Hyer on PM meeting with First Nations

Tuesday's meeting between the Prime Minister and Canada's First Nations people is being panned.  This time the bad review is coming from MP Bruce Hyer.  The local MP thinks the PM should have made more of an effort towards scrapping the Indian Act.

Hudak at Confederation College Thursday

The leader of the Progressive Conservatives is coming to Thunder Bay today to talk about modernizing the province's apprenticeship system.  Tim Hudak will be speaking to Confederation College students about what he would like to see happen with the system.

Rafferty says McGuinty passing the buck

MP John Rafferty says Premier Dalton McGuinty is passing the buck when he claims First Nations are a Federal responsibility.  Rafferty says that's not the case since the Province of Ontario signed both the Treaty three and nine treaties.  The local MP says the McGuinty Government has failed to provide equal funding for first nation education.

OPP still searching Highway 17

Highway 17 between Marathon and Ney's Provincial Park is closed due to a police investigation. It stems from an early morning incident involving OPP trying to stop a vehicle near Terrace Bay. During the chase the car hit the ditch. The two suspects in the car fled; one man has been caught the other remains at large. OPP are requesting motorists NOT to pick up hitchhikers and to report any pedestrians observed on Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and Marathon.

Softwood Lumber deal for 2 more years

Canada has quietly extended the Softwood Lumber Agreement for another two years.  The deal will now expire in 2015.  Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says while softwood lumber exports have been declining in recent years, the deal does provide market certainty for producers.

ORNGE lay offs

There are no cuts being made to ORNGE posts in Northwestern Ontario. 18 jobs were cut at the Province's air ambulance headquarters in Mississauga. The cuts are being made as a way to reduce costs. The restructuring only affects office positions and not pilots or paramedics.

Highway closed due to investigation

Highway 17 between Marathon and Neys Provincial Park is closed due to a police investigation.  OPP Constable Dave Shaw says the Trans Canada has been closed in both directions, west from Marathon and east from Terrace Bay.  They're looking for two suspects as part of the probe.  OPP are requesting motorists not to pick up hitchhikers and to report any pedestrians observed on Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and Marathon.

Roadway subject of open house

The public is having its say on proposals for the Junot Avenue and Golf Links Road area. Residents came out to an open house Tuesday to get an idea of what might happen on that stretch of city roadway. Development Services Manager Mark Smith promises all ideas will be taken seriously. A consultant's ideas for the corridor were the centrepiece of the open house.

Leaders walk away unsatisfied.

The Chief of the Fort William First Nation isn't too thrilled about today's meeting with the Prime Minister. Peter Collins says that he and other Aboriginal leaders didn't get the commitment they were looking for on a number of issues.  He also wasn't satisfied that Stephen Harper did not make a move to scrapping the Indian Act, a demand from many of the Aboriginal leaders in attendance at today's conference. Meantime, Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy says he was hoping for an update on treaty relationships, but that didn't happen.  The Grand Chief says a hundred years later and they're still waiting for the Government to do their part on the treaties.

Ruberto wants more say in location of cell towers

Bell Mobility Towers garnered some more discussion at council.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto took issue with the fact that Bell wants to build 3 very tall towers instead using existing ones.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith said he thinks people understand that these towers are needed to support technology that we want to use.  In the end council voted to send a letter to the Federal Government confirming that Bell held public consultations.

Grand Chief attracts national media

Nishanawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy is one of many First Nations leaders who are in Ottawa today meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  Prior to the gathering the Grand Chief was interviewed by the national media on his concerns heading into the conference.

Hobbs has high praise for Noront

Mayor Hobbs is excited about prospects for the "other" player in the Ring of Fire mining zone. In a speech to the Thunder Bay Rotary Club, Hobbs praised Noront Resources for its plans for the mineral rich area.  He says we are finding out quickly that Cliff's Natural Resources isn't the only player there. Noront is making a presentation in the near future to council on it's Eagle's Nest project.

OPP look for missing man

Schreiber OPP are looking for a missing 31 year old Terrace Bay man. Greg Muckaday was last seen during the early morning hours of January 23 at his home. He's described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs 160 pounds. Muckaday was last seen wearing a brown sweater jacket, blue jeans, and snow pants. A variety of law enforcement organizations are currently searching the Terrace Bay area for the missing man.

Waterloo Mac's Mart Robbery

Police are releasing pictures of the man who robbed a Mac's Convenience Store over the weekend.  The suspect is described as being slim and standing six feet tall.  He was wearing a black toque, black jacket, grey shirt and pants.  On Saturday, someone robbed the Waterloo Street Mac's with a large knife.

Lakehead continues Dean search

Lakehead University is starting to whittle down it's list of potential Law School Deans. Spokesperson Rodney Hanley says they should have a short list of candidates in February. Hanley says they've received applications from people in Canada and around the world.

Children in Critical Care

OPP continue to investigate a serious two vehicle collision on Lakeshore Drive in Shuniah.  Yesterday. a Ford Focus was traveling east bound when the driver lost control and collided with a west bound Ford Explorer.  The driver of the focus and three children were transported to hospital.  Two children are currently listed in critical condition.

