Hydro rates change May 1st

The Ontario Energy Board has approved an increase for Thunder Bay Hydro.  The local utility will see its rates go up 2.9 percent.  Spokesperson Vanda Wall says that extra 3 dollars a month will be offset by the Clean Energy Benefit.  The CEB will mean an extra ten dollars off our monthly bills.  The rate changes will take effect May 1st.

OPP investigate fatal accident

A Thunder Bay man has succumbed to injuries sustained in a single vehicle crash on Umex Mine Road in Pickle Lake.  OPP say the incident occurred on March 16th and involved a tractor trailer unit, carrying a bulldozer and large metal conatainer.  Police say the tractor trailer unit slid into an intersection and jacknifed while striking a snow bank.  The driver was transported to Thunder Bay Hospital with serious injuries.  Police say the man, 58-year-old Thomas Dufault, was released from Hospital on March 24th, but later died.

Hobbs takes dispute with Herman public

The conflict between the city police chief and the mayor has become explosive. Keith Hobbs says Chief Bob Herman has lodged a complaint with the province's Civilian Police Commission about the mayor's conduct at Police Service Board meetings.  Hobbs says he's going public because the chief forced his hand.  Hobbs says the complaint against him alleges he released confidential information about what went on at closed door sessions at the board.  Chief Herman is reviewing the mayor's statement and is expected to make a comment on Tuesday.

Podcast Powered By Podbean



New Green Candidate

Thunder Bay Superior North has a green party candidate in place.  At first it was released that Lynn Palmer would carry the green colours; but Palmer has since decided to walk away from the nomination because of personal commitments.  The new candidate is Scot Kyle.

Police investigate Hodder area robbery

A woman was robbed on Hodder Avenue Monday morning. Thunder Bay police say a man carrying a knife approached her in a parking lot just before 10:30 in the morning. The 20 year old suspect fled with the victim's purse. Police describe the man as 5 foot 8, wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans and large sunglasses.

Earth Hour fizzles in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay passed mostly unnoticed. Thunder Bay Hydro says it didn't show any reduced usage Saturday night when customers were asked to do so. Derek Tessier of EcoSuperior says awareness is most important in this case.  Tessier says the fact usage didn't go up from last year that is also a good sign

Hobbs to talk about "serious policing matter"

Mayor Keith Hobbs is holding an afternoon news conference in his office to make what is being termed "an important announcement" on a "serious policing matter". There's no further information. Our newsroom is staffing it.

Aldo Ruberto is tired of waterfront negativity

One city councillor is fed up with the negativity that surrounds the waterfront project. Aldo Ruberto spoke with our newsroom today and says some people in Thunder Bay are failing to see the big picture.  The project is over budget, but by condensing it, it will bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city sooner and will also create jobs and other spin offs sooner rather than later.  Ruberto says a small group of nay sayers seem to dominate the spot light and are surrounding good news stories in Thunder Bay with a cloud of negativity.

Think tank scores local schools

It's a mixed bag for Thunder Bay's elementary schools. The Fraser Institute ranks half of them at above or at the provincial average; the other half falls below. Spokesperson Michael Thomas says the rankings alert officials that something needs to be done.  Vance Chapman school saw it's rankings slide from already below the provincial average at 3.7 to 1.7.   Claude E. Garton also saw their marks decline this year.  St. Francis, St. Paul and St. Thomas Aquinas all scored marks higher than the provincial average.

Green Party joins Thunder Bay Rainy River race

The Green Party has announced its Candidate for Thunder Bay Rainy River. Former Research Scientist Ed Shields will be representing the Greens and says with science based jobs in our future Parliament is in need of someone with his expertise. Shields says Thunder Bay has great potential for jobs in the bio technology industry.

No injuries after early morning fire

No one was hurt in an early morning fire on the south side.  Crews responded to the blaze just after 4 o'clock in the basement of an apartment complex in the 100 block of Cumming Street.  The cause is under investigation.

Hyer back from Ottawa

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is back in town from Ottawa and ready to defend his seat. Hyer says affordability of life and truth and honesty in government are two key issues in this election. The incumbent MP says while he's aware many voters aren't excited about having to head to the polls, he's optimistic some positive change will come out of the election.

Yves Fricot on election

Yves Fricot is the Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay-Superior North. Fricot says voters in the riding want to be able to find work and raise families without having to leave the region. Fricot says if he's elected he wants to work with MPs from other parts of Canada facing the same challenges as Northwestern Ontario to come up with solutions. 

Richard Harvey ready for election

 

Richard Harvey is running for the Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Superior North. Harvey says he feels there was a lot of voting along party lines during the last session of Parliament, which ran contrary to the interests of Northwestern Ontario. Harvey—who’s also mayor of Nipigon— believes he can do a better job of representing the region in Ottawa.  Harvey says unemployment and economic recovery are the main concerns of the voters he’s been talking to.

Polar Bear Plunge

The second annual Polar Bear Plunge saw some brave swimmers leaping into the chilly waters behind the Slovak Legion Saturday afternoon. The thrill seekers were raising money for Special Olympics Ontario. 

Citizen Satisfaction Survey

City Council is getting the results of a citizen satisfaction survey during Monday's meeting. The poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs looked at a number of factors like quality of life and how city services are being delivered. The survey results can be used by city council to help make decisions.

Bouncer threatened with knife

Police have arrested a 17-year-old male last night who allegedly threatened a bouncer at a Victoria Avenue bar with a knife. According to police, employees of the bar subdued the teenager until police arrived. There were no injuries. 

First ship of the season arrives

Thunder Bay's shipping season is officially kicking off, with the arrival of the Ojibway this morning. The captain and chief engineer of the vessel will be presented with a top hat in a ceremony at the Port Authority office at noon. The annual honour is bestowed on the first arrival of the year. The Ojibway is in port to pick up a load of canola. Three other vessels are expected to come in today. A pair of U.S. Coast Guard ice-breakers have been helping to clear the way to the port.

North Stars fall to Wilderness

The Thunder Bay North Stars fell to the Wisconsin Wilderness 4-3 in the SIJHL semifinals giving Wisconsin the sweep along with a ticket to the championship game. Wisconsin's win puts an end to a seven year championship-game-appearance streak by the North Stars.

RegenMed gets donor designation

Another first for Thunder Bay's knowledge based economy. The Centre for Regenerative Medicine, which recycles human bone and tissue,  now has designation from the Trillium Gift of Life Network in Ontario.  CEO Robert Thayer says it essentially gives the non profit company a new lease on life.  They now have the legal right to be a bone and tissue bank for the Regional Health Sciences Centre