Industrial accident victim from Thunder Bay

A 24 year old Thunder Bay man is the victim of Friday's scissor lift accident in Shuniah Township.  OPP identified him as Gustavo Argueta.  He was on the fully extended lift when it tipped over falling about 50 feet to the ground.  He was pronounced dead at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.   

Humane Society not investigating injured puppy

The Humane Society's new Inspector has only been here a month and is already up to his shoulders in work.  Clancy Martin has taken up the post and one of his first tasks is looking into last week's report of an alleged abused puppy.  Martin says because there are no witnesses there is no conclusive evidence of any abuse.  Martin says if anyone has more information on this case call 475-4425.

Rainfall warning in effect

Expect lots of rain and some scattered Thunderstorms today.  Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw say a slow moving system will dump about 20 to 30 millimetres of rain on us this afternoon.   Laidlaw says heavier thunderstorm cells could bring more rain.  Once this rain pushes past overnight, Laidlaw says warm humid weather will be coming our way.

RFDA gets donation from Union Gas

The Regional Food Distribution Association in Thunder Bay and the Rural Cupboard Food Bank in Kakabeka Falls have received $7,500 from Union Gas in support of their mission to provide food and necessities to those most vulnerable.

Local player drafted to the NHL

Thunder Bay could have another young NHLer in a few seasons.  Justin Sefton was the lone Thunder Bay player drafted over the weekend.  He was picked up in the 3rd round by the San Jose Sharks.  Sefton says his goal for next season is to earn an invite to San Jose's main training camp. The 6'2" defenceman skated for the Sudbury Wolves last season and says he can bring solid defensive zone coverage and physicality to the table.

Work orders issued after fatal accident

A total of 8 work orders have been issued to a Sudbury company after a fatal industrial accident in Shuniah Township on Friday. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says Tera North Construction is the company facing the orders after the worker fell from a scissor lift.  The accident took place at the construction site of the McKenzie River Bridge.   A 24 year old worker was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Man dies after falling 50 feet

A 24 year old Thunder Bay man has died after falling 50 feet at a construction site.  The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are investigating the incident that happened Friday afternoon.  The man was operating a scissor lift near the McKenzie Bridge on Highway 17 when it tipped over and he fell. 

Massive Forest Fire nears Mishkeegogamang

A massive inferno more than double the size of Thunder Bay continues to inch towards a Northern First Nation.  The fire which is already over 57 thousand hectares is now within 10 kilometres of the already evacuated Mishkeegogamang.  Over 200 MNR personnel are battling the blaze but strong winds and a lack of rain have hampered efforts.  Officials say rain in the forecast will help. 

Multi-Plex process moves forward

City lawmakers will narrow down the choices for a proposed Multi-Plex location at their Monday night meeting.  The three in the running include the Downtown Waterfront, Innova Business Park, and the Airport.  If approved, a second phase feasibility study will look closer at the costs and parking issues related with each site.

Rafferty stands up during marathon filibuster

The filibuster continues in the Commons, where the Harper government is trying to pass a bill to end the Canada Post labour dispute. It's not known when the debate will come to an end.  Its been going non-stop since Thursday evening.  The N-D-P is stalling the back-to-work bill, calling it Draconian.   Among the New Democrats who spoke in the debate Friday evening was Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

OPP investigate industrial accident

OPP are responding to a second industrial accident in the Thunder Bay area this week. A 23 year old man was operating a scissor lift on the McKenzie River Bridge in Shuniah when it tipped over. He fell over 50 feet, and was transported to the Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Cancer Care Northwest launches plan

Cancer Care Northwest is launching its four year cancer plan.  Vice President Michael Power says they'll be putting money towards advancing their IT department.  Cancer Care Northwest also plans to start a new Palliative Care Program.

Lab gets 1.3 million dollars

Over 1.3 million dollars in public funds is going to a bio energy lab at Thunder Bay's Abitibi Bowater mill.  The lab will use federal and provincial tax dollars to extract lignin from black liquor a by-product of the paper making process.

Cheques must be picked up

The postal dispute is forcing the city to ensure that welfare cheques are delivered to those in need.    The Social Services Administration board  and the District Housing Corporation  say all social assistance cheques for July will not be mailed and must be picked up next week at the CLE's Coliseum building.

Hawks may extend Sharp's Contract: LeBrun

It looks like Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp could be about to get a contract extension with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.   ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is Tweeting that Sharp's agent met with GM Stan Bowman and they agreed to talk again in a few weeks.  LeBrun adds that the Hawks are confident they can hammer out an extension.  Sharp is a year away from unrestricted free agency. 

Donations needed to help abused puppy

A 2 and a half month old puppy is at a vet clinic after being rescued from an owner who allegedly beat her with a golf club.  New Hope Dog Rescue Owner Valerie Mackett says she's looking for donations to pay for 35 hundred dollars worth of surgeries.  Donations can be made online or by calling New Hope.

Changes at the Canadian Wheat Board could affect Port

The Thunder Bay Port Authority is cautiously optimistic about the future of grain shipments if the Canadian Wheat Board loses its monopoly. CEO Tim Heney says he believes Thunder Bay will still be a competitive option for shipping overseas but business could be lost to the states.  At this point there has been no changes to the CWB but gutting the board has long been a priority of the government.

