Alarmist

There's controversy between two local politicians surrounding Ontario Power Generation's plans to convert it's Mission Island power station to natural gas.  Councillor Larry Hebert is warning of rolling blackouts if a power purchase agreement can't be reached with the OPG and the Ontario Power Authority, but MPP Bill Mauro doesn't agree. He says it's all part of the negotiating process and tells the councillor not be be an alarmist.  Hebert's comments follow news that purchase agreement talks between the OPG and and Power Authority have stalled.

West Nile Not A Threat In The North

Despite high numbers of reported cases of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in southern Ontario, we appear to be quite safe here in the North. Entimologist, Dr. Ken Deacon says there have been no positive tests on mosquitoes trapped here so far. Apparently even higher temperatures than what we've experienced for it to be a legitimate threat.

Swimming Advisory..On Again

Just in time for the weekend comes news of a swimming advisory for the Main Beach at Boulevard Lake.  The Health Unit says it's due to high bacteria levels.   Meantime the advisory for the Main Beach at Chippewa Park remains in effect.  

Local Jobless Rate Up

The latest Government figures show  unemployment was up in the city last month.   Statistics Canada says the jobless rate in Thunder Bay for July was 6.1 per cent.  That's up from 5.7 per cent the month before.  

Thunder Bay All-Stars Lose Canadian Championship

There will be no Junior Little League World Series for the Thunder Bay All-Stars. They were beaten 14-2 in 5-innings by Alberta in yesterday's Canadian final in Lethbridge, Alberta. The All-Stars allowed 5 runs in the top of the first and were unable to recover. The team was playing for a spot at the world's in Taylor, Michigan.

Border Cats Eliminated From Playoffs

The Thunder Bay Border Cats will now try and play the roll of spoiler in their last regular season home game of the 2012 season tonight. The Border Cats were officially eliminated from playoff contention after suffering an 11-4 loss at the hands of the Duluth Huskies last night. The series finale goes tonight at 7:05 p.m.at Subway field.

Election Day Next Week For NAN

Election Day is coming up next week for Chiefs with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.  Delegates at the Keewaywin Conference in Kashechewan First Nation will be voting for NAN's executive council.  August 15th is election day.

Afternoon Mishap

No one is injured following a three vehicle accident at the intersection of Tupper and High Street which happened just after 3:30 this afternoon.  There's no word on any possible charges.

Joe Van Koerverden Happy For Son

Dryden City Manager and former Thunder Bay resident Joe Van Koerverden is feeling nothing but pride for son Adam. Adam Van Koerverden grabbed a silver medal in Men's Kayaking at the Olympic Games yesterday. Father Joe was in the stands for the race and says there was nothing but celebration afterwards. Joe says Adam wanted gold but is content and happy with silver.

Rickford New Gig

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford's summer just got busier. Rickford has been appointed to a five member panel which will decide who will become the next justice on the Supreme Court of Canada. The panel will review a list of qualified candidates from the Province of Quebec and submit a list of three people to the Prime Minister for review. The all-party panel was appointed today by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.

NOTO Talks Summer Tourism

The Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association is reporting a slightly better tourist season this summer. Executive Director Doug Reynolds says camp owners are seeing better turnout than in previous years. Reynolds says it seems American anglers are less nervous about their economy and are coming back to vacation in Northwestern Ontario.

New Tim Hortons Camp Underway

A long time coming for local kids! Officials say a Manitoba First Nation has backed off its opposition to a Tim Horton children's camp near Pinawa. Dave Newnham of the Tim Horton Children's Foundation says it recently signed a lease for a site on Sylvia Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. This would become the closest camp for disadvantaged Northwestern Ontario children who attend camp on a yearly basis.

Metro & Quality Market Raise Cash

Thunder Bay's Metro and Quality Market Stores are jumping in to help area residents impacted by the May 28th flood.  Metro Spokesperson Brian McNamara says during the September long weekend they'll be asking for a dollar from their customers at the till.  McNamara says they decided to help fund raise for the Disaster Relief Fund since many of their employees are still without proper accommodations.

