Benefits of tax break not clear for St. Joe's

The head of St. Joseph's Care Group is welcoming a seniors tax credit from the province. The credit is a promise from the McGuinty Liberals to encourage senior care at home. However St. Joe's Tracy Buckler will not speculate on any possible spin offs for her organization.  Buckler says that having more seniors stay at home has the potential to relieve pressure on the health care system.

Hyer ponders third reading vote

Bruce Hyer isn't saying if he'll be voting to scrap the long-gun registry when it comes up again for third reading in Parliament.  The Thunder Bay NDP MP says even though he has voted against the party line on the issue, he's taking this time to consider his options and won't commit to anything until he sees the final legislation.  However,  he says he wants to keep the promise he made to his constituents.  Hyer, and fellow NDP MP John Rafferty have been punished by the party for the way they voted.  Rafferty says he'll vote the same way as he did before.

A snap-shot of local hockey history

Thirty years after his death, Thunder Bay author David Nicholson is now telling the story about his cousin Bruce Gamble. "Gamble in Goal" is a book about Gamble's career in the NHL compiled from interviews Nicholson did with family and friends.   Nicholson says the book took about 14 years to write.

Maltese wins Environment Award

Grade seven student Sophia Maltese is happy to win the TD Friends of the Environment Art Contest.  Her school Bishop E.Q. Jennings gets over seven thousand dollars because of Maltese' artwork.  Maltese wants the school to use the money to create an outdoor classroom. On top of the cash prize, Maltese gets a digital camera.

Inflation drops in Thunder Bay

Our inflation rate is on the decline.  Thunder Bay's rate went from 3.4 percent in September to 3 percent last month.  That followed the National and provincial trends that both fell last month to sit at 2.9 and 2.7 percent respectively.

Kids with Cancer Soccer on Sunday

Two Soccer teams will square off Sunday to raise money for kids living with cancer.  Spokesperson Kyle Van Ravenswaay invites the public to come out and cheer on the teams.  You can make a pledge before and during the game that starts Sunday at the Sportsdome.

Plans for gold mine coming along

Construction of an open-pit gold mine near Atikokan is not that far off. It's expected to begin in 2014.  President of Osisko Mining Sean Rosen says the company has projected the area to have more than 10 and a half million ounces of available resources.

Syria is in a crisis

Syria is on the verge of falling into a brutal civil war and Lakehead University Political Science Expert Laure Paquette says the latest developments are unheard of.  Paquette says the Arab League which until recently was a band of dictators that got together for coffee have suspended Bashar Assad and are planning on advicing the protesters on how to better organize. 

Charges laid in connection to the death in Sioux Lookout

A 15 year old from Sandy Lake is facing charges in connection to the death of an 11 year old girl in Sioux Lookout last year.  The boy has been charged with sexual assault and criminal negligence causing death in the death of Chloe Matthews.

Occupy Protest is all about trust

Thunder Bay's own Keith McCullough has worked on wall street for much of his career and understands what the root cause of the Occupy movement is about.  The Founder of Hedgeye Risk Management says the problem the protesters have is they don't trust the financial system and until Old Wall Street becomes accountable and transparent the protests will continue.

L-U prez to talk about the future

Lakehead University takes centre stage Friday morning.  It's President Brian Stevenson will tell a breakfast crowd what the future holds for the institution.  It's being dubbed a Report to the Community and described by some as a State of the University speech.

Bundle up....it's La Niña time

Expect a cold winter with less snow. The United Nations weather agency says we'll have a La Niña winter.  Speaking of winter,  Magic Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says it usually means a colder winter with less snowfall in Northwestern Ontario.  Speaking of winter, Laidlaw says it's been arriving later and later over the last 40 years, he estimates by about 2 weeks.

Pope John Paul students walk across City

Pope John Paul's Grade 8 class is walking across the City today to raise awareness of the upcoming Rick Hansen Man In Motion campaign.  Student Grace Simpson says they want to do their part to share his story. Simpson says one way it took them two hours walking from Franklin Street to the Waterfront. Hansen will be in the City on January 9th. 

