Cause of north side fire is undetermined

The cause of the overnight fire at 220 Clavet Street remains unknown. The blaze broke out in the attic of the one and a half storey home. Marty Patterson of the city Fire Service says they've completed their inspection of the fire scene. He says he examined the scene the best he could, but wasn't able to figure out exactly how the fire started and for that reason it's being listed as undetermined.  No one was hurt in the fire.

Community Foundations hands out bursaries

Several local students are getting a big boost for their post secondary education thanks to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation. Cameron McKee and Tim Rappon were the top recipients getting 4 thousand dollars each. Other winners are: Joseph Tasone, David Tom, Marissa Belcamino,  Joelle Fricot, Brittney Marshall, Jessica Rogers, Claudi Blier, Crystal Gingras, Kayla Kjellman, Victoria Mauro and Skylar Wielgosch. They were recipients of 23 hundred dollars each. Pictured: Joseph Tesone and Marissa Belcamino

High school grads get money for post secondary

It's the 10th anniversary of Justice Ronald B Lester Memorial Youth Foundation awards. This year's bursary winners were Marissa Belcamino of St. Igantius and Michelle Lauzon of Sir Winston Churchill high schools.
They'll each get 5 thousand dollars each for their post secondary education.
President Susan Lester says they're happy to provide the money to deserving students. Belcamino wants to go to school to become a pharmacist, while Lauzon will be pursuing a career as a pediatrician.

Contact North gets 3.5 million for upgrade

Thunder Bay's Contact North is upgrading it's facilities thanks to the provincial taxpayer. The distance education facility has been given 3 and a half million dollars from the McGuinty government to modernize it's video equipment.   CEO Maxim Jean-Louis calls it an upgrade and enhancement. He says in some cases the improvements will see the leading edge technology used to make the students learning experience that much better.  Jean-Louis says the government helps Contact North with upgrades on a regular basis.

Wisk Air opens new airport hanger

Thunder Bay's Wisk Air is in it's new home. The company's new hanger at the airport is officially opened. Owner Mark Wiskemann couldn't be prouder. He says it's emotional for him because getting to this stage has taken a lot of work and effort. Wiskemann credits his staff and customers and says for that he is both grateful and happy. He says his company will provide active support to the mining exploration sector including the Ring of Fire cromite deposit in Northwestern Ontario.

Wear the gear-get some milk

The district health unit's "Wear the gear" bike helmet campaign is in its seventh year.  City police and crossing guards are handing out coupons for free chocolate milk to those kids who are wearing the proper head gear.  Public Health Nurse Marita Campbell says since the start of the program they've seen an increase in helmet use with 11 to 15 year olds.  The milk tickets can be redeemed at any Mac Convenient Store locations in the city.

No one hurt in early morning house fire

Thunder Bay Fire and rescue had to deal with an early morning inferno in the North End of town. Crews responded to a report of smoke in the 200 Block of Clavet Street just after one this morning. By the time crews arrived flames had broken through the roof. Luckily no one was hurt and the blaze was put out. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Woman charged in murder case

A person is now charged in connection with the first murder of 2010. City police say that 28 year old Thea Debra Gliddy of Thunder Bay is facing a charge of second degree murder. The body of 39 year old Randy Lawrence Cromarty was discovered in a room of the Inntowner Hotel on Wednesday morning. Detective Sgt. Don Lewis says Gliddy was taken into custody that afternoon when she returned to the area.  Police say Gliddy and Cromarty knew each other. Lewis says that while Cromarty died of a vicious assault a firearm was not involved. Giddy is due back in court June 23rd.

City e-mail working again

The city's e-mail server is back up and running after being down for about 40 hours this week. City Tech Manager Jean Suffak says about 15 hundred city staff who use e-mail were affected from the Mayor's Office to those who work on Front Street. Suffak says the issues were solved with the help of contracted tech support. She says some overtime was required to fix the problem.

Westgate students team up with MADD

Students at Westgate Collegiate can't say they haven't been told. Their peers staged a noon hour demonstration to highlight the ripple effects of drinking and driving. Teacher Shannon McQuilter-Viau says it's no coincidence it took place just before graduation, typically a time when some students celebrate with alcohol. The demonstration was done with the help of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Pictured: Student Rory Lalonde wears a pair of goggles meant to simulate the visual effects of being drunk

Police probing hit and run

City police are asking for your help in locating a driver involved in a hit and run accident. Sgt. Glenn Porter says it took place at the corner of Albany and Egan Wednesday night at around 7:30. He says a pick up truck was going north on Egan and failed to stop at the intersection and collided with an east bound car. Porter says a passenger in the car was treated and released from hospital. They are looking for a blue Ford pick-up truck with some significant front end damage.

