No West Nile Cases In N.W.O.

No concerns in northwestern Ontario, but the West Nile virus is hitting southern Ontario hard. Health officials say 82 people, all in southern Ontario, have been infected. Public Health Ontario says the virus has been identified in northwestern Ontario, but no one here has contracted the mosquito-born illness.

Accident On Waterloo Street

Everyone walked away with no injuries following a motor vehicle collision Thursday morning. Police and ambulance were called to North Waterloo and East Vickers Street just in front of the Tim Horton's. Two vehicles were involved in a collision. A grey Suzuki Twist and a black Chevy truck collided with each other. There were no injuries, there is no word on any charges.

Bear Sighting Near Hudson

 City Police are investigating a bear sighting in the Current River area area early this morning. Police were called to the area near Hudson Avenue by multiple witnesses but the bear had vacated the area by the time police arrived.

Man Arrested For Mac's Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 32 year old man with the robbery of the Balsam Street Mac's Convenience Store on Monday night.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they picked the man up Wednesday night in a Northside residence. The man is charged with Robbery and Breach of Recognizance.

Loonie Days For Flood Fund Start Friday

A variety of businesses are taking part in loonie days for disaster relief this long weekend. Flood Fund Program Manager Kari Chiappetta says it's vital people come out and donate a loonie when they're shopping at local businesses. You can donate a dollar this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at all Metro, Quality Market stores, Walmart, Old Navy, Chatters Salon and a variety of other businesses.

Lac des Illes Strike Vote

Workers at the Lac des Illes mine could go on strike in September. The United Steel Workers Union held a strike vote recently with 94 percent of employees voting in favour of labour action. USW Spokesperson Herb Daniher says there have been some stumbling points in negotiations including bringing a work safety advisor back into the company. A provincial mediator will sit down with the employer and the union for three days of negotiation at the beginning of September.

Body Found Behind Lakehead Motors

Thunder Bay Police have identified the 65 year old man who was found dead this morning in the Intercity area.  Just before 9:00 a.m. people walking in the wooded area at the end of Field Street came across the body and went to a nearby business to alert police.  Detectives are now awaiting the result of a post mortem to determine the cause of the death.

Ornge's Air Ambulance Service Back To Normal In T.Bay

Ornge's helicopter air ambulance service is back to running out of it's Thunder Bay base.  It was moved to Moosonee and Kenora on a temporary basis due to a pilot shortage but Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro says the organization has been able to rectify the matter.  Mauro says Ornge has struggled in the past with recruiting helicopter pilots and it's an ongoing problem.

Kia Gives Vehicle To Crimestoppers

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers has a new vehicle thanks to Performance Kia.  The business donated the vehicle to the organization this morning.  Crimestoppers Coordinator Jason Disher says he'll be driving the vehicle around for the next three years.  Disher says it will come in handy since he's following up on tips from Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Manitouwadge and Greenstone. 

Dryden Donates To T.Bay Flood Fund

Dryden Council has responded to an appeal for assistance issued by Thunder Bay.  The Lakehead is still reeling from a major flood in May and a group has been formed to raise 5-million dollars to help those affected by the water damage.  Dryden Council has agreed to donate 1-thousand dollars to the cause.  The province will match that funding.

College Teachers Reach Agreement

Confederation College teachers won't be going on strike this fall.  Ontario's 24 colleges today reached a tentative agreement with their faculty. It's a two year deal that starts in September and expires in August 2014.  The deal includes no changes to benefits and freezes faculty

salaries.

Neebing Avenue Closed

Neebing Avenue will be closed until early October as city crews work on road and watermain construction. Neebing Avenue has been closed this week between Gore Street and Walsh Street and will remain closed for atleast another five weeks. Gore Street and Walsh Street remain open as detour routes. Other access roads including Rosslyn Road and Broadway Avenue remain open. There will be local access to the area from Mary Street, Francis Street and Frederica Street.

Rafferty Puzzled By Boundary Map

A possible redraw of federal ridings in northwestern Ontario has the M.P. for Thunder Bay-Rainy River scratching his head. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario proposes Lake of the Woods township be a part of the Kenora riding. John Rafferty is confused as to why it has to be moved out of his riding. Rafferty intends to voice his opposition at upcoming meetings this fall.

