Friday, January 18, 2013

Structural Fire In Shuniah

An Alder Road home in Shuniah is completely destroyed after the chimney caught fire Friday morning. 2 people were in the house at the time and managed to escape.  The fire was thought to be put out but it later spread to the floor, roof and garage.  3 fire departments including Thunder Bay were called to the blaze.

Storey Sentenced To 2 years

OPP Sgt. Darryl Storey is sentenced to 2 years in prison and can't drive for 5 years.  He was convicted of dangerous driving causing death in connection with a 2008 traffic accident that killed 18 year old Jasmine Veneruzzo.  The judge brought down his sentencing this afternoon.

Dilico Hires 9 New Mental Health Workers

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is using its share of provincial government funds to hire 9 new mental health and addiction workers.  The trained professionals will help First Nation kids get better access to culturally appropriate care such as counseling, group therapy and crisis intervention.  Executive Director Micheal Hardy says it's great news for area communities. One of the workers will be placed at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, two will deal with a backlog of cases within Dilico's service area, and the others will be placed in First Nation communities.

OLG Slots Pay City

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is issuing its third quarter cheque to the city for hosting its casino. The payment is for more than 6-hundred-and-three thousand dollars.  That's five percent of the casino's slot revenue and is up dramatically from the 5-hundred-and-eighty-four thousand dollars collected in casino slots during the same time last year.

T.Bay Hydro Solar Projects Online

Two Thunder Bay Hydro solar panel projects are now online producing energy.  The 280 kilowatt system on the Victoriaville Parkade and the 60 kilowatt system on the Superior North EMS Headquarters produce enough electricity to power 36 homes.  Spokesperson Jim Kibiuk says they plan to install more solar panels on another four buildings in the City.  Kibiuk says Thunder Bay Hydro is dedicated to building a portfolio of renewable energy assets.

Dog Attack Case Back In Court

The man charged in connection with a dog attack in Tarbutt Park in November of last year will be back in court next month.  57 year old Frank Vantroba appeared in court this morning and will be back on February the 25th to set a trial date.  Vantroba is charged with criminal negligence in addition to charges laid by the city's Licencing and Enforcement division.  The attack seriously hurt an 11 year old boy.

Confederation College Gas Leak

A gas pump leaked 140 gallons of fuel into Confederation College's storm sewage system earlier today.  President Jim Madder says they've taken the necessary actions including calling the Ministry of Environment and having the gas pumped out of the catch basin.  Madder says they don't know why the gasoline pump broke but they are looking for the answer.

Witnesses Sought In Hit & Run

City police are looking for help from residents in the area of University Drive and Inglewood Crescent who may have heard a crash just after midnight on Thursday morning. They are hoping someone has information about a vehicle that fled the scene. A driver of white mini-van lost control and slammed into a parked car on the 100 block of University Drive. Extensive damage was done to the rear of the parked car, and it is expected that the front of the white mini-van will also have damage. Any witnesses are asked to call city police or CrimeStoppers.

O.P.P. Sargeant To Be Sentenced Today


O.P.P. Sargeant Darryl Storey is scheduled to appear in court today to be sentenced on a charge of dangerous driving causing death. Storey plead guilty to the charge in connection with a 2008 incident which claimed the life of 18 year old Jasmine Veneruzzo. Storey is appear in Superior court today.

Thunderwolves Weekend Preview

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team is back at home tonight for the first of two against Ontario Tech. The Thunderwolves lead the Ridgebacks by 9 points in the West division standings. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. The L.U. basketball teams are on the road in London this weekend for a pair of games against the Mustangs. Western is two points up on the Thunderwolves in the women's standings while the Western men's team has just one win on the season.