A Thunder Bay couple, who were about to be married, are the victims of this weekend's fatal traffic accident on the Thunder Bay Expressway. Police say that the two were in a PT Cruiser at around 3 am on Saturday when a pick up truck struck several guard rails and veered across the highway striking their vehicle. They say that 28 year old Daniel Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene while his fiancee Michelle Parker was pronounced dead at the hospital. It was her 28th birthday. The driver of the pick up sustained injuries that are considered minor. So far there have been no charges laid, but police say that the investigation is not finished.
The Ontario Nurses Association and Thunder Bay District Public Health Unit Nurses are going back to the bargaining table. The 58 Public Health Nurses are the lowest paid in Ontario, and are without a contract for more than a year. The bargaining talks resume after breaking down during their last meeting on February 3rd. The Ministry of Labour has appointed a conciliation officer to help the two sides reach an agreement.
The animal activist group PETA is rallying their troops against the upcoming return of the spring bear hunt. They're asking for people to write the Premier and MNR Minister to cancel the bear hunt. PETA representative Ashley Byrne says the spring hunt won't help with bear populations or human bear conflicts. PETA feels Ontario should enforce strict wildlife feeding prohibitions and provide residents with more information about how to better coexist peacefully with their wild neighbors.
Fort William First Nations is holding their second annual Mining and Economic Development Conference. This years conference, themed "investing in our people", will encourage First Nations people to build relationships with entrepreneurs, government officials, contractors, and suppliers to increase awareness of training and job opportunities in the region. The event starts today and runs until Wednesday.
The city is looking for vendors to set up on Hillcrest Park during this summer's Canada Day celebrations. Parks Manager Paul Fayrick says its a first for the area. Fayrick says there would be a small payment made by vendors.
City Council is going to review it's draft official plan tonight. Spokesperson Leslie McEachern says the living document is being updated to reflect changes in the way the City will be handled over the coming year. Staff are looking for approval and direction from Council.
Police Constable Larry Baxter is the recipient of the City of Thunder Bay's 2014 Respect Award. Baxter works with the Aboriginal Liaison Unit and serves as the Cultural Diversity Officer. The respect award is awarded to people who recognize the importance of human dignity.
A bill is being introduced by the Ontario government that would support the detection and rapid response towards invasive species. Minister Of Natural Resources David Orazietti says the legislation would address many threats in particular the mountain pine beetle. Invasive plants alone are responsible for over 7-billion dollars in funding from the country's agriculture and forest industries.
Mining Company Benton Resources plans to conduct some work on its Onion Lake property. President Steven Stairs says they think there's sizeable platinum, copper and nickel deposits in the area. They will survey the land and set up a small drill program. The property is 30-kilometre's north of Thunder Bay.
Northwestern Ontario has the dubious distinction of having the highest rates per capita in the province for flesh eating disease. Thunder Bay District Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says most of the population shouldn't worry about contracting the disease. Williams says it is commonly found among homeless populations suffering from alcoholism and taking part in intravenous drug use. Dr. Williams says the trend has been constant since 2006.
The Traffic Unit with the Thunder Bay Police are investigating a collision between one of their cruisers and another vehicle. It happened around 9:30 Friday evening while the cruiser was responding to a robbery at a Mac's Milk on South Syndicate. Both vehicles involved suffered extensive damage and two people received minor injuries. Meanwhile police are looking for a woman they believe was involved in the store robbery. The store clerk noticed some unpaid items in the woman's pocket on her way out of the store, she then claimed to have a weapon and fled. She is described as a Native American woman in her mid-twenties, around 5'7 with a thin build and dark hair. Anyone with information is urged to contact crime stoppers.
Two people are dead following a two vehicle accident early this morning. OPP have closed the Thunder Bay Expressway between Arthur Street and the Harbour Expressway as they continue to investigate. The accident happened around 3 o'clock, there is no timeline set for how long the closure will be in effect.
Officials with both the Health Unit and Pinewood Court are announcing that a gastrointestinal outbreak is being expanded to include the entire facility. Access is being limited to only caregivers and family members. All activities are cancelled.