Rafferty defends fellow NDP member

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is defending fellow NDP'er Pat Martin. Martin dropped a couple of F-bombs on Twitter after the Conservative government invoked closure on a budget debate.  Martin called the move an expletive disgrace and told a follower who dubbed him a foul-mouthed socialist to impolitely buzz off.  Rafferty adds Martin is colourful and that's what he's known for.

OPP internal investigation underway

A Red Lake OPP officer is under investigation after allegations that they took a person in custody several kilometres out of town and released them.  Provincial police say they're conducting an internal investigation into the alleged incident on Oct. 29th.  A member of the Red Lake detachment has been suspended from duty while the investigation is conducted.

Salvation Army kicks off Kettle Campaign

The Salvation Army is gearing up for another Christmas Kettle campaign.  This year they're looking to raise 150 thousand dollars.  Volunteers will be at seven different locations across the City including Intercity, the Superstore, Walmart and the LCBO.  The Sally Ann still needs help and if you have some time to donate you can call 345-6492.

Victim's father wants to move on

The father of a woman beaten to death in the city last year is accepting the apology of the two women who have plead guilty to killing her. Philip Gliddy admits it was hard to hear the details of how daughter Patricia Sturgeon died in a city hotel room, but says he  will not worry about how long each of them may have to spend in jail. He says he just wants to put the incident behind him and let Patricia rest in peace.   Joanne Vivier and Michelle Morris will be sentenced on February 15th. 

Ring of Fire meeting in Cleveland went well

Its being called a very successful meeting with Cliffs Natural Resources.  A contingent of area officials went to Cleveland in an attempt to convince the mining company to locate a processing plan here.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says the meeting went well.  Hobbs says even if they don't get the processor, they have at least increased Thunder Bay's profile south of the border.

Don't expect the markets to level out anytime soon

Calling the current problems in Europe complex would be an understatement.  Thunder Bay's own Keith McCullough is the founder of Hedgeye Risk Management says the volatility is causing some governments to print more money than ever, which is causing inflation to rise and in turn hurting economic growth.   McCullough says don't expect the volatility to end for another 3 months at least. 

Syrian situation is escalating

The situation in Syria is on the verge of breaking down into civil war.  Lakehead University Political Science Expert Laure Paquette says army defectors have attacked an air force intelligence building that was the main hub for intelligence gathering on protesters.  Paquette says unfortunately this will most definitely lead to far more violence that will last a very long time. 

Grann trial continues

The trial of a city police constable continues at the Ontario Court of Justice.   Toni Grann is charged with 11 counts of Breach of Trust.   It involves the local records of the Ontario Sex Offender Registry which she was responsible for.   Some parts of the trial are under a publication ban and some of the witnesses can't be identified.

Vehicle accident in Oliver Paipoonge

Thunder Bay Police are confirming an accident in the four thousand block of Oliver Road.  The incident in Oliver Paipoonge was reported just after 11:30.  Thunder Bay's Fire Department is sending a unit to help out that includes extrication equipment.

Beck Street House Fire

Thunder Bay Fire had five trucks on route at a house fire on Beck Street.  Crews laid a water hose line and started fighting the fire just after the eleven o'clock hour.  Neighbours called in the fire after seeing smoke.  No one was injured.  Crews are still looking into where the fire started.

Northern Raffle Launched

The Red Cross needs your help to continue offering disaster relief services.  The organization has launched it's Northern Raffle and hopes to sell over 4-thousand tickets.  Disaster Manager Coordinator Ken Widdifield says tickets can be purchased at Halfway Motors, Northern Credit Union, George's Market and the Canadian Red Cross.  This year's prices include a 2012 Nissan Murano, a 2012 Polaris Sportsman and a thousand dollars cash.

Public consultation on Eagle's Nest project

Public consultation has started in Noront's Eagle's Nest Project.  It's part of the Environmental assessment process and the public can comment up until December 16th.  Noront wants to operate a nickel-copper-platinum mine at the site in Northern Ontario.

