Wynne Launching Platform Sunday

Premier Kathleen Wynne will be in the city this weekend. She'll be in the city on Sunday to launch her party's platform. Wynne will stay the night on Sunday to take part in the northern leader's debate on Monday.

No Return Date For Evacuees

Thunder Bay is still acting as a temporary home to 650 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.  They are here while flood conditions are bad in their community. A return date is not known yet, but Thunder Bay's emergency group are working on a plan on getting the residents back once the all clear is given.

Tickets Handed Out For Smoke Alarms

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is charging the tenants of a Merrill Street and Arundel Street home for smoke alarm violations. The 235 dollar tickets stem from separate incidents in late April and early May. In each blaze it was found that there weren't working smoke alarms in the homes.

Liberals Say Highway Projects At Risk

The provincial Liberals are saying that two highway projects between Thunder Bay and Nipigon are at risk because the opposition did not pass the May 1st budget.   Thunder Bay-Superior North candidate Michael Gravelle is suggesting that the other parties may not carry through with the promise if either one is elected as the new government.  Both the PCs Derek Parks and the NDPs Andrew Foulds are scoffing at that accusation,  saying that they would not stop the projects if elected.

Sellers Market In T.Bay

It's a sellers market still in Thunder Bay.   Canada Mortgage and Housing is out with its spring outlook for the real estate market and Spokesperson Warren Philp says it's been a bidding frenzy for would be buyers. The CMHC expects a 6.5 per cent increase in housing prices this year and a 4.9 percent jump in 2015.

Robbery Suspect In Court Today

A 47 year old man is facing charges of robbery and break and enter. Police arrested him in connection to two separate incidents that occurred overnight Monday at a north core bakery and barber shop.  Officers were able to link the same man to an earlier Mr. Sub robbery that happened on May 16th. The suspect is in custody and will appear in court today.

Local Man Joins Greens

A Thunder Bay man is the new provincial Green party candidate in the riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane. 21-year-old Cody Fraser has jumped into the election race, and says he wants to spread Green views. Fraser says many of the issues in Timiskaming-Cochrane, including mining and road maintenance, are similar to the issues in Thunder Bay. This is Fraser's first political endeavour, but he says that Thunder Bay Green candidates John Northey and Joseph Leblanc are showing him the ropes.

Bear's Body Butchered

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Anishinabek Police are investigating the dismemberment of a black bear on the Fort William First Nation.  Sgt. Rob Pelltier says the bear's carcass was found near the communities garbage dump on May 21st.  The animal's paws were sawed off and it looks like someone tried to take his tongue out.  Officers want to hear from anyone who may have information about the animal's demise.

Rickford Promotes Pipeline

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is unveiling a new strategy that will focus on pipeline safety.  Speaking in Vancouver last week, Rickford says with the Energy East Project on everyone's minds he is listening to all sides.  Rickford notes Energy East would fall under this new plan focused on compensation, prevention, and preparedness.

Aids Tbay Gets New Name

Aids Thunder Bay is no more.  The organization that provides aids and hepatitis information and support is being re-branded.  The new name for the group will now be "Elevate NWO".

Seniors Games Coming To T.Bay

The Northwest Senior Games are coming up in the City June 2nd to the 5th. Organizer Ruth Racic says 12 events are scheduled throughout the City.  The winners from this year's events will advance to the Ontario Senior Games.

Talks To Resume In PSW Dispute

Good news on the labour front as contract talks are set to resume between striking HAGI community service PSWs and the employer.  Union spokesperson Colby Flank hopes that the administration comes to them with a movement on the wage issue since she says they've been held back for too long.   The talks will be taking place on Friday at the Lakehead Labour Centre.   The close to 80 personal support workers have been striking since last week.

Wilson Not Upset With NOMA

No hard feelings from a local PC candidate to the decision by organizers to go ahead with a northern leaders election debate without Tim Hudak. The PC  party says it's too bad the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association couldn't have picked a date that was good for everyone.   However, Harold Wilson says NOMA did what it thought best.   Thunder Bay Superior North PC candidate Derek Parks isn't too worried his leader won't be at the event and says Hudak plans to visit Thunder Bay in the near future. Monday's debate at the Valhalla Inn will feature NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Kathleen Wynne of the Liberals.

No One Hurt In Northwood Blaze

No one is hurt after a mattress fire in a two storey duplex at 579 Redwood Ave around 10 o'clock this morning.  Fire Captain Craig Venables says that two people were in the home at the time but they escaped including one man who tried to put the fire out and when he couldn't, he called 9-1-1.  Venables says the blaze began in an upstairs rear bedroom.  The cause has been determined as accidental.

Canoeist Safe

A canoeist is safe and sound after a scare on Kawnipi Lake. OPP officers of the Rainy River District Detachment received reports that a canoeist sent a SPOT locator message for help Tuesday afternoon in Quetico Park.  The man's canoe had drifted away and left him stranded on an island. He was located and brought to safety.

Hobbs Supports Expansion Plan

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he supports a plan that would see a 3 million dollar addition to the Balmoral Street police station.   Hobbs says it's a project that's been discussed behind the scenes for some time now. Hobbs also stated the proposal is likely going to be discussed during budget deliberations next year and we could see a third floor added on in a couple of years.

Misappropriation Of Funds In Marathon

A Marathon woman is facing charges for involvement in misappropriation of funds.  Police received reports in September that an excess of 15-thousand dollars was missing from the Marathon Minor Hockey Association's bank account. 36 year old Trixie Gulliford is being charged with theft over 5-thousand dollars. She is set to appear in court July 24th in Marathon.

Green Party Leader Says He Can Make Debate

If the leader of the PC Party can't make it to a Northern Ontario debate, Mike Schreiner of the Greens is more than willing to take Tim Hudak's seat. Schreiner says if the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association gives the OK he'll head to Thunder Bay on Monday for the debate. Premier Kathleen Wynne and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will take part, Hudak is unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts.

Catholic Board's Mustapic Retiring

The Superintendent of Business and Corporate Affairs with the Thunder Bay's Catholic School Board is retiring.  Tom Mustapic announced his retirement this week after more than 24 years with the board. Mustapic says he'll enjoy his down time and will do some consulting with a mining company that he's involved with.

Not Much Fire Activity

Not much activity on the forest fire front but the warm weather in the forecast may change things. The fire hazard remains low with only 9-human caused fires over the long weekend. A majority of the small fires were in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts. The region has only seen 16-fires this season.