Walsh street sidewalk to be discussed Monday

The controversial Walsh Street sidewalk might not be created after all.  Council already approved the contract for the project, and it's underway.  However, the city is considering backing out of the project because of trees being cut down.  A report will be brought back to council next Monday during a special meeting.

Traffic light removal approved

Thunder Bay City Council is approving the removal of the traffic signals at the intersection of Miles Street and Syndicate Avenue. A report found that the lights are no longer needed because the traffic conditions no longer warrant them. The removal of the lights will save the city a thousand dollars each year. Pedestrian activated signals will be installed 30 metres west of the intersection of Miles and Brodie streets. Council will ratify the traffic light removal at it's September 26th meeting.

Bus passes approved

Thunder Bay City Council is going to provide some bus passes to Lakehead University's Humanities program. However, they're also asking administration to create a policy that would deal with community groups asking for free bus passes.  Council will be providing 600 bus passes to the Humanities 101 students.

Shelter House makes request

Thunder Bay City Council is considering a request from Shelter House.  The group wants council to put just over 240-thousand dollars towards renovating their George Street building.  Shelter House wants to use the building to offer help to chronic alcoholics. The group wants to offer 15 beds to alcoholics that currently stay at the hospital or in jail cells. Council has asked for a report on the project.

Dawson Road residents speak out

A room packed full of people living around Dawson Road took in Monday night's City Council meeting.  15 hundred signatures were collected on a petition calling for transport truck traffic to be diverted from that stretch of road to the Shabaqua Highway.  Community members shared their driving experiences with council.  The group feels the road isn't safe because of the aggressive way the transports are driven.

Columbus to visit city

Thunder Bay is getting a visit from a cruise ship Tuesday morning. The MV Columbus is going to arrive with its 360 passengers at around 6:15  and leave at around 5:30 in the afternoon.    It will make a return trip to the city on September 23rd.

Smoke drifts into city

Smoke from a forest fire south of the border is causing problems in Thunder Bay.  The city fire service says the smoke drifted here from an 11 thousand acre fire near Ely, Minnesota . 

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect

Dark clouds are hovering over the city as Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the city. Environment Canada says a cold front is the cause of the storm.  Strong gusting winds and hail are expected.

50 thousand won on scratch ticket

A Thunder Bay resident is richer thanks to playing a crossword scratch ticket. Terry Nishibata won 50 thousand dollars from the Ontario Lottery Commission.

City looks to host international games

Thunder Bay is making a pitch to host the 2016 Can-Am Police and Fire Games. Bill Marylees is one of the games organizers who are in the city inspecting our sporting facilities and says we are one of three cities in the running. The other cities are Kingston and Ames, Iowa.

Green Party could have candidate by Thursday

Ontario's Green Party says news of their candidate dropping out is not a set back.  Spokesperson Rebecca Harrison says Russ Aegard dropped out for personal reasons.  The party hopes to have a new candidate in place by Thursday.

SIU investigating collision near Marathon

The Province's Special Investigations Unit is probing an accident Sunday near Marathon that seriously injured two teens. SIU spokesperson Frank Phillips says the investigation is necessary because the two were in a vehicle that the OPP tried to stop on highway 17.  He says the SIU has assigned three investigators to the case.  One officer is the subject of the investigation while twelve officers are witnesses.   Eleven civilian witnesses are also to be questioned. 

NAN calls for inquiry into student deaths

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is making a call for a commission of inquiry into the deaths of seven First Nations students in Thunder Bay. Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says it will help the families of the students move on.  The call comes after a corner ruled an inquest into the death of one of the students could not take place because of jury roll concerns.

Local man is raising money for Cancer research

A local man is raising money for cancer after losing his mother.  Jay Tysoski says he's is raising money in his mother's name after she passed away last year.  Tysoski is also raising money in his wife's name after she was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. Tysoski will be heading to Chicago for this year's Men's Health Urbanathalon next month to help raise awareness.

24 year old drowns in Red Lake

OPP are investigating after a 24 year old man drowned in Red Lake.  The man went swimming Saturday evening and OPP divers located his body yesterday.  Officials say a post mortem will take place today.

Globe and Mail story predicting a tough fight for Gravelle

A recent story in the Globe and Mail is suggesting Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle could be in tough in his bid for re-election.  PC Candidate Anthony Leblanc says it's a sign of McGuinty's neglect of the North.  NDP candidate Steve Mantis says he thinks residents in the region want a bigger voice in Queen's Park.  Gravelle says every election is tough and he's going to do his best to meet the needs of his constituents.

Thunder Bay remembers 9-11

It's the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks and here in Thunder Bay people are gathering to remember. A ceremony took place at Boulevard Lake this morning. Fire and Rescue spokesperson Eric Nordlund says it's a day firefighters will never forget. Nordlund calls 9-11 a turning point for everyone.