Forest Fire Season Not Over

A reminder the fire season in northwestern Ontario isn't over yet. The Ministry of Natural Resources says it reponded to 6 new blazes in the region, including two more in the Kenora area. One was located near Minaki while the other was just South of Kenora on Lake of the Woods. The M.N.R. says all the new fires were the result of lightning strikes over the past few days. With warmer conditions expected over the next few days, fire crews are expecting to see more activity. 

Police Release Mac's Robbery Photos

Police are releasing photos from Monday night's Mac's convenience store robbery on Balsam Street. Just before 10:00 p.m. a man walked into the store and told the cashier he had a weapon and wanted money. Police are looking for a 45 year old white man that's six feet tall with a heavy build and a goatee.

School Bus Schedules Online

Parents and guardians of students in Thunder Bay are now able to check online for their kid's bus schedules.  Student Transportation Services Spokesperson David Carrol says you can access the information by logging onto their web page and clicking on parent portal.  You need the student's Ontario education number and birthdate to access information.  Click here for a link to the website.

Northern Ontario Won't Lose Seats

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is going to be holding a public meeting in Thunder Bay in two months time. It comes after they announced there would be no changes made to Northern Ontario's 10 electoral districts. Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says we need to have strong representation at the local meeting. Hyer is also welcoming the idea of Manitouwadge joining the Thunder Bay Superior North riding.

Boulevard Lake Beaches Under Advisory

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is placing three of Boulevard Lake's beaches under swimming advisories. There are high levels of e-coli at the main beach, Sunnyside and Sandycove beach.

NAPS & OPP Sign Agreement



Ron van Straalen & Claude Chum



OPP and Nishnawbe-Aski Police continue to work together.  The two police forces signed a 3 year operational agreement today.  NAPS Chief Claude Chum says it replaces expired protocols.  The agreement lays out protocols dealing with sharing equipment and services.  It also provides guidelines on culturally appropriate policing for First Nations.

College Faculty Collective Agreement Set To Expire

Ontario's College Faculty Collective Agreement is set to expire on Friday.  The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Province are in negotiations over the new contract but if one isn't reached a strike vote is set for September 10th.  Confederation College President Jim Madder says he hopes the two sides continue to talk. Madder says if a faculty strike occurs the school will stay open but classes won't resume.

Conservatory Set To Re-Open

Safety netting and new plants are on the menu to help open the conservatory.  Council passed a motion last night that will see the city run facility re-opened to the public in a couple of months at a cost of 76-thousand dollars.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff believes the number of visitors to the venue just aren't there.

ETFO Rally At Government Building

Upset teachers are sending a message today outside of Mini Queen's Park on James Street.   The rally is being held alongside a protest happening at Queen's Park in Toronto.  President of the local chapter of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Ellen Chambers says they're not just upset with the McGuinty government over legislation to impose a two year contract, but with the Conservatives as well. Chambers says people need to know that it's not the wage freeze that's bothersome to teachers but the unwillingness to negotiate that has them upset.

City To Buy Radar Signs For Dawson Rd.

City council is buying radar signage to be installed on Dawson Road. Lawmakers voted to spend $33,000 out of the 2013 budget to purchase the signs that indicate your speed. Council felt it was a community safety issue and the signs should be visible on Dawson Road in a couple of months.

Mac's Robbery

Police are looking to the public for assistance in solving another Mac's convenience store robbery overnight. City police say the robbery occurred at the Balsam Street location just before 10:00 o'clock when a white man, around 40 years old walked into the store and indicated that he had a weapon demanding cash from the lone woman who was working. He then ran from the scene in an unknown direction.  Police are asking for the public's help with any information about this robbery to call them or Crime Stoppers.

New Speed Limit For Oliver Rd At Golf Links

City Council is moving forward with a speed reduction on Oliver Road. Lawmakers voted in favour of reducing the speed limit from 60 to 50 kilometres an hour last night. The new speed limit will be in effect from the intersection at Golf Links Road.