Union upset with pay bump

The Canadian Union of Public Employees isn't happy that some Liberal MPP's, including Thunder Bay's Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro, are getting increases in their pay.  The union claims cabinet members, such as Gravelle, will earn an extra 49-thousand dollars, above the 116-thousand MPP salary.  Mauro and 28 other parliamentary assistants get an extra 16-thousand a year.

Lottery winners split 1 million

Thunder Bay  has two big lottery winners. Edward Dunnill and Thuy Le Muir won a million dollars in the November 11th Lotto Max Draw after they won on the Encore number. The OLG says Dunnill plans to go on a family vacation and make some investments with his windfall, while Le Muir prepares for her retirement, pays off some bills and plans a trip to Vietnam.

Lot$ of unpaid fines

City has it's share of unpaid fines.   City Clerk John Hannam told the Police Services Board the number is quite substantial at 25 million dollars.  He says the number skyrocketed when the Provincial Government handed the city the responsibility for collecting provincial fines as well

Thunderhawks ready to make some noise

For the first time in the history of Confederation College there is a women's hockey team. At the team's introduction coach Marshall Erickson said it's a significant moment.  Erickson says the Thunderhawks are playing various women's teams in the city this season and making two road trips.

Operation Red Nose is back

Operation Red Nose is back for it's third annual go-round in the city. Organizer Toni Lightwood says once again volunteers will be out driving party goers home safely. She says starting on November the 25th there will be 15 nights in which the service will operate. Lightwood says that once again there will be no service on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve because there aren't enough volunteers

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

The District Health Unit is trying to prevent a bed bug problem from creeping up in Thunder Bay. Spokesperson Chris Beveridge says they held a one day bed bug conference for local businesses and others to educate them on the keys to prevention.  Beveridge says there have been 11 bed bug complaints in the city so far this year.

Toys for Tots kicked off

Toys for Tots is back for another holiday season of fundraising.  Organizer Bob Vander Ploeg says they're confident in their fundraising efforts.  The firefighters have a booth set up at the Intercity Shopping Centre to take your donations.

City Age Friendly

Thunder Bay is now a member of the World Health Organization's Global Age Friendly Network.  The City has been working on getting the recognition for over two years and Councillor Rebecca Johnson says they're already thinking about next steps.  The City was recognized by the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland recently.

Big Trout Lake talks break off with Province

Talks between Big Trout Lake and the Ontario Government are on hold. The First Nation feels the province is unable to provide assurance that mining exploration by God's Lake Resources would stop while the joint panel meets.

Thunder Bay Alliance speaking with Cliffs

Fort William First Nation, Thunder Bay, and the Economic Development Commission are teaming up to talk with Cliff's Natural Resources.  The trio are heading to Cleveland and will speak with the company tomorrow about located the ferrochrome processing facility in the City.

Arson charges laid in cruiser fire

Two Fort Hope (Eabametoong) residents are facing arson charges in connection with last week's fire which destroyed a police cruiser in the community located about 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.   The two, a 20 year old and 23 year old, are scheduled for a bail court appearance in Thunder Bay today. 

Council okays EMS Plan

The North of Superior EMS strategic plan is causing a lot of rift in the region.  Mayors and officials at a number of municipalities spoke to council last night to give their concerns about the potential of shifting EMS resources away from the district and into Thunder Bay.  Terrace Bay Mayor Mike King says his community just went through a tragic incident that shows how important EMS services are. In the end council voted in favour of the EMS Plan but agreed that no district changes would be made without public consultation.  The plan includes 2 new ambulances that will be funded over the next 3 years.

City Council approves the Master Fire Plan

The master fire plan is in the books.  Council voted in favour of the plan despite some questions about the future Brown Street Stations proximity to the train tracks.  Chief John Hay says they have a plan in place that will call a different truck if there is ever a delay.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga voted against the plan because he doesn't support the addition of new administration positions that come with a price tag of half a million dollars.

