Thunder Bay gets its Law School

Northwestern Ontario is getting its law school.  The Provincial Government is helping set up the first law degree program at Lakehead University.  The new program will start in September 2013 with a strong focus in Aboriginal Law.  The school will be located at the old Port Arthur Collegiate building on Red River Road.

Franken and Rafferty chat

There was a brief discussion over the weekend on how to improve access across the Canada-U-S border. Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says his talk with Minnesota U-S Senator Al Franken in International Falls set the stage for a much broader discussions in the near future. Rafferty says Franken was well understanding of the issues, including the turn-back of American tourists with often decades old drunk driving charges.

First Nations Murder

A 26-year-old Lac Seul man has been charged with second degree murder in the death of a Constance Lake man.  Police were called Saturday afternoon to a Frenchman's Head home to investigate a stabbing.  Police say 34-year-old Simon Bunting was found dead at the scene.  OPP say 26-year-old Felix Wesley was arrested and he remains in custody.

New Osnaburgh Fire grows in size

The forest fire burning 9-kilometres away from New Osnaburgh First Nation has grown in size. The blaze is now over 78-thousand hectares in size and is not under control. However, crews are doing a good job keeping it away from the community. There were 4-new fires in the District yesterday. There are 17-active fires, 4 of which are not under control.

Tornado warnings in Fort Frances area

It was a wild and woolly evening across Northwestern Ontario last night.  A tornado warning was issued in several communities including Fort Frances, Emo, Rainy River and Kenora.  Severe winds hit the communities with severe damage reported across the board. Reports of a funnel cloud in the Fort Frances area last night prompted Environment Canada to issue tornado warnings. In Dryden, residents saw the tale end of the storm.  The wind knocked down tree branches and the storm dumped 16.2-millimetres, the most in the area.

Community Living workers picket today

Developmental Service Workers will hold information pickets at several locations across the province today to protest a stalemate in contract talks with the government..  Here in Thunder Bay, Community Living workers will be protesting at the County Boulevard starting at 4:45.  OP-SEU is calling on Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, to provide the funding the sector needs to provide good jobs.

Medical bill shocker in Dryden

An unexpected shocker for a Dryden man who has to routinely fly to Manitoba for medical treatment.  Randy Desautels just returned from his latest dialysis appointment and opened his mail box to find a 608-dollar bill from the Manitoba Government.  He was told that the move was a cost saving one and adds he hasn't been able to get any answers from OHIP.

Rotarians give away house

The winner of the 2011 Rotary House Lottery is from Thunder Bay. Gilbert Kerr of Grenville Avenue had his ticket pulled on Canada Day. Proceeds from the draw go to local charities.

Local officers to attend funeral

The funeral for a slain York Region Police officer takes place Tuesday in Thornhill and Thunder Bay's Police Association is sending two officers according to president Gregg Stephenson. He says they want to show their support to the slain officer's family and to the York Police

Furniture store pledges charity donations

The Dufresne Foundation has launched a 1-million dollar charity challenge in communities across Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. CEO Mark Dufresne says they are donating 500-thousand dollars to various charities tied to children, women and health.The non-profit recipients will then raise an equivalent amount to equal the 1-million dollar commitment. For more information go to http://www.dufresne.ca/

Summer=Fewer council meetings

City councillors get a bit of a summer break.   During the months of July and August councillors don't meet every Monday like they do throughout the year.  There are only two meetings scheduled this month and two next month.

Trustees back Education Day

Lakehead Public School trustees are throwing their support behind Education Day in the province. Trustee Deborah Massaro says the board is endorsing a request from the provincial school boards association for a provincial all candidates forum that day.   Education Day is on September 20th.

Money for Cyclotron announced

A new health research centre is one step closer to reality.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro announced almost 4 million dollars for the project Monday.  The new centre which houses a cyclotron and lab will create 194 construction jobs and fifty permanent jobs.

Shad Valley students return

The Shad Valley students are in the city for their yearly visit.   These young up and coming university students are some of the brightest young minds in the country who come here to help advance their education. It's the 12th year in a row that Lakehead University has hosted the Shad Valley visit

Mantis talks upcoming election

Thunder Bay Superior North has a new NDP candidate in place for the upcoming Provincial Election.  Steve Mantis will be carrying the party's banner and says he looks forward to working under Leader Andrea Horwath.  Mantis won the nomination last week.

21 year old diver dies

A 21 year old man has died after diving from High Falls into the MacKenzie River, north of Highway 11/17. Dau Huston was pulled from the water by a friend when he didn't come up after his second dive.  Police say Huston hit some rocks while diving.

Firefighters make rescue

This weekend has proved to be busy for Thunder Bay firefighters. Firefighters made a rescue of 2 young girls who rowed a rubber boat off Sandy Beach. They got trapped by the wind and couldn't make it back to shore. Firefighters had to use their Zodiac boat to guide the girls back safely to shore.  Meanwhile, Its reported that a fire inside a grain bin at Canada Malting kept firefighters busy Saturday from 8am until 9 o'clock at night.  The fire took nearly the entire day to put out, the cause is unknown at this time and no injuries have been reported.

Robbery on Finlayson st.

A busy night for police. Friday night saw no shortage of criminal activity despite the stormy weather. Police were notified of two females who were robbed at knife point by 1 male on Finlayson st. at around 4:30 am. The robber made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was hurt in the incident and no names have been released.

FWFN successful land negotiations

Fort William First Nation has settled a land claim ten years in the making.  Chief Peter Collins says the Abitibi Bowater Sawmills will now be recognized as part of the First Nation Reserve. Collins says the land will help bring economic development to the community.

Mantis carries NDP colours in Provincial Election

Injured Workers Advocate Steve Mantis is the new NDP candidate for Thunder Bay Superior North.  Mantis beat out Jay Stapelton at the party's nomination meeting Thursday night.  Riding President Maurice Grinstead says he's a real people person.  120 people attended the nomination meeting.