Transit talks ongoing

The City and Amalgamated Transit Union officials are still locked in talks trying to hammer out a deal.  City administration has said talks are in a critical state.  Manager Tim Commisso says some progress was made in terms of non-monetary and language issues.  The earliest transit workers could walk off the job is Friday morning.

Opponents review Horizon's plan

Opponents of the Horizon Wind Park project have reviewed the company's environmental plan.  The plan was one of the steps required by the company to move forward on its proposed Big Thunder Wind Park.  The Nor'Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee is asking the Ministry of Environment to halt the project until it meets several conditions.

Bearskin sold

A major announcement impacting the airline industry in Northwestern Ontario. Exchange Income has signed a letter of intent to acquire Bearskin Airlines. The acquisition is valued at 32.5-million dollars. Bearskin President Harvey Friesen says the timing was right. Friesen says the sale will help stabalize the company and stresses there will be no layoffs or change in service. Exchange Income owns and operates CalmAir and Keewatin Air as well as Perimeter Air. The cash and share deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Staal signs 20 million dollar contract

Thunder Bay's Marc Staal is 20 million dollars richer.  The New York Rangers defenceman agreed to a five year contract extension.  The 23 year old set career highs with eight goals and 19 assists in 82 games last season.

Contaminated waterfront soil set for removal

Contaminated soil at the waterfront development will soon be removed. The city has received 5 local bids to take away the soil at the site of the proposed hotel and condos. It would be replaced with clean soil. Waterfront Manager Katherine Dugmore says the work is required as part of the original deal.  She says the city knew when the request for proposals was put out, it was with the understanding the city would provide a clean and serviced site for a future developer.   The bids came in at between 1.1. and 2.1. million dollars.  The contract for the soil removal goes before council on September 27th.

Marathon has potential as an annual event

This weekend's Miles With The Giant Marathon could be the start of something big.   City tourism boss Paul Pepe says runners from 60 different communities in North America will be here for the event which he hopes will become a major attraction and an annual event

Police charge 25 year old

Thunder Bay police charged a 25 year old man for uttering threats to a bus driver.  Police were called to the transit bus area at City hall at 1 today.  Reports say the man threatened the bus driver and told him he had a gun and would shoot the driver.  No gun was found and the man was drunk.

More heat on local MP's to change vote

MP's John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer are getting more pressure to support the national gun registry. This time it's from a coalition of city groups that includes the Canadian Auto Workers Union Local 229 and it's president Kari Jefford who has a warning for the two members.  She says this is very much an election issue and that labour had a large part in getting both the NDP members elected and could easily turn on them in the next vote.   The coalition also includes the City Police and the Faye Peterson Transition House.

Harley owners to converge on the city

There will be millions of dollars worth of chrome on display in the city next year.  That's when Harley Davidson owners in Ontario will gather here for their annual rally.   Organizers are hoping for about 800 riders from the province to visit here. They're also hoping riders will come from Manitoba and the American Mid-West.

Northern Networks Conference

Delegates from northwestern Ontario, Minnesota and Wisconsin are taking part in the Northern Network's Trade Conference.  Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says  the conference is now into its 16th year.  125 representatives from across the Northwest are gathering to talk about ways of improving economic development and trade.

Two Feather Project update

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Chief Ruben Canton says he can understand why some people may be frustrated over the Two Feathers Forest Products Value-added initiative, but stresses patience is needed.  Canton says its a new project, with new ideas, and it's going to take some time to put it together.  Pikangikum First Nation, Eagle Lake First Nation, and Finland's Wood Tech Group are involved in the project.

NAN still dislikes Bill 191

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are expected to protest at Queen's Park Thursday.  The two groups are upset over the McGuinty Government's attempts to push through the bill 191 legislation.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says there will be conflict in the north if the bill is forced through.  Thunder Bay's Chambers of Commerce will be joining in on the NAN protest at Queen's Park today.

Official statement expected Thursday

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is keeping mum on his fellow NDP counterparts changing their positions on the long gun registry.  Rafferty will be making an official announcement on how he will vote Thursday afternoon.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer has announced he is committed to seeing the long gun registry scrapped.  N-D-P Leader Jack Layton says he's confident his caucus will deliver the votes the opposition needs to defeat a Tory bill to abolish the registry.

Murder was a stabbing

The cause of death in Tuesday's murder is a stabbing.  Police say 25 year old Keegan Williams died of the wound he suffered on high street just before 3 o'clock in the morning.  Charged is 19 year old Patrick Kanate and police say the two knew each other.

Murder shocks nearby resident

A 19 year old man is facing a second degree murder charge in connection with a death in the city Tuesday morning. The incident took place around 3 o'clock on High Street near Markland, where witness Raili Chiodo lives. She says her family was awakened by the emergency lights that were flashing in her house. She says she looked out in the street to see a person slumped on High Street, which she says turned out to be the victim. Chiodo says the incident is shocking but says she still feels safe in the neighbourhood. Police have yet to release any names or the cause of death.

Hundreds to participate in local marathon

Organizers of this weekends Thunder Bay Marathon are happy with the number of participants.  They say that there are over 800 runners so far.   Just over 500 of those will be running the half marathon with about 125 doing the full 42 kilometres.   The first Miles with the Giant Marathon takes place Sunday morning starting at 8 o'clock at bottom of Red River Road.  

NDP could help keep the gun registry alive

Thunder Bay's MP won't be changing his position on the long gun registry.  Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says enough votes will be coming from his party to potentially save the gun registry.  John Rafferty is not voting to keep the registry in place.  His office confirmed that he would not change his vote.

Transit negotiations continue

The Amalgamated Transit Union says negotiations are plugging along with the City.  President Charlie Brown says the city spent yesterday looking over their counter offer.  Both sides have provided each other with proposals, and another full day of negotiations is scheduled. If negotiations fail transit workers could strike as early as Friday morning.

More traffic infractions

Thunder Bay police continue to hand out tickets for a number of driving offences.  147 speeding tickets, 8 cellphone tickets, and 12 stop sign tickets were handed out.  On Monday, police also dealt with a car hitting a person and a small dog on a leash at the intersection of Balsam and Margaret Street.

Healthy living workshops this weekend

It's the fifth year for the Chamber of Commerce's Superior Living health wellness leisure expo.  This year's theme is improve your mind, body and spirit.  Chamber Spokesperson Nancy Milani says there's a need for this type of trade show.  Over 70 exhibitors are taking part in the healthy lifestyle tradeshow that runs Friday and Saturday.