Portion of airport roof blows off

Officials are trying to assess the damage from a freak  accident at the Thunder Bay Airport on Tuesday evening which saw a portion of the corrugated metal roof of main airport terminal blow off.  Police say it crushed two cars in the parking lot and knocked over a light standard, but no one was injured.   The estimate of damage isn't known and the exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined. The incident happened around 8:30

Keith Hobbs apologizes to Bob Herman

Mayor Keith Hobbs looks to be out of legal hot water after he publicly apologized to former Police Chief Bob Herman. In a prepared statement Hobbs says sorry for implying in March that as chief, Bob Herman intercepted his private communications.  Hobbs also apologized for implying Herman unlawfully disclosed those private communications.

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Police probe fatal pedestrian accident

Thunder Bay police say they are investigating a fatal accident in which an SUV collided with a pedestrian.  It happened on Central Avenue between Fort William Road and Memorial just before 1 o'clock. Police say they are having trouble trying to identify the victim.  They say it's a man in his 40's or 50's with a light complexion and he was missing part of a left finger.

Airport activity picks up during evacuations

The Thunder Bay Airport is a hive of activity as evacuees from the forest fires in the far north are flown here.  One witness says the Hercules transports are coming and going with evacuees from First Nations communities and mines that are threatened by the fires.

Clement visits with MNR fire personnel

FedNor Minister Tony Clement says the forest fire situation is very serious and he is asking the Province to take the initiative and ask for help. Speaking in Dryden Wednesday, Clement says the Federal Government is doing everything it can from providing Hercules transports to Aboriginal Affairs assisting in the evacuations.   In terms of emergency assistance relief Clement says it's up to the Province to ask for Federal support.

PETA protests at local butcher shop

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a demonstration outside Bay Quality Meats complete with lots of saran wrap and other props. PETA spokesperson Emily Lavender says they're trying to show people the realities of slaughterhouses. A number people who didn't agree with PETA's demonstration were there to voice their opinion.

19 new fires in the Northwest

Northwestern Ontario forests remain a tinderbox as wildfires continue to rage.   New fires are flaring up everyday with 19 reported yesterday.  At least 18 First Nations have declared emergencies, 4 of them are preparing for full evacuations while 6 are partially evacuated.   There are 3 stubborn blazes , one is in the Red Lake District and two in the Sioux Lookout District

N-W-O was H-O-T

4-weather records were set in Northwestern Ontario Tuesday .Red Lake was the hot spot in the Region hitting 35 degrees smashing a 70 year old record.  Ear Falls reached 34, Dryden and Kenora were at 33 degrees. It was 30 in Thunder Bay but no record was broken.

Swimming advisories posted at beaches

Don't bother going to Chippewa Park or Boulevard Lake to go swimming, because the Health Unit says you risk getting sick.   Advisory signs are up warning that there are high bacteria levels at both locations. 

Charity ride set to continue

The saga of Britain's Paul Everitt continues in Thunder Bay today. Everitt is the man who is cycling to support the troops in Afghanistan was forced to stop in Wawa after his bike broke down...but he says thanks to Dingwell's Machinery his bike is being fixed.   Everitt hopes to be back on the road in the next 24 hours.

PETA Protests Packaged Meat

Thunder Bay is getting a visit from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.  Vegan's will be lying nearly naked on large meat trays covered in plastic wrap.  The protest is taking place at Bay Quality Meats at noon.

Health Unit says protect yourself from the smoke

With smoke from forest fires now reaching Thunder Bay, the District Health Unit has some warnings. Spokesperson Abby Mackie says it shouldn't be taken lightly and that people most at risk should protect themselves.  He says those include children, seniors and those with breathing difficulties.  Mackie suggests staying indoors as much as possible and avoiding any necessary outdoor physical activity. 

Boshcoff has traffic light concerns

There's nothing that can spark a debate in Thunder Bay like the number of traffic lights. Councillor Ken Boshcoff thinks we have too many and wonders if we've been removing any that aren't needed and if there are any plans to reduce the number of traffic signals.   City engineer Pat Mauro says it comes under review every few years.

PWT General Manager defends service

The general manager of Pacific Western Transportation is disputing claims his company is receiving funding at this time from the Ontario government to drive people to out of town medical appointments.    Dean Wright adds, the company's new travel option is not designed to replace any existing services.   Last week the president of Caribou Coach in Thunder Bay said a subsidized service has the potential to take away one third of his business in Northwestern Ontario.

City hosting evacuees and more

Thunder Bay is playing host to almost 300 forest fire evacuees from Sandy Lake this week and there could be more. Fire Chief John Hay says we have been designated as a transportation hub with the potential of moving up to 1 thousand people to other centres.  Hay hopes other communities step up to the plate and offer to host some of the evacuees.

Burning permits suspended

The hot and dry conditions are causing concern for the Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service.   It's forced officials to suspend all burning permits within the city citing unusually dry conditions.  They say the suspension won't be lifted until that improves

MNR dealing with 90 wildfires

Heavy smoke laying over the entire Northwest is hindering firefighting efforts for the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Information Officer Debbie MacLean says crews are battling over 90-wildfires.  117-aircraft, 14-waterbombers, 80-helicopters and 16-transport aircraft are trying to fight through the smoke to battle the fires.  Two fires of note are Sioux Lookout Fire number 70 which has grown to over 87-thousand hectares in size and is now burning 1-kilometre away from the Mussewhite Mine.  Sioux Lookout Fire number 60 is also 14-thousand hectares in size and is burning southwest of the Mine.  Firefighters continue to try and protect the mine site.

South Side Laundromat Robbed

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a south side robbery of a Laundromat.  Police say a man walked into Barb's Laundromat on May street and threatened to shoot the employee.  He then took all the cash from the register and a quantity of cigarettes before fleeing on foot.  Police found a 39 year old man and a 32 year old woman in the area with cigarettes and money taken during the robbery.  Both have been charged with robbery.

Robbery at Riley's Sports Tavern

Someone robbed a south side bar last night. Police are investigating after a male entered Riley's Sports Tavern and demanded cash from the bartender. Police searched for the man but couldn't find him. He's described as a young person about 6 feet tall with a bad complexion.

Police investigate arson

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a case of arson in Fort William.  A North Franklin Street home owner awoke last night to popping noises outside and found their van and truck were on fire.  Both vehicles are totally destroyed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.