Fire Fighters train in Thunder Bay

Firefighters from across the province were in Thunder Bay this past week to train for the upcoming forest fire season.  Training Specialist Brad Diehl says they were lucky enough to teach Crew leaders in the field.  50 crew leaders took part in the 10 day training course that wraps up on Friday.

Wilson talks Bill 151 amendments

The Chamber of Commerce is cautiously optimistic about amendments being made to the Forest Tenure Reform legislation.  President Harold Wilson says there were a number of amendments that would have eased their concerns but the government voted them down.  The bill still needs to receive third reading in the Ontario legislature.

Atikokan Mayor presses Province

The provincial government is being pressed by the town of Atikokan to provide the new owners of the Atikokan Forest Products Mill with a wood supply.  Eacom Timber of Montreal has an offer to buy the idled Sapawe mill, but first wants a secure wood supply.  Mayor Dennis Brown says reopening the mill would bring back lost jobs.  A hearing on the matter is schedule for next week.

Shrine Circus is coming

The Lakehead Shrine Circus is hoping to raise around 20 thousand dollars with it's 56th circus show.  President Craig Wolverton says money raised in Thunder Bay helps local families.  10 year old Thunder Bay resident Bryce Foster will be taking part in next weekend's circus performance.  The Shrine Circus is May 13th and 14th at the Fort William Gardens. 

Cops for Cancer is this weekend

Several Thunder Bay Police officers will be sporting new 'hair-less do's' after Saturday's Cops for Cancer event. Spokesperson Maria Cabral says they'll welcome walk ins at the Intercity Mall for a donation of 25 dollars. The Giant's Ed Lavoie will be shaving his head in support of his brother in law and Rob Brown. The local Cops for Cancer event has raised over 450-thousand dollars over the years.

Rafferty gets back to work

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is anxious to get back to Ottawa.  The NDP member plans to focus attention on the Northern Ontario economy in the House of Commons.  Rafferty is also planning to reintroduce bills on protection pensions and severance that died with the election call. He's hoping to play a role in the NDP's shadow cabinet.

Fort Frances Military Find

A chance discovery at a Fort Frances laundry mat is helping an Edmonton woman learn more about her father. A box of items belonging to World War II vet Donald Keith Nelson was discovered in a previously unexplored basement area of Suds and Tubs. Owner Sherry Loveday says she was happy to find his daughter living in Edmonton. Loveday says some discussions locally helped locate the daughter.

Accident claims life on Highway 11/17

One person is dead following a traffic accident on highway 11/17 just east of highway 527 Wednesday afternoon. OPP Constable Diana Cole says it was a collision between a pick-up truck and a dump truck. She says when they collided both trucks burst into flames.  The driver of the pick up was pronounced dead at the scene, the driver of the dump truck was taken to hospital, but was not seriously injured.  Police are hoping any witnesses to the crash come forward. 

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Search turns up no results

Thunder Bay Police have yet to find any traces of missing teen Jordan Wabasse.  An extensive search of the Kaministiquia River banks in the area of the James Street Bridge provided no clues.  The R.C.M.P. also used their boats to search the water around the shoreline.

The Alpaca's are ok

The Alpaca's are ok.  Thunder Bay OPP responded yesterday to a two vehicle collision on Highway 11/17 and the Harbour Expressway.  A vehicle was parked on the northbound side of the highway, when it pulled out and collided with a Dodge truck pulling a livestock trailer loaded with 10 Alpaca's.  Everyone involved is safe and injury free.

Roberto wants more bike friendly city

City Councillor Aldo Roberto wants to create a more bike friendly Thunder Bay.  Roberto plans on introducing a motion he says could be controversial.  He would like to close two lanes of traffic on a main road for bike traffic.  It would be a trial for the summer months and still needs to come to council for approval.  Roberto also wants to close one lane of car traffic around Boulevard Lake for the summer.

