Thursday, June 24, 2010

T-Wolves sign fromer OHLer

The Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey team has it's first signing for the new season. Mike Quesnele is a defenceman from Sault St. Marie . Quesnele played 5 seasons for his hometown Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, his best year coming last season where he scored 13 goals and added 41 assists for 54 points – good for fourth in team scoring.

Woman charged in police shooting

After a two week long investigation, the OPP have laid charges against a 39 year old Grassy Narrows woman, who was shot by an officer in downtown Kenora.  Helen Proulx has been charged with assault with a weapon, assaulting a police officer, uttering death threats and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public.  Superintendant Shelley Garr says members of Kenora's Crime Unit have been looking into the circustances surrounding the shooting.  Proulx is still in hospital recovering from her injuries so a court date has not been set yet.

Habs keep Pyatt top of mind

Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt is one step closer to a possible signing with the Montreal Canadiens. The team has presented him with a qualifying offer. While Pyatt says it's a routine move....he's pleased the Habs seem interested in keeping him. He says contract talks with the team were going well before he left. The club indicated to him that he was a part of the team's future going forward. Pyatt says he's interested in continuing with the organization. Had the team not given him the qualifying offer, Pyatt would have become an unrestricted free agent as of July first.

Cabinet minister pumps HST

Thunder Bay is the latest stop for the McGuinty governments HST bandwagon. Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello went to a local business to promote how the tax will lower some prices. She says that over 83 per cent of goods and services will see no difference in prices, while 17 per cent will see a price increase. The HST will be introduced on Canada Day.

Business owner sings HST praises

A local business owner is touting the benefits of the new HST. Craig Urquhart of Intercity Industrial Supply explains that the tax will mean fewer costs when he buys his supplies.  For him, waiting to make his order after the HST kicks in on July First will mean a saving of 23 hundred dollars which he calls significant for his business.   Urquhart was part of a news event held with Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello

M.Y. Clelia visits Thunder Bay

Keep your eyes on the harbourfront. The first cruise ship to visit Thunder Bay this summer will be docking at 6am Friday. The 100 passenger boutique cruise ship the M.Y. Clelia II will be visiting Thunder Bay ten times this cruise ship season. The cruise ship will be at the docks until five pm.

Get Fresh Thunder Bay

Get fresh Thunder Bay!  The Food Action Network and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit wants people to buy locally grown food and is launching a number of initiatives this morning.  A new online local food store will be unveiled and copies of the "Get Fresh Thunder Bay" guide will be released.  The guide will now include information on local restaurants and caterers who are making a significant effort to use local food.

Sour Cherries land provincial award

Two northwestern Ontario agriculture businesses are being honored by the Government.  Mountain Fresh Farm in Kakebeka and Rainy River District Regional Abbattoir received the agri-food innovation excellence award.  James Sovren owns Mountain Fresh Farm and says their sour cherries landed them the provincial award.  Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle and Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro presented the awards in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Thunder Bay's Angioplasty Unit gets an expansion

The Angioplasty Unit in Thunder Bay is getting a face lift. Tom Jones Construction has been given the tender for that will see a second Angioplasty studio built at the Health Sciences Centre. Vice President Scott Potts says right now the hospital can't meet the current demands making the Angioplasty Unit expansion greatly needed. The 12 million dollar project should be completed by next fall.

There will be no blockade

There is some confusion surrounding a possible Fort William First nation blockade of the Trans Canada Highway. CTV is reporting about 300 band members will be holding the blockade for 5 hours today, but according to Thunder Bay OPP the blockade has been cancelled.