Di Matteo talks population

A Lakehead University professor is not surprised Northwestern Ontario has less people than it did 5-years ago. Livo Di Matteo says its a reflection of the state of the region's forest industry. Di Matteo says while urban communities lost people, several First Nations communities experienced growth.

Rickford on Aboriginal education

The Federal Government is promising to take a good look at a report on Aboriginal Education.  The Federally appointed panel released its final report earlier this week.  Parliamentary Assistant for Aboriginal Affairs, Greg Rickford says they've already committed a lot of money towards improving the aboriginal education system.  The National Aboriginal Education Panel visited a number of communities across the country last year, including Rat Portage.

MP begins budget town halls tonight

MP Bruce Hyer is going on the road. He'll be hosting a series of town hall meetings to give taxpayers a chance to discuss what they'd like to see in the federal budget. Tonight it's Thunder Bay. It takes place at the Prince Arthur Hotel starting at 7:30.   The town halls will also be held in Marathon, Nipigon, Greenstone and Terrace Bay. 

Police nab suspect in Shoreline Stabbing

A 22 year old man is being charged in Wednesday's stabbing in front of the Shoreline Hotel. Constable Julie Tilbury says they picked the man up yesterday when they were called to a south side home about an assault. Tilbury says he's charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

Petro Can Gas Bar Robbery

Police are releasing pictures of the man who robbed the Petro Can Gas Bar on Dawson Road Wednesday morning. Constable Julie Tilbury says the man had his hood pulled up to hide his face. He approached the till and pulled a syringe out of his pocket and demanded money. He's described as being in his early 20's with a medium build. He was wearing a two tone grey winter jacket with a hood, blue jeans and white runners.

Water Rate debate rages

City Councillor Larry Hebert is echoing many residents thoughts on the escalating water rates.  Hebert says they've asked administration to consider a lower rate for this year.  Some Councillors would like to see a 3.4 percent increase rather than a 6.7 percent one.  A report with the lower water rate will come back to council in the future.  Meanwhile Councillor Rebecca Johnson says one way or another the rate will go up, putting it off will just cost the city more money in the long run because the difference will have to be debentured. Johnson says it might be better to just take the hit now.

Murder trial to hear from last crown witness

The prosecution is about to wrap up its case in the Andre Wareham murder trial.  The crown says it will be calling it's last witness on Monday. Wareham is facing a second degree murder charged in the stabbing death in 2009 of William Atkins. Wareham is pleading self defense. In a police video played at the trial Wareham is heard telling an officer shortly after he was charged, that just before his arrest, he was getting his life together saying he stopped drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana. He also says he was throwing himself into his two jobs. He said " I wanted to re-invent Andre Wareham."

Raid nets Oxys

Police efforts continue to stem the flow of illegal prescription drugs in the city.   A raid at a south side city hotel on Wednesday netted police about 32 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone.  Police say they also seized a small amount of Cocaine and almost 12 thousand dollars in cash.   They say a 22 year old woman and 38 year old man were arrested and charged.

Rafferty bids gun registry farewell

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is happy to see the long gun registry debate come to an end.  The final vote for the controversial bill is expected to come to a close on Wednesday.  Rafferty says there are so many other issues the Federal Government should be focusing on instead of the gun registry.  Rafferty says he hasn't had any further blow back from his party over his recent voting on the gun registry.

Census data for Kenora

New census data shows the population of Kenora fell below the national growth rate over the last five years. Statistics Canada released the first batch of numbers from the 2011 census this morning and the population of Kenora increased to about 15 thousand, 348 people.  Vincent Dale is an analyst with Stats Can and says the city's growth rate was below both the national and provincial average.  Stats Can says Kenora's population grew by 171 people in the past five years.

Rickford on gun registry vote

A bill to scrap the federal long gun registry is speeding its way through the House of Commons. Earlier this week the Harper Government decided to limit debate on the bill. Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford expects the bill could pass third and final reading as early as next Wednesday.

Mauro on Toronto's endorsement of LRT

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro calls Toronto's transit plans a moving target.  Mauro is happy to hear the City recently endorsed the light rail transit plan.  The Provincial Government's money for the project is tied to Toronto Council's endorsement of the transit plan.  Our Bombardier Plant is in line to build the light rail vehicles.

Dewar gets support

There's Northwestern Ontario support for Paul Dewar's bid to lead the federal NDP. Maurice Grinstead, the riding association president in Thunder Bay Superior North, says Dewar's recent visit to the city cinched it for him.

