Friday, August 5, 2011

Shaw to fight for Minneapolis TV

Shaw Cable says it supports the concerns of it's Thunder Bay subscribers who want to get back the Minneapolis TV stations. Spokesperson Greg Pultz says that's why they're applying to the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission to get them back.   Pultz says the CRTC forced them to take the stations off in the first place.

Tory hopeful emerges in Kenora-RR

The manager of the Kenora Forest Products Mill in Kenora is looking at a shift in career to provincial politics. Rod McKay has indicated he plans to run for the Conservatives in the upcoming Provincial election. McKay says the decision by Howard Hampton not to run again, didn't really affect his decision. McKay is also a member of Kenora City council.

MNR flies band members over fire

It appears the concerns of Whitewater Lake First Nation residents may have been premature. Their Chief was complaining that they were ignored by the Ministry of Natural Resources during forest fire evacuations. However ministry staff flew some band members over the fire near their community and they were satisfied the MNR acted properly.

Communities in NWO get NOHF grants

Nine communities in Northwestern Ontario are sharing 5.4-million provincial dollars.  The Minister responsible for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, Michael Gravelle says these projects are deserving of the funding.The money will be used for projects ranging from a sawmill to a recreation centre

Williams returns to old position

It's deja vu all over again for Dr. David Williams.   He is returning to Thunder Bay to become the new Medical Officer of Health, a position he held for many years before heading to Toronto to take up a senior public health position there.   Dr. Williams will be joined by Dr. Janet DeMille who will be the Associate M-O-H.

Woman seriously injured in bear attack

A woman from Michigan is suffering serious wounds after being attacked by a bear in Pukaskwa National Park this morning. The woman was part of a group of boaters who stepped on shore, which is where the attack took place. Erin Vincent of the rescue centre in Trenton says it was park staff that handled the incident.  She says they took the patient to the hospital where she is recovering.

Heat, winds and lightning an MNR concern

Eight new forest fires in Northwestern Ontario are now under control according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Spokesperson Art Osbourne says it's fortunate that those were the only new blazes reported and says wind and possible lightning could keep firefighters busy today.

Chill take on Kitsap Pumas in PDL Semi's

The Thunder Bay Chill will try to take another step towards a second PDL championship tonight when they take on the Kitsap Pumas. Head Coach Tony Colistro says a well balanced style of play will help them tonight. The winner will move on to the final.

Shelter House adding addiction beds

The Shelter House is expanding to help people addicted to alcohol. Executive Director Cal Rankin says its a vital service that needs to be provided and 15 beds will be added to help those people.  Rankin says he hopes to have all the renovations complete by November.

Damaged vehicles at airport removed

All the vehicles that were heavily damaged in last month's wind storm in the Thunder Bay Airport parking lot have been accounted for. Airport Manager Scott McFadden says for the most part owners were understanding, except in one instance where an owner's vehicle had to be towed away for safety reasons.  When the owner returned,  the car wasn't there which McFadden called a "difficult situation". As for repairs to the roof of the terminal building, McFadden hopes that can be completed by the end of the month.

Jobless rate falls

It appears to have been a good July for hiring in Thunder Bay.  Our jobless rate went from 6.7 percent in June to 6.2 percent last month.  That followed the trends nationally and provincially which fell to 7.2 and 7.5 respectively.