The Lakehead Nurse Practitioner clinic is open for business. The new facility offers four nurse practitioners and is electronic medical record ready. The clinic will be able to care for 3 thousand 200 patients.
Thunder Bay Police are looking for one man after he stole some money from a cab this morning. Police say the theft happened just before 7:30 in the 800 block of Castlegreen Drive. The K-9 unit was called in after the suspect fled into the woods. No arrests have been made at this time.
The City of Thunder Bay is getting a report on funding the 2011 Special Olympics Winter Games. The local committee is asking for over 13 thousand dollars. The money is to be used to offset the costs of transportation. The committee is responsible for the transportation of all coaches and athletes to all of the sport venues and activities. The money is for the use of 3 buses from Thunder Bay Transit. Council is going to make a decision on whether or not to approve the request in two weeks time.
Thunder Bay's Shy-Anne Hovorka is back in the spotlight. The singer was awarded female entertainer of the year at the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards on the weekend. She calls the award unexpected and is still floating on cloud 9
City Administration doesn't think it would be wise for council to approve a National Grain Industry Activity Centre. The Friends of the Grain Elevators asked council to help them with the project back in June. Administration is going to recommend to council that the Tourism Department continue to liase with the group. Council is expected to make a decision on Monday night. Meanwhile, Sir Winston Churchill High School students are helping area seniors fulfill their dreams. Grade 11 and 12 students have been visiting residents of Grandview Lodge senior home. The students have been asking the residents about any unfulfilled dreams they may have had, and then plan a way to make the dream a reality. The high school is asking council for 1 thousand 500 dollars for the project.
The Provincial Infrastructure Minister is paying Thunder Bay a visit on Monday. Bob Chiarelli is seeking input from stakeholders for a new 10 year infrastructure plan. Chiarelli will be holding a round table discussion on the plan with Minister Michael Gravelle and MPP Bill Mauro.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says 2-police officers have been dispatched to help at a Northwestern Ontario First Nation that's in crisis. Bentley says the officers arrived on Tuesday to help restore 24-hour policing in Fort Hope First Nation. The fly-in community, declared a state of emergency recently due to increasing murders, gang fights, arsons and animal cruelty. Band leaders have put out repeated calls for help from all levels of government as they attempt to deal with the problems.
The Province is spending 50-thousand dollars on a study to help develop new markets for forest products. The Canadian Wood Council is looking to use more Ontario wood products to construct buildings 5 to 8-storeys high. With support from the Government and the WoodWORKS program, the Council is looking at new technology and wood products for the framing of the buildings. Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle says its another example that value-added material can strengthen the forest industry and the Northern economy.
Thunder Bay is in the running for a ten thousand dollar achievement grant. The Health Sciences Centre is being honoured for it's "road to excellence" program. The program was designed to provide more welcoming waiting rooms, improve surgical education materials and foster better overall communication. The provincial government will announce the winner on Wednesday.
Fort Hope First Nation welcomed representatives from both levels of Government yesterday. The wives of the Governor General and Ontario's Lieutenant General toured the community that recently declared a state of emergency. Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine says the arsons and murders in the community all stem from poverty. Fontaine says he feels for the community and understands that it's a huge challenge.
Local developers that want to build a Hampton Inn on Airport Authority Land still need to formally apply to Hilton International. Company spokesperson Tom Lorenzo says the project is looking good, and Thunder Bay has always been a market they've wanted to target. He feels the local developers could get approval from Hilton in three weeks and have a target construction date of Spring. Lorenzo says the project not only needs Hilton approval but needs to be approved by the City and the Airport Authority as well.
The former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is hoping to inspire aboriginal students. Phil Fontaine is part of the Royal Bank and Lakehead University's Aboriginal Outreach Program. Fontaine says students are the future leaders of their communities. He stressed the importance of educaction and stresses students should set a goal of completing high school. Fontaine says first nation students should look forward to attending post secondary school as it's key to succeeding in life. Fontaine spoke to St. Patrick High School students Thursday morning.
The Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident at a construction site on Court Street. A construction worker was hurt on the job at 920 Court Street. Police says a machine was working on a retainer wall behind the building when it tilted unexpectedly and hit an observer in the chest. District Chief Allan Grey says he was taken to hospital with unknown injuries. Sgt. Shawn Mulligan says they're containing the scene and awaiting the investigators from the Ministry of Labour.
A major roadway in Thunder Bay is going to be off limits this weekend. Golf Links Road between Central Avenue and the Harbour Expressway will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. Crews will be working on the watermain and road restoration.
City police have two people in custody after a woman was robbed in a grocery store parking lot at Arthur and James Streets. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says she was knocked down by a man and her purse was stolen. The thug then sped away in a car. Police later caught up with the vehicle at Balsam Street and the Expressway where a man and a woman from out of town, were arrested.
The Canadian Coast guard were involved in a water rescue on the east of Sleeping Giant this morning. A vessel ran aground near Edward Island and had to be rescued. Maritime Coordinator Robert Bradbury says they received a distress call at 7:43 this morning and sent out a May-Day call shortly after. It was a 45 foot commercial fishing boat owned by Thunder Bay's Glen Dawson who was one of four people rescued after the boat began taking on water. The four were rescued by a different boat in the area and were taken to shore injury free.