Multi-Plex locations to be discussed

City Council is considering six locations for a proposed multi-million dollar multi-plex on Monday night. Councillor Iain Angus expects a lengthy discussion about the suggested site locations.  Some of the proposed sites the city owns and others would require the city to purchase additional property.  Monday night's report is part of the feasibility study and doesn't mean the City is going ahead with a Multi-plex.

Highway construction closes Trowbridge

One of Thunder Bay's more popular campgrounds will not be open for the summer. Because of the highway construction work taking place on the Thunder Bay Expressway, Trowbridge Falls will be closed for the entire camping season.

Aboriginal housing issues addressed

More roofs are needed for homeless aboriginals in Thunder Bay. A variety of aboriginal groups met in the City to discuss housing strategies. Strategy planner Francis Wesley says this is an urgent issue because there are many aboriginals living in poverty in Thunder Bay. The forum held at the Prince Arthur Hotel helped shed some light on the subject. Wesley says they will be working closely with the Federal Government to provide more housing.

OPP lay mischief charge

Lying has led to a 43 year old Sioux Lookout man being charged with public mischief.  Two witnesses came forward to Greenstone OPP saying they picked up a hitch hiker who told them he was robbed at gun point by four white men in a red truck.  OPP investigated and found that none of the man's story was true.

Single vehicle accident in Sunshine

A 59 year old Kaministiqua man is being treated at the Thunder Bay hospital after a single vehicle accident in Sunshine.  Police say he was driving west bound and crossed into the east bound lane.  The investigation is continuing.

Residents weigh in on Whalen

After word that it will cost the city millions of dollars to refurbish the Whalen building, we gve residents a chance to give their two cents on whether the historic building should be saved or scrapped.

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No injuries in Westfort fire

No one was hurt after a house fire on the south side.  Fire crews responded to the fire on Home Avenue just after 10 last night and found smoke and flames coming out of the back of the house.  Officials say it took about 2 hours to get the blaze under control and heavy damage was done to the home. 

Mills may have new buyer

There's been a potential buyer found for two former Buchanan owned sawmills in Northwestern Ontario. Eacom Timber Corporation of Montreal says it's entered into a purchase agreement with the receiver for both the Sapawe Mill and Northern Sawmills in Thunder Bay. The purchases are subject to a number of conditions, including securing necessary approval from third parties and the courts.

Majority might end gun registry

The Vice President of the Ontario Anglers and Hunters sees a Majority Conservative Government as a good thing for the long gun registry. Thunder Bay's Glenn Rivard says the PM has promised them he'll scrap it. Rivard notes the Harper Government has also promised to form a National Advisory Panel on Fish and Wildlife Management.

Province provides money for abuse victims

The Provincial Government is giving 50 thousand dollars to the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.  The money is going towards an awareness campaign to new Canadians who may be at risk of domestic abuse.  Support workers will receive culturally sensitive training.

Final ground search for Wabasse to begin tomorrow

Thunder Bay Police will be doing another ground search for Jordan Wabasse Wednesday. Spokesperson Chris Adams says they'll be walking along the Kam river shore line and won't leave a stone un-turned. The 15 year old Webequie First Nation boy has been missing since February 7th.

Hansen set for December visit

The Man in Motion Relay starts in August and Rick Hansen is out promoting the 25th Anniversary Relay.  The relay will involve some 7-thousand Canadians and will re-create the Canadian-portion of his original tour.  Hansen says he would like to be part of the festivities in Northwestern Ontario.  The Relay will stop in Thunder Bay on December 22nd and will resume in the City on January 10th.  Hansen says two places will always hold a special place in his heart; China and Thunder Bay.

2011 Census in the mail

Local residents should begin receiving their census forms this week.  Statistics Canada has begun the census process and has enumerators going door to door across the Northwest.  Gary Dillion is the Regional Co-ordinator for Stats Can and says its important for all households to fill out the census form.  While every household is required to fill out the 10 question mandatory short form census, only 1 in 3 households will be given a long form survey.