HNO gets icetime from city

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is getting their icetime for its breakfast club.  Council voted in favour of donating the ice for a test period unanimously Monday night.

Official Plan dominates discussions at council

Council got an update on the Official Plan process at Monday night's meeting.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says he's been through this process a few times but this time is different because the city is growing and that provides different challenges.  Chamber President Harold Wilson spoke to council and says he believes council needs to look at bringing in more multi family housing complexes.  City Planning Manager Leslie McEachern says more public planning will be done soon.

Collision sends 2 kids to hospital

Two kids have suffered life threatening injuries after a 2 vehicle collision on Lakeshore Drive.  OPP says 2 others were taken to hospital in the collision that happened near Cedar Bay.  A car carrying 4 was hit by an SUV that had just the driver in it.  No word yet on charges.

Commission hearings hit City

Social issues are getting an airing by a travelling Commission on the public service in Ontario. Here in Thunder Bay there were several speakers at a hearing Monday, including Larry Brigham who spoke on poverty issues. Steve Mantis was also there to advocate for injured workers. Most of the local presenters were social activists in the community and are speaking at a time when the province is going to be considering cuts to public services.

Poor weather conditions close highways

The OPP say that Highway 11 between Longlac and Hearst is closed because of poor weather and road conditions.  Officers say Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and White River has reopened going west and predict the eastbound lane to open soon. 

Home invasion in Manitouwadge

OPP are dealing with a home invasion in Manitouwadge.  Two 20 something men are charged with various offences such as breaking and entering, robbery, assault with a weapon and use of a disguise.  The charges stem from a report that two men broke into a home where they accosted the owner with weapons.

Police release deceased name

17 year old Matthew Gibbons of Thunder Bay is now identified as the deceased in yesterday's accident near Kakabeka Falls.  OPP Constable Diana Cole says they're still looking into the cause of the crash. Gibbons van collided with a transport near Pineview Road just before five in the morning Sunday.

Parallax has plaza plans

Expect to see County Fair Plaza getting a facelift after a deal to sell the mall is finalized later this week. Stafford Lawson of Parallax Investments says his firm has a reputation for restoring the retail properties they purchase. He says they've fixed up a number of buildings in their history and that's what they intend to do with this one.  No purchase price has been mentioned for the 87 thousand square foot facility.

Smoke detector fine

A Melbourne Road homeowner is in trouble with the local fire department.  The owners didn't have a working smoke alarm; they've been issued a ticket.  The set fine is 235 dollars.

Sand Point First Nation

The federal government and a Northwestern Ontario First Nation will soon begin the process of opting out of some land-related sections of the Indian Act.  Treasury Board President Tony Clement says the move will give the First Nations greater control over their reserve land and resources.  Sand Point First Nation Chief Paul Gladu says his First Nation is pleased to be a new signatory to the agreement.  Gladu says it will assist the First Nation in establishing and  nurturing partnerships with industry, governments and municipalities.

St. Joe's meets fundraising goal

St. Joseph's Care group is going to revamp their hospice rooms thanks to donations from the community.  After nine months of fundraising 725-thousand dollars was raised.  The rooms will be modernized and make it easier for family to be close to their loved ones.

EcoSuperior gets cash

EcoSuperior is one of 11 groups that are sharing in 98-thousand dollars from Sobey's.  The local company will use it's share to create EcoKits.  Sobey's is donating 98-thousand dollars towards environmental programs.

City teen dies in crash

A 17 year old Thunder Bay boy is dead following an accident on the Trans Canada Highway near Pineview Rd. They say the teen was the driver of a Chevy Uplander van which collided with a tractor trailer unit just before 5 o'clock early Sunday morning.   The youth was pronounced dead at the scene.   The name has not been released. The two occupants of the tractor trailer were not hurt. Police say it is speculated that no charges will be laid.

OPP close highway near Rossport

OPP are reporting another accident on Highway 17 near Rossport.  Two transports collided.  The highway is closed at Cavers Hill.  No other information is available.

Highway 11/17 closed

Highway 11/17 is closed due to a fatal accident east of Kakabeka Falls.  OPP say the accident involved a transport truck and another vehicle.  It happened just before five this morning.  There's no word on when the highway may reopen.  A detour is available on Highway 102.

NOVA Top 20 under 40

Northwestern Ontario's best and brightest were honoured over the weekend.  The top twenty under fourty were unveiled at a special ceremony Saturday night.  14 Thunder Bay residents were honoured, and six from the region were selected.  Honourees include: Marcia Arpin, Stephanie Ash, Chantal Brochu, Doug Carlson, Elliott Doxtater-Wynn, Justin Frape, Keely Hartviksen, Genevieve Knauff, Jason Komoski Herp Lamba, Joseph LeBlanc, Duncan F. Macgillivray, Jake Satten and Matt Simeoni.

Structural Fire on Cumming Street

Thunder Bay's Fire department is looking into the cause of a structural fire on Cumming Street. A fire department spokesperson says the two storey building was vacant at the time. The building was under renovation at the time of the fire and heavy fire damage is reported.

