Beaches closed in T.Bay

With warm temperatures this week, its not the news people wanting to cool off want to hear.  The Health Unit has issued a notice closing Boulevard Lake, Chippewa Park and Sunny Side beaches.  Recent water quality tests at the beach yielded higher than acceptable levels of E-coli bacteria.

Tornado warning over for Dryden

Environment Canada has ended the tornado warning for the City of Dryden, and the town of Vermillion Bay. A funnel cloud was spotted at the local airport Tuesday afternoon.

Lamore thinks "royal" move is great

A local legionnaire thinks it's great that the federal government is putting "royal" back in the name of our navy and air force. Past President Roy Lamore believes it's only common sense.  Lamore calls it an important distinction.

Collision sends one person to hospital

Thunder Bay Police continue to investigate a car accident on Chippewa Road. A car and transport collided on Chippewa Road near the James Street Intersection Tuesday morning. The 36 year old woman driver remains in hospital with minor injuries. Chippewa Road was closed for several hours today due to the accident.

City launches waterfront exhibit

The City wants you to travel back in time to learn about the re-development of the waterfront. Archivist Matt Szybalski says the waterfront has been a priority for councils since 1967. Szybalski adds waterfront development has long been a topic of interest. To view the site click here.

CRTC gives CBC a digital reprieve

  TV viewers in Thunder Bay who get their  French CBC from an over-the-air signal don't have to buy digital equipment to view the station.  The Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission is giving the public broadcaster permission to broadcast in analog for another year before they must switch to a digital signal. 

Caribou Charity Ride coming up soon

Cyclists will be riding to help beat Cancer.  Organizer of the 3rd Caribou Charity Ride Jeff Hupka says the 3rd annual event is set to take place September 11th.  Hupka says they hope to raise cancer awareness and help bring about prevention by promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Northern Lights School still has room

Over 20 educators have applied for the position as a head teacher with the Northern Lights Alternative School.  Spokesperson Carrie Gillies says they should make a hiring announcement in the coming days.  The school will open in September at it's Clarke Street location. They still have room for more students.

Missing Winnipeg man

OPP divers are expected in Kenora today to search for a missing Winnipeg man. Police say 28-year-old Lucas Janz of Winnipeg went swimming at a camp on Shoal Lake on Sunday morning and failed to return. Police have searched the island and immediate area with negative results.

PA Stadium one step closer to being Canada's Favourite Ballpark

Port Arthur Stadium is off to the finals in Baseball Canada's Favourite Ballpark in Canada.  Thunder Bay International Baseball Association Chair Larry Hebert says its a nice feather in the city's cap that will help draw baseball tournaments to the city.  Thunder Bay will take on the winner of the Trois-Rivieres and London Ontario who face off in this week's semi final.

Stolen vehicle found

A vehicle stolen from Thunder Bay was found in Marathon by OPP.  Officers were conducting a patrol in the area of Penn Lake when the driver of the car sped off.  Two Marathon youths are charged with possession of property obtained by crime and breach of conditions.

Former TBAY resident wins NDP nomination

NDP in Kenora-Rainy River have selected MPP Howard Hampton's constituency assistant in Dryden as their candidate in the October 6th provincial election.  Former Thunder Bay resident Sarah Campbell beat out Kenora lawyer Robert Sinding following a series of nomination meetings that concluded last night in Fort Frances.  Campbell says the campaign for her is now underway.  No results were given, but a total of 137 people cast ballots.

Attacks heat up in Syria

Its going to be a long and bloody road for the people of Syria.  That's the opinion of LU Political Science Professor Laure Paquette.  She says unfortunately her earlier predictions of escalation, ended up being right with news coming in that government forces are using artillery fire against protesters. Paquette says despite that, western powers are unlikely to intervene. 

Impaired driver causes 2 vehicle crash

Thunder Bay police have a 52 year old in custody after a late night collision.  Police say the man was impaired and caused an accident at the corner of Junot and Red River just before midnight.  The collision sent 5 people to hospital with minor injuries. 

Decision to be made in September

City Council is putting off making a decision on a proposed Bell cell phone tower in the area of Regina and John Street.  Council was asked to write Industry Canada saying there are concerns over the site.  Concerned resident Attilio Garro says the city let him down by putting off making a decision.  Bell will be making a deputation to council at it's September 19th meeting and that's when council will make a decision.

Cell tower sparks squabble

Who would have thought a proposed cell phone tower could spark a squabble between City Councillors.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga was visibly angry with Chair Iain Angus when it came to the procedural rules.  Giertuga alleged Angus may have been controlling the debate to his advantage.  Angus called Giertuga out of order and asked for an apology.The tiff was over Council being asked to write a letter to Industry Canada over the location of a Bell tower.

