Facebook Posting Brings Out Skeptics

This weeks reported cougar sightings in the city seem to be drawing a lot of skepticism among the public after the posting of this picture on Facebook. It appears to show a lynx crossing the road at the Lakehead University student residence. Local resident Dave St. Amand says he took the picture on Sunday morning and it appears to have stirred the pot somewhat. However police insist witnesses who they have spoken to claim the animal they saw has a long tail like a cougar would, unlike the short tailed lynx in the Facebook pic.

KI Chief Honoured

Chief Donny Morris of KI First Nation stood up for what he believes in, and now he's been awarded a medal. Morris was presented a Diamond Jubilee medal, honoring the work he's done for his community. In March 2008, Morris and others were put in jail for standing up to the province. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell presented the medal, saying Morris has been a "true leader".

Gravelle Monitoring Cougar Sightings

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle is watching the developments surrounding cougar sightings in the city. Gravelle says his ministry is on top of the situation helping to find the animal.  He says MNR officials are working with city police to try to track the animal.   However Gravelle points out there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of a wild cougar in Ontario since 1884.

Frigate Tour Times Announced

The Royal Canadian Navy is allowing you to take a tour of the HMCS Ville de Quebec when it arrives here for a five day visit this week. On Thursday there will be two opportunities. The first will be in the afternoon from 1 until 5 then from 6 until 8 in the evening. On Friday ,Saturday an Sunday the visits will be restricted to the afternoon starting at 1 o'clock. The ship will be docked at the Pool 6 pier.

Cougar Sighting At Hospital

City police are saying three Hospital staff members were charged by a what they say was a cougar this morning. Police were called to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre early this morning. Hospital staff reported that a cougar was seen in parking lot H on the east side of the property. Meanwhile, a bear with an injured leg was also spotted in the same area by staff members just after 5:00 a.m. The animal was said to have acted in an aggressive manner before returning to the wooded area. Police were unable to locate the animals. The police are following up on this matter with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Police are patrolling the area around the hospital and reminding the public to exercise caution when walking in wooded areas in the vicinity. They are also asking you to call them immediately if these animals are spotted.

Injured Bear Still Loose

City police are warning you of the dangers of wild animals roaming through the city. Reports of a cougar sighting were last given to police yesterday afternoon near Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Officers spotted an injured bear near their station on Balmoral on Central at approximately 10:30 p.m. last night. In both cases the animals fled into the bush before police could catch up with them. In a seperate incident, a bear was hit and killed by a vehicle on West Arthur Street at approximately 9:00 O'Clock last night. No Injureies were reported. Police are warning you to use extreme caution when walking or biking near Central, Balmoral, Tungsten and along the trails surrounding the Lakehead University campus.

Brett Kay Named All-Star

Thunder Bay Border Cats Shortstop Brett Kay has been voted to the 2012 Northwoods League Post-Season All-Star Team. Coaches and members of the media voted him as the lone representative of the Border Cats. He batted .320 with 3 triples, 14 doubles and one home run while collecting 77 hits in 64 games during the regular season.

Thunder Bay Wants Trade Talks Exemption

The city of Thunder Bay wants to be left out of any negotiations involving Canada's discussions with the European Union on a new trade deal. Councillor Paul Pugh is fearful having no exemption from the talks could leave us vulnerable to policy changes involving mass transit thus putting local jobs in danger at the Bombardier plant.

Funding Priorities Set

The city's top requests for infrastructure funding from the Harper government are now set in stone.   Councillors voted to promote a list of five projects including improvements to the Delaney Arena and Fort William Stadium.  Other priority projects to be submitted by the city include improvements to trails, lighting and bridges and transit shelter upgrades.

Surveillance Program Has It's Critics

It appears the city's Eye on the Street program may get some council scrutiny in the future. In presenting the program's annual report to council, some city lawmakers, like Councillor Andrew Foulds believe it may be time to rethink the video surveillance program altogether.  He feels the 200 thousand dollars could be better spent on something else. The mayor too feels the program has no value.