Provincial asset forfeiture unit gets big time funding

The province is pumping almost half a million dollars into the Asset Forfeiture Unit. The OPP unit partners with forces across the province including Thunder Bay and focuses on identifying, seizing and managing the proceeds of crime. MPP Bill Mauro says funding this unit will help improve police services everywhere, because the money seized will be put back into the police services to help reduce and prevent crime. The funding totals 494, 162 dollars.

Horizon Wind announces release of environment report

The next phase of the proposed Nor'Wester View wind farm project is underway. Horizon Wind Inc. has announced the release of it's environmental report, and now there will be a 2 month period where the public can review the draft findings. The company's Nhung Nguyen says they went over and above what was required in putting together the document. As an example, she sited the noise study. Nguyen says under the province's Green Energy Act they weren't required to include that, however because there was considerable public interest in that aspect, they did it anyway. The first of two public meetings on the report takes place August 4th at the Blake Community Hall in the Municipality of Neebing. The following day there will be a meeting at the Lakehead Labour Centre in Thunder Bay. The entire 700 page report can be found by clicking here

Employing the North's youth

Keeping our young people in the north. That's the goal of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund's co-op and internship programs. Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says employers find it beneficial to hire the region's youth. The NOHFC provides money to businesses employing northern youth. Over 300 Northern youth are getting on-site job experience through internship and co-op placements.

Thunder Bay now has bike Lanes

The City of Thunder Bay now has a series of bike lanes for those people who want to cycle to their destination.  A grand opening of the bike lane from Court Street to Boulevard Lake was held yesterday.  Active Tranportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says the lanes will benefit the city's tourism industry, since outdoors enthusiasts can bike to various city sights. Bike lanes will also be marked on Walsh Street and parts of Syndicate.

Deer tick tests positive for Lyme Disease

A first for Thunder Bay, as the District Health Unit is reporting a tick found recently has tested positive for Lyme Disease. They say it was found on a dog in the city limits. Medical Officer of Health, Henry Kurban, says it's the first positive test for the disease since the Unit started monitoring and testing ticks in 2005.  He says it was submitted last week.  Kurban says with the warmer spring, the tick population in the district has appeared earlier that usual.  He encourages people to prevent coming into contact with ticks to reduce the risk of a bite.   That includes:

• Staying clear of areas with tall grass; they are common areas to find ticks.

• Wear light coloured clothing to make it easier to see ticks.

• Cover up by tucking pants into socks and wearing long sleeves.

• Check for ticks before going indoors; don’t forget your pets.

• Use insect repellants with DEET; follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Police probe first homicide of 2010

Thunder Bay Police are investigating the first murder of the year in the city. Spokesperson Chris Adams says the body of 39 year old Randy Lawrence Cromarty of Thunder Bay was discovered at the Inntowner Motor Hotel. He says it was found at around 8:30 Wednesday morning by a family member. Police say he had been staying at the hotel. Adams says there is a forensic examination taking place at the scene of the crime and there are a number of interviews that are being conducted. He say a post mortem will take place on Friday to determine the cause of death.

Five local boys make Team North squad

Five Thunder Bay boys are going to the Canada Summer Games in Sudbury to play baseball. The five were chosen on the weekend in Sudbury to represent Team North at the games taking place in Sudbury in August. Pictured: From left to right, Brendan Toumisto, Amos Sharun, Owen Steele, Kallum Kennedy, Michael Moskalyk

Heart and Stroke Big Bike Ride

It's not too late to sign up for the Heart and Stroke's Big Bike ride. The fundraiser is taking place throughout the week at the Victoria Inn. Area Manager Tara Monteith says they still have room on the bike and interested people can show up the day of the ride with a fifty dollar donation. This year's fundraising goal is 75 thousand dollars.

Snow Birds Demonstration and Community Fund

Northwestern Ontario's aboriginal students will now have access to a quarter million dollar endowment fund for post secondary education. The fund was created by Ontario's transport medicine group "ORNGE" and the aviation company AgustaWestland. The fund was created to help the growing aboriginal population take part in the emerging career field of medical transport. Confederation College President Pat Lang is happy first nation students will have the extra funds to take part in their aviation courses. The community endowment fund was announced at the College's Aviation Day and fly by demonstration of the Snow birds.