Open house attracts a crowd

There's definitely a lot of interest in Thunder Bay in the Ring of Fire chromite project. Hundreds of people attended the open house put on by Cliff's Natural Resources. For some like Donna and Myron Yurkew, it was curiosity about the project that brought them to the event. For others like Chris Michaels it was a chance to see what business opportunities are available for local supply companies. The open house is part of the Environmental Assessment process.

Police officer pleads not guilty

The trial of a city police officer is underway.  43 year old Constable Toni Grann has pleaded not guilty in a Thunder Bay courtroom to 11 counts of Breach of Trust. The prosecution withdrew one of the original 12 counts before the trial began. Police say the charges involve falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. The trial is expected to go on the rest of this week and possibly into next.

Kanate to be sentenced next month

A sentence will be handed down next month in connection with the 2009 stabbing death of 25 year old Keegan Williams.   20 year old Patrick Kanate of Thunder Bay  has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case.  As part of the proceedings Keegan's mother Ida Williams gave a victim impact statement talking of the depression she has undergone since her son's death.   When given a chance to speak Kanate told the mother..."I'm sorry for everything I've done...sorry for making your life miserable."   Sentencing takes place December 5th.

Police are investigating a 3 vehicle collision

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a 3 vehicle collision on Balmoral Street.  Staff Sergeant Frank Early says a transport truck lost control after colliding with a car then hit a pickup truck.  He says the jaws of life were needed to remove a man from the pick up and was taken to hospital along with two elderly occupants in the car.  Early says its still too early to say who is to blame and if charges are pending.

Toni Grann trial underway

The trial of a City police officer is underway.   43 year old Toni Grann has pleaded not guilty in a Thunder Bay courtroom to 11 counts of breach of trust.  The prosecution withdrew one of the original 12 charges before the trial began. Police say the charges against Grann involve falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry

Police investigate assault

Police are investigating a couple of incidents at the Hudson Apartment buildings Saturday.  A party broke up in the building and an hour later police found an unconscious man bleeding in the hallway.  Constable Julie Tilbury adds police located a second man in the stairwell that they believe was assaulted.  A 19 year old man is charged with assault causing bodily harm.

Giving Tree Campaign Launched

Dilico Family Care, the Children's Aid Society and Zellers have teamed up to brighten Christmas for kids in need.  The three have launched their Spirit of Giving Tree campaign.  Customers are encouraged to pick an ornament off the tree with the age and gender of a child in need and then purchase an age appropriate gift for that child.  Dilico's Carmela Magbanua says all three Zeller's stores are taking part in the campaign that runs until December 21st.

First case of flu

Influenza is in our community.  The Health Unit has confirmed it's first case of flu in the District this season.  Medical Officer Dr. David Williams says it's a good reminder to the public that they do need to get a flu shot.  Health Unit flu clinics take place weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays through to December 20th.

Coroner's Office concludes investigation

The investigation into the death of a 4 year old girl at Fort William Historical Park is over.  Regional Coroner Dr. Michael Wilson says they're keeping the results private and are sharing it with the family and the park only.  Willow Scott Hannam died while on a school field trip to Fort William Historical Park in the spring of 2010.

Fire Plan coming up at Council

Council will get a second look at the Master Fire Plan at tonight's meeting.  Chief John Hay says he hopes City Council will accept the 5 year plan and says it will provide them with a good baseline for strategic planning moving forward.  Administration is recommending Council approve the plan. 

New Website highlights Great Lakes Shipping

Thunder Bay's Port is getting some more exposure thanks to a new website.  The Chamber of Marine Commerce spokesperson Julia Fields says they have launched the site to highlight the importance of each port including Thunder Bay's. Fields says the website will be available in both the US and Canada.

Cliffs Open House

Cliff's Natural Resources is holding an open house for Thunder Bay residents tonight. The company is offering up information on its Ring of Fire chromite project.  The open house is on from 4 until 8 tonight at the Valhalla Inn.