Special Weather Statement Update

Thunder Bay, Atikokan, Upsala and Ignace are just some of the Northwestern Ontario Communities affected by a special weather statement.  Environment Canada Meterologist Geoff Coulson says they won't know until this afternoon if Thunder Bay will get the lion's share of rainfall today.  If we get hit by the brunt of the storm we can expect 50 to 75 millimeters of rain.  Coulson notes most of the rain could fall in the communities to the west of us; with a possibility of the Lakehead region receiving 10 to 20 millimetres of rain.

PWU Want Both Natural Gas & Biomass

Ontario's Power Workers Union wants Thunder Bay's coal fired power plant to use biomass. The Province is shutting down all coal plants by 2014, and the local facility is scheduled to be converted into using natural gas. Spokesperson Bob Menard says they want the local plant to use a mixture of both wood pellets and natural gas. The union is holding a town hall meeting on the issue tonight at the West Thunder Community Centre.

L.R.C.A. Updates Possible Rainfall Amounts

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority continues its flood watch for Thunder Bay and surrounding area. They are advising that 15 to 20 millimetres of rain could fall this afternoon and overnight. An additional 15 to 20 millimetres is possible in severe thunderstorms or isolated areas.
Areas West of Thunder Bay could see higher rainfall amounts.

City In A State Of Readiness

City officials say they are prepared for the incoming thunder storms. They are on alert and will be monitoring areas of risk this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow with high rainfall accumulations expected. Mayor Keith Hobbs says one lesson we can learn from the flood of May 28th is to move your valuables upstairs and out of the basement.

Pregnancy & Drinking Don't Mix

Thunder Bay's Rotary Club wants to spread the word about drinking while pregnant. The club is bringing in the Executive Director of Healthy Brains For Children Jody Allen Crowe. Crowe says Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder impacts everyone, not just women. Crowe will be holding a workshop Wednesday at Confederation College.

Flood Watch issued for Minnesota And Wisconsin

If you are travelling to the United States today you may want to use extreme caution because a flash flood warning is in effect for areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Isabella, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Grand Marais, Walker, Grand Rapids, Hill City, Duluth, Cloquet and Superior are all under a flash flood watch.

Special Weather Satement Issued For Thunder Bay

Environment Canada is issuing a special weather statement for the city of Thunder Bay, Atikokan, Upsala, Quetico, Superior West, Lake Nipigon, Wabikimi, Nipigon, Marathon and Superior North. Multiple thunderstorms are forecast to track through these areas beginning later today and continue through the night into Wednesday. Rainfall associated with this thunderstorm activity will be highly variable, however total amounts may be as high as 50 to 75 mm in some localities. Environment Canada is advising you to monitor future forecasts and warnings as they may be required or extended.

Cats Come Home At .500

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are returning home for a 5 game home stand starting tonight against Waterloo. The Cats wrapped-up a 2 game sweep against Duluth with a 7-2 win on the road last night, improving their record to 10-and-10 on the season. They are 5 games back in the North Division.

School Safety Zone To Be Looked At

City Council is asking it's staff to look into creating a school safety zone around Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.  Mayor Keith Hobbs brought the issue up on behalf of the school.  The reduced speed zone is proposed for the Edward Street corridor between Churchill Drive and Riverview Drive.

Landscaping Guidelines Approved

City Council is moving ahead with a new landscaping policy for four routes through the City. Council approved a long term plan for the complete corridors of May Street, Arthur Street, Red River Road and Simpson Street. City Councillor Paul Pugh says the plan doesn't mean they'll be spending money immediately on the project it's just a long term vision for the routes that connect Thunder Bay from the North to the South sections of the City.

City Ready In Wake Of Flood Watch

The City is on alert monitoring for city-wide flooding risks after the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority issued a flood watch. City staff are ready to deploy pumping equipment and resources if needed. Another flood update will be held by the City at noon Tuesday. 

Motorcycle Ride For Dad

This year's Motorcycle Ride for Dad is being deemed a success. The Sunday event brought in just over 47 thousand dollars for the Northern Cancer Fund.

This Old Barn Open Again

A restaurant in Murillo is now open after being forced to close last month for health concerns.   The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it's investigation into This Old Barn is now complete.  They say people who ate at the establishment became sick from well water contaminated with the Norovirus.  The owner has upgraded to a new water treatment system.

LRCA Issues Flood Watch

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is putting Thunder Bay and 5 surrounding townships back on flood watch.  The LRCA is issuing the warning because of the heavy rainfall expected in the next two days.  We could see as much as 25 to 50 millimetres of rain in the coming days.

Assault By Chocolate

The battle between anti abortionists and pro-choice supports in Thunder Bay is alive and well. On the weekend a group of out of town pro-life advocates were at Bay and Algoma showing  graphic pictures when they were accosted. City police Constable Julie Tilbury says it appears someone poured chocolate milk over the heads of the demonstrators.  A 36 year old man was arrested and charged with four counts of assault. The person has been released from custody with a promise to appear in court. No name has been released.

Madder Has Regional Plans

The president of Confederation College is talking about expanding the number of courses currently available at its satellite campuses throughout the region. Jim Madder says they are looking at a number of programs that could be provided to communities outside of Thunder Bay. Madder has just returned from touring northwestern Ontario for a series of graduation ceremonies.

Cops Nab Robbery Suspects

Forest Street residents are urged check their vehicles. Police were alerted to the suspicious behaviour of three young men at around 3:30 a.m. this morning. Police located property believed to be taken from various vehicles and arrested two 19 year olds and an 18 year old. Anyone in the Forest Street area who is missing items from their vehicle is being asked to call the police and help with trying to identify the property.

Prepare For Alot More Rain

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is giving us a heads up on how much more rain to expect over the next day. In it's Flood Outlook Statement the Authority says we received anywhere from 12 to 30 millimetres over the weekend. An additional 50 millimetres is possible tomorrow along with up to 25 millimetres if thunderstorms form. 

Master Storm Drainage Study To Be Recommended

The City is now looking at long-term solutions to address flooding. Mayor Keith Hobbs says they are going to recommend the development of a master storm drainage study with the initial focus on the hardest hit areas by the recent flood, such as McKellar and Northwood wards. City Manager Tim Commisso adds that they will also be recommending a review of residential drainage assistance and flood prevention programs based on what they've learned from larger centres, such as Toronto.

Power Outage In Oliver-Paipoonge

There's a small hydro outage in the Oliver-Paipoonge area. According to Hydro One a handful of customers  on Veley Road are without electricity and may not get their power back until 10:30 a.m. this morning.  The cause of the outage is not known.