Holly Crescent residents to speak at council

Some residents of Holly Crescent are less than thrilled with construction work planned for their street. The City is going to repave the road. The residents would like their curbs and watermains repaired as well. They'll bring their concerns up on Monday.

2 new fires reported in NW

The battle continues to bring wildfires under control across Northwestern Ontario.  Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters are being helped by intermittent rain and slightly below-average temperatures this week.  However, Information Officer Gabby Rivard says fires could begin to increase again when dry conditions return.  There were 2-fires reported yesterday and 96-active fires currently burning in the Region.

Energy Provincial Election Issue

The McGuinty Government's renewable energy program is shaping up to be an election issue this fall. Progressive Conservative Energy Critic John Yakabuski says if they're elected they'll scrap wind farm projects that don't have contracts in place. The NDP feel the province took the wrong track by bringing in private companies. Wind Concerns Ontario is hoping the next Premier will put an end to wind contracts.

1.8 million dollars for First Nation Business

FedNor minister Tony Clement says it's all about jobs and economic development for First Nation communities.  Clement made the statement in Thunder Bay after announcing almost 2 million dollars for small businesses in Northwestern Ontario. The money will be distributed through the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund.

Cyclist-car collision sends woman to hospital

A 23 year old woman is not seriously injured after she collided with a car while riding her bike at the corner of Cumberland and Park at 8:30 this morning. Police say she was conscious at the time paramedics took her away.

Bombardier reaches tentative deal

The strike at Bombardier could soon come to an end.  Union Spokesperson Dominique Pasqualino says a tentative deal has been reached between the company and the Canadian Auto Workers Union.  The deal still needs to be ratified by the 700 workers in Thunder Bay for the strike to end and Pasqualino hopes to have a vote by Saturday. 

Drunk driving may have led to serious car crash

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a car crash that left one woman with serious injuries.  Police say a car blew through the intersection of Vickers and Donald Streets just after midnight and struck a van carrying 4 people.  A woman ended up being ejected from the van and was taken to hospital.

Please water your trees

The hot weather this summer has prompted the City to ask residents to water trees in their yard and along the street. They're reminding the public to only water on days of the month that are associated with your house number.

Hospital thankful to Bombardier

Officials at the Regional Hospital are thankful to the Bombardier Foundation. Hospital foundation CEO Glenn Craig says it's because of a half million dollar contribution to the hospital's second catherization lab.  He says that's in addition to the 3 quarter million dollar grant made when the campaign first began. The second lab is named after the Bombardier Foundation

Next on the list....heart surgery

No sooner has the Regional Hospital cut the ribbon on it's second catherization lab, now the talk is about making heart surgery available here. One of the hospital's senior administrators, Lori Marshall, calls it a work in progress.  She says they are working on a proposal right now which will be submitted to the Ministry of Health in the fall. Marshall adds having 2 cath labs here gives the hospital credibility when applying for the surgery unit.

Health Unit expands vaccine program

Starting this week the health unit is offering two new vaccines to kids. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says they'll be available during their Wednesday immunization clinics. The two new vaccines include rotavirus and a combined measles-mumps-rubella program. The health unit is also expanding two other vaccine programs.

Clement in Thunder Bay Thursday

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is in Thunder Bay this morning to make a funding announcement in support of the region's economic development.  He'll be at the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund at 11, and later at Marina Park for a tour of the waterfront.

Roofer involved in accident

A Thunder Bay worker is in hospital with unknown injuries after a roofing accident today in the city. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says an investigation is underway into the incident on Willow Park Drive.

City sets up bug traps

Thunder Bay continues to take action against the Emerald Ash Borer.  The bug was recently found in Ottawa and Urban Forester Rena Viehbeck says it's just a matter of time before it arrives on our door step.  The city is setting up traps in ash trees to detect when the pest first arrives. The bug is being spread by the transportation of firewood.

Collision in construction zone

No serious injuries to report from a traffic accident at the highway construction zone near the Terry Fox Lookout at about 8 o'clock this morning.  OPP say a pick up truck and a dump truck collided on a closed section of the new highway.  Two of the people in the pick up were taken to hospital to be checked over.

Economic turmoil should boost Thunder Bay housing market

The real estate market in Thunder Bay will remain hot thanks in part to the current economic turmoil south of the border.  LU economics Professor Livio Di Matteo says the US Federal Reserve Bank vowing to keep interest rates low, will likely mean the Bank of Canada will follow suit.  He says lower interest rates will make it easier for people to get a mortgage and will keep our housing market rocking for the foreseeable future. 

Bombardier contract talks continue

Efforts are underway to end the strike by 700 Bombardier employees. Contract talks resumed at the Best Western Norwester this morning. At issue are pensions, wages, and benefits. 

More fire fighters on the way

Two days of showers has brought some relief to firefighters battling 110-wildfires across Northwestern Ontario. 100-new fire rangers from B.C. will be arriving Friday while 200-out of province staff will be released by the end of the week. Yesterday was the first day since June 10th that no new fires were reported.