No Basement Flooding Says City

There are no reports of basement flooding in the city as the result of the overnight and morning rainstorm. City official Kerri Marshall says the storm sewer system seems to have held up well especially in the East End which got socked in the May 28th storm.  Marshall says however that there has been some roads that have flooded in fact a sewer back-up forced the closure of a portion of Fort William Road.

HMCS Ville De Quebec To Visit City

Tourism officials with the city are hoping to see 2,000 to 4,000 visitors per day when the HMCS Ville De Quebec visits Thunder Bay. The active naval ship will dock at Pool 6 on Wednesday of next week and is more than 400 feet in length, weighs more than 5,000 tonnes and has a crew of more than 200. Admission is free and they are offering free transportation from the Auditorium and the Heart of the Harbour.

The End Of An Era

It's the end of an era in the local shipping industry. At the end of this month the local office of the Canadian Ports Clearance Association will close. It has directed ship traffic in the port for over a hundred years. Local shipping official William Hryb says the company doesn't have the clout it used to. Hryb says the association's job will be left to the grain companies.

Housing Starts Up Again

The number of housing starts in Thunder Bay continues to be above normal. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says there were 42 total Thunder Bay starts in July surpassing July of last year. 28 homes, 2 duplexes and 12 condominium starts were reported last month which beats the 34 starts compared to last year during the same time period. Market Analyst for C.M.H.C. Warren Philp says "Rising prices in the resale market are encouraging more denser forms of housing construction that offer more choice to consumers."

Thunder Bay Plays For National Title

The Thunder Bay All-Stars were giant killers yesterday at the Canadian Junior Little League Championships in Lethbridge. The #4 seed team from Thunder Bay advanced to the tournament final with a 12-4 win over #1 seed B.C. in the semi-finals. Thunder Bay now takes on Alberta in the final today at 3:00 p.m. for the right to move on to the Junior Little League World Series in Taylor, Michigan.

Border Cats Blast Huskies

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are playing loose right now. They crushed the Duluth Huskies 13-3 at Subway field last night to keep their slim playoff chances alive. The Border Cats have to win their 4 remaining games, have Willmar lose all of theirs and hope that nobody else within the North Division gets to 19 wins. Game two of their 3 game series is tonigh at 7:05 p.m.

Six New Officers Sworn In

There are now six new city police officers who have sworn to keep the peace.   They were sworn in at an afternoon ceremony at the Provincial Court building on Arthur Street.  Justice Dino DiGiuseppe presided over the event.  The six are:  Brydon Beck, Michael Coehlo, Trevor Dunn, Carl Hagstrom, (John) Jarret Hay and Kyle Kehler.

Hajdu New Gig

Thunder Bay's drug strategy co-ordinator has been hired as executive director of Shelter House.  Patti Hajdu starts the new job later this month and will replace Cal Rankin, who left the organization earlier this year.

E-Bike Tour Passes Through City

Another Cross Canada Tour is making its way through Thunder Bay today, this one with world record intentions. Danny Halmo is riding his electric bike across the country promoting green energy usage and is currently adding to his world record breaking journey. Halmo will make his way to Thunder Bay today and plans on making a visit and donation to a local food bank as part of his trip.

Morning Accidents Keep Police Busy

City police are going from one accident to another it seems. They're probing two separate accidents that sent a total of three people to hospital. The first was a two vehicle crash on Golf Links Road just after 10 o'clock. Two SUV's collided sending both drivers to hospital with unknown injuries. The second was a two vehicle mishap on Court and Pearl about an hour later. Police say one vehicle T-boned the other at the intersection. At least one person, a woman, was sent to hospital to be checked out. There's no word on any possible charges in either accident.

Health Sciences Centre Gets Cash

The Provincial Government is putting more nurses to work in Thunder Bay. The Regional Health Sciences Centre will receive over 4 thousand nursing hours at the hospital's emergency room to care for patients who arrive by ambulance. The hospital is getting 220-thousand dollars to hire the nurses in 2012-2013.