The midway is going up

The midway for next weeks Canadian Lakehead Exhibition is now being set up. That's earlier than usual according to CLE President Lawrence Timko.  He says that gives those in charge the time to set up the rides, get them inspected properly and licenced from city hall making everything go smoothly.  The CLE starts on Wednesday

American visits to NWO on the decline

Tourism officials are pointing to the Canadian border as a contributing factor to the decline in American visitors to Northwestern Ontario.  Executive Director of Ontario Sunset Country Gerry Cariou says Americans with prior drunk driving convictions are continually being turned away at the border at a huge cost to the tourism industry.  Cariou feels enforcement of the rules appear to be more pronounced at the Fort Frances and Rainy River crossings than anywhere else.

NWO MNR help out B.C.

Another 100-Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters are making their way to British Columbia. There will now be over 200-MNR personnel in that province as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Information Officer Debbie MacLean says more personnel will be provided if called upon. 75 of the 100 fire personnel that left yesterday are from Northwestern Ontario.

Rafferty weighs in on forestry report

Natural Resources Canada has released new numbers regarding Canada's forest industry.  They show significant job losses over the past 4-years.  Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the report is discouraging.  Rafferty says part of the blame falls on the Harper government for failing to provide any significant support towards the industry.

Gravelle announces funding for forestry company

Wincrief Forest Products is getting some financial help from the provincial government. Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle announced just over 1.2 million dollars for the facility near Kenora. The modular home construction facility has been open for just over a year and is a partnership between Moncrief Construction and Wabaseemung First Nation.

HMS Bounty says goodbye

The HMS Bounty is gone. After entertaining thousands of people, the famous tall ship left Thunder Bay for Green Bay, Wisconsin this morning. Kerry Berlinquette organized the visit and says the response exceeded all expectations and the public cooperated. Ship officials say they counted about 55 hundred visitors.

Red River Ward has another candidate for council election

Recent Lakehead University grad Jay Stapelton has added his name to the race for City Council.  Stapelton is running as a councillor in the Red River Ward and says he's concerned about the city's financial situation. Stapelton says he would put an end to construction costs running over budget.  Stapelton filed his nomination papers this morning at city hall.  Incumbant Brian McKinnon is also running for the Red River ward.

Police make an arrest after an early morning break and enter

Thunder Bay police have arrested a man after he broke into a house and made off with a car and a credit card. Police say a 71 year old woman woke up just after midnight and found a man in her house. He then fled in the victims car and used her credit card to purchase fuel. Charged is 35 year old Kelley Joseph Lacaria. Officers recovered the car along with other stolen property at around 6 o'clock.

Bearskin Airlines taking over flight to Minneapolis

Thunder Bay travelers may still have a daily flight to Minneapolis. Delta Airlines has announced they are cutting their flight from Thunder Bay to Minneapolis this fall and Bearskin airlines is reportedly stepping up to the plate to take over the route. Vice President Cliff Friesen says the company has begun the process and is in discussions with Delta.

Superior Fine Papers gets vandalized

Superior Fine Papers was the victim of some heavy vandalism yesterday morning. Thunder Bay Police say a guard called police around 3 in the morning after hearing glass breaking. Officers searched the area and found tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says it appears one of the assailants may have injured himself during the break in. Adams says a blood trail was found at the scene.