Mayor not sweating census numbers

Mayor Keith Hobbs is not pulling the alarm bell now that census numbers show our population dropped by just over half a per cent over five years. Hobbs says the key to increasing the population is simple...attract jobs. The Mayor, does however, think the census numbers may be inaccurate and may not reflect what has been really going on to attract more people here.

Housing stats down last month

January was a quiet month for new housing starts.  Canada Mortgage and Housing stats show Thunder Bay had half as many starts this year compared to January of 2011.  There were 3 starts last month which was below the 10 year average. 

Trudeau says more jails not the answer

Margaret Trudeau  says that prisons are not the place to house people with mental illness. The former wife of Pierre Trudeau spoke out against the Harper government's new crime bill to students at Confederation College Wednesday afternoon, saying more jails are not the answer.  Trudeau has spent the last five years speaking on the struggles she had with depression.

Fire and Rescue pick up a pair on the harbour ice

No charges are being laid after a pair of people walked across the harbour to the break wall.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Platoon Chief John Mill says the ice boat was used to pick up the pair and take them back to shore.  Mill says its illegal to go on the harbour ice and the two were given a warning.

Police investigating hit and run

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a hit and run.  Officers say a pickup truck ran the stop sign at Windemere and Van Norman Monday afternoon and hit a car.  No one was hurt but police are looking for the grey Dodge Ram with front end damage.

First Nations sign MOU

A group of eight Northwestern Ontario First Nations have signed an agreement which they hope will lead to more affordable electricity. Brian Davey of the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund says the major priority is to deal with a fuel shortage.  The deal was signed in Thunder Bay Wednesday

Police looking into stabbing

Police are looking for two people involved in last night's stabbing.  Officials say two men approached a parked vehicle outside the Shoreline Hotel and stabbed the man inside.  Officers say they were known to each other.  No arrests have been made and the victim is in fair condition in hospital.

Stats Can reports T.BAY population decrease

Statistics Canada is reporting Thunder Bay's population decreased by 0.7 per cent since the last census in 2006. City Manager Tim Commisso says there are a number of reasons for the decline including the drop in the economy, and having more deaths than births in the City. The City's population last May came in at one hundred eight thousand, three hundred fifty-nine.

Murray's speech called a PR stunt

The President of the Lakehead University Student Union calls the Provincial Government's 30 percent tuition rebate program a PR stunt.  Mike Snoddon wasn't impressed with College and University Minister Glen Murray's visit to Thunder Bay this morning.  The LUSU President says if the Minister was serious about making post secondary education more affordable he would freeze tuition rates. Snoddon says the rebate does not include all students and only helps high school students who come from middle income families.

Public gets their chance to talk budget

Council is being asked some tough questions about the upcoming budget.  The public had its chance to give input during Tuesday night's consultation meeting.  Resident Frank Armiento thinks administration is wasting money by spending money on the corporate review process.  He says the city should be able to find ways to save money themselves without hiring consultants.  Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says the Chamber supports increased spending for infrastructure but savings need to be found to prevent tax increases.  Mayor Hobbs was happy to hear from residents and thinks for the most part people want to see the roads taken care of in the city but its clear people are not happy with tax increase.  Council will be back at it Wednesday night where its expected the water rate will take centre stage. 

Government minister to visit

The province's Minister of Colleges and Universities is coming to the city tomorrow.  Glen Murray is going to be at Lakehead University at 8:30 in the morning to discuss the McGuinty government's 30 per cent tuition rebate program.  A media release says he will be here to encourage more students to take advantage of the taxpayer funded initiative.

Syria: Worse before it gets better

A Lakehead University political science expert predicts the violence in Syria will continue and the body count will get higher. Laure Paquette says it's anyone's guess how it will end, but says it will go on a few more months at least.   Paquette says the death count will escalate since the Syrian government has moved from bullets to artillery shells

Local doc leads LHIN program

The North West Local Health Integration Network is adding to its team. CEO Laura Kokochinski says they've hired Dr. Richard Almond as the LHIN's Primary Care Lead. The Thunder Bay physician will work with doctors across the Region to ensure the highest level of care is being received. Almond says primary care is the backbone of any health care system and stresses he will help move the system to a more patient centred, cost effective one.

Conference bound

A major mining conference in London, England will have a Northwestern Ontario flavour to it. Rainy River Resources and Osisko Mining will be among 18-Canadian companies making presentations at the conference this month. Both are actively involved in exploration projects in this region. The conference attracts potential investors from around the world.

