Biathlon Back In The City

Biathlon is making comeback in the city, at least that's the hope of a local club. Lake Superior Biathlon hosted the first biathlon race in Thunder Bay in over twenty years yesterday at Kamview. LSB spokesperson Dan Duckert says they are optimistic about the future of biathlon in the city. Duckert says it was great to give all race participants the exposure to the sport.

Lakehead In Finals

They're off to the finals. Lakehead University Men's Basketball team punched their ticket to the finals of the CIS National Championship with a 66-62 win over the Ottawa Gee Gees last night. The Thunderwolves will be taking on eight-time champion Carleton Ravens this afternoon at 3:30. You can watch the game on The Score.

Nordmin Engineering Prepares To Move

Residents living near the old Sir John A. MacDonald school in the North corps are preparing to welcome a new business to their neighborhood. Nordmin Engineering is hoping to move in at the end of April according to Operations Manager Melissa Kusznier. The City approved the renovations at the old school to the tune of $1.8 million.

NTAB Worried About Lack Of Workers

A new report on employment needs in the Kenora District is being welcomed by the Northwest Adjustment and Training Board. The document calls for the need of 32-hundred workers in the mining sector, 17-hundred alone in the skills trades industry. NTAB Executive Director Sonja Wainio says this report will pay off in the long run. Wainio stresses it's important to work with area schools to promote the opportunities facing the area.

Bicycles For Humanity

Bicycles for Humanity is looking for donations. The local chapter of the organization gives Bicycles and other important items to people who can't afford them both locally and overseas. Spokesperson Gareth Pritchard says they need a variety of items. If you want to help, please leave any donations at Bicycles for Humanity's Simpson Street drop-off point.

Money Pledged For Alzheimer's Research

Premier Kathleen Wynne's government will give $100 million dollars over five years to the Ontario Brain Institute. She says the money will be used for neuroscience research. That includes research on Alzheimer's disease. Executive Director of Thunder Bay's Alzheimer's Society, Alison Denton says it will keep Ontario as a world leader in research. The money will also be used for research on depression, cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy.

Lakehead Strategic Plan Over

A two year journey for the Lakehead University Board of Governors is over. The board has approved its new Strategic plan which runs for five years. The goals include economic development and new plans for attracting more international, Aboriginal and graduate students to the institution.

OPP Student Position

Are you a student or recent Graduate looking for work? Then you may want to apply for the position of OPP Marine Assistant. Students will work alongside a qualified OPP Marine Operator on a police vessel, helping conduct checks on regular boaters. You must be 18 years old to apply.

Campbell Wants Hold On Property Assessments

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is demanding the government hold off on property assessment changes. In the Ontario Legislature recently, she says communities across the north are facing hardship as a result of the decisions being made by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Finance minister Charles Sousa confirmed that his department is reviewing the situation.

Price of Policing Worries Some

Municipalities across northwestern Ontario continue lobby the provincial government for lower policing costs. Speaking at Kenora's Police Services Board meeting this week, mayor Dave Canfield says Kenora continues to pay twice as much as the provincial average for OPP service. Canfield says protective services also takes up the majority of the city's budget at about 38 percent and he'd like to see that number lowered.

Kamview Classic Today

Thunder Bay's Nordic Trails is hosting the Kamview Classic today.  Participants can take part in a 1.5 km, 5 km or 10 km distance.  The Classic is the last of four events on the group's nordic calendar.

Woman Remains In Custody

A Thunder Bay woman charged in connection with a 2009 murder case will not know until next week if she will be allowed out on bail.  23 year old Samantha Drake is charged as being an accessory to murder after the fact in the 2009 death of Edgar Marion.  Her case will be dealt with in Superior Court on Tuesday.

Nipigon River Bridge Tenders Out

The Provincial Government is looking to make traveling easier in Northern Ontario. The Northern Highway Project will include a new four-lane bridge along Highway 11-17, in Nipigon. It will be the first of its kind in Ontario, and will include a walkway for pedestrians. Tenders for the project went out today. Construction is set to begin this summer.

Gravelle Hears Mining Concerns

Mines Minister Michael Gravelle is getting an earful from the junior mining exploration companies in the northwest.   They say government policies are stopping them from exploring for minerals or driving them out of the country.  Gravelle doesn't see the doom and gloom.  Gravelle believes the industry runs in cycles and that the companies realize the opportunities remain here.

Morrisson Happy With LU Win

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team beat Cape Breton today in a national tournament game 74 to 61. Coach Scott Morrisson says it feels great to move onto the next round of play and notes normally at this time of year he'd be drowning his sorrows.   The Thunderwolves will play Ottawa tomorrow at 5:30 pm ET.

Revera Employees Join CEP

25 Revera employees are joining the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union.  CEP Spokesperson Marvin Pupeza says in a vote today, 60 percent of the staff from Thunder Bay and Kenora voted in favour of joining the union.  Revera home health care provides service across Northwestern Ontario and the CEP already represents 40 personal support workers in the Dryden area.

NDP Nomination Race Now Has 2

City Councillor Andrew Foulds will have some competition for the N.D.P. nomination in Thunder Bay Superior North.  Lise Vaugeois is throwing her hat in the ring.  The Lakehead University educator and musician says she has great respect for Foulds and looks forward to discussing issues with him at the nomination meeting.  The nomination meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 14th.

CMHC Releases Housing Starts

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation feels housing starts will pick up again once the weather gets warmer.  In February there were no new starts reported in Thunder Bay.  Analyst Warren Philp expects the Spring to bring more single family starts.  Philp says people are using the colder months to plan their future builds.

Stats Can Releases Job Numbers

The jobless rate in Thunder Bay is on the rise.   Statistics Canada released new information today indicating the city's jobless rate rose by almost a full percentage point, up to 5-point-9 percent from 5 percent last month. Canada's unemployment rate is unchanged at 7 percent.

Wynne Vows To Work With First Nations

Premier Kathleen Wynne is keeping to her promise of working with First Nations on developing the Ring of Fire.  Wynne met with Matawa Chiefs in Toronto alongside Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer.   Wynne feels the meeting was productive and says she wants to work with First Nations to ensure future economic growth and job creation for generations to come.