Police Warn Of New Scam

Police are warning drivers to be aware of a scam.  They say it involves someone flagging you down the the highway and claiming to be out of gas.   The schemer offers to exchange a piece of jewelry they have for money,  claiming it's worth hundreds of dollars when in fact the jewelry is fake.  Police say they had two reports of the scam, one close to Nipigon, the other near Thunder Bay.

ATV Accident Injures Man

Police say a local man is recovering from an ATV accident on his Marks Lake property on the weekend.   They say he was thrown from his vehicle and up against a boulder after the machine rolled.  OPP pointed out the 35 year old man wasn't wearing a helmet. 

4 Year Investigation Leads To Arrest

A Manitouwadge man is out on bail but faces severa conditions as he waits for his next court appearance. The Northwest Crime Unit assisted Manitouwadge O.P.P. with a four year investigation that has resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old man. Police arrested him on Thursday and faces two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering threats, one count of assault and breaking and entering charges. Police say the man is expected back in court on September 26th.

City Prepares For Bow Hunting Season

In less than a month the city will be allowing bow hunting for deer within city limits. In advance of that, the city is putting on an information session to inform you of exactly what will be involved according to city spokesperson Ron Bourret. He says that includes consent forms that must be filled out and other rules that must be followed. That public meeting takes place a week from this Thursday, August 23rd at Confederation College.

Dryden Doctor Breaches Code Of Conduct

The Dryden Regional Health Centre says a physician has breached the Hospital's Code of Conduct. The Hospital has reviewed an incident that occurred on August 4th, during which an emergency room doctor reportedly used inappropriate language while attending to a First Nations patient and his family. Officials say they take this breach seriously. The physician in question has acknowledged that his conduct was inappropriate and has asked to apologize to the family. He has also agreed to attend cultural sensitivity training. The hospital has expressed regret that this incident occurred. There is no word on possible disciplinary action.

Local Woman Crashes Truck

A 29 year old Thunder Bay woman is in Kenora hospital following a collision on Highway 1 in eastern Manitoba. The RCMP say the single vehicle accident took place Saturday afternoon around 3:00 about 3 kilometers west of Falcon Lake. The Mounties say the woman lost control of her pick-up truck and rolled the vehicle. She was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital in critical but stable condition. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Injured Bear Spotted Near L.U.

City police are warning bikers and trail walkers to be on the lookout for an injured bear in the area of Lakehead University. The report was filed with police after 9:00 O'clock this morning. Police are patrolling the area and have contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources. Caution is being warned for residents in the area of Oliver Road especially near trails surrounding the university campus.

Hotel Announcement In The Fall Now

The developer of the condominium project on the waterfront says condo sales are going better than expected. Giselle MacDonald says that the first of the two condominium projects is 80 per cent sold out which is ahead of projections. Shesays originally they thought it would take them 3 months to reach the 80 per cent mark instead it took them only a month. Meantime MacDonald says that negotiations are going full tilt with the proposed hotelier and an announcement on that is now expected in the fall.

Woman Jogger In Critical Condition After Being Hit

Blindline Road at Fraser Road is now open again after city police had to close it after being called to the site of a auto-pedestrian motor vehicle collision. The incident happened just before 10:00 a.m. yesterday. A 47 year old woman had been jogging east bound on Blindline Road when she was struck from behind by a Jeep being driven by a 57 year old woman. The 47 year old female victim remains in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital listed in critical condition. The accident is still being investigated by the Thunder Bay Police Traffic Section. The woman has been identified but police are not releasing her name until all family members have been notified.

Cougar Watch

City police are warning the public to be on the lookout for a cougar. Police say they were alerted to a possible sighting in the vicinity of Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Police did check the area around 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon but were unable to locate the large cat. They are asking the public to report any sightings to police as soon as possible and to use caution when walking or biking in the area.