Isotope shortage not hugely impacting hospital

The medical isotope shortage isn't having a big impact on the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Vice President of Regional Cancer & Diagnostic Services Micahel Power says they've got another option for cancer patients. Patients in need of a bone scan are being directed towards the hospital's PET CT scanner. The PET CT Scanner uses a different type of isotope, one that isn't produced at the Chalk River facility.  The chalk river facility is expected to be back up in the fall.

Death confounds the OPP

The OPP in Kenora are stumped.  For one year they have been trying to indentify the remains of a woman one year ago.   They say her body was found in a small tent located in a wooded area near Miller Rapids Road.  They believe that she was at the site for no longer than one week before her body was discovered.   They don't believe the death was deliberate or suspicious.   Pictured:   Tent the dead woman was found in

Cancer fundraiser ready to roll

The 9th annual Relay for Life takes place this weekend at Fort William Historical Park. The event raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Organizer Dana Levanto says there are 850 participants this year and the fundraising goal is 145 thousand dollars. About 160 cancer survivors will be walking the first lap of the relay starting at 7 o'clock Friday evening.

Thunder Bay hospital now has Breast MRI

Northwestern Ontario breast cancer patients now have access to a world class Breast MRI.  Thunder Bay's Regional Health Science Centre is teaming up with Sentinelle Medical to offer the initiative.  Dr. Neety Panu is the lead radiologist with the hospital and says they'll be offering world class MRI service.  The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation donated 185-thousand dollars towards the project.  The breast MRI is expected to be up and running some time in  September.

Hospital AGM tonight

The Annual General Manager of the Regional Health Sciences Centre board takes place tonight. There will be a new chair elected as Ingrid Parkes has completed her third, three-year term and is not returning. Hers is one of three board positions that will be filled at this evening's meeting. It takes place at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma Street starting at 7 o'clock.

Thunder Bay's Addiction Services Initiative gets funding cut

Thunder Bay's Addiction Services Initiative is being hailed as a success but is suffering a major blow. The province has decided to implement the pilot project across Ontario but to do so Thunder Bay funding is being cut by almost 40 percent. Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Chair Ian Angus says the cuts will save the government just over 350 thousand dollars but will cost the District 3.42 million in added treatment costs.

Another Drug bust in Thunder Bay

Over 31 hundred dollars worth of illegal drugs have been taken off the street thanks to the combined forces organized crime unit. Officers searched a house on Windsor Street yesterday and found the drugs along with over 60 thousand dollars in cash. A 24 year old woman and a 30 year old man have been arrested and are facing a number of charges.

Adult Ed grads pumped for ceremony

Thursday is a special day for over 100 students in the Public Schools Adult Education course. They are graduating with their grade 12 diplomas. Spokesperson Barb Kucherka says it's a diverse group this year. She says the valedictorian is a grandmother of 3. The ceremony takes place at the Da Vinci Centre at Thursday evening at 7.

Algonquin students march for a cause

Students at Algonquin School have a better understanding of the way of life in Malawi. On Wednesday they walked the walk, marching the many kilometres some people in that country walk to see a doctor. The students also raised 1 thousand dollars towards a new clinic in a community that student Jaako Polkki and his mother Sue have visited.

New youth facility named for Justice Lester

The province's new youth detention building on Highway 61 now has a name. It's called the Justice Ronald B. Lester Youth Centre. His widow Susan Lester says it's a most appropriate honour since he worked with youth all the time as a criminal lawyer and judge. He was also very active with Harbour Youth Services, the organization that takes care of disadvantaged young people. Lester says naming the centre after her late husband is significant for the community. Pictured: MPP Bill Mauro and Councillor Joe Virdiramo help Susan Lester and family cut the ribbon.

NAN Chief happy with HST exemption

Reports indicating continued point of sale HST exemption for Ontario's first nations are being welcomed from the Grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Stan Beardy says treaty rights give his people PST exemption and having that continued with the provincial portion of the HST is great for his people. Beardy says the official announcement is expected to come by Friday.

