Cath Lab Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Regional Hospital officials are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the cardiac catherization lab.   The procedure allows a tube to be put into the heart to help provide treatment.   Since it was started officials say 27 thousand patients have had the procedure done.

Waterfront Project Almost Half Million Over Budget

Remarkable is what city official Greg Alexander calls it. He says for phase one of the waterfront project to come in at only 1 per cent over budget speaks to how hard the project management team worked to keep costs down. Alexander hopes it silences any critics on city council.  In dollar terms the variance works out to just under half a million dollars.

Viral Video Shows Assault

Dryden Police are investigating an assault at the Dryden McDonalds. The incident was captured on video and immediately went viral on social media. It shows a young man abusing a customer who was sitting down to eat.  Police Chief Rob Davis says the incident was reported yesterday night but he believes the attack happened before that day. Davis is asking the public for help to identify who shot the video of the assault or who witnessed the incident. He says they have been able to identify the victim and the accused and notes charges are likely going to be laid.

Snowy Spring

The first day of spring brought with it cold temperatures and snow still on the ground.  Our newsroom went to City Hall to ask residents what they thought about the lack of warm weather.

Future Of Power Plant Still In Limbo

Uncertainty continues to surround the future of the Mission Island power plant. Councillor Andrew Foulds listened to the update from Ontario Power Generation officials this morning and says the conversion of the plant to natural gas remains on hold with no plans to change that. Foulds says the decision makers in southern Ontario don't appear to realize the energy challenges the region faces in the

Police Spending Over 2012 Budget

Thunder Bay's Police are finishing off last year's budget year in the red.  They ran over their 34 million dollar budget by 179-thousand dollars.  Chief JP Levesque says they've worked really hard to keep their cost over runs modest.  Levesque provided the Police Services Board with an update on their spending at yesterday's meeting.

OPP Looking For Missing Man

OPP are searching for a missing 32 year old Geraldton man. Erik Legarde's family reported him missing yesterday. He's described as 5'11 weighing 180 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen on March 17th wearing blue jeans, brown shoes, and a grey sweatshirt.

Rock Drummer Lends His Star Power

A Thunder Bay based suicide prevention movement is getting some help from a Canadian rock star.   Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart says he joined the Collateral Damage Project after  founder Scott Chisholm reached out to him through Twitter.   Taggart is convinced it's a worthwhile endeavour and hopes to use his celebrity status to bring the message across the country.

LRCA To Start Its Flood Watch

The spring flood watch is about to begin as the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority keeps its eye on area rivers and streams during the snow melt.   Chair Bill Bartley says he just finished his annual spring meeting with the operational staff of the area municipalities to make sure they are prepared for any eventuality.  Bartley says monitoring so far shows there is no cause for concern.

"Ceremony And Resurgence"

The Idle No More movement in Thunder Bay  is trying to give itself a kick start.  Organizers are holding what they call  "a day of ceremony and resurgence" today.  Beginning with a sunrise ceremony, a day of First Nation  teachings is planned at the Anishnawbe Mushkiki Centre on Royston Court.

"Ceremony And Resurgence"

The Idle No More movement in Thunder Bay  is trying to give itself a kick start.  Organizers are holding what they call  "a day of ceremony and resurgence" Wednesday.  Beginning with a sunrise ceremony, a day of First Nation  teachings is planned at the Anishnawbe Mushkiki Centre on Royston Court.

LRCA To Start Its Flood Watch

The spring flood watch is about to begin as the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority keeps its eye on area rivers and streams during the snow melt.   Chair Bill Bartley says he just finished his annual spring meeting with the operational staff of the area municipalities to make sure they are prepared for any eventuality.  Bartley says monitoring so far shows there is no cause for concern.

Rock Drummer Lends His Star Power

Jeremy Taggart

A Thunder Bay based suicide prevention movement is getting some help from a Canadian rock star.   Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart says he joined the Collateral Damage Project after  founder Scott Chisholm reached out to him through Twitter.   Taggart is convinced it's a worthwhile endeavour and hopes to use his celebrity status to bring the message across the country.

Virdiramo Says Allegation Tainted Police Service

Police Services Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says a recent allegation from a 19 year old man hurt the force's reputation.  The OPP investigation into the claim that a young man was driven out of the City and left behind was proved to be false.  Virdiramo says national media stories on the investigation didn't help local police.  Virdiramo has asked the Police Chief to also look into what costs might be associated with the investigation.

Police Youth Corps. Celebrate 20 Years

The Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps. 20th anniversary is off to a good start, as the group has received 2-thousand dollars for supplies and uniforms.  Deputy Commanding Officer Kerri Hnatiw says the money will help inspire youth to pursue a policing career.  The Youth Corps. has been a major help to aspiring police officers, and has left such a lasting impression that several of the graduates have returned to volunteer.

Robinson New Chamber President

The new Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president is Charla Robinson.   She takes over from Harold Wilson who left to enter the world of politics.  Robinson hopes to put her own on stamp on the local business organization.  Robinson begins her new role at the end of April.  

Gravelle Says Mining Benefiting Ontario

The provincial government is highlighting the benefits mining is having on Ontario's economy.   Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says the province is seeing record spending by the industry. Gravelle spoke in Queens Park yesterday, and says that Ontario is the leading jurisdiction in Canada when it comes to exploration.

Crimestoppers Launches Hate Crime Prevention Program

Crimestoppers is offering a new program that will help put an end to hate crimes.  The new initiative will be launched in May and could cost up to 15-thousand dollars.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they embarked on the initiative after an alleged abduction and sexual assault of a First Nations woman.  The Police Services Board pledged 2-thousand dollars towards the project.

Hobbs Happy With Proposed Legislation

Mayor Keith Hobbs is excited to hear the Provincial Government is introducing legislation that will make it easier for Cities to charge out of province drivers who run red lights and fail to stop for school buses.  Hobbs says the proposed legislation will help them collect quite a bit of money in fines.  Hobbs says it was one of their main requests when they met with Provincial Ministers last month in Toronto.

Not As Many P.E. Teachers In N. Ontario

Northern Ontario has the greatest shortage of physical education teachers in the province.  The report from People for Education found that only 22 percent of schools across the north have phys-ed staff compared to 75 percent in the Toronto area.  Majority of schools in the area don't have teachers that specialize in phys-ed, instead it is up to the normal classroom teacher.  The report also says that the shortage is preventing most students from meeting the 20-minutes of mandatory daily physical activity required by the province.