Delays for Atikokan pellet plant

It could be half a year before Thunder Bay businessman Ed Fukushima can launch a wood pellet manufacturing operation in Atikokan.  He says the plant can't begin production this year because they’re still working on contracts. He doesn’t want to get it going until they have those contracts in hand.  He says the delay will push the opening back 3 to 6 months.

Second fire, same address

No one is hurt following a fire at a north side house just before noon today. Platoon Chief Kim Hutch says the fire at 218 Manitou caused considerable damage to the rear of the 3 story wood frame building, but crews got everyone out safely. The cause is under investigation. It's the second fire at the same house in a week.

NAPS officer charged by OPP

The OPP has charged a member of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service with selling drugs.  After a 10 month investigation, Detective Sergeant Brent Cadeau is charged with four counts of trafficking a controlled substance.  The 32 year old has been suspended since March.  Cadeau will appear in court in Sioux Lookout January 10th.

Westgate closes at noon

Westgate highschool is closing at noon.  A watermain break on Walsh street has forced the school to close and students are being sent home early.  Buses will be coming to pick up students at noon.

T.Bay hydro applies for rate decrease

Thunder Bay Hydro wants to lower your monthly bill.  Spokesperson Tim Wilson says they've applied to the Ontario Energy Board for a rate decrease.  If approved, residential customers will see their bill go down by $2 dollars and 17 cents.

Boshcoff's thoughts on Bombardier emergency

There'll be an analysis of how Friday's Bombardier emergency was handled by Thunder Bay Transit. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says he's heard some concerns over why bus passengers weren't told all buses were taken off the road to deal with the bomb threat. Boshcoff suggests the automatic messaging system should have been updated to keep passengers informed.

T.Bay man in Edmonton Hospital

RCMP say a 23 year old Thunder Bay man suffered serious injuries after a car accident north east of Edmonton.  Police say the man's westbound car T-boned a north bound taxi at an intersection.  The local man's injuries are severe and he remains in Edmonton hospital.

Local Curling Results

Team McCarville is the Northern Ontario Women's Curling Champions. Krista McCarville's rink beat Tracy Horgan yesterday 9-7. Marlo Dahl's rink is the second qualifier for the All-Ontario's in Kenora. Dahl beat Sandra Lahti yesterday 8-4.

Federal Government gives update on Attawapiskat

High efficiency wood stoves, composting toilets, and plastic sheeting have arrived in Attawapiskat.  The supplies were flown in Saturday according to a Federal Government press release.  The Federal Government has also purchased an additional seven modular homes bringing the total up to 22.

Local Sports

Thunder Bay North Stars beat Duluth a second night in a row last night 10 to 2.  In the Ontario Women's Provincial Curling Championships, Thunder Bay's Ashley Kallos fell to Tracy Horgan 7-6. Laura Pickering beat Sandra Lahti 10-5. Krista McCarville defeated Louise Logan 11-5.

Cocaine Bust on First Nation

A search of a Moose Cree First Nation home payed off for the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit. Police sezied 91-grams of cocaine worth an estimated 14-thousand, 600-dollars. Officers also found over 13-thousand dollars in cash, 29-firearms, 18-bottles of alcohol as well as drug paraphernalia and communication devices. Four people from Moose Factory face numerous charges. The ages of the accused range from 27 to 65.

Riverside Health in Rainy River has plan

Riverside Health Care Facilities says it's prepared to deal with possible closures of the emergency room at Rainy River Health Centre.  But CEO Wayne Woods says the main focus is still trying to get continue assistance for the town's lone full-time physician.  The hospital has been relying on locum doctors since July and will have assistance through to the first week of January.

Local Sports Scores

Thunder Bay's North Stars defeated the Duluth Clydesdales 6-2 at the Fort William Gardens Friday night. 3 Thunder Bay rinks are in action Saturday at the Northern Ontario Women's Provincial Championships in Copper Cliff, Ontario. Krista McCarville beat fellow T.Bay'er Ashley Kallos 11-7 Friday night. McCarville plays again today at 9:30.

No "Bomb"ardier

The police search of the Bombardier plant is now over and no bomb was found.  The plant had to be evacuated Friday afternoon after police say that someone called security at the facility and said there was a bomb in the building.  After that it became somewhat of a spectacle as the entire city transit system was shut down as bus after bus was sent to the Montreal Street facility so workers could have someplace to stay warm.  Eventually they were given the rest of the day off as police searched the  sprawling complex.   It wasn't until about 7:30 Friday evening that police sounded the all clear and handed the plant back over to company management.

GTE Solar coming to council

Council will be getting a presentation from GTE at tonight's meeting.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto says he isn't surprised to see so many solar projects coming to Thunder Bay considering we have the 2nd most sunlight in the country.  The company is hoping to build 3 solar parks in the area.

Final Report on World Junior's coming to council

City Council is going to hear a final report on the World Junior Baseball Championships.  Thunder Bay International Baseball Executive Director Warren Philp says they want to give council some final numbers on summer 2010 event.  Philp says he hopes that this tournament will be the first of many for the city.

Foundation grants almost 120 K

The Thunder Bay Community Foundation is playing Santa Claus for 28 local charity organizations. It's divided close to 120 thousand dollars amongst all of them. Spokesperson Mark Wright says the money will go to meeting a variety of local needs.Wright says the Foundation tried to align its grants with the strategic priorities of the City of Thunder Bay.

Bomb threat forces the evac of Bombardier

A bomb threat at Bombardier has led the the evacuation of all staff at the facility.  Thunder Bay Police Officials say they used the city's transit buses to keep workers warm while a search of the building was conducted after the threat came in just after 12.  Transit services were suspended but have since been resumed.  Bombardier Employees have been moved to a warehouse at the Resolute Mill.

Hospital CEO Salary guidelines touted

The Ontario Hospital Association wants Ontario hospitals to develop guidelines for CEO salaries.  Health Sciences Centre Human Resources Spokesperson Don Halpert is also in favour of the idea.  Halpert says as it is now hospitals pay different amounts and they compete to hire top executives.

Science North unveils planetarium

Science North is over the moon over its new portable digital planetarium for the Northwest. Spokesperson Nicole Chiasson says the inflatable unit is going to make its way to any school or festival that requests it.  It's located at the Boys and Girls Club on Junot Avenue.