Border Cats add infielder

The Border Cats have added some offensive pop. The Cats have signed infielder Ryan Court from Illinios State. Court led his team with 10 homers and 49 RBI's this spring. He's expected to be in uniform tonight when the Cats welcome the Mankato Moondogs to Port Arthur Stadium.

Mountain Climber rescued on the Nor'Westers

Thunder Bay OPP rescued a mountain climber in the Nor'Westers last night. OPP spokesperson Diana Cole says the Emergency Response team responded to a 911 call just after 10 o'clock last night. Cole says a 21 year old Thunder Bay man was climbing with three friends when he became nervous when it started to get dark. Cole says the man was successfully rescued and no one was injured.

City celebrates culture

The city presented it's Arts and Heritage awards Tuesday evening at Magnus Theatre. 10 awards were presented. The winners are:
• Keith Ailey for visual art.
• Lee Chambers in performing and media art.
• Thunder Mountain Singers are the heritage winners .
• Willow Springs Creative Centre is the top cultural organization.
• Brandi Fiala for emerging youth artist.
• Christie Parry for cultural educator.
• Fran Loney wins as a cultural supporter.
• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery is the cultural business winner.
• The Chronicle-Journal for large business.
• The Painted Turtle Art Shop for small business.

Wind farm D-Day....June 29th

It's crunch time for city council and the Big Thunder Wind Park. There'll be a special council meeting June 29th to deal with the issue.  City Clerk John Hannam says councillors will be asked to decide on the location of the 18 wind turbines. He says council will get a staff report and get administration's recommendation on where they should be located. Councillors are being pressured by residents in the area to turn down the proposed site.

OPP looking for missing Nova Scotian Man

Marathon OPP are looking to the public for help in locating a missing man. Charlie MacPherson from Nova Scotia was reported missing by his family and his vehicle was located near the Prairie River west of Marathon. The 62 year old is described as 6'5'', around 210 pounds with grey shoulder length hair and walks with a limp.

Pedestrian injured by car

One man is in hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car this morning. Police responded to the collision just after midnight. The man was walking across North May street when he was hit by a North Bound vehicle. The 28 year old was transported to the Health Science Centre.

Forest fire situation quiet

The forest fire situation in Northwestern Ontario can only be described as quiet. MNR Fire Information Officer Heather Pridham says there are no fires of concern. She says the fire hazard is low to moderate with the far north at Big Trout Lake and Summer Beaver experiencing a moderate to high hazard. There are currently 8 fires in the region and none of them are threatening anything of value. There are no fire bans in place.

Two new schools named for full day kindergarten

Two Thunder Bay schools are benefiting from the latest rollout of all day kindergarten by the province. St. Elizabeth has been chosen to host the program for the Catholic School Board starting in September of 2011. Ogden School has been chosen for the Lakehead Public School Board. Both schools will each receive over half a million dollars in order to build and equip the two schools.

Scores of people walk to prevent elder abuse

A new effort to draw attention to elder abuse. People of all ages marched in Thunder Bay Tuesday to raise awareness about the issue. Lee Stones is with a group that organized the walk and says it's a critical cause. Stones says it's important to tell the public that some of the people that built this community are not being treated well. The Thunder Bay City Police were also involved.

Councillors view Hovorka video

Shy-Anne Hovorka is back with a new single. "Can't Change the World" is the latest song from the Thunder Bay musician. Monday night City Councillors got their own screening of the socially conscious music video.

