Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Charge Laid In Tuesday Accident

Police say a 57 year old man is now charged in connection with a traffic accident at Ridgeway and Syndicate on Tuesday.  They say he's the driver of a pick up truck that collided with a motorcycle.   Police say the 60 year old motorcycle driver is recovering from a serious injury.  Police say the charge relates to a stop sign violation.

Centre To Become Fire Station.

The North Neebing Community Centre is about to be transformed into a fire hall.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says it's so the current Neebing Fire Station can be rebuilt.  Hankkio says the coverage area will not suffer as a result of the move since the community hall is only a block away.  Hankkio says the new Neebing fire hall should take about a year to complete.

Evacuees Set To Return Home

The stay is almost over for 150 residents of the Kashechewan First Nation.  They've been living in the city since the weekend after being evacuated from their flood stricken northern community.   City officials say the planning process is underway to bring them home within the next few days.

EMS Boss Admits To A Busy Monday


The city's top paramedic is playing down a report that ambulance service was delayed Monday night.   Norm Gale of Thunder Bay Emergency Medical Services says while his crews were busy,  all urgent calls were prioritized and answered immediately.  Gale stresses that at all times an ambulance was available that evening,  and there were no long responses to any call.  

Suicide Prevention Task Force Updated


Thunder Bay has seen an increase in support for youth suicide prevention. Youth suicide prevention task force co-chair Sheila Hansen says over thirty organizations are partnering up to help tackle the issue. This partnership includes ten more organizations than the original, signed in 2009.

CMHC Low Housing Starts

The poor weather conditions in April are having an impact on the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Statistics. Analyst Warren Philp says so far 2013 has seen 11 housing starts compared to 24 last year. Philp says we saw four new housing starts last month.

Construction Closes Roads

Officials with the City say Central Avenue to Fanshawe is closed today while construction crews work in the area. Local traffic can still get to the College and Fanshawe via detours. Central Avenue to the Harbour Expressway also continues to be closed.

City Can Host 300 More Evacuees

The city says it will be able to handle an additional 300 northern flood evacuees if necessary.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says  the decision follows a meeting of emergency officials this afternoon.   He says it means if Emergency Measures Ontario needs to evacuate more residents, then Thunder Bay has the room for 300 of them.  The city is already hosting 150 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.

McHappy Day In Thunder Bay

Today is McHappy Day in Thunder Bay. McHappy Day is a fundraising event that gives one dollar from most McDonalds purchases to Ronald McDonald house and Easter Seals. Spokesperson Kathy Bukovy says they've raised millions of dollars nationally. Bukovy says that in the last month, three local families have gotten help from the Ronald McDonald house.

RFDA Asks You To Give It Up


The Regional Food Distribution Association is asking you to "Give It Up" today for Hunger.  The Hunger Awareness day will include local residents giving up food by fasting for the day.  RFDA Spokesperson Volker Kromm says it will help teach people what it's like to go hungry.  Kromm says besides fasting you can also donate food to your neighbourhood food bank.