Broken Nose Leads to Charges

City police are reporting more female violence overnight. One woman was sent to hospital after she had her nose broken. City police have 2 women in custody and charged with assault after an altercation took place just after 11:00 O'clock last night on the 100 block of South May Street. Both women are to appear in court this morning.

Forest Fires On The Decline

Cooler temperatures and rain throughout the region are keeping the forest fire situation at bay. There were no new fires confirmed yesterday in the Northwest Region. Widespread rain has reduced the forest fire hazard to low for the entire region and is keeping the fire situation quiet. There are 53 active forest fires in northwestern Ontario; of those 53 fires, 51 are being monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Woman Charged With Arson

A 25 year old woman remains in custody and is charged with arson. Provincial Police laid the charge after investigating a rash of fires that caused structural damage in the Sioux Lookout area. O.P.P. were looking into 3 fires in particular and with the help of the Northwest Crime Unit, were able to arrest and charge the woman. She is scheduled to appear in a Sioux Lookout court today.

OCSA Lauds City Tobacco Stand

Thunder Bay City Council is getting props for its stand on the issue of contraband tobacco.  The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is pleased council has voted to support the association's fight against the sale of such products.  It also applauds the District Health Unit and it's ad campaign against illegal cigarettes.

More Ceremony On Visiting Frigate

There's more pomp happening on board the visiting frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec Friday.  There will be a medal ceremony taking place in the morning starting at 10.   Five Queen's Diamond Jubilee and nine Exemplary Service Medals will be presented to Thunder Bay residents.   Today there was a Canadian citizenship ceremony on board the ship.

Cougars No Stranger To The Northwest

A wildlife expert at Lakehead University says it wouldn't surprise him if it turned out if there was a cougar in the city. Don Barnes says the big cat has been spotted in Northwestern Ontario from Kenora to Thunder Bay for many years. He recalls a thesis one student did on the cougar sightings in Northwestern Ontario.   Barnes says because the Ministry of Natural Resources has such strict guidelines to prove a sighting, they are never confirmed.

Peterson Applauds Sault Move

The co-chair of the city's Disaster Relief Committee is hoping it catches on. Lynn Peterson is reacting to the decision by the city council in Sault Ste. Marie to donate 75 hundred dollars to our disaster relief. Peterson calls it wonderful news for the community. She says it shows that other communities in the north recognize that it's a disaster could have just as easily happened in their own city. Peterson says the request for donations went out to many municipal councils in the province.

True Grit Tees Off For Disaster Relief

The first major fundraising event for the city's Disaster Relief Fund is aiming to raise 300 thousand dollars to help victims of the May 28th flood.  It's a golf tournament being organized by  True Grit Consulting and takes place at Whitewater September 13th.   It also includes an auction of a Fiat sports car.

New Digs For Cancer Care Operations

Cancer Care Ontario's research presence in Thunder Bay is growing.  Vice President Rick Skinner says they have doubled the number of their software developers after being able to snap up some teckies from the now defunct Tornado Medical Systems and move into their former office space in the Whelan Building

Injured Bear Still In City

An injured bear is still making its way through the city. A bear with an injured foot, apparently only using three legs to walk, was spotted this morning at 7:40 a.m. on Golf Links Road near Cascade Crescent. Reports of wild animals including what could be a cougar or a lynx have been dominating police phones throughout the week. Numerous calls of nuissance bears were reported overnight behind the police station on Balmoral and Central. Other locations where witnesses saw bears included Hutton Park at the end of Valley Street, Dawson Road, Dragon Hills Golf Course and in Oliver-Paipoonge.

Police Association AGM

The Thunder Bay Police Association is playing host for the fifth time to the Ontario Police Association's Annual General Meeting. City Police Association President Greg Stephenson says it's a good chance to catch up with fellow members from across the province. Stephenson says 150 delegates from across Ontario are here in attendance for the meetings which wrap-up tomorrow.

Frigate Serves As Ceremony Venue

A new crop of Canadian citizens are ready to take on the world after they were sworn in at a ceremony in Thunder Bay on board the visiting frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec. Senior Citizenship Judge George Springate says having a battleship as a backdrop is just a way to take advantage of opportunities.  He calls it Canada at its best.   A total of 46 people from 22 different countries took the oath of citizen in the ceremony

Multiple Bear Sightings Overnight

Police are getting a high number of calls about wild animals roaming the city. Most of them are bear calls and police say no new confirmed large cat sightings have been made since supper time on Tuesday. Last night police received numerous calls about bears in the city and on the outskirts. Inside the city, calls came in about a bear behind the police station on Balmoral and Central and at Baseball Central. Other reports came in about bears at Dragon Hills Golf Course, on Dawson Road, Hutton Park at the end of Valley and in Oliver-Paipoonge. Police are continuing to ask for the public's assistance in reporting any wild animal sighting and to exercise caution.

Yesno Wins In A Squeaker

Harvey Yesno is the new Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. He was selected in the third ballot in today's NAN election. He defeated Terry Waboose 22 votes to 21. Today's vote comes two months after Stan Beardy vacated the spot after being elected Ontario's Regional Chief.

Witness Says That Was No Lynx

A woman who called in one of this weeks wildcat sightings in the city says there is no doubt in her mind what she saw was a cougar. Lindsay Gibson says she saw the animal in the parking lot of the Regional Health Sciences Centre and it was not a lynx.  She describes an animal that is large and muscular with sleek golden coloured fur with a long thick tail.   Gibson says she and her hospital co-workers saw the huge cat charge at them and they ran for safety.

Levesque Confirms Support For Eye On The Street

The Eye on the Street program is getting dissed by some member of City Council including the mayor, but the Police Chief is standing by it. J-P Levesque says he would like the video surveillance program to continue.  He says he sees value in the system because police use it quite a bit as an investigative tool.

