Highway is open

A transport jack knifing caused Highway 17 near Terrace Bay to be closed for several hours last night.  Police say no one was hurt and the highway has since reopened.  It took crews five hours to clear the highway.

OPP Constable under house arrest

An OPP Constable is under six months of house arrest.  Constable Gregory Sutton was sentenced yesterday in a court case dealing with public mischief and intercepting private messages.  Sutton must be at his home from 10 in the evening until six in the morning.  He also faces a year of probation after his house arrest is over.

Tattoo Parlour Closed

Thunder Bay's Health Unit has closed an illegal tattoo parlour. The health unit says they never inspected the site and it poses a risk to the public. Anyone who got a tattoo from a home based location is asked to contact the health unit at 625-8318.

January thaw set for Friday

It looks like we could break a weather record in the city Friday. Meteorologist Peter Kimbell says it will feel more like spring than winter with the temperature forecast to hit plus 4.  He says the old record for January 6th is 3.9 set in 1949 and that we have a good chance at beating that. Kimbell says the temperatures won't be as warm on the weekend.

Thunder Bay not part of Target's initial launch

Thunder Bay is not mentioned as one of the first 24 Zellers stores in Ontario to be converted to Target locations. The American mega-retailer has released a list of the locations that will become Target stores next year.   It recently purchased almost 200 stores that are currently being operated by Zellers, with plans to open about 130 Target stores across Canada including the Intercity Shopping Centre location..

Attawapiskat housing update

Attawapiskat is laying the blame on the Federal Government.  They claim they won't be able to make its January payroll unless the federal government shows more flexibility.  The regional council says Ottawa has seized control of $1.5 million meant for essential services such as education.  Chief Theresa Spence officially requested that a government-appointed, third-party manager release the money so that she could ensure services and operations continue uninterrupted.  But she says she was rebuffed.

Seven figure job to fix the Saginaw

It'll be at least a "seven figure" job to repair the broken loading boom on the ship MV Saginaw.   It remains docked at Thunder Bay Terminals until it can be fixed.   The ship's owner is Lower Lakes Towing.  President Scott Bravener says they're investigating the cause,  which appears to have been a cable failure.  Bravener says the cable was installed on the ship just days before the incident.

Rick Hansen Relay Sunday

Thunder Bay is gearing up to play host to the Rick Hansen Relay this Sunday.  Spokesperson Doug Henry says everyone will have a chance to see the medal.  Formal festivities start at the Community Auditorium at 2 on Sunday.

RRSP season is upon us

RRSP's are continuing to stay a viable option despite economic troubles.  Local Investment Expert Blake Cameron of Scotia McLeod says RRSP's are a safe bet for your money.  The deadline to make RRSP contributions is February 29th.

Economic outlook for 2012 looks unstable

There is a lot of uncertainty when you look at the economy for this year in Northwestern Ontario.  That's the opinion of Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo.  He says there are a lot of variables that could affect our economy, such as the government, commodity prices, and the forestry sector.

OPP looking into Terrace Bay Death

OPP are investigating a sudden death in Terrace Bay.  Not much is known at this time but officials say a 65 year old woman was found inside a house that was the scene of a fire this morning.  The woman has been identified as Ann-Lois Mercure.

Resolute Forest Products

Quebec pulp producer Fibrek is urging its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Resolute Forest Products.  Resolute is offering 130-million dollars for the company that has pulp mills in Quebec, West Virginia and Michigan.  In a letter to shareholders, Fibrek says the bid deprives them of the opportunity to participate in the upside of the pulp business and other earnings streams.

Alzheimer Society survey on dementia

There's a delay in Canadians seeking diagnosis for dementia according to a new Alzheimer Society survey.  It finds that people are delaying diagnosis because they believe their symptoms are part of old age.  January is Alzheimer Awareness month.

OPP release RIDE results

The OPP aren't happy with the results of the festive RIDE program.  Spokesperson Shelly Garr says its disappointing to see 7 people in Thunder Bay still drinking and driving and in the region another 40 people were charged with impaired driving.

Iran US dispute is just heated rhetoric

Tension in the middle east continue to rise but don't expect any major fireworks.  That's the opinion of Lakehead Political Science Expert Laure Paquette.  She says increased naval activity between the US and Iran is a step above sabre rattling considering they both are moving large ships into a narrow area like the Straight of Hormuz.  Paquette says she thinks the two sides will soon take a step back and try to come to a diplomatic resolution to current problems.

Hospital CEO salaries are now public information

The CEO of the Regional Health Sciences Centre is happy that the salaries of her colleagues across the province will be open to the public.  Hospital CEO salaries were made public Tuesday and Andree Robichaud says its a smart move because the public deserves to know where tax money is going.  Robichaud earned 390 thousand dollars in 2011. 

Holiday RIDE stats are in

City police aren't happy with the results of the Holiday RIDE program.  Constable Bill Pollock says about 25 people were caught drinking and driving in the month of December.  Pollock says over 55 hundred vehicles were pulled over during the campaign and its very discouraging to still see people drinking and driving.

Outbreak at Interim LTC

A stomach flu like illness is making the rounds of Thunder Bay's Interim Long Term Care facility. The Health Unit has declared an outbreak. Admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities have been cancelled until further notice.

City talks waterfront hotel

It's the new year, and there's still no official date for when the name of the waterfront hotel will be announced.  City Spokesperson Greg Alexander says they are still waiting for the land transfer to go through.  Alexander says he understands that there's a lot of speculation about the project.

New Years stabbing in Marathon

OPP in Marathon are reporting a New Years day stabbing. They say it happened around 5:30 yesterday morning on Hemlo Drive in that community. The injured man was taken to the local hospital and treated for his injuries and released. A 20 year old woman from Mobert is charged and is in custody waiting for a bail hearing.