Thursday, June 16, 2011

Police deal major blow to drug trafficking

City police are about to announce the details of a major 16 month investigation into a large drug trafficking network in the city.   They say the end came with arrests in multiple locations in the city and details will come out in a Friday afternoon news conference.

McMahon enjoys life, ignores football

One of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL says he ignores the game now that he's out of it. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Jim McMahon made the revelation after being asked which team to watch for next season. He says football was a great part of his life, but he doesn't miss the hits he had to endure to his back and to his knees. McMahon is one of the guest speakers at a local sports celebrity dinner.

Air Canada Strike comes to an end

There won't be a legislated end to the Air Canada strike. The airline and it's union have reached a tentative agreement. It was news that striking Thunder Bay workers received over the phone on the picket line outside the airport. Workers will be back on the job tomorrow.

Former Olympian to speak in the city

Olympic medalist Diedra Dionne is making the best of a career ending seizure which lead to the discovery of a tumour. Dionne says she left the world of freestyle skiing disappointed but lets life change her in other ways.   Dionne is bringing her motivational speaking skills to a celebrity sports dinner in the city.

Hobbs takes part in Great Lakes discussion

The Harper Government is being asked for 300 million dollars to preserve the Great Lakes. Representatives from the States and Canada teamed up Thursday to discuss the future of the waterways. Mayor Keith Hobbs took part in the event and says the money will be used to ward off invasive species. Hobbs made a presentation to the delegation about the green efforts Thunder Bay has taken to keep Lake Superior healthy.

120 graduate from Adult Ed

The downturn of the forest industry is bringing older learners back to high school.  Adult Education Centre Spokesperson Barb Kucherka says they've seen many older adults who left high school for jobs in a mill.  120 students graduated from the Lakehead Adult Education Centre today.  Kucherka says they also offer a summer school and expects more Northerner's to get their diplomas by the end of August.

McGuinty gets failing mark

Greenpeace Canada says the McGuinty Government has mismanaged public forests and failed to protect habitat for the threatened woodland caribou. Greenpeace spokeswoman Catharine Grant says she's not optimistic the Tories or New Democrats would be any better at managing the forests. Grant wants the forest industry and woodland caribou to become a provincial election issue.

Relay for Life starts Friday night

About 740 people are expected at the Fort William Historical Park Friday night for Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for life.  The relay gets underway at 7 pm with the opening ceremonies.

First Nation's artifacts unearthed

Proof of this area's traditional First Nation's past is showing up at an archaeological site in the city. Red Rock First Nation Chief Pierrie Pelletier says so far they've uncovered old tools and weapons at the site located at the Hodder Avenue and Highway 11-17 construction zone. He says the artifacts are being stored at Lakehead University.




Murder Suspect picked up in Thunder Bay

A man suspected of murder is back in Red Deer today after being picked up recently by OPP near Thunder Bay.  29 year old Bashir Gaashaan was arrested last month for a number of charges and was held at the Thunder Bay District Jail. Gaashan is accused of murdering 21 year old Jenna Cartwright of Red Deer.

Waterfront humming along

Expect to see some more green at the waterfront development.  Project Manager Katherine Dugmore says most of the major landscaping is underway and should be completed over the next few months.  Dugmore says if everything goes according to plan construction on the hotel could start by January.  Dugmore also says as far as accidents have gone its been a very safe job site with only a couple of slips and falls over the winter.

OPP release names of fatal collision victims

The names of the family killed in a weekend collision have been released.  20 year old Rick Ouellet, 18 year old Tammy Lefebvre and 11 month old Bailee Lefebvre were all from Geraldton.  They died after colliding with a transport truck just east of Upsala Sunday evening.

Healthy lifestyles urged

The Neighbourhood Capacity Building Project is encouraging people in the community to eat healthy. Spokesperson Nathanial Moses says he's hoping people will learn as a community.  The group held a picnic Thursday to promote healthy eating.