Whalen Building renos approved

Some City Councillors are concerned over the size of the contingency fund for repairs slated for the Whalen Building.  Administration says it's because the building is 98 years old and they're not sure what they could find when they start to rehabilitate.  Council approved a 719 thousand dollar renovation contract with Roof Tile Management.  3 million dollars will be spent on the building in the next two years.

Council confers over curbs

Some residents of Holly Crescent would like the city to hold off on resurfacing their street.  They want the city to repair the street at the same time as their water mains and curbs.  Administration told council they just don't have the funds to repair all of the curbs in the City.  Several councillors visited the street to see the state of its infrastructure.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff mentioned there are homeowners in Thunder Bay who are unhappy with new sidewalks being put in place, while places like Holly Crescent would like one.

Suicide Stigma

A local firefighter wants to remove the stigma from talking about suicide. Scott Chisholm is the creator of the Collateral Damage project. Chisholm spoke to City Council Monday night and asked them to help foster a community dialogue about the signs leading up to suicide and prevention.

Forbes Township youth dead in accident

A 16 year old Forbes Township teenager is dead as the result of a weekend traffic fatality. OPP say the single vehicle accident happened on Highway 11-17 west of Highway 102 Saturday morning at around 9:15. The victim, Marvin Spencer, was pronounced dead at the scene while two other occupants were taken to the Regional hospital with less serious injuries

NDP claim Clement controlled G-8 slush fund

The NDP believe they have dug up information that's damaging to FedNor minister Tony Clement. Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says his party has discovered the Harper government set up a slush fund for last year's G8 meetings in a way designed to avoid scrutiny by the auditor general. Hyer claims that Clement secretly funnelled 50 million dollars in G-8 money from FedNor through his constituency office.


 

CLE makes its mark again

Organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition say they couldn't be happier. President Lawrence Timko says they expect they will reach the 62 thousand mark in attendance. He adds, everything went right this year with very few, if any, glitches or problems. Timko says the weather was also perfect.

Missing man on Shoal Lake

Kenora OPP are searching for a missing Winnipeg man on Shoal Lake.  They say he was last seen swimming in the lake early Sunday morning.  The shoreline search is centred around Galt Island.

New chief of police in Dryden

The City of Dryden has a new Chief of Police. Rob Davis has accepted the position, effective August 29th.  The Police Services Board says Davis has extensive experience in policing, particularly with aboriginal issues and combating organized crime.

Boshcoff takes up residents cause

Residents in the Regina and John Street area have a supporter on city council in their corner. Ken Boshcoff says he'll be asking council to vote in favour of his request to have Bell move a planned cell phone tower in the area.  He says the neighbourhood is making  it quite clear they're not in favour of the tower.   Boshcoff's request is directed at the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission which has jurisdiction over the issue.

NDP In Kenora-RR continue the process

The last of four nomination meetings for the NDP in Kenora-Rainy River goes tonight in Fort Frances.  Former Thunder Bay resident Sarah Campbell and Robert Sinding of Kenora are vying to be the riding's candidate in this October's provincial election.

Young offender arrested in stolen vehicle

A 14 year boy is behind bars this morning after being found in a stolen car.  Police found the car at Hillcrest Park just before 3 o'clock, when they approached it the driver took off and collided with a cruiser.  The vehicle was then driven to Marlborough Street where it was abandoned and the occupants fled.  Officers arrested the driver but the others escaped.

AbitibiBowater joins CEP

Workers at AbitibiBowater in Thunder Bay voted to join Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. A vote took place on Friday with CEP winning majority support from employees. National representative Stephen Boon said this should be a perfect fit, with CEP already representing most employees at AbitibiBowater Thunder Bay and almost 80% of AbitibiBowater employees in eastern Canada.

Bombardier workers vote yes and end strike

Seven hundred Bombardier employees will be returning to work on Monday after voting to accept a new 3 year contract.   Over 90 per cent of the workers who voted went along with the recommendation of the union executive and said "yes" to the new deal.   The contract includes improvements to wages and pensions along with a change in the work schedule from a 5 day a week operation to 7 days. 

Arson on East Francis

Thunder Bay police are investigating a suspected arson that took place on East Francis st. Police and firefighters were called to the scene late Friday night, where a vehicle and a motorcycle were lit on fire. It's reported that the vehicle was a 2001 Jaguar and the motorcycle was a 2001 Kawasaki. Police also found a 5 gallon gas can, along with a home made explosive device. Both the vehicle and motorcycle were destroyed by fire.

