Friday, June 17, 2011

Police show off million dollar drug seizure

Police in Thunder Bay have about a million dollars worth of drugs in their possession after a major drug seizure.   In all they seized 26 lbs of marijuana, 46 lbs of hash oil and 2 thousand oxy's.   Eight people in total are facing charges.   It ends a 16 month undercover investigation dubbed Project Dolphin. 

Latest round of wood supply announcements

Three Thunder Bay area companies have accepted wood supply offers from the Province.  AbiBow will construct a wood pellet facility in the Fort William First Nation.  The two other companies that were successful are from the Murillo area.

Police looking for missing teen

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a missing teen.  Kelsey Jae Loon has been missing since June 4th.  She's described as 5 foot 4, weighing 125 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Girl could be paralyzed after falling from bridge

A girl who fell off the James Street swing bridge is lucky to be alive.  Staff Sergeant Frank Earley says a call came in just before 4:30 this morning saying the girl had fallen into the Kam River.  Earley says when police arrived they found the girl and her friend in the river.  The boy and girl were rescued from the river and taken to hospital where it was determined the girl had no feeling from the waist down.  Earley says the girl stepped through a hole on the bridge that couldn't be seen in the dark.  Calls to CN rail have not been returned.

Employment firm closing shop

About 15 workers are affected by a the decision of Lakehead Employment services to close its operations in the city. Spokesperson Gina Proteau says the company is terminating it's contract with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.  Clients will now be directed to YES Employment and Northwest Employment Works.  No reason was given for the decision to close.

Fire hazard rising in NWO

There hasn't been a lot of fire activity in northwestern Ontario over the past couple of days, but the MNR is warning of increasing hazards.  The fire hazard is into the high range today right across the region.  Spokesperson Pat Harvey says even though there is some rain in the forecast this weekend, people should use caution when making campfires, or doing any burning.  Because of an increased fire hazard, the MNR says it will not be sending any more fire fighters from this region out to Alberta to battle wildfires there.

Country Club zoning up for debate Monday

Thunder Bay's Country Club is looking to move forward with its new condo units and pro-shop. President Bob Swan will go before council Monday night and ask to have the zoning allow for the new buildings. If council approves the zoning, construction will start in the fall. The Country Club wants to build 80 condo units, a new pro-shop, club house, restaurant and banquet facility.

Con College new program

Confederation College is teaming up with Nipissing University to provide a 3 year business administration program.  The program will give students a chance to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the university in one year.

Robichaud has full dance card this summer

It's going to be a busy summer for the CEO of the Health Sciences Centre.  Andree Robichaud says she'll be making the rounds of the region's 13 hospitals.  Robichaud says she'll start her tour in August and wrap up in the fall.

Local Accountant gets big honour

A big honour for a Thunder Bay Chartered Accountant.  Georgina Daniels was elected to the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Shake up will eventually come to Bombardier plant

Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant will see its engineers leave in the future.  The company is creating a centralized research and development branch in Montreal.  Spokesperson Marc Laforge says only a small group of employees will be leaving Thunder Bay but not until current work is finished.  Laforge says there will be no layoffs.

2015 Hospital Strat Plan Unveilled

Thunder Bay's Regional Hospital wants to focus more on aboriginal health.  CEO Andree Robichaud says that's one of the key directions found in the 2015 strategic plan.  Chronic Disease Prevention and Management,  Mental Health and Addictions, and Clinical Services are also addressed in the plan.

Minnesota angler missing on Lake Superior

An air and water search is underway on Lake Superior near Nipigon for a missing 80 year old Minnesota man. OPP Constable Carol Michtics says the angler was reported missing last night after he failed to return from his fishing trip.   Police say they recovered the man's boat at the mouth of the Jackfish River.

Fire Service goes door to door

Fire Services across the region are reminding the public that working smoke alarms are required in cabins, campers and RV's.  Education Officer Reagan Breeze says it could cost you more than 200 dollars if you don't have a working smoke alarm.  Here in Thunder Bay, the Fire Service is going door to door checking for working smoke alarms.