New Cougar Sighting Reported

A new sighting inside the city of a large cat is coming in. Police say a witness saw the animal last night at around supper time in the River Terrace area. An injured bear was also seen in the Lakehead University area at approximately the same time. Conflicting reports have the large cat pegged as either a cougar or a lynx. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says witnesses are still firm in their belief it's a cougar. Adams is once again reminding you to exercise caution if you see either the large cat or the injured bear and to notify police immediately. 

Careless Driving Charge Laid

Careless Driving is the charge. The Traffic Unit has concluded its investigation into a serious auto-pedestriant accident that happened Sunday. A 57 year old woman driver has now been charged after police say she hit a 47 year old woman who was jogging on Blindline Road. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the woman jogger remains at the Health Sciences Centre listed in serious condition.

Latest Cougar Update

No New sightings of a large cat or injured bear are being reported by city police overnight. They were on the lookout for both animals yesterday. The last confirmed sighting of a cougar or a lynx was yesterday during the noon hour near a grassy field near Quality Market on Golf Links road. Earlier sightings had the animal near the Shuniah Building at Confederation College and also near a parking lot near the Health Sciences Centre. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says public safety is paramount. Adams is urging you to call the police immediately if you spot the large cat or the injured bear.

NAN Elections Today

Voting takes place today to elect a new Grand Chief for the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. 7 delegates are vying for Nan's top spot which represents 49 mostly remote First Nations communities. The elections come two months earlier than normal after Stan Beardy was elected as Ontario's Regional Chief. A total of five candidates are running for 3 Deputy Grand Chief positions as well.

HMCS Ville De Quebec Visits

Naval enthusiasts will want to pay attention to the harbour this morning. Thunder Bay is welcoming the 445-foot HMCS Ville De Quebec as it makes port at Pool 6 Pier at approximately 10:00 O'clock The ship is offering free tours starting tomorrow at 1:00 O'clock and will be here until Sunday. Tours are free and transportation will be offered from the Community Auditorium and Heart of the Harbour. The HMCS Ville De Quebec has served during an anti-piracy mission in Somalia and also in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Boulevard Main Beach Safe To Swim

Fluctuating levels of e-coli are constantly being tested by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. The T.B.D.H.U. is now saying the levels have dropped low enough to lift the swimming advisory for Boulevard Lake's Main Beach. High levels of bacteria continue to keep the swim warning in place at Chippewa Park's Main Beach.

Facebook Post Brings Out Skeptics

This week's reported cougar sightings in the city seem to be drawing a lot of skepticism among the public after the posting of this picture on Facebook. It appears to show a lynx crossing the road at the Lakehead University student residence. Local resident Dave St. Amand says he took the picture on Sunday morning and it appears to have stirred the pot somewhat. However police insist witnesses who they have spoken to claim the animal they saw has a long tail like a cougar would, unlike the short tailed lynx in the Facebook pic.

Facebook Posting Brings Out Skeptics

This weeks reported cougar sightings in the city seem to be drawing a lot of skepticism among the public after the posting of this picture on Facebook. It appears to show a lynx crossing the road at the Lakehead University student residence. Local resident Dave St. Amand says he took the picture on Sunday morning and it appears to have stirred the pot somewhat. However police insist witnesses who they have spoken to claim the animal they saw has a long tail like a cougar would, unlike the short tailed lynx in the Facebook pic.

KI Chief Honoured

Chief Donny Morris of KI First Nation stood up for what he believes in, and now he's been awarded a medal. Morris was presented a Diamond Jubilee medal, honoring the work he's done for his community. In March 2008, Morris and others were put in jail for standing up to the province. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell presented the medal, saying Morris has been a "true leader".

Gravelle Monitoring Cougar Sightings

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle is watching the developments surrounding cougar sightings in the city. Gravelle says his ministry is on top of the situation helping to find the animal.  He says MNR officials are working with city police to try to track the animal.   However Gravelle points out there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of a wild cougar in Ontario since 1884.

Frigate Tour Times Announced

The Royal Canadian Navy is allowing you to take a tour of the HMCS Ville de Quebec when it arrives here for a five day visit this week. On Thursday there will be two opportunities. The first will be in the afternoon from 1 until 5 then from 6 until 8 in the evening. On Friday ,Saturday an Sunday the visits will be restricted to the afternoon starting at 1 o'clock. The ship will be docked at the Pool 6 pier.

Cougar Sighting At Hospital

City police are saying three Hospital staff members were charged by a what they say was a cougar this morning. Police were called to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre early this morning. Hospital staff reported that a cougar was seen in parking lot H on the east side of the property. Meanwhile, a bear with an injured leg was also spotted in the same area by staff members just after 5:00 a.m. The animal was said to have acted in an aggressive manner before returning to the wooded area. Police were unable to locate the animals. The police are following up on this matter with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Police are patrolling the area around the hospital and reminding the public to exercise caution when walking in wooded areas in the vicinity. They are also asking you to call them immediately if these animals are spotted.

Injured Bear Still Loose

City police are warning you of the dangers of wild animals roaming through the city. Reports of a cougar sighting were last given to police yesterday afternoon near Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Officers spotted an injured bear near their station on Balmoral on Central at approximately 10:30 p.m. last night. In both cases the animals fled into the bush before police could catch up with them. In a seperate incident, a bear was hit and killed by a vehicle on West Arthur Street at approximately 9:00 O'Clock last night. No Injureies were reported. Police are warning you to use extreme caution when walking or biking near Central, Balmoral, Tungsten and along the trails surrounding the Lakehead University campus.

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