Summer in the Parks good to go

Summer in the Parks is back. The Marina Park Bandshell is the site of the Wednesday evening concerts that feature local musicians. Coordinator Jean-Paul De Roover says this year there are 23 performers, 10 of them newcomers. The first Summer in the Parks takes place June 23rd with Roy Coran and Mark Potvin jazz bands. The construction at Marina Park is going to affect parking. You're encouraged to walk or take advantage of the park and ride program. Shuttle buses will be available throughout the downtown. Pictured: Mark Potvin and his son Max

Baseball organizers get piece of concession pie

The organizers of the World Junior Baseball championships are getting some of their wishes granted. The group spoke to council about the tournament in May and asked for a number of municipal favours. Thunder Bay city council is allowing them to collect 15 per cent of the concession revenues that would normally go into city coffers. However, council is not waiving rental fees for the Port Arthur Stadium and the cost of lighting for the tournament.

Prince Arthur Landing Contract Awarded

The City of Thunder Bay has awarded almost 14 million dollars to Tom Jones Contracting for phase one of Prince Arthur's Landing.  The contract is still over the original estimate but includes a million dollars in savings through a number of design cuts.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson was concerned about the reductions being made saying she doesn't want the project to lose it's good points to fit into a budget.  Meanwhile, Waterfront Project Manager Katherine Dugmore says that's not the case. Dugmore says the reductions do not take away from the aesthetics of the project.  Reductions include not building a Park Maintenance Building, eliminating the bird control system and reducing the capacity of the ice plant

Child and Youth Victims Awareness Week

It's Child & Youth Victims Awareness Week. Thunder Bay's Counselling Centre paid a visit to city council last night and told councillors about their programs. Co-ordinator Tara Gauld says they've reached out to a large portion of Thunder Bay's population. The counselling centre is taking a youthful approach and takes texts from clients and has a facebook page. The counselling centre is holding an open house this Thursday at its Winnipeg Avenue location.

Council undecided on grain elevator centre

The Friends of Grain Elevators are looking for a location for their proposed grain industry activity centre. A feasibility study funded by council was presented at last night's meeting. The feasibility study shows the grain activity centre probably wouldn't make a profit but could get by with fundraising events. Spokesperson Nancy Perozzo says they want council to help them find a location and pick a theme for the activity centre. Perozzo adds they don't want money from Council they just want the City to help them find funding partners from both levels of government and the grain industry. Councillor Mark Bentz says he's in favour of preserving our grain industry heritage but wants to know the exact costs associated with the project.  The City has ordered a study on the matter before they make a final decision.   The report could come back before council by August or September.

Trade rumours swirl around Patrick Sharp

Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp is rumoured to be on the trading block. He's barely had any time to savour his Stanley Cup victory with the Chicago Blackhawks and now there's talk he could end up in Toronto or even with Columbus. Sharp says he's under contract with the Blackhawks, but understands that with the salary cap some players may not be coming back. He says we'll have to see what happens in the next couple of days. Meantime for Sharp there's no better feeling than winning the Stanley Cup. He says it's something he's dreamed about since he was 7 years old. He adds that winning the Cup for the fans in Chicago was something special and that the 2 million fans that lined the victory parade route was a record turnout for any sports parade in the Windy City. Sharp is not sure when he'll get the Stanley Cup, but plans to bring it to Thunder Bay when he does.

Waterfront cost reductions identified

About 1 million dollars worth of savings for Prince Arthur's Landing are being presented to city councillors tonight.   It comes after the low bid for the contract  that came in close to 2 million dollars over the 12 and 3 quarter million that was budgeted for.  The savings that officials have come up with include:
-Not building a Park Maintenance Building
-Eliminating the bird control system
-Reducing the capacity of the ice plant
-Changes to materials on the festival storage building
-Modifications to pond decking and
-Reduced lighting over the ice rink and the splash pad.

Robbery suspect re-arrested

City police say they have a man in custody after a prescription drug theft at the Health Sciences Centre on the weekend. Police say the 23 year old is the same person they arrested the weekend before in connection with the Mac's Mart robbery on North Edward Street. He's now been charged with violating the conditions of his release.