Pass Lake expected to get LCBO back

Pass Lake is expected to get an LCBO agency store by the Spring time.  Spokesperson Chris Layton says they're looking for interested business owners.  The community lost their LCBO service when construction started on the highway.

Waterloo Mac's Mart Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a suspect in an early morning robbery at the Waterloo Street Mac's Mart.  A man with a large knife fled the scene with some store merchandise.  No one was hurt.

Another NDP Leadership hopeful comes to the city

NDP Leadership hopeful Paul Dewar is hoping to gain support for his bid in the city.  Dewar spoke to students at Lakehead University today and says he thinks the way MP's Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty were treated for voting down the Gun Registry was wrong.  Dewar says at the end of the day its a members job to represent the will of their constituents.

New concussion app is coming our way

Concussion prevention is the goal of a new mobile app being developed by Hockey Canada.  Hockey Northwestern Ontario Director Trevor Hosanna says the app will give information to coaches, athletes and parents about head injuries in kids sports.  Hosanna says Hockey Canada is partnering with several groups and is being funded to the tune of 1.5 million from the Federal Government.

Man airlifted to Thunder Bay after collision with train

OPP says one man suffered non life threatening injuries after a vehicle train collision near Upsala.  The man was airlifted to the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre just before noon.

Arrest made in Thursday night robbery

A 27 year old woman is behind bars in connection to last night's convenience store robbery.  Police say the woman was picked up this afternoon and was wanted for a number of outstanding charges. 

No injuries in Lappe fire

No one was injured during a 3 alarm barn fire in Lappe today.  Fire crews from 3 stations were called to the blaze that started this morning and brought the inferno under control before noon.  The cause is not yet known. 

TBSO volunteer honoured

A long time volunteer with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is getting the province's highest honour. Catherine Colquhoun is one of 27 appointees to the Order of Ontario.  Colquhoun says she is delighted to be recognized and adds it acknowledges the importance of volunteering in a community.  Colquhoun has been with the symphony for 50 years helping with it's founding and development

DSSAB steps up security

There will be beefed up security at two city apartment blocks run by social housing. Melissa Harrison of the District Social Services Administration Board says it's because of the amount of police calls to the two locations. She says it amounts to 150 thousand dollars a year to pay for the services of security guards at Andras Court and Limbrick Place. Harrison says the board turned down the more expensive option of having a paid police presence.

Inflation drops in Thunder Bay

Inflation in Thunder Bay is showing signs of easing.  Last month the rate droped to 2 per cent from just over 2 and a half per cent in November.  Across Canada government figures show the rate fell to 2.3 per cent in December

All in a night's work for fire crews

City fire crews were busy last night at a couple of incidents. Platoon Chief Dave Long says during the supper hour they were called to Keefer Terminal. It was a medical call that involved using a aerial ladder to get a crew member from a ship. As well Long says they had to race to a chimney fire on Melbourne Road around 9:30.  No one was injured.

Police search for robbery suspect

City police are looking for a woman who robbed a southside convenience store last night.   They say she walked in at around 8:30 and reached over and grabbed money from the till and ran off.   Police were seen with their K-9 unit in the James and Redwood area but they didn't find anyone.  The owner of the store was taken to the hospital after being assaulted in the incident.

Ring of Fire development to cost big bucks

How much will it cost Cliffs Natural Resources to develop a mine in the Ring of Fire?  Well according to the company's 2012 Capital investment plan it will be over 2 billion dollars.  The company estimates mine development to come in around 150 million dollars, 800 million for a concentrating plant and 1.8 billion for a processing plant.  The company is in a pre-feasibility stage of development and doesn't anticipate any capital investment until 2014.

James Street bridge closed for repairs

The northbound lane of the James Street Swing Bridge is closed for the rest of the day.  Thunder Bay Police say a collision caused some damage to the bridge and CP is on scene conducting repairs.  Officers say the repairs will last for at least the rest of the day and maybe into tomorrow.

Accountability on Wall Street is rising

A Thunder Bay born Investment Banker on a quest to bring transparency to Wall Street is encouraged with some signs of progress.  Keith McCullough says up until recently a lot of deals on Wall Street were done behind closed doors and without transparency.  McCullough says yesterday's arrest of 4 high profile investors on Wall Street points towards increased accountability.

Cancer Prevelancy rates are on the rise

The rate of people living with Cancer is on the rise in Canada and it is no different here.  Cancer Centre Vice President Michael Power says Northwestern Ontario is in the same boat.  He says the good news is people are living longer with cancer, but the bad news is cancer rates are also rising.

Angus steps aside

Iain Angus says 5 years is enough. He's decided not to seek re-election as chair of the District Social Services Administration Board, but will continue to sit as a board member.   Angus says he's overseen a number of changes while he was chair.  He says his proudest accomplishment is overseeing the establishment of a new strategic plan for social housing. The new chair is Bob Katajamaki. 

HIV program good to go

The District Health Unit's anonymous HIV testing program is operating for another year. Spokesperson Maureen Twig says the budget is a modest 57 thousand dollars, unchanged from last year.  Twig says the board's approval is essentially a rubber stamp.