New Hepatitis C Treatment

Northwestern Ontario Hepatitis C patients will soon be able to access a new treatment. Health Canada recently green lighted a new drug program.  It targets a specific type of Hepatitis C that's the hardest to treat.  The treatment will be available in Thunder Bay by the new year.

Kenora sues Province

The City of Kenora is talking legal action to get the provincial government  to help pay for much needed repairs to a couple of local bridges.  The price tag to fix up the Keewatin Channel and the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridges is into the millions. Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says a lawsuit is one way of forcing the government's hand.  The bridges were downloaded onto the municipality 14 years ago, and Canfield suggests some of the problems predate the transfer.  He plans to bring the issue up as his number one priority at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention in London later this month.

Strike is on

Thunder Bay's 700 Bombardier Plant employees are walking the picket line. Company Spokesperson Marc Lefebvre says they were unable to reach a deal. Union Spokesperson Dominique Pasqualino is hoping for a very short strike.

Pukaskwa Park Bear may be dead

The Ministry of Natural Resources thinks it may have killed the bear that attacked a Pukaskwa Park visitor. The bear matches the physical and behavioural description provided by the victim.  Tests are being conducted to determine if the DNA of the killed bear match evidence collected from the scene.

Great Lakes getting warmer

The Great Lakes are getting warmer.  Over the past thirty years the water temperature has increased 1.5 degrees.  That's going to impact Lake Superior's fish population according to Dr. John Casselman.  Rock bass, and Sunfish will increase while Lake Trout populations will decline.  Casselman says all we can do to help our fish population is adapt to change.

Horwath makes mining and forestry promises

The NDP are promising to scrap the current wood allocation process in the north if they form the next government at Queen's Park.   In unveiling a part of it's northern election platform in Thunder Bay,  leader Andrea Horwath also says the NDP would force mining companies to process the minerals they mine in Ontario.

Bombardier contract talks continue

We are just hours away from a possible Bombardier Strike. A source tells our newsroom the company and the Canadian Auto Workers Union negotiated throughout the night and are continuing ahead of today's 4pm deadline. Company Spokesperson Marc Lefebvre says they're hoping for a resolution to be reached by this afternoon. The Union has said workers will strike if a deal is reached by then.

Firefighters hopeful for rain

Ministry of Natural Resources fire managers are nervous as a low pressure system treks across Northwestern Ontario. They are hoping for rain but may get more lightning as the storm passes over the region. Successful initial attacks by fire crews and aircraft have kept new fires small and easier to extinguish.  More than 2-thousand fire personnel and 100 aircraft continue to work on forest fires in the area.

Service cuts in Thunder Bay are not out of the question

Could Thunder Bay follow in Toronto's foot steps in cutting operating costs?  According to our mayor everything is on the table.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says he wants to make the city leaner and no option is out of the realm of possibility.  Hobbs says at this time he thinks cut backs to the public library system isn't an option. 

Time of Use Rates put off

Thunder Bay Hydro customers are getting a temporary reprieve from time of use rates. Spokesperson Tim Wilson says the new rates were to start in August, but will now be pushed off until October. Wilson says the billing program still has some bugs that need to be worked out.

Housing starts rise again

Housing starts in the city continue to rise.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says there were 34 single detached starts last month up from 28 in July of last year.  So far there has been 99 single detached starts in 2011 down from last year's 101.  On the multi family side of things there has been 34 starts compared to last year's 8. 

PC Party Race in Kenora Rainy River

It looks like there will be a race for the Conservative nomination in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding. Louis Roussin has confirmed that his nomination papers have been accepted by the party. Roussin is a member of Kenora City Council and is the seat mate of the other candidate seeking the Conservative nomination, Rod McKay. Roussin is a former real estate agent in the City of Kenora. Still no word as to when a nomination meeting will be held.

Two people fall off Dryden Bridge

A case of a rescue attempt gone horribly wrong.  Dryden Police, paramedics and firefighters were called just before 10 o'clock last night after receiving a report that two people fell of the bridge platform at the Roy Wilson Suspension Bridge.  Police say an intoxicated woman fell into a fenced-in compound, 5-metres down from the bridge platform.  Her drunk friend tried to rescue her, but he ended up falling into the compound, badly breaking his leg. Personnel spent one hour cutting the fence, treating the victims and loading them up to the Ambulance. The woman suffered serious injuries. There is no word on if charges have been laid.

Gas Pipe leak

Union Gas has repaired a section of pipe that broke early Monday morning. Spokesperson Andrea Stass says they're looking into what happened.  Construction crews were working in the area when a two inch section of the pipe was damaged. Stass reminds residents to always call before you dig.

Horwath to make more promises

The province's NDP leader is going to make some election promises in the city Tuesday relating to forestry and mining. Andrea Horwath will announce her plan to protect jobs in those sectors in Northwestern Ontario.

Canoeist Safe

Red Lake OPP have been able to rescue an injured canoeist from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Police say the 51-year-old man from Florida severely injured his knee on the first day of his planned 15-day canoe trip. Officers received the call on Friday and it took 5-hours for Police to locate and rescue the man.  OPP say the tourist is in good condition.

