Fire Destroys Garage on Empire Avenue

Fire crews were called into action early this morning. Crews were called out to battle a garage fire at around 4:00 o'clock this morning. The Fire department used 15 personnel from 4 different stations to battle the blaze located on the 500 block of East Empire Avenue. The fire department says the fire started under suspicious circumstances and will be investigating later the morning. Police and Hydro One were also called to the scene.

15 Forest Fires In Northwest Region

Due to over 15,000 lightning strikes over the long weekend, 10 new Fires were reported in the Northwest region, bringing the total number of active fires to 15. The Kenora district saw the most action with 4 new fires being detected. Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout, and Dryden all had one new fire. With the hot dry weather continuing, more holdover lightning fires are expected to be discovered across the region.

Pyatt Becomes New York Ranger

Taylor Pyatt has signed a contract to play with New York Rangers next season, making it his fifth team in his N.H.L. Career. Pyatt joins fellow Thunder Bay native, Marc Staal in the Big Apple. Pyatt had 9 goals and 19 points last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, before adding 4 goals and 6 points with the club in the playoffs.

Border Cats Edged By Honkers

The Thunder Bay Border Cats lost a slug-fest at Subway field last night, 12-11 to the Rochester Honkers. Their 5-game series concludes tonight, starting at 7:05. Tonight also marks the end of the first half of the Northwoods league season.

Chill Paste Competition In Friendly Match

The Thunder Bay Chill are in the midst of a 9-day road trip in the United States. They played a friendly match yesterday against the Springfield Demize, beating the host 7-0. The Chill now travel to Des Moines to take on the Menace on Friday and Saturday, having already clinched the Heartland division title.

Mobile Crane On Its Way

The CEO of the Thunder Bay Port Authority is counting the days until a piece of machinery arrives that will change the way the port does business.  Tim Heney says a new mobile crane should arrive here a week from Thursday and when it does,  it has the potential to change everything  because the port will be able to unload ships from shore and make the port more competitive.

OPP Probe Fatal Crash

Thunder Bay OPP are investigating a fatal traffic accident on the Trans Canada Highway. They say this morning around 7 o'clock a vehicle travelling on Highway 11, 2 kilometers east of the Arctic Watershed, crossed the centre line and crashed into a rock cut and burst into flames. That's all police are saying about the incident at this time and won't be releasing any information about who died or how many people were in the vehicle at the time.

Missing 11 Year Old Girl Found Safe

Thunder Bay Police says a missing 11 year old girl is now back at home. Constable Julie Tilbury says Trinity Payash was found after a missing person's notice was issued to the local media.

Refugee Advocate To Receive High Honour

A Thunder Bay woman's volunteer work with refugees over the last 30 years is being recognized in a big way. Elizabeth McWeeny has been named as a member of the Order of Canada. McWeeny calls it an honour and an irony. She says it's heartening to see the Governor General naming a refugee advocate to the Order while the government of Canada is passing a "destructive" refugee law. McWeeny will receive the honour during a ceremony to be held at a later date.

Border Cats Lose

The Rochester Honkers defeated the Border Cats last night 3-2 at Subway Field.  Thunder Bay plays again at home tonight at 7:05.

Road Work On Schedule

The May 28th city flooding put a halt to a number of ongoing projects in the city.  Project Engineer Rick Harms says scheduled road construction here in the city burned up a number of rain days as they waited for the water to clear.  Harms says they are back on schedule.

Campbell Talks Budget

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is refuting comments that the passing of the provincial budget solidified the closing of the area's tourist information centres.  PC Critic Vic Fedeli said last week there was no effort by the NDP in committee to overturn the closure decision.  Campbell says there wasn't that opportunity.  Campbell claims she was also denied a chance to comment on the budget and the tourism centres because of the antics of the Conservatives in the legislature.

 

Liberals in Kenora Rainy River Rally

Provincial Liberals are looking to have to bigger presence in Ontario's rural areas.  President of the Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association, Anthony Leek says it will be a benefit to this area.  Leek says the party is embarking on an outreach campaign aimed at gathering more input at the grassroots level.

Aids Thunder Bay Name Change

Aids Thunder Bay wants to change their name.  The move is part of the organizations 3 year strategic plan. Executive Director Lawrence Korhonen says it's because they offer more than just AIDS service.  Korhonen hopes they'll have a new name by this time next year.

Deck Fire On Mayflower Drive

Thunder Bay's Fire Department is reporting a deck fire last night at a home on Mayflower Drive.  Crews were called to the home to put out a fire on the vinyl siding on a deck.  It was quickly put out and the cause is believed to be a cigarette.  No one was hurt.

Hydro One Power Outage O'Connor Area

Hydro One is working on a small power outage in O'Connor Township this morning.  About 20 people are without power after the company's equipment failed after last night's storm.  Power is expected to be restored soon.

Big Contract Extension For Jordan $taal

A great wedding present for Jordan Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes a week after his local nuptuals.   The Team has awarded him with a 10 year contract extension worth a 60 million dollars.

Wasn't That A Party!

Canadian nationalism shines in Thunder Bay. Canada Day proved to be another success as the city presented festivities at the new-look waterfront for the first time. Marina Park was swarming with people as many marvelled at the glamour which has taken over Prince Arthur's Landing.  The evening wrapped up with a fireworks display.

Chill Clinch

The Thunder Bay Chill are in the playoffs again.   They clinched a berth with a 3-2 win over St. Louis.

Borders Win On Canada Day

The Thunder Bay Border Cats were 7-4 winners over the Rochester Honkers in front of a Canada Day crowd of 825.  The two clubs are back at it tonight at Subway Field starting at 7:05.