NOSM Grad Tracking Study

The Provincial Government is earmarking 1.14 million dollars for a tracking study of Northern Ontario Medical Students.  The five year study will examine graduates feelings about the program.  It will also look at factors that influenced students' choice of specialty, residency program and practice location.

Stop the Emerald Ash Borer

The City of Thunder Bay is worried about a bad bug that could kill all of the ash trees within the city. Urban Forester Shelly Veccio says the Emerald Ash Borer isn't in Northwestern Ontario yet and we should keep it that way.  Veccio says the bug will hitchike on firewood so always use local wood.  Studies have shown that the invasive pest will be in Thunder Bay within the next five years.

Wilson takes in Ring of Fire talks

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the work being done to advance the Ring of Fire. President Harold Wilson took part in a two day conference and says the next step is to help first nation businesses.  The Chamber of Commerce is lobbying the Provincial Government for business development for First Nations.

Full evacuation called for Mishkeegogaming

The First Nation community of Mishkeegogaming is being completely evacuated.  The community is being overcome with heavy smoke from a forest fire that has moved to within 15 kilometres of the First Nation community.  The MNR says the community isn't threatened at this time but the fire is not under control. 

Manslaughter plea in 2010 death

Guilty is the plea as two Thunder Bay women avoided a trial in the death of a Big Trout Lake woman in September of 2010. The woman's body was found in a room at the Arthur Street Travelodge Hotel. Joanna Vivier and Michelle Morris have pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will now be sentenced November 16th when more details of the case are expected to come out

Arson charge laid in weekend fire

The resident of a Pruden Street apartment is charged with setting a fire to his own place. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says it follows an investigation into the blaze which took place over the weekend.  The 53 year old is out of custody and is scheduled for a court appearance next month.

Thunder Bay aims to become "Walkable"

A new active transportation group is aiming to make Thunder Bay more walkable.  The Thunder Bay Health Unit held a one day conference aimed at finding ways to make the city more pedestrian and bike friendly.  Spokesperson Stasha Star says they'll eventually bring their findings to City Council. Star says they're goal is to encourage people to walk to the grocery store or work instead of reaching for car keys.

Gravelle closes Ring of Fire conference

A two day conference on the Ring of Fire has come to a close.  Minister Michael Gravelle says they'll take what they've learned and move towards implementing infrastructure in the far north. Gravelle adds they still need to find consensus on transportation methods and routes.  Each mining company prefers a different route but Gravelle feels they can come to a happy conclusion.  Gravelle says they'll continue to meet with Ring of Fire stakeholders.

4.2 million goes to Bio Energy project

The Provincial Government is putting another 4.2 million dollars towards Confederation College's Bio Energy Centre.  Outgoing President Pat Lang says the cash will mean she'll leave the school in a good financial position.  Lang says this final funding announcement means the project is completely paid for before it's even been built.  The biomass project uses wood waste to heat the college.

Squirrel causes brief blackout

Just blame this on the squirrel.  About 25 Thunder Bay Hydro customers  on the south side were affected by a brief power outage this morning.   The utility says the outage was caused after a squirrel was zapped on a transformer in the Marks and Harold Street area. 

New chair at St. Joe's

There's a new person chairing the board at St. Joseph's Care Group. Ray Halverson was elected at the Annual General Meeting and says he looks forward to the challenge of helping to oversee an important period at the hospital as it goes through the strategic planning process. Halverson comes to the board from a background in education

More residents leave Mishkeegogamang

Smoke from Sioux Lookout 35 continues to bear down on the community of Mishkeegogamang forcing the evacuation of more residents.    The forest fire is now reported to be about 10 kilometres away with smoke causing most of the problem.  About 150 residents have been taken to Sioux Lookout with 100 more heading for Ignace.

Hudak cancels visit to T.Bay

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak's  next visit to Thunder Bay is going to have to wait.   For the second time in the last month the party has postponed a planned stop in the city.  He was due here next week to talk to the business community.    Hudak has been operating under a limited schedule since his 3 year old daughter had to enter the Children's Hospital for an undisclosed illness.

Ring of Fire Transportation needs

Cliffs Natural Resources is teaming up with Noront Resources to discuss transportation within the Ring of Fire.  Senior Vice President Bill Boor says its a situation of two heads are better than one. The two companies are sharing research. Cliffs is calling for an all season road and eventually a rail line into the Ring of Fire.  Meanwhile, Boor says they are close to ending a dispute with about a dozen employees who walked off the job a week ago at their Ring of Fire camp.

Worker orders issued after accident

An office supply store and a construction company are under the microscope after an industrial accident on Thunder Bay Airport property this week. Ministry of Labour spokesperson Matt Blajer says an employee was hurt making a delivery. He says the man is suffering with a broken vertebrae, a broken leg and blood in his lungs. Blajer says several work orders have been issued as a result of the incident.