Watch Out For Bears

City police are warning you about the potential dangers of bears wandering into the city. Police were alerted to the presence of a bear last night on James Street at approximately 8:00 o'clock. They kept an eye on the animal until it vacated the area. Unconfirmed reports had a young bear in a wooded area near Castlegreen at approximately 7:00 o'clock last night. In another instance, an adult bear was spotted on Wardrope Avenue during rush hour. Police are reminding you to use caution when in the presence of wild animals.

Road Work Today

The City is warning motorists about a road closure today. John St. Road between Chercover Drive and Biloski Road will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or until work is complete. The reason for the closure is to install a new residential sewer and water connection.

Council Hears Flood Fundraising Update

There's only a couple of months left for the Disaster Relief Committee to raise 5 million dollars.  Chair Wayne Fletcher says they've raised almost 900 thousand dollars so far and they've got a long way to go.  Fletcher says they have to raise 5 million dollars because that's what the community needs to recover after the May 28th flood.  The deadline for fundraising is the end of November.

Virdiramo Talks AMO Conference

The City has hammered out a deal with the Provincial Government to create point people in Thunder Bay to deal with the city's Mining Readiness Plan.
Councillor Joe Virdiramo says seven provincial ministers have appointed designated senior staff members as a point of contact for input and support.
The City made the request at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa.  The City also asked Minister of Health Deb Matthew to consider matching funding for RegenMed's sustainability plan.

Friendship Centre Program Renewed

A program run through local Native Friendship Centres is being renewed by the Federal Government.  Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan says the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth program will be offered for another year.  The program encourages youth to get involved in cultural development, community engagement and leadership programs.  Duncan says the program gives aboriginal youth the skills they need to enter the workforce.

NOSM Classes Start

64 student doctors start classes today at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at both the Lakehead University Campus and in Sudbury at Laurentian University. Just under half of those students are here in Thunder Bay to earning their 4-year undergraduate degree. Acting Dean, Dr. Bill McCready says the application process hopes to identify potential future doctors who will remain here in Northern Ontario.

Rib Fest Deemed A Success

Organizers of this year's Rib Fest are simply astonished.   They were hoping for roughly 25-hundred people per day for the three day event being held in the city's downtown Port Arthur site.  But as Donna Lee Morettin says the numbers went far beyond that as 25-thousand people attended the event.  Morettin says Rib Fest will definitely be back for a second year and that the Canadian Diabetes Association benefited the most.

Police Shoot & Kill Bear

Thunder Bay Police were forced to shoot and kill a bear over the weekend. On Sunday, police were called to the 500 block of McLeod Street to deal with a bear that climbed up a back yard tree.  The bear climbed back down the tree before the Ministry of Natural Resouces was on site and was shot by officers due to public safety concerns. Constable Julie Tilbury says they've responded to several calls for service to deal with bears in various residential areas within the city limits. Police are stepping up patrols and will be patrolling pathways in the city where sightings have been noted.  

Tornado Touched Down in Raith

Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Crews are looking over the Raith area for downed trees after stormy weather over the weekend. The M.N.R. was moved to look for possible fire risks after a tornado was confirmed in the area on August 24th. So far no damage has been reported.

Report Suggests City Stop Growing Flowers

City lawmakers are being asked to get the city out of the flower growing business to save $100,000. In a report to council tonight, city spokesperson Darrell Matson says administration will recommend the flowers be purchased from a private company instead of being grown at the conservatory.

Forest Firefighters Headed Home

Forest Firefighters are coming back today from British Columbia. All personnel that went to British Columbia on August 19th will be back in Ontario by the end of today. British Columbia has had a chance to recycle their staff and the fire situation has decreased. Typically, FireRangers and other fire response personnel can be out of province on deployment for up to 19 days.

Fire Crews At Resolute Forest Products

Thunder Bay Fire Crews helped put out a fire at the Resolute Forest Products mill today. Platoon Chief Brian Keesick says an overheated conveyor belt caught wood chips on fire. Keesick adds since they know the cause of the blaze they've wrapped up their investigation.

Dumped Dude Pulled Over For Speeding

A 23 year old South Gillies man is facing a speeding charge after Thunder Bay Police stopped his vehicle Saturday on Balmoral Street.  Police say they saw the man driving his vehicle at 114 kilometres an hour in a 50 km zone.  When officers stopped the man he said he was in a rush because his girlfriend was going to break up with him.