Kasabonika gun seizure

The Northwest Regional Guns and Gangs Unit has charged a 45-year-old man in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.   Police executed a search warrant last Friday and seized 10-firearms and 4-prohibited devices.  Officers found semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and 4 high-capacity rifle magazines.  Police say John Winter faces 3-charges including weapons trafficking and careless storage.  Winter will appear in court on June 16th.

Beardy reacts to federal election results

The Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Stan Beardy is congratulating the Conservative and NDP parties for their successes in the federal election. However Beardy is concerned that NAN issues may get lost in the shuffle. Beardy said when he looked at the Conservative party platform it had very little mention of NAN issues. The Chief hopes that between the Conservative and NDP parties that some of those issues will be addressed.

Thunder Bay residents have their say

Following the federal election, Thunder Bay residents had some mixed reactions.

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Increase in voter turn out

Around 37-thousand residents exercised their right to vote in the Thunder Bay Superior North Riding.  Returning Officer Bill Everitt says it's an increase in voter turnout.  The official numbers for the Thunder Bay Rainy River riding have yet to be released.

Green candidate lauds May victory

A local Green Party candidate in yesterday's election is elated his leader has won a seat in parliament. Ed Shields says the victory of Elizabeth May should do wonders for the party.   He believes the news media will pay attention to the party.   Shields agrees May's election is a watershed for the party in Canada

Rafferty re-elected in Thunder Bay Rainy River

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking forward to returning to his job in Ottawa.  The NDP Member of Parliament was re-elected Monday night and was excited to hear his party is forming the official Opposition Party.  Rafferty says the one dark moment on election night was the Conservatives winning a Majority Government.  Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann was the runner up in unofficial results, with Liberal Ken Boshcoff coming in third.

Harper majority, locals re-elect NDP

Stephen Harper is going to form a majority government in Canada...but Thunder Bay's two ridings will be represented in the official opposition.  Harper and his Conservatives have won a majority with about 165 seats in parliament and the NDP rocketed into the official opposition with about 105 seats...the Liberals now rank in third with about 30 seats. Locally Bruce Hyer in Thunder Bay-Superior North and John Rafferty in Thunder Bay-Rainy River both have won their ridings for the NDP again with about 50 per cent of the votes while the Kenora riding stays Conservative with Greg Rickford holding the seat.

Council upset about heritage building repairs

Some City Councillors were shocked to find they would have to pay to repair the exterior of the Whalen Building.  The city is on the hook for repairing the Terra Cotta exterior because they own the heritage building.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't think they should restore the building when there's other more important projects.  Council approved a million dollar contract with KGS Group Consulting Engineers dealing with the Whalen Building's repairs.

CEDC provides an update to City Council

Thunder Bay's Economic Development Commission is taking credit for creating several jobs within the City. CEO Steve Demmings says they created 133 direct jobs and 55 indirect jobs.  The CEDC told council Monday night that their goal for this year is to foster the mining industry.  The CEDC also plans to announce in six weeks time who will be hired as the City's Mining Coordinator.

Grand Marais station to open soon

Boaters take note. The American inspection station at Grand Marais will be open in less than two weeks. The station will open May 15th and remain open 7 days a week until September 30th from 9 until 5 pm Central Time.

Election day is finally here!

It's election day and the polls in Thunder Bay will be open until 9:30 tonight.   There are close to 60 thousand eligible voters in both area ridings, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River.   There are over 420 polls in both ridings.    Magic 99.9 will have news reports on election results after the polls are closed.  

Company takes new FORM

A well known Thunder Bay architectural company is changing it's name. Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo are announcing FORM Architecture Engineering as their new name. Among other buildings, they are most noted for the construction of La Verendrye High School and the George Jeffrey Children's Centre.

No election break for councillors

It's business as usual at city hall tonight.   In spite of the federal election, city councillors will be holding a regular meeting this evening.   One of the items on the agenda is the contract for sidewalk and street lighting worth 1.3 million dollars. As well a decision is expected on some exterior work on the ceramic facing of the Whalen Building on Cumberland Street, the home of Thunder Bay Hydro.