Million Dollars to Play Program

The Provincial Government is pledging another million dollars to expand the Right to Play initiative in Northern Ontario.Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Chris Bentley says initially they are expanding the program.

Bentley says communities will have to apply for funding.

Electricity program expands

The Provincial Government has started to roll out its Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program. The ILevel Timberstrand Mill in Kenora was the latest recipient of a two cent per kilowatt hour subsidy.  Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle says the program is to help local mills remain competitive. The program was launched last September.

Time to vote for P-A Stadium

The push is on to make Port Arthur Stadium the favourite baseball park in Canada. City Tourism spokesperson John Cameron says the designation would just be another notch on our tourism belt on the heels of last year's World Baseball Championship. You can vote for Port Arthur Stadium by clicking on this link

Another drug bust in Thunder Bay

More illegal drugs have been taken off the streets of Thunder Bay.  Officers searched a house on Wentworth Crescent Friday and found around 9 thousand dollars worth of Cocaine and over 8 thousand dollars in cash.  A 32 year old woman was arrested and is facing charges.

Pukaskwa closes backcountry portion of park

Officials at Pukaskwa National Park have closed the entire back country portion of the park.  The move comes after last week's bear attack on a visitor.  Acting Park Manager Robin Heron says an investigation found no mistakes made by the visitor, making this a problem bear situation.

It's time to start thinking about locking in your mortgage

The US Debt rating drop could jack up interest rates.  That's the prediction from Thunder Bay Investment Expert Blake Cameron who says it could be a smart move to get locked in at a low interest rate on your mortgage. 
Cameron says in the short term expect more market volatility.

The Sheepdogs to play Thunder Bay

Organizers of the Superior Youth Festival must be living right because they've managed to snag an act that is currently one of the hottest in North America.   The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan are on the cover of  Rolling Stone magazine after they were chosen as the first winners of the annual "Do You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star" contest.   The band was booked for the August 24th event at Marina Park prior to the band receiving the accolades.

Man arrested for drugs after traffic stop

Dryden Police have laid 2-charges against a Quebec man after a traffic stop outside of Dryden.  Officers stopped the 19 year old man yesterday for speeding and found drugs.

Atikokan is trying to enhance reputation

Atikokan is challenging its residents to help build on its reputation as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.  Paula Sanders of the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation says funds will be provided for residents to come up with ideas. The contest ends August 31.

No let up in Forest Fire activity

Some rain is expected in Northwestern Ontario today, which could help reduce the number of new fires as well as dampen existing fires. Lightning strikes ignited about two dozen more fires in the region over the weekend, raising the total to almost 130. The Ministry of Natural Resources says smoky conditions continue to be a concern for communities in the far north. Smoke from Red Lake Fire 124 was expected to drift in the communities of Red Lake and Pikangikum..

Still waiting

Time is running out to work a deal between Bombardier Transportation in Thunder Bay and members of Canadian Auto Workers Local Union 1075. Local Union 1075 President Dominic Pasqualino says this is not an ideal time to deal with uncertainty. Pasqualino also says its frustrating because with a strike they would lose time and fail to deliver to customers on schedule. The deadline for a new settlement is Tuesday at 4 PM. The union would strike immediately if a deal couldn't be reached. Pasqualino says he hopes the two sides can meet somewhere in the middle.

Forest fires remain active

The forest fire situation continues to be very active both with existing fires and new ones being discovered. Currently there are 112 active fires in North Western Ontario burning close to 600,000 hectares in the province. About 2000 fire personnel and over 100 aircraft are engaged in fire suppression.

Not the ending they hoped for

It looks like the Chill have cooled off quickly. The Thunder Bay chill lost to the Kitsap Pumas 3-1 in the Premier Development League final four held at Bremerton Memorial Stadium; in Bremerton, Washington. The Chill could not contend with Kitsap's offensive firepower. The Pumas scored three clutch goals in the second half, two by Matt Friesen, to come back from their 0-1 halftime deficit. Thunder Bay’s Gustavo Oliveira scored the only goal for the Chill on a penalty kick in the first half. The Kitsap Pumas will be playing in it's first USL PDL Championship game Saturday night against the Laredo Heat.

Shaw to fight for Minneapolis TV

Shaw Cable says it supports the concerns of it's Thunder Bay subscribers who want to get back the Minneapolis TV stations. Spokesperson Greg Pultz says that's why they're applying to the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission to get them back.   Pultz says the CRTC forced them to take the stations off in the first place.

Tory hopeful emerges in Kenora-RR

The manager of the Kenora Forest Products Mill in Kenora is looking at a shift in career to provincial politics. Rod McKay has indicated he plans to run for the Conservatives in the upcoming Provincial election. McKay says the decision by Howard Hampton not to run again, didn't really affect his decision. McKay is also a member of Kenora City council.

MNR flies band members over fire

It appears the concerns of Whitewater Lake First Nation residents may have been premature. Their Chief was complaining that they were ignored by the Ministry of Natural Resources during forest fire evacuations. However ministry staff flew some band members over the fire near their community and they were satisfied the MNR acted properly.