Rulling released

Dr. David Eden released his ruling on weather a legally valid jury can be selected from the Thunder Bay Judicial District. Eden says the 2011 jury roll for the Judicial District of Thunder Bay is not representative and does not comply with the Juries Act. In March 2011, Regional Senior Justice Pierce adjourned a murder trial of 15-year-old Reggie Bushie due to the lack of First Nations representation on jury rolls in Northern Ontario.

Fatal collision

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a vehicle collision that took a mans life. Friday night a man was killed in a fatal accident on Townline and Government road. Details are limited at this time as Police are still currently investigating the situation.

Missing boy

Thunder Bay police are searching for a missing boy. A 12 year old boy from Thunder Bay has been reported missing. Police say he has been missing since 12:44 Saturday morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Sawmill parts up for auction

Word that the Atikokan Forest Products Sawmill will be auctioned off at the end of the month isn't sitting well with the candidates in the Thunder Bay Atikokan riding.  MPP Bill Mauro says there's still some hope for that mill.  Both the NDP and Progressive Conservative Candidates in the riding are claiming the Liberal's misguided attempts with the forest industry and wood allocation.  The Ontario Superior Court has given the green light to auction off all equipment and property at the Atikokan and Northern Sawmill in Thunder Bay.

Liberals launch Northern Plan

The Liberals have come out swinging against the NDP and Conservatives lauding their plan for the North over the competition.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the other parties are just spouting off rhetoric.  The Liberal plan calls for an increase to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and improving the Northern Health Travel Grant.

Housing starts drop in August

It remains a hot year for housing starts in Thunder Bay, despite a small drop last month. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says there were 26 starts last month, which is a drop of 13 from the same month last year.  Philp says with 171 housing permits taken out in June, he expects the hot construction market to continue this year.

Unemployment holds steady in Thunder Bay

There is no change to our unemployment rate in Thunder Bay.  Our rate stayed steady at 6.2 percent last month which followed the Provincial rate which stayed steady at 7.5 percent.  The National rate increased to 7.3 percent.

Drug bust lands a 21 year old in jail

Another drug bust has landed a 21 year old man in police custody.  The man was arrested after police searched a house on Hamilton Avenue yesterday and found almost 40 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone pills.

Heat wave breaks records

A heat wave is breaking records across Northwestern Ontario.  New records were set in Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Kenora yesterday.  With a high of 28 there is a chance more records could fall today.

Arrest made in connection to mugging near the casino

A person is now in police custody in relation to an attack on a 90 year old woman last week.  Thunder Bay Police say a 17 year old boy has been arrested in connection to the attack last Friday that landed the elderly woman in the hospital in critical condition.  The victim has been upgraded to stable.

Horwath rallies troops

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling out the Liberal Government for sending out press releases attacking her Northern Ontario platform. Horwath says if the McGuinty Liberals want to attack her policies they can take part in a Northern Ontario specific debate set in the region. Horwath spoke to a crowd of party faithful at the Lakehead Labour Centre Thursday night.

Speeders nabbed the first day of school

City police say too many drivers are speeding near schools. They say on the first day of school this year over 50 tickets were handed out to lead footed drivers. City traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says he's not surprised saying it usually takes drivers several days to adapt to new situations.  Police say one woman was clocked going almost 100 in a 50 km an hour community safety zone.

LU and Metis Nation sign "historic" agreement

Lakehead University is making its mark in the Aboriginal community with the signing of an agreement with the Metis Nation of Ontario. President Brian Stevenson says the Memorandum of Understanding takes the relationship between the two parties to a new level by opening up more opportunities for Metis students.  LU becomes the 10th postsecondary institution in the Province to sign such an agreement with the Metis.

Liberals attack NDP Northern platform

The Liberals are claiming that the NDP will ban all development in the Far North.  They say the NDP plan to repeal the Far North Act and instead put a climate change plan in place. The Liberals are also against the NDP's mining policy.  Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says the NDP mining scheme is bad policy that would hurt foreign investment.  The NDP plan would make it law that resources that can be processed in Ontario won't be shipped away elsewhere.

Bruce Hyer talks Parliament resuming

Members of Parliament head back to work in Ottawa on September 19th.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says his party will be able to carry on former Leader Jack Layton's vision.  The party will look at holding a leadership election in 2012.

CPR is the centre of a new study

An international study on CPR and Defribulation is looking to Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue and Superior North EMS.  EMS Spokesperson Mario Audet says the study's aim is to remove un-needed proceedures to help save lives. Audet says providing CPR and defribulation as soon as possible are vital for saving lives.

Sheelagh Hendrick gets promotion

The City has found someone to cover Crime Prevention Coordinator Amy Siciliano's maternity leave.  Spokesperson Karen Lewis says they've promoted from within.  Sheelagh Hendrick starts her new job September 19th.  Hendrick is currently the Deputy City Clerk.

