Thursday, May 15, 2014

Charges Laid In Murder


City Police are charging a 23 year old man with second degree murder and breach of probation. Randel Wabasse is in custody at the district jail and will make a court appearance on Tuesday. The victim of the homocide on Cumberland Street has been identified as 46 year old Adam Beaver. The second person that was taken into custody at the scene was interviewed and released.

Constable Prevett's Funeral Speeches

Click below to listen to Chief JP Levesque's speech at Constable Joseph Prevett's funeral mass today at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Detective Robert Bonthron delivered the eulogy.

Police Remember Constable Prevett

Bag pipes sounded and hundreds of police officers marched in honour of fallem Thunder Bay Police Constable and K9 Unit Officer Joseph Prevett. A visibly shaken OPP Constable Dan Bailey was one of many K9 officers who is in the City today for Constable Prevett's funeral. Bailey started dog training with Prevett in 2005 and will be looking after Prevett's new dog Timber.  Bailey took pictures with Timber and members of the local tactical team that Prevett was apart of. City dignitaries, police, fire, and members of the emergency service were all on hand for the march to St. Patrick's Cathedral where the funeral mass will be held at 11.

Constable Joseph Prevett on PhotoPeach

"Chemical Agent" Used In Robbery

Thunder Bay Police investigating a disturbing early morning robbery at the Best Western Hotel on West Arthur Street. At approximately 4:30 this morning, a man entered the building and proceeded to spray the staff with a chemical agent. He then ran off with an undisclosed amount of money.  The suspect is described as six feet tall with a thin build.  He was wearing a blue hoodie and jacket, blue jeans and white runners.  Any one with information is asked to call Thunder Bay Police or Crime Stoppers.   The hotel staff received minor injuries

Morning Accident On Arthur Street

One man is in hospital following an early morning crash on the south side.  City Police says just after 6 o'clock this morning, a transport truck and a 2-door car collided at the corner of Arthur Street and Madison. The jaws of life were used to remove the victim from the car.  He remains in hospital recovering from his injuries.  The accident scene caused that area of Arthur Street to be closed during the morning commute.

Fort Frances Museum Looks At Mill

A new exhibit focusing on the mill in Fort Frances is now open at the Fort Frances Museum.  While planned months ago, it's opening comes just a week after Resolute Forest Products announced closure of the pulp and paper plant. Curator Sherry George says it's still important to showcase the role the mill had in the community over the past one hundred years. The exhibit will remain until August.

Treaty Three Weighs In On Pipeline

The Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty 3 is weighing in on the Energy East Pipeline Project.  Warren White says he has met with the president and vice president of the project with Trans-Canada. White is making sure that the voice of treaty 3 is heard.  He notes that during the Grand Council national assembly this month they might sign a consultation agreement with Trans-Canada.

NDP Release More Platform Tidbits

The NDP are out with a campaign promise of reducing small business taxes and increasing minimum wage. Thunder Bay Atikokan candidate Mary Kozorys is backing her party's vision says it's a responsible approach that will help businesses sustain the increase to the minimum wage with a reduction in the small business corporate tax.  The plan will see the tax rate go from 4.5 to 3 percent by 2016. Meanwhile, Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke in Walkerton on the anniversary of the tainted water controversy and promised  $30 million over the next 10 years in the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.  The Progressive Conservatives released more details on their platform and it includes scrapping Liberal promised raises for teachers, and ending tuition breaks for students.

Grassy Narrows In Court


Arguments are continuing this morning at the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of a pair of Grassy Narrows trappers versus the Province of Ontario. Lawyer for Grassy, Robert Janes says only the federal government has jurisdiction of the lands covered under Treaty Three. The Wabauskang first nation, Treaty Three and the Metis Nation of Ontario also have intervenor status in the case.

Wisk Air Goes North

Several First Nation communities at James Bay and Hudson Bay are getting helicopter services thanks to Thunder Bay's Wisk Air.  Company President Mark Wiskemann says his company has reached an agreement with Cree West to help residents fly around between the communities.   As part of the deal, Sioux Lookout's Northern Skies will provide fixed wing
service to the communities.