Man and woman busted for cocaine

Two 23 year olds in the city are due back in court May 25th on drug charges.   Police say that the man and woman were arrested over the weekend on outstanding warrants.   As part of the arrest they seized close to 58 thousand dollars worth of cocaine.   They face possession and trafficking charges.  

Bombardier says talks continue over streetcar contract

There is no indication from Bombardier Transportation that a contract that involves the Toronto Transit Commission will have to be delayed.   A report says that the TTC is requesting Bombardier put off the production of the new streetcars at the Thunder Bay plant.  However Bombardier spokesperson Marc Laforge says the work has not started and says the terms of the contract with  Metrolinx, the province's transportation arm, are still being negotiated

New OMA President from Thunder Bay

A Thunder Bay Doctor is now the leader of the Ontario Medical Association.  Doctor Stewart Kennedy was chosen as the 130th president of the OMA.  Kennedy has been a family Physician in Thunder Bay for more than 25 years.

Cazabon speaks out on native languages

A Canadian filmmaker wants to see more schools offering courses in native language. Andre Cazabon was in Fort Frances yesterday for the Native studies conference. Cazabon says schools have a good opportunity to preserve the language by turning to native elders for support. Cazabon found in her latest project "Third World Canada," that many young aboriginals are already unable to speak the native language of their grandparents.

Budget Finalized

Atikokan town councillors have finalized a budget that will include a 2-point-four per cent tax increase. Mayor Dennis Brown says it amounts to about a 30 dollar increase to the average homeowners tax bill. The township will spend just over 8-million dollars over the next year.

Brown Street Fire

A late night blaze left a garage in shambles on Brown Street. It took 21 firefighters about an hour to put out the fire. No injuries were reported. Platoon Chief Val Fontaine says garage fires can be dangerous. The reason being flammable liquids are often present.

Wabasse search to resume Wednesday

The city police confirm that the ground search for Jordan Wabasse will resume on Wednesday.   They'll be searching the banks of the Kam River near the James Street bridge for the missing teen

More wood allocations announced

Two more companies in northwestern Ontario have accepted wood supply offers from the provincial government.  Domtar will use its wood supply for full-time softwood pulp production at its mill in Dryden. Wagner Forest Management Limited has indicated that it will use its wood fiber to build a pellet  manufacturing plant in Ignace.  The business is expected to be up and running by October of 2013 and employ 20 new jobs.   Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Milloy annonces literacy cash

83 sites in Northern Ontario will be offering literacy training thanks to the Provincial Government.  Minister of Training and Colleges John Milloy says they'll be offering basic skills training.  2 million dollars will go towards local programs.  Milloy made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Bearskin adds plane

A Thunder Bay based airline is expanding it's fleet.  Bearskin Airlines has introduced a new Saab turbo prop which is being used for it's flights between Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.  It can seat 34 people.

Gas creeps toward record levels

Get ready to cry when you fill up next.  Gas prices have spiked again and now sit at just under a buck 40 a litre at many Thunder Bay gas stations.  That's according to the website gasbuddy.com.

45 year old mosiac graces new library

The new Mary J. L. Black Library isn't open yet, but it already has some vivid artwork to display. The Public Library has re-introduced a mosaic by Ruby Owen called Thunderbird. It is comprised of 27,000 tiles made out coloured glass, ceramics and rocks, and took over a year and a half to complete

Clean up campaign is on!

The Spring Up to Clean Up event is underway in the city.  It's a collaboration between the City of Thunder Bay and Eco-Superior.   It kicked off with employees of various businesses going outside for 15 minutes and picking up the garbage around their premises. 

Hearing dates set in County Park death

Sixteen witnesses are expected to testify in the preliminary hearing of two teenage girls charged with second degree murder. It followed the death last year of a 16 year old girl who's body was found in the bushes behind Wentworth Crescent. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.   Six days have been set aside for the hearing: August 16th, 17th and 18th as well as September 14th, 15th and 16th.