Friday, June 1, 2012

Bishop Directs Parishes To Help St. Peter's

The Catholic Church is involved in helping those in the East End whose homes have been hit by flooding.  Bishop Fred Collie says among other things they have allowed St. Peter's Church to be one of the emergency focal points and he's asking other parish churches in the city to get involved by helping St. Peter's through donations or volunteering.

LU Students Graduate

Hundreds of Lakehead University students are starting new lives after this weekend.  They are graduating in separate ceremonies at the Community Auditorium today and tomorrow. 

Health Unit Worries About Public Safety

Thunder Bay's Health Unit doesn't want homeowners staying in their flood damaged homes.  Spokesperson Chris Beveridge says it concerns him because it's dangerous with risk of electrocution and mould.  He adds residents also need to take precautions by wearing rubber gloves, goggles and boots during clean up.

Documentary Stars Summer Beaver Resident

A 22 year old former Summer Beaver First Nation resident is the star of a new documentary. Thunder Bay's Handicapped Action Group, Skyworks Charitable Foundation and the Provincial Government are funding the new film called "Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams". Maggie Sofea says she wants to be a role model for area youth. Crews will follow Sofea home to Summer Beaver this summer and visit the site of her diving accident. Sofea was unable to live on reserve after her accident and had to adapt to a life living in a wheelchair in an urban mostly non-native community.

Tax Dollars For Local Businesses

Two local businesses are on the receiving end of Provincial Government funds. Kakabeka Falls based business "Amanda's Green Barn" will use 100 thousand dollars to expand and include a new indoor horse riding area, new box stalls for the horses and feeding rooms. Sumac Forest Information Services will be using 11 thousand dollars to buy new equipment and software as well as hire four new employees. The money came from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Transit Plan Back Before Council

City councillors will be asked to approve Thunder Bay Transit's new Master Plan at their meeting Monday night. Manager Brad Loroff says the plan proposes changes to streamline the system including major route changes

Public Meetings For Flood Victims

If your home has been affect by this week's devastating flood you have a chance to ask questions.  The city is holding two public meetings tomorrow, one at the Slovak Legion in the East End and the second at the Moose Hall on Fort William Road.  The meetings take place at 2 o'clock at the Slovak and 4 o'clock at the Moose Hall.

Salvation Army Swims In Cash

The Salvation Army is swimming with cash after raising a quarter million dollars for disaster relief efforts from the community.   Major Merv Halvorsen says that money will go to to help the flood victims who do not have insurance to cover their losses.  The donations included 50 thousand dollars from the Fort William Rotary Club.

City Still Working On Sewage Treatment Plant

The City of Thunder Bay continues to work on alleviating the flood situation in the east end and the surrounding communities. General Manager Darryl Matson says they've been able to send crews into part of the sewage treatment plant. They have removed 2 of the 5 motors that drive the main pumps, so they can be dried. Matson adds crews are looking at the electrical side of the treatment plant and figuring out how best to power the pumps back up.

State Of Emergency News Conference June 1, 2012 10 AM


Streaming Live by Ustream

M.T.O. Update Friday

Highway 11-17 between the Thunder Bay Expressway and Highway 102 remains closed. Highway 102, however is open to east-west traffic. Rural roads in the area remain closed due to the flooding and washouts: In Ware Township, Portage Creek Road is closed at the first bridge. Silver Falls Road from Ellis Road to Shields Road is closed and Forbes River Road is currently open but motorists are asked to drive with caution. At Dawson Road Lots, Aitken Road at Sunshine Loop is open but motorist are asked to drive with caution.

Cats Earn First Win

The Thunder Bay Border Cats earned their first win of the Northwoods League season with an 8-5 win over Alexandria. The Cats are in Rochester tonight to begin a 3 game series. Their home opener is on Monday at Subway field at 7:05 p.m.