Retracing Terry Fox's Steps

Curtis Hargrove, a young man from Alberta, is on a cross country run of Canada to raise money for cancer research by retracing the steps of his hero, Terry Fox, who had to stop his run in Thunder Bay in 1980. He is exprected to reach Thunder Bay on Sunday. Hargrove was in the news earlier this summer when Quebec Provincial Police charged him for running on the Trans Canada Highway.

Stop Growing Flowers Says Administration

City lawmakers are being asked to get the city out of the flower growing business. In a report to council Monday night, city spokesperson Darrell Matson says administration will recommend the flowers that are planted around the city,  be purchased from a private company instead of being grown at the conservatory. Matson says the move would not have any "significant reduction in positions".

Roller Blader Promotes Suicide Prevention

Youth Suicide prevention is the message that Ashley Gilbank is taking across Canada on her roller blades. Gilbank calls her journey Skate for Life and it started in Newfoundland June 4th. For her its personal since she lost a friend to suicide recently.   During her stop in Thunder Bay today Gilbank felt it was important for her to help get rid of the stigma surrounding mental illness.

T-Wolves Take Another

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team improved to 2-1 in the pre-season after posting a 79-76 win in their series finale against the visiting University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils. The Thunderwolves came from 15 points down in the first half as they struggled offensively and defensively. Next up for the Thunderwolves is the University of Manitoba on September 28th.

Ribs Galore

It's a carnival like atmosphere in the parking lot of the casino as the first Ribfest is underway. Money raised from the event will be going to charity. The event is being organized by Donnalee Morettin of the Waterfront Business Improvement Association.    They are hoping people coming into the entertainment district will see what they may have been missing.  Ribfest runs until 11 tonight and  opens again at 11 tomorrow morning..

Wood Mill Fire Cause Probed

There is no one injured after a fire around quarter to 7 this morning on Mission Island. The Fire Service says it took place at the old Industrial Hardwoods wood mill when some wood pallets in a room caught fire. the cause isn't known.

Lightning Damages Rural Garage

A garage in rural Thunder Bay is damaged as the result of a lightning strike overnight.  They say the building is located on the 145 Boyko Road. Damage to the garage is said to be extensive.   There were no injuries.

The Banner Is Back!!!

Ontario Provincial Police say the 1907 Kenora Thistles Stanley Cup Banner that was stolen last week, along with a Canadian Flag and a Los Angeles Kings banner have all been returned. Police say two separate instances of theft are being investigated. O.P.P. say they are being assisted by the Forensic Identification Unit to help solve the crimes. The Kenora Thistles banner has been returned to the city while the L.A. Kings banners will been returned to the owner.

Power Outages Overnight

Thunder Bay Hydro says it has no major power outages at this time. A large thunderstorm rolled over the city last night with brilliant lightning strikes seen from 10:00 O'clock last night until beyond 5:00 a.m. this morning. Power was knocked out in many parts of the city including Vickers, Central, the Waterfront District and County Park. Meanwhile, Hydro One is reporting two significant outages. One affecting 35 customers is located to the West of Highway 61 South of the city, the other is west of the city on Highway 102 past Dawson Road. That power outage is affecting roughly 20 customers.

Thunderwolves Even Series

Thunder Bay's Matt Schmidt hit a clutch 3-pointer later in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal for the Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team. They beat the Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils 64-52 in the second game of their exhibition series. They will play a third game today starting at noon at the L.U. Thunderdome.

Bow Hunting Session Well Attended

The stage is set for the city's controlled deer hunt. About 90 bow hunters and land owners turned out Thursday night for an information session. The city's Ron Bourret is happy with the turnout and says there were good questions on issues surrounding boundaries and liability.  He  admits there's still a lot of learning ahead and calls it the first step of many.  Bourret thinks it'll take two or three years, maybe longer, to measure any type of success

Public Wake Being Held For "Cancer Warrior"

Thunder Bay's outpouring of emotion for Michael Ancliffe seems to show no end.  His family, friends and supporters will be holding a public wake for him in the fall.   Antcliffe died on the weekend after his very public battle with cancer in which he started his own fundraising campaign on Facebook.   The wake for Ancliffe takes place October 5th at the CLE Coliseum