Friday, April 4, 2014

Cumberland Laundry Robbery

City Police are looking for a suspect in a laundromat robbery on North Cumberland yesterday afternoon.   They say a man entered the store with a syringe and proceeded to demand money and cigarettes.  The suspect is described as a man in his 20's, he's 5'8" with a slim build and sunken cheeks.  He was wearing a baggy dark jacket and a two tone hat with a red brim.

Horizon Winds Calls For Review

Horizon Wind is taking the Provincial Government to court to force a final decision on its proposed Big Thunder Wind Park. The plan would see 16 wind turbines on the Nor' Wester Escarpment however it has been hung up, waiting on a technical study of the project. The study is to be completed by the Ministry of the Environment. Company Spokesperson Kathleen MacKenzie says Horizon wants a judicial review of the process.

Attempted Robbery On South Franklin Street


City police are looking for a 30 year old man who they believe attempted to rob a convenience store on South Franklin Street yesterday afternoon.  They say a man entered the store and demanded money from the store clerk and when they refused the suspect pulled out a syringe to threaten the clerk. The man then tried to pry open the till but was unsuccessful and left the store on foot.

Update On Thursday's Collision

Thunder Bay Police continue to investigate an accident at the intersection of Golf Links Road and the Harbour Expressway.  A 52-year old man remains in critical condition at the hospital and three other drivers suffered minor injuries.  Police are also reminding drivers to adjust to the weather and estimate that up to 10 accidents have taken place today.

Stomach Illness Outbreak

Officials at the Health Unit are declaring an stomach illness outbreak at the Hummingbird unit Pinewood Court.  Admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities within this unit have been cancelled until further notice.  Visitors are restricted to family members and caregivers only.  Meanwhile, a similar illness is reported at the Grandview Lodge's C-wing.

Terrace Bay Pulp Fined

Terrace Bay Pulp is pleading guilty to the death of 28-year T.J Berthelow in Ontario court today.  Berthelot was working at their North shore Mill in 2011 when a tank with hazardous materials exploded while welding work was being done on it.  Justice Joyce Pelletier announced that the company will be fined 275-thousand dollars plus a 25-percent victim surcharge.

Hospital Foundation Scam


The Hospital Foundation is warning the public about a scam going around. People are receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be with the foundation and looking for a donation.  The Foundation is warning residents that the calls are not from them and if you receive a call alert the police.

Fiddler Likes New Aboriginal Justice Position

The Provincial Government is creating a new leadership position at the Ministry of the Attorney General's office.  The new position will focus on aboriginal justice.  Nishnawbe Aski Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says it's good news. The position will be posted shortly and Fiddler hopes to see someone in the job by the summer.

New Candidate For PC's

There's a new person running for the nomination of the Ontario PC candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North.  Derek Parks was born and raised in Thunder Bay and has a Master's of Biology and a Bachelor of Science.  Parks will seek the party nomination at a meeting on Tuesday at the Valhalla Inn.

Snowfall Warning For T.Bay

You can expect to shovel your driveway when getting home from work this evening. Meteorologist Peter Kimbell says flurries will mostly taper off but there will be some minor snowfall this afternoon.  Environment Canada has the Thunder Bay area under a heavy snowfall warning.  Kimbell says we can expect warm temperatures for the weekend.

14 Year Old Found

City Police report that a missing 14 year old boy has been found safe. Thomas Brown had been missing from his guardian's residence on East Christina Street since mid-March.

Beardy Calls On Environmental Clean Up


Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy is calling on the Government and Industry to help clean up environmental contamination found on or near area First Nations. Beardy feels it only makes sense for industry to help pay for the clean up since they made the mess in the first place. His comments come from a news release released Thursday.

NDP Call On Mauro In QP

The NDP are taking issue with newly appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro. They felt he didn't give a straight answer yesterday to NDP MPP Rosario Marchese about whether the ministry has any intention of delivering municipal board reforms. The NDP are calling for local land use planning policy to be put back into the hands of locally elected officials. 

Open Streets Program Looking For Approval

This summer could be the first year for an open streets program on Algoma Street.  Eco Superior Spokesperson Ashley Priem says they're going to Council on April 14th for approval of the project. If approved Algoma street would be closed off to vehicles and open to pedestrians and cyclists. A public meeting on the initiatives is being held on April 10th at the Oliver Community Centre.

Pothole Season Is Here

If you run across a pothole in Thunder Bay the city's road division wants to know about it.  City crews are out filling the nuisance holes in the street.  Roads Manager Brad Adams says they can't fill the holes if they don't know about them. Adams says they'll have crews out on a daily basis repairing roads unless there's recent snowfall.

No School Buses Today

The slick road conditions forcing the cancellation of all school buses today.  No buses will run for rural or city schools and rural schools are also closed today.  City schools are open but the following rural schools are closed.  Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham and Ware, Kakabeka Falls, McKenzie, Nor'wester View, Valley Central, Whitefish Valley as well as the Thunder Bay Christian School.

Bear Tips

The public is being reminded by the OPP that simple precautions can go a long way in reducing interactions with bears as they come out of hibernation. Cleaning barbecue grills after each use and picking fruits and berries off the ground before rotting are just a few of the recommendations.

Grad Day For Costarter Companies

Go Kim Packs
The Costarter Accelerator program is seeing its first five companies graduate today. Company founders have spent the last three months working inside the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre to create their products. The companies involved include Go Kim Packs with a device that can charge electronics through walking. Recroup offers companies and entry level professionals a new way of applying to positions and searching for applicants compared to the traditional resume. Shipearly.com allows customers to skip shipping fees by purchasing products online with the ability to pick up in store or have it delivered to them. Francois Guimont says his services need further funding but that his company will provide pharmaceutical companies with a blood test that will tell patients if they are at risk for heart disease. Also Ungalli Clothing is a line designed on 100-percent recyclable materials.