Cats bats coming back

Don't count out the Border Cats just yet because the baseball club is coming back next season. General Manager Brad Jorgenson says they were able to increase attendance 15 per cent this year and hope for an even brighter 2012.   Jorgenson believes a warmer June could have helped to boost attendance even more.

Pukaskwa Park reopens back country

The back country of Pukasaw park is open again.  It was closed for a week after a bear attacked a park visitor.  Meantime, DNA testing on the bear that was killed this week has yet to come back.

C-Dif outbreak at hospital

There's an outbreak of C-Dificile at the Regional Health Sciences Centre. The first floor of the facility has infection control precautions in place.

NAN Chiefs Conference starts Tuesday

Ontario's Lieutenant Governor will be speaking at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's chiefs conference next week.  It kicks off in Summer Beaver Tuesday, with housing, mining, and education being discussed.  David Onley will speak about his work with aboriginal youth literacy.

Suicide Prevention Thunder Bay

City Councillors are invited to attend a workshop on suicide prevention.  The group Collateral Damage feels that if leaders are informed the community will be more aware as well.  A deputation on the matter will take place during Monday night's council meeting.

Bike Lanes 101

Thunder Bay drivers will be getting lessons on how to drive around bike lanes in the coming weeks. Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says the city will be conducting a massive education campaign.

Kenora Rainy River race for NDP spot

NDP across the Kenora-Rainy River District begin the selection of their candidate for the October provincial election. Sarah Campbell of Oxdrift and Robert Sinding of Kenora will be campaigning for support as nomination meetings start in Sioux Lookout tonight. Voting will take place throughout the weekend.

Walk4Justice in Thunder Bay Saturday

A group of walkers raising awareness about missing and murdered Aboriginal women will be in the city Saturday.  The group started it's journey in B.C. and hopes to make it to Ottawa in late September. You can meet the group at Vickers Park at 4 Saturday afternoon.

Thunder Bay man arrested in Guelph

A Thunder Bay man is facing 6 months in prison for a robbery in Southern Ontario.  Reports Friday say Timothy Littlejohn was arrested earlier this summer in connection to a robbery at a Subway restaurant in Elora in 2006.

Voting extended for favourite ball park in Canada

You have more time to cast your vote to help PA Stadium become Canada's favourite ball park.  Baseball Canada announced today the deadline for the semi-finals has been extended to Tuesday at 10 am.

NAN supports inquiry into jury rolls

Frank Iacobucci

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is responding favourably to the news that there will be an inquiry into the jury roll system in Ontario.   NAN says it has fought for years to uncover the truth about why First Nations have been excluded from the provincial justice system.  The government has appointed former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to head the probe. 

Man with swords arrested

A sword wielding man is facing charges this morning.  Police say they got the call of a man walking around with 2 swords yesterday afternoon.  When officers approached the man, he tried to hide the swords and was arrested and charged.

Man attacks man with pruning shears

A 31 year old man is in police custody  today after an attempted robbery.  Police say the man tried to stab and rob an employee in the intercity area yesterday with a pair of pruning shears.  The man was arrested and charged.

240 summer jobs in T.Bay

Students will leave their summer jobs soon and return to school. 240 Thunder Bay youth were employed locally this summer. YES Employment Services helped the 15 to 18 year olds find summer employment.

T.Bay boy learns in Ottawa

A young Thunder Bay boy is back from Ottawa after attending the Ontario Child Amputee seminar. 8 year old Connor Okerlund was born a left arm amputee and spoke to older CHAMP Counsellors about growing up an amputee.

No slots revenue talk between Mayor and OLG boss

The new president of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation would be open to listening to the City if it requested an increase in revenue from slot machines. Rod Phillips says it doesn't appear to be a priority though,  since it wasn't brought up by Mayor Hobbs or any other city official when he met with them on Thursday.  Phillips also doesn't see the casino expanding or providing regular entertainment in the foreseeable future.

NAN says No

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is joining a growing movement by announcing it will not participate in a national education review process by the Harper government. Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says the national panel was established without input from First Nations in Canada.

Abitibi Bowater looks for cost reductions

AbitibiBowater is pledging more cost reductions at its Mills.  The company enjoyed a net profit of 61-million dollars in the last quarter.  However, CEO Richard Garneau says reducing costs remains a priority.  Garneau adds the company is still looking at 120-million dollars on capital improvements.

Council set to talk garbage trucks

City Council is considering purchasing four new garbage trucks.  They'll vote Monday on an almost 900-thousand dollar bid by C.C. Poulin Equipment.

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.