Another Mac's robbery-7th in 3 weeks

There is still no rest for convenience store workers in the city. The 7th Mac's Mart robbery in 3 weeks took place on Saturday morning. No one was injured in the incident at the north May Street location that was robbed the day before. Also on the weekend police say they nabbed a man who tried to pose as a police officer at a north side hotel and they arrested a man who tried to rob someone in a south side laneway.

Plasma Centre looking for donors

The push is on to recruit more plasma donors in Thunder Bay. It's national Blood Donor Week and Brian Markic of Canadian Blood Services says they already have about 200 regulars and another 50 would help them meet their yearly goal.  The annual target for donations locally is 11 thousand 500 units.  Pictured:  Doug Woodbeck donates plasma every week.

Staal hopes to ditch the crutches next month

It will be a healthy Jordan Staal that laces up his skates for the Pittsburgh Penguins next season. During the playoffs his foot got cut and says he's on crutches now after two operations. He admits when he returned from the first surgery he came back too soon. That meant a second operation and how he's under doctors orders to stay off his foot. Staal says it should take about a month to heal and then he'll be "good to go." He says it was tough to play through the injury

Pyatt wants to stay a Hab

After his rookie year in the NHL Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt is looking forward to another season. Pyatt played for the Montreal Canadiens and was a key part of the team's surprising playoff run. He calls their post season performance a team effort. On a personal note Pyatt says he wants to stay a Hab and believes the team wants that too. He hopes to show them what he can do and hopefully sign a contract.

The city may have a new millionaire

There may be another millionaire in Thunder Bay. They just don't know it yet. A winner of the Lotto Max Maximillions prize purchased their ticket in Thunder Bay last week. The 50 million dollar jackpot is still up for grabs but one of the 45 winners of a million dollars was bought in Thunder Bay.

Superstore employees could strike

Unionized workers at Thunder Bay's Superstore have voted in favour of strike action. Around 300 employees voted 82 percent in favour of strike action over the weekend. The workers have been without a contract since March of last year. They have been in legal strike position since May 23rd.

More Bombardier streetcars for T-Dot

The news keeps getting better for Bombardier. The provincially run Metrolinx is ordering more streetcars for Toronto that will be built at the local plant. Transportion Minister Kathleen Wynne made the official announcement to the employees today saying Metrolinx and Bombardier signed a contract worth 770 million dollars for the construction of 182 vehicles with an option for 118 more. The contract will give the plant about 10 more years of work and over 200 more jobs. Pictured: Sitting left to right, Metrolinx President Robert Prichard, Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne and Bombardier Transporation's North American President Raymond Bachant. Standing, MPP's Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle.

Volunteer firefighter training happening this weekend

If you see fire fighters out in full force this weekend it doesn't necessarily mean there's a fire. Thunder Bay is playing host to the Ontario Fire College's fire fighter survival, search and resuce, and fire supression course.
Volunteer firefighters from O'Connor, Gillis, East Gorham, Lappe, and other townships are being taught a number of important skills. There will be live fire situations using a fire tower, vehicles, roofs and flammable materials.

Summer HST tolls on First Nations land

A number of First Nations communities are preparing to impose toll fees on traffic passing through their territories over the HST. Anishinabek Nation Chiefs meeting at Fort William First Nation endorsed a resolution directing their bands to begin advertising their intentions for this summer. Native leaders want a point-of-sale tax exemption now given to aboriginal people extended when HST kicks in July 1st.

FedNor cash injection for Thunder Bay

There's FedNor money coming to Thunder Bay. Kenora MP Greg Rickford has announced 1.1 million dollars worth of federal tax dollars for 5 areas. Lakehead University will use the money to build a lab to work with LED lights.  Confederation College gets funding to improve its Geographic Information Systems.   The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund receives money to provide business loans.   The Northwestern Ontario Development Network will be able to continue to coordinate economic development in the region.   As well, 5 organizations in the city get funding to hire interns.  Critics have said the Harper government is backing away from FedNor, but Rickford says the announcement states otherwise.

