Thursday, May 10, 2012

Seven People Held In Border Incident

Officials say three people who tried to get into Canada illegally this week are being held in custody at the District Jail. Chris Kealy of Canada Border Services says they were caught shortly after they crossed in from Pigeon River earlier this week. Four other Canadians who police say allegedly tried to help them are also in custody. Kealy says for privacy reasons they won't say what country the three originated from.

Giant Toy Store Chain Coming

Let the children rejoice, because Toys R Us is coming to Thunder Bay. Developer Toby Singlehurst says the new 36 thousand square foot store will be located in the Thunder Centre.  He says groundbreaking could take place as soon as next week with an opening in  time for the holiday season.  Singlehurst says Toys R Us officials have told him they are excited about coming into the Thunder Bay market

NOSM Hosting Conference

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine begins hosting the 7th annual Northern Health Research Conference today. Associate Dean of Research, Dr. Greg Ross, says there are two conferences happening simultaneously and the focus is on health care in the North. Approximately 1-hundred people are in attendance from around the world.

NOMA Looks Beyond Smelter Decision

Disappointment yes, but optimism continues for the President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.  Ron Nelson says the decision to locate a chromite smelter in Sudbury will still result in some rippling economic effects for this region in the future.  Nelson says all 37-municipalities within the Association have to pressure the government heavily to ensure they keep their promises.

Port's Reputation Grows

Officials with the Port of Thunder Bay continue their quest for more customers. At the Annual General Meeting CEO Tim Heney says that the port will be building on last year's successes.  He says with each big shipment the port's reputation grows.  Heney states the port's credibility will get a shot in the arm when the new crane is in place this summer.

Search & Rescue Celebrates Anniversary

The Lakehead Search and Rescue organization celebrates its 50th anniversary Friday night. 120 current and past members will take part in a dinner at the Italian Cultural Centre. Board member Nickolas Knought says it takes a special kind of person to become a member because volunteers donate their time, resources and energy into helping rescue people in distress. Knought says now that people are using G.P.S. more and more, there has been a drop in requests from police for their assistance.

Tourism Centre Issue Won't Go Away

The Provincial Government is again being pressed for answers as to why tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River are being closed.  During debate at Queen's Park, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says Tourism Minister Michael Chan needs to come clean and explain why centres in her riding are closing while Pigeon River stays opens.  The Minister's Parliamentary Assistance Kim Craitor says Pigeon River is being left open because it serves an important American market.

Occupy Thunder Bay Set For Saturday

Occupy Thunder Bay is giving it another try. After several poorly attended protests they hope to pick up more steam on Saturday. They'll be meeting at City Hall at 1 in the afternoon. The group is protesting economic inequality and corporate greed.

OHC meeting in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is one of the stops for an Ontario wide tour talking about the future of Health Care. The Ontario Health Coalition is putting on the meeting that will talk about the Provincial Government's plans to cut health care services. The meeting is going to be held on Thursday, May 31st at the Waverley Resource Library.

Grinspun visits NWO

The health care system can save money and help more patients by using nurses more for primary care.  That's one of the recommendations in a draft report prepared by a task force set up by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.  Chief Executive Officer Doris Grinspun says nurses are being under-utilized in the health care system.  Grinspun is on a tour of Northwestern Ontario.