Impaired Driver Took Off From Police

A timely red light is being credited with helping to stop an impaired driver trying to run from police overnight. Police say they spotted a 19 year old man driving eratically on Court Street at approximately 2:00 o'clock this morning. The man drove away from police when they tried to stop him but he got caught up in traffic at a red light on Cumberland and Water Street where police were able to stop him from getting away a second time. The man remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in video court today.

North Spirit Lake Death Investigated

Nishnawbe-Aski Police and the Ontario Provincial Police are now invesitgating the death of a North Spirit Lake First Nation community member. The deceased has been identified as 38 year old Paul Campbell of North Spirit Lake First Nation. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today here in Thunder Bay. Few details are being released by police.

Sandy Lake Evacuees Head To Thunder Bay

The forest fire situation has now forced 70 people from Sandy Lake First Nation from their homes. Chief Bart Meekis has asked the city of Thunder Bay to serve as a host community. Mayor Keith Hobbs has signed an emergency declaration for the city which has supported similar evacuations over the last few years and is prepared to support additional evacuees if needed. Last year Thunder Bay hosted 350 evacuees and served as a transportation hub during the severe forest fire situation.

Forest Fire Update

There are 66 forest fires now burning here in the northwest district. Officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources say 476 forest fires have started this year burning more than 69,000 hectares of land. Weekend rain has helped the situation in southern parts of the district. The M.N.R. now says the fire hazard is "Low" for the entire region.

Thunder Bay All-Stars Win Provincials

In an all Thunder Bay battle at the Ontario Senior Little League Championships at Baseball Central, the Thunder Bay All-Stars defeated the Selects 8-5 to earn a berth at the national championships in Regina. The All-Stars rallied for 7 runs in the final two innings to secure the win.

Border Cats Rained Out - Play Pair Tonight

The Thunder Bay Border Cats weren't able to sneak in their game against the Mankato Moondogs yesterday ahead of the rain. The two teams will now play a pair of 7 inning games tonight starting at 6:05 at Subway Field. The Border Cats have won 5 in a row and now have a record of 10-11 in the second half, just 3 games back of first place in the division.

Auld Leaves For Europe

Thunder Bay's Alex Auld is headed to Europe Next Season. The 31 year old netminder played last season for the Ottawa Senators and now will dawn the jersey of E.C. Salzberg in the Austrian League. Auld has played with 8 different N.H.L. teams.

Drunk Driver Takes Shortcut

No one is hurt following another drunk driving incident. Police say the 19-year-old male driver tried to drive down a footpath to take a shortcut home, but his vehicle left the path and fell down a thirty foot embankment near the Boulevard Lake Dam. The man was charged with impaired driving and possession of narcotics among other charges.

Bordercats Win Fifth Straight

The Thunder Bay Bordercats won their fifth game in a row after a huge win last night. The Cats shutout the Mankato Moondogs 6-0 at Subway Field. The Cats continue their seven game home-stand against the Moondogs at 5:05 tonight at Subway Field.

Firefighters Slightly Injured In Fire

Two firefighters were slightly injured after a huge fire yesterday afternoon. Firefighters were called to battle a structural fire stemming from the basement of a home on Machar Avenue. Four pumper trucks and more than twenty firefighters from four different stations were used to put out the fire.

Flood Cause Remains A Mystery

It will be several months before we find out what caused the flooding at the city's East End sewage plant. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says it's all part of a consultants study of the May 28th flood which is taking place now and will be explained to city councillors Monday evening. He says the final report isn't expected to be ready for 3 or 4 months.   Included in that report will be finding out what caused a leak in the sewage plant.

Global Sticks Reaches The End

It looks like the end of the line for Global Sticks. The Oliver-Paipoonge company has closed its doors according to Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle, whose government has provided millions of dollars to the popsicle stick manufacturer to get it off the ground. He says it's his understanding they have closed the doors at this time after not being able to find a private sector investor.  A call to the owner, Reggie Nukovic. has not been returned.

City Hiring Freeze Possible

If the city doesn't take any action by the end of the year it will be just over a million dollars in the hole. However that won't happen, according to City Manager Tim Commisso. Commisso says they will look for savings elsewhere if necessary and that includes a hiring freeze. He is confident however, the city will see a surplus at the end of the year. The report to city councillors attributes the shortfall, in part, to legal services related to a potential class action lawsuit in connection with the May 28th flood.

Teens Survive Transport Crash

Two teenage girls are out of hospital after they were treated for injuries they sustained in a traffic accident last night.  Police say that it took place at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and the Harbour Expressway around 11 o'clock when a pick-up truck collided with a transport.  The girl who was driving the pick up is now charged with a red light violation.

O.P.P. Nab Third Suspect

A 24 year old man from Wellington is now in police custody and will appear in court today. He was the third suspect involved in what O.P.P. are calling an attempted break and enter. The apprehension of the suspect proved to be difficult as he fled on foot into the bush near Pays Plat early Wednesday morning. Police picked him up while trying to hitch hike near Jackfish Lake. He and two others were stopped by Provincial Police who used a spike belt to end the car chase.

Dryden Mill Workers Agree To New Deal

500 Canadian Energy and Paper Workers Union members from Dryden have a new deal. Last night they voted 70 percent in favour of a new 5 year contract. An additional $15.00 a month will be added to the pension contributions, additional meal allowances and a modest wage increase over the next two years were highlited in the deal.

Forest Fire Numbers Down Thanks To Rain

Two days of rain is helping to dampen the forest fire number here in Northwestern Ontario. Ministry of Natural Resources officials now say they are battling more than 60 forest fires in our region, that's down from 80 on Wednesday. The M.N.R. is keeping an eye on the forecast, saying that the forest fire rating will rise again with sunshine and warm temperatures expected in the days ahead.

Selects Secure Playoff Spot

The Thunder Bay Selects are cruising at the right time. They beat Orleans 8-7 last night in the Ontario Senior Little League Championships being played at baseball Central The win gives the Selects a 3-0 record in the 5 team tournament and assures them a spot in the playoffs. Tonight they take on the 2-1 Thunder Bay All-Stars who need a win in order to secure a spot in the 3 team playoffs.

Border Cats Win Third Straight

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have now won three in a row. They edged the St. Cloud Rox 11-10 in a wild one at Subway field last night to improve to 8-11 in the second half. The Border Cats are now 3 1/2 games back of Duluth for top spot in the North division. That series concludes tonight here at home.

Druery Signs Deal To Go Pro

Lakehead University's Lindsay Druery is graduating from playing basketball for the Thunderwolves to playing professionally in Europe. She will join Lakehead Alum Kathryn Verboom in the German 2 Bundesliga on the TSV Towers Speer/Schifferstadt. Druery, from Smithville, Ontario, says she never dreamed of even being able to play basketball at the university level, let alone professionally. Druery leaves for German in September and will have an opportunity to teach English during her time away from the court.