Good economic news may be in store

There's a major announcement Monday morning at the Bombardier plant. The company plans to release some news that an official says will be very nice for the city. The news will involve a plan that they say will help shape public transit in the Great Toronto Area and Hamilton. At the announcement will be the president of Metrolinx in Toronto. That's the public Authority that manages transportation in the GTA-Hamilton corridor. Also on hand will be the president of Bombardier Transportation in North America. Add to that list, Ontario's Minister of Transportation Kathleen Wynne and our local MPP's. No one in any official capacity is willing to confirm what the announcement will be about

CMHA receives provincial praise

The Ontario Health Quality Council is praising the local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Alpha Court, the CMHC, St. Joseph's Care Group and the Health Sciences Centre combined their services. Executive Director Maurice Fortin says their intake and referral process is a provincial success story. The Thunder Bay Mental Health Case Management Intake Collaboration ensures clients tell their story once rather then multiple times to different case workers.

Chamber and NAN see eye to eye on Far North Act

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and NAN are taking the same stand against the province's Far North Act. Chamber President Harold Wilson says the Chamber supports the Nishnawbe Aski Nation recent criticism of the Act and supports their call against restricting development that would benefit the First Nations communities. The bill is currently winding its way through Queens Park.

Thunder Bay's Pagoda is 100 years old

Thunder Bay's Pagoda is 100 years old this week. It's the oldest operating tourist bureau in Canada and a Thunder Bay landmark. The word pagoda was used to describe a small ornamental building and was desighned by local architect H. Russell Halton.

City tourism boss touts web portal

What activities best decribe your experience in Thunder Bay?  The city has launched the new web portal and marketing program "My Tbay" where residents can share their photos, video and stories about Thunder Bay.  Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says people can upload their experiences to the portal or facebook.  The best photo of Thunder Bay will win a prize, to enter log onto www.mytbay.ca

Another robbery at Mac's Convenience Store

Yet another Mac's Mart robbery is under investigation. It's the sixth one since May 22nd. Police say this time the store at 340 North May street was robbed when a man brandishing a knife walked in just after 2 Friday morning. He ran off with cash and cigarettes. No one was hurt.

Hospital angioplasty given high marks

A panel of experts is giving the Angioplasty Program at the Health Sciences Centre it's stamp of approval. The panel calls it a model program. That's welcome news for the hospital's Lori Marshall. She says it means that after reviewing everything about the program they are saying that it's "second to none." The panel says the quality of care at the Regional matches anything you would find in Canada

Money promised for 2nd cath lab

There are smiles all around at the Health Sciences Centre. The provincial government is confirming it will fund the construction of a second catherization lab. MPP Bill Mauro says it's a major committment. He says the McGuinty government is contributing 8 and a half million dollars towards the 12 million dollar construction project. The new lab is expected to be up and running next year.

Chatty drivers charged

Many drivers in Thunder Bay are still breaking the new cell phone law. Sgt. Glenn Porter of the city police says an enforcement blitz this week netted 25 chatty drivers. Porter says some of them had interesting excuses, like "I wasn't really talking, just listening. Do I still get a ticket?" or "The phone just rang and I was only telling them I couldn't talk just now." Police say they used a ghost car to nab many of the offenders.

Police track down B & E suspects

Two sixteen year old boys are in police custody after a couple of Thursday break ins. Police say they used a police dog to track down the two after a couple of stores in the Northwood Mall were entered. The dogs picked up the scent at the scene and tracked the suspected to a home on the 200 block of Kensington Avenue. Police say merchandise was found in the garage and police seized that as well. The two were charged with Break and Enter and one of them was also charged with Breach of Probation.

Shelter House needs food

Shelter House is sending out the S-O-S.   The homeless shelter needs food to sustain its program over the coming weeks.    It's now turning to the public and issuing a plea for donations.  Officials say that there is traditionally a lull in donations over the summer months.    Priority items include:  spaghetti sauce, sugar, salad dressing, meat, canned soup, canned fruits and vegetables and relish.