T.Bay targetting motorcycle market

Thunder Bay is looking to capitalize on the motorcycle tourism market.  Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says they've handed out a check list to area businesses asking them if they're "motorcycle" friendly.  A list of motorcycle friendly locations in the City will be made available on smart phones.  Thunder Bay is taking part in a trade show for motorcyclists in Minneapolis this weekend.

NAN Youth in T.Bay for gathering

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation's younger generation will be gathering in Thunder Bay this week.  The group comprised of youth from various First Nations will be discussing how to increase the quality of life on and off reserves.  The conference starts on Tuesday and wraps up on Thursday.

NAPS to hold recruitment initiative

An area police force wants to hire area First Nations to fill the growing need for police officials in the North.  The Nishnawbe Aski Police are holding a police recruitment initiative to spread the word about a career in law enforcement.  The two day recruitment drive will take place in the Spring.

Rafferty wants regional development fund

There's a call for a regional economic development fund to help pay for municipal infrastructure upgrades.  MP John Rafferty says the New Democrats see FEDNOR as good source to cover the cost of small projects.  Rafferty says with no stimulus money expected in the coming budget, FEDNOR funding would be a viable option.

Prince Arthur's Landing nominated in G.P.C.

Prince Arthur's Landing is in the running for a nation wide competition put on by the Canadian Institute of Planners.  You can vote for the newly renovated waterfront in the Great Places in Canada competiton.  To vote click here. At last check Thunder Bay had 106 votes.

Graduation Ceremony Saturday

The local army reserve is holding a graduation ceremony for the latest batch of high school co-op students. Captain George Romick says the students come from both the public and private school boards.  The graduation ceremony will take place at the Armouries on Park Avenue at 10:30 am Saturday. 

Local unemployment numbers

There's disappointing news on the national job front. Canada's unemployment rate rose to 7.6 per cent in January. Locally, our unemployment rate dropped from 7 percent to 6.2 per cent. The jobs figures are from Statistics Canada.

Mining companies in England

Two companies proposing gold mines in the Rainy River district will be promoting their projects to an international audience later this month.  Rainy River Resources and Osisko Mining will be among 18-Canadian companies making presentations at a mining conference in London, England.  The conference attracts potential investors from around the world.

Kenora's version of "The Birds"

It has some people thinking about Alfred Hitchcock's movie ``The Birds.'' Ravens have been pecking large holes in the rubberized roof of the Operations Building in Kenora. As a result, the five-year-old building has developed some leaks. Officials want to find a solution to the destructive pecking before fixing the roof.

KDMA Conference on this weekend

Municipal leaders from across the Kenora District are gathering the next couple of days for a lively discussion.  Kenora District Municipal Association President Phil Vinet says the meat and potatoes of their annual conference starts tomorrow.  The Red Lake Mayor says Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, Lieutinent-Coloniel Dan Drew and Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs are among the guest speakers.

NAN wants power grid hook up by 2018

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs are calling on the Provincial Government to help them connect their communities to the power grid. They want all NAN communities to be hooked up by 2018. The goal came from a three day conference that was held in Thunder Bay this week.

Grann trial into final phase

Two days of gruelling cross examination of  Thunder Bay police officer Toni Grann are now complete.  Prosecutor Marc Huneault repeatedly grilled Grann on the way she kept records when she administered the local Sex Offender Registry.  While she kept her composure for much of her testimony Grann did break down and cry during some of the questioning.   Grann is charged with Breach of Trust in connection with falsified records in the registry.  A final verdict may not happen for some weeks. 

Terrace Bay Pulp owes almost 40 million

Potential buyers of Terrace Bay Pulp have until February 15th to file a letter of intent.  Officials at CCAA monitor Ernst and Young say the company owes almost 40 million dollars to creditors and proceeds of a sale would go to them.  If no buyers can be found its a possibility the mill could be sold for scrap.

Grann undergoes more questioning

It's the second day on the stand for the Thunder Bay Police officer who is charged with falsifying records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry.   Prosecutor Marc Huneault spent the morning and part of the afternoon grilling Toni Grann on how she kept her records.  Grann kept her composure on the stand during the cross examination.    On Wednesday Huneault indicated he would complete his questioning sometime today. 

Cindy's Ashes have been returned

Radio reports have reunited a family with an urn of remains.  Police say the Urn was found at Dutchak's Recycling and after the story hit the airwaves, family members went to  Balmoral Station to pick up Cindy's Ashes.  Officials say the remains are human and were misplaced.

16 years for Bearkskin Airlines Hope Classic

It's the 16th year for the Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic.  Chair Sue Childs says there are 59 teams taking part in the bonspiel that will take place February 17th to the 19th at the Fort William Curling Club.  Since it's inception over 2-million dollars has been raised for the Linda Buchan Centre for cancer care.

Pedestrian appeared to be drunk: police

Police say alcohol may have been a factor in a car-pedestrian accident on Cumberland Street  last night.  They say the victim, a 33 year old woman, appeared to be drunk at the time and ran into oncoming traffic and was struck by a car.  Police say she was taken to the Health Sciences Centre, but her injuries were not serious. No chanrges have been laid.

Thunderhawks in Dryden today

The first year Confederation College Thunderhawks Women's Hockey team is making an appearance in Dryden this afternoon.  The Thunder Bay based team is practising at the Memorial Arena from 1 until 2 .  Coach Marshall Erickson says it will give local residents a chance to learn more about their program.  The club signed Dryden's Kyley Engstrom this week.

Dryden to hold by-election

A by-election will be held to replace Dryden Councilor Mike Wood.  Council made the decision last night and Mayor Craig Nuttall says it was the right decision.  Six potential candidates were in Council Chambers when Council made the decision.

Terrace Bay Pulp owes millions

Terrace Bay Pulp owes millions of dollars to businesses across the Country and in the United States.  That figure is from the CCAA monitor Ernst and Young who released a list of the Mill's outstanding debts recently.  The company filed for CCAA bankruptcy protection last week.