United Way wants 2.5 million dollars

The United Way is ready to raise funds for the 27 local charities it supports.  Co-Chair Shelley Trewin says this year's goal is just over 2.5 million dollars.  The 2011 fundraising goal was announced at the organization's campaign breakfast Thursday at the Valhalla Inn. 

Police auction off goods

Thunder Bay Police are auctioning off unclaimed property tonight.  60 bikes are up for grabs.  The event kicks off at 6:30 at the police station on Balmoral.

Local author gets recognition

A Thunder Bay author is basking in the limelight after his book was nominated for a Giller Prize.   Michael Christie is one of 17 authors in the country to be nominated for Canada's most prestigious English-language literary award. It's for his book "Beggar's Garden".

Chamber talks provincial election issues

The Provincial election campaign is underway and not everyone seems to be aware of it.  That's the finding of the Chamber of Commerce; President Harold Wilson says some residents are blissfully unaware. Wilson says they hope to raise voter awareness through a candidate survey on their website. Wilson feels creating resource and knowledge based jobs, and the cost of electricity will be hot election topics.

Top 20 under 40

The Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the first ever Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards.  Board Chair Michael Nitz says it's a way to celebrate the rich array of young talent in the region.  The awards will recognize the top 20 under the age of 40.  The awards will be handed out in January, nomination forms are due by October 15th.

Provincial election campaign underway

The Provincial election campaign is officially underway.  We asked residents outside of City Hall what they thought of the upcoming vote.  We head to the polls October 6th.

Tri-party deal inked

Three area First Nations are hailing an agreement signed between them which they say prevents industry from pitting the communities against each other.  The letter of intent involves the Aroland, Ginoogaming and Long Lake 58 First Nations.   The agreement is designed make sure that all of them tell each other about any activities on their lands. 

Burn victim flown to Winnipeg

A Thunder Bay man is now receiving treatment in Winnipeg for burns to his face and hands after a weekend grease fire that fire officials say could have been prevented. They say the Melvin Avenue resident had to be flown out of the city because of the seriousness of the injuries.

PA Stadium loses out to London

Baseball officials in Thunder Bay are taking it in stride. Port Arthur Stadium finished in second place behind London's Labatt Park in voting for Canada's Favourite baseball stadium. Thunder Bay's Larry Hebert says it helped to boost the sport in the city.   About 19 thousand votes were cast in the online poll.

T.Bay man sentenced to 9 years

A 28-year-old Thunder Bay man is looking at up to 9-years in prison for his role in a series of violent, drug-related events.  Steven Nelson Leeson was sentenced Tuesday in connection with events that involved kidnapping, assaulting and intimidating suspected low-level drug dealers. Leeson was sentenced for three counts of unlawful confinement, three counts of aggravated assault, choking someone with a seat belt, using a firearm, kidnapping and assault causing bodily harm.

Naughty Dryden residents

The Dryden Police Service has laid charges of indecent act.  Police located 2-individuals engaging in sex acts in a public place.  Police say the incident occurred on the weekend in broad daylight and note some individuals were offended by the display of public affection.

Leading concussion expert coming to town

Brain Injury Services Northwestern Ontario is calling for better record keeping for concussion victims.  Spokesperson Alice Bellavance says right now there is no way to know how many people have suffered concussions in the area and that needs to change. Bellavance says long term effects from concussions are becoming more and more now and keeping records will be vital in moving forward.  Brain Injury Services Northwestern Ontario is partnering with the District Health Unit to host information sessions October 5th with leading concussion expert Doctor Charles Tator.

T-Wolves training camp underway

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves are on the ice this week at the Tournament Centre for the start of training camp. Coach Joel Scherban says that there are 16 returning players and 10 new ones vying for a roster spot which Scherban says he is in no hurry to finalize. The first game will take place on September 23rd at the Gardens against Trois Rivieres

Accident at Memorial and Central

Thunder Bay Police were kept busy with a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Memorial and Central late Tuesday afternoon.  Police controlled traffic until the scene was cleared. They say the driver of the bike was taken to hospital with injuries that aren't considered a threat to his life.

Help on the way for Pikangikum

The Federal Government says it's taking action to deal with the suicide epidemic on the Pikangikum First Nation. Last week a coroner's report made several recommendations to help the troubled community, including re-building the school. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says they have committed funding for the reconstruction of the school. The Coroner's report dealt with the death of 16-people between the ages of 10 and 19 who killed themselves in Pikangikum, between 2006 and 2008.

Mac's Mart Robberies

Thunder Bay Police are looking into two separate robberies of Mac's Marts over the weekend.  It's alleged that a man pushed an employee in the Oliver Road store after he was confronted about merchandise that was hidden in his shorts.  Police say a woman armed with a syringe robbed the South Waterloo Street Mac's just before 1 Monday.  No one was injured and the woman made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.