New candidate for McKellar Ward seat

There is another candidate vying for the council seat in McKellar Ward. David Nicholson says his priority issues will be crime...especially as it relates to drugs. He believes we have to come to terms with what he calls a "drug problem" in Thunder Bay and he believes that's leading to some of the "crime issues we are seeing on the street." Nicholson says he doesn't want to see the city go down the tubes. So far his only challenger in McKellar is Paul Pugh

Med school unveils strat plan

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a vision for the next five years. Officials have taken the wraps off the new strategic plan. Dean Dr. Roger Strasser says that the priorities include enhancing the schools education program and research plans. He says that can't be done successfully without improving the learning environment for the students and "fostering excellence" among the faculty. Dr. Strasser believes the goals are achievable.

Former Fire Chief dies

A World War 2 and Korean naval veteran and former city Fire Chief is dead. John Bryant was 86 years old. He passed away at the Health Sciences Centre. Les Newman is with the Thunder Bay Fire Service. He says Bryant was one of a kind, giving his working life to public service.   First as a member of the Naval Reserve and secondly as a firefighter.  A full naval funeral service takes place at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Everest Chapel on West Gore Street

Power failure hits south downtown

The power is back on in the city's south downtown core. It follows an outage this morning that started at 10:12 lasted for over half an hour. Thunder Bay Hydro says about 3 thousand customers were affected. The cause was a stray bird.

Ottawa man surrenders to police

City police have a mystery on their hands. They're trying to figure out why a 52 year old Ottawa man turned himself in Monday claiming that he attempted to rob a city bank. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says they don't know what he was doing in the city or what his background is. Adams says while there was an incident at the Dawson Road TD Bank on Monday afternoon, employees never thought the suspect was any threat.

Chiefs of Ontrario meet in Fort Frances

First Nation Leaders from across the province are gathering in Couchiching First Nations today for the start of the annual Ontario Chiefs Conference. Three days of talks will focus on issues such as First Nations rights and jurisdiction, health, education and the HST. Nishinawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief Angus Tolouse will be speaking at the event.

Monopoly shuts out Northwest

Northwestern Ontario won't be represented when the Canadian version of Monopoly hits store shelves Monday.
After being considered for a spot, Thunder Bay has been left off the board. The spaces were filled by public voting.  Chatham-Kent claims the coveted Boardwalk spot, while Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, Quebec takes the Park Place property.  Winnipeg has also been left off the Board.

City and LACL toast a partnership

The city and the Lakehead Association for Community Living are celebrating a birthday. The Inclusion Services program for Association clients has been operating for 5 years. Executive Director Ken Pickard says it's allowed the clients to be involved directly in the community.  He says it means people with mental disabilities don't need to take segregated recreation classes, they can take them with everyone else.   Pickard calls that achieving citizenship.   There are 80 Association clients in the program.

SIU investigates death at Regional Health Center

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has been called in to investigate a fatality involving a 41-year-old man from North Spirit Lake First Nation.  The SIU says the man was picked up by the OPP from the Red Lake Detachment last Monday.  Later in the day he had to be taken to the hospital in Red Lake and then was transferred to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Yesterday, the man died.  The SIU says 4 of its investigators are being sent to Red Lake to look into the incident.

City streamlines zoning by-law

Business leaders and community members can have their say on the City of Thunder Bay's new comprehensive zoning by-law. A special council meeting on the legislation is being held Wednesday night. City Spokesperson Leslie McEachern says they want feedback on the new by-law. McEachern says the comprehensive zoning by-law will be streamlined and user friendly.

Taylor Pyatt re-signs in Phoenix

Taylor Pyatt has signed a two year extension with the Phoenix Coyotes.  Pyatt is coming off a season where he scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in the desert and finished with a career high plus 13.  Pyatt joined the Coyotes last year after spending 3 seasons in Vancouver.

Northern Hearts wrapping up Walk with Doc

Thunder Bay's Northern Hearts is wrapping up their Walk with Doc Campaign this week. The month long event raises awareness about heart health in a fun way. Organizer June Bjorn says exercise is vital for heart health the program allows people to walk with other people and learn more about a heart healthy life style. Anyone can head down to Birch Point Park at Boulevard Lake to take part from today until Thursday from 7-8 in the evening.