Conference examines Ring of Fire

A big Ring of Fire conference is underway in Thunder Bay.  It's being hosted by the government of Ontario and is designed to understand  the infrastructure that is needed for the chromite mining project to proceed.  Christine Kaszycki is the province's Ring of Fire Coordinator and says it will give her a chance to hear some key concerns as she develops the government's plan for the region.

Smoke leads to evacuation

Smoke from a forest fire is creating an emergency situation at a First Nation community in Northwestern Ontario.  About 80 residents of Mishkeegogamang  have been flown to evacuation centres in Sioux Lookout and more may have to be flown to Ignace or Geraldton.

Thunder Bay's van Koeverden heads west

Dryden has a new City Manager with a Thunder Bay connection. Joe van Koeverden has accepted the position effective July 11th. van Koeverden is currently the Regional Director for Northwestern Ontario at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Thunder Bay office.

Wood allocation complete

The Provincial Government is now finished with its wood allocation process with the awarding of wood supplies to companies in Fort Frances and Kenora. Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle admits it has been a bumpy ride because not everyone has been successful, but says the process was fair and transparent.  In total there have been 34 wood supply awards

It's a wonderfully rainy day

Don't expect to see the sun today, it's going to be a wet dreary day.  Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says we can expect as much as 45 mm of rain by tomorrow morning.  Laidlaw says the cooler dreary weather will last for the next couple of days but will clear up for the weekend.

Warrant issued for Alberta man

The OPP have released the name of the flagman who was hit by a car on the highway Monday.  23 year old Jake Dumas is in Thunder Bay Hospital with serious injuries.  Officers have also issued a warrant for 23 year old Edmonton man, Ibrahim Sendagire who is believed to have been driving the car that hit Dumas.  Police are once again telling drivers not to pick up hitchhikers between Marathon and Terrace Bay.

Construction worker hurt at airport

The Ministry of Labour is investigating after an industrial incident near the airport.  Police say yesterday morning just before 9 o'clock a man fell from a second story stair and landed on cement.  He was taken to hospital with what is believed to be serious injuries.

NP program extended another year

The Health Unit's Nurse Practitioner Program is good to go for another year at a cost of over 120 thousand dollars. Health Unit spokesperson Maureen Twig says there is no increase from last year, but she expects that may change.  She says in the past some added funding has come to the program during the budget year. Twig adds it's a program run by one nurse practitioner which has proven its worth.

Gas prices drop for a change

No you are not dreaming,  gas prices in the city have come down by about 8 cents a litre.   The website gasbuddy.com says that many gas stations have dropped the price to a $1.31 a litre.

MP mocks senate reform

The Conservatives have unveiled a Senate reform bill that introduces term limits to the upper chamber and supports provincial elections of senators. Thunder Bay NDP MP Bruce Hyer isn't impressed saying the 9 year term limit only means we have useless senators for 9 years instead of forever. Hyer calls the changes simple tinkering

Meet the new boss...

The District Health Unit is hiring a private doctor to run it's infant hearing program. However, spokeperson Ken Ranta says it's the same audiologist who recently announced he is leaving the Health Unit to run his own private hearing practice. The budget for the program is 25 thousand dollars.

Catholic board approves new budget

The Thunder Bay and District Catholic School Board is looking at a 95 million dollar budget, a 2 and a half per cent increase over last year. Assistant director Tom Mustapic adds, that's the lowest they could go without cutbacks. The highlight of the budget is a major technology change at all the schools worth 1 and a half million dollars.

National Aboriginal Day marked by Police Services Board

The Thunder Bay Police Services Board marked National Aboriginal Day by honouring retired Justice of the Peace Gene Bannon.  Bannon says his position allowed him to work with many great people.  Bannon served for 35 years and plans on working part time for the next few years.  The Board is also about to start a taxi study.  Chair Joe Virdiramo says the study will look at fares, accessibility and the number of taxi licenses. 

Herman honoured at Police Services Board Meeting

Police Chief Bob Herman was honoured during his last official Police Services Board Meeting.  Herman says the last 14 years have been an interesting journey and has mixed emotions about his retirement.  Herman says he's looking forward to the chance to decompress and move away from Policing but will miss working with so many great people. Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says they hope to short list their search for a replacement this week and announce a new Chief before August.

Hit and run driver sought

City police are looking for a hit and run driver from Monday morning at 9:30.   They say that the driver of a pick up truck took off after his vehicle rear-ended a car at Central Avenue and Fort William Road.   The driver of the vehicle that was hit was injured, but not seriously.

Molesti back in the States

Patrick Molesti is back in the US.  The 58 year French National was arrested in Thunder Bay last year for a number of child porn charges and for allegedly trying to buy a 5 year old boy.  He was being held in Toronto and was returned to Atlanta Friday.

Store robbed, two nabbed

Two men are behind bars after a Mac's Mart was robbed.  Police say the two robbed the store on Syndicate Avenue at knife point just after 1:30 this morning and then ran off.  Officers found the two close by and arrested them.  They will appear in court today.

City businessman passes away

A service will be held tomorrow at St. Paul's Anglican Church for Alan Gardiner.   The owner of Everest Funeral Home was 80 years old.    He passed away on Friday.  Gardiner moved to Thunder Bay from Winnipeg in the 1970's which is when he continued with the family business.