24 hour cardiac care

Thunder Bay's Regional Health Sciences Centre is embarking on a new way of treating cardiac patients.  They've teamed up with ORNGE ambulance, Superior North EMS and hospital staff to ensure patients can receive round the clock angioplasty care.  Cardiac Doctor Andrea McDougall says air ambulance will also help bring patients to Thunder Bay to have their arteries opened.

NAN wants more funding for schools

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is out with a report on the critical underfunding of First Nation schools.  Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says the current funding system is inadequate and calls it a crisis.  Waboose says the Federal Government needs to start matching education funds for First Nations at the same level the Province funds public school boards.  Waboose says education under the Indian Act has failed remote First Nation communities.

Council moves foward with Urban Forest Master Plan

The city's trees are getting some big time attention from City Council. The Urban Forestry Master Plan first report was given approval at Monday night's meeting and Councillor Aldo Ruberto says the city can and should look at Urban Forestry as a way to make the intercity area more attractive because Memorial is "ugly." The consultant who handled the report says Thunder Bay's Urban Forest is pretty good but there is ways it can be improved.

City calls for length restrictions on Dawson Road

Its another step in the right director according to residents of the Dawson Road area.  Over 2 thousand residents have signed a petition calling for a ban on transport traffic on the Road and Council voted unanimously on a resolution that calls for a length restriction.  Mayor Hobbs says these trucks should be using the Shabaqua extension and something has to be done to remove them from Dawson.  A draft bylaw will now be created and will then go to the province for approval. 

Jury selection complete

The jury in the Andre Wareham murder trial is now selected. The ten women and two men will be given their instructions by Justice Platana tomorrow morning followed by the opening statements from the prosecution and the defense. The 34 year old Wareham is charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of 29 year old William Atkins in January of 2009.

Researcher urges polar bear policies

The provincial government is being urged to protect the Cree in the Hudson Bay area from polar bears.  Lakehead University researcher Henry Lemelin says climate change could be a threat to First Nations there if more bears are forced off disappearing ice floes.  Lemelin has three suggestions...restitution for people if they, or their property are harmed by polar bears, money to tranquilize and relocate the bears and a polar bear safety program to help them manage the bears properly.

School board begins budget process

It's budget time for the Lakehead Public School Board. Spokesperson Kathy Pozihun says it's a procedure that could go into the summer before it's signed sealed and delivered to the government .   Pozihun says this year there will be  input allowed through a public meeting and by e-mail .  She says the process can even be followed on Twitter.  Last year the board approved total spending of 137 million dollars.

Police make fraud arrest

Thunder Bay Police have arrested a 35 year old man after a couple complaints from people buying stuff on Kijiji.  Officials say two people complained after not receiving their purchases and didn't have their money returned. Officers say the two victims made the purchases without seeing the items which is risky.  The suspect is facing several fraud charges. 

Murder trial getting underway

Jury selection is underway for a Thunder Bay murder trial. 34 year old Andre Wareham is charged with second degree murder in the death of 29 year old William Atkins  January 14th of 2009.  Atkins died after what police say was an altercation in the common area of a Finlayson Street apartment complex.   Selection got underway in front of Justice Terrance Platana after Wareham formally pleaded not guilty to the charge.  Rob Kozak and Elaine Burton represent the prosecution while Steven Hinkson is Wareham's Lawyer.  Two weeks have been set aside for the trial.

Fire and Rescue deal with 2 fires Sunday

A family of six is safe after a candle caught their Wiley Street home's upstairs bedroom on fire.  Everyone made it out of the house safely Sunday.  Fire damage is limited to that bedroom and could cost up to 40-thousand dollars.  The Fire department also responded to an apartment blaze on Valley Street.  Officials say the fire started in the kitchen of one of the units and was out by the time crews arrived.  No one was hurt.

Dominion Curling Results

The Northern Ontario Dominion Curling Championships saw Thunder Bay's Joe Scharf, Jeff Currie and Mike Assad lose their draws.  The playdowns started Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie.  The trio are back in action this afternoon at 2.

T.Bay breaks weather record

Thunder Bay broke a warm weather record Sunday.  Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says we reached a high of 4.8 degrees point seven degrees warmer than the record set in 1998.  Laidlaw adds cold air is moving in and we can expect colder temperatures for at least a week.

College welcomes Trudeau

Margaret Trudeau is paying a visit to Confederation College on Wednesday.  She'll be speaking to students about living with her bi-polar condition.  Margaret is the former wife of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Missing Youth Rainy River

A Rainy River youth was reported missing on January 31. The Rainy River District OPP is looking for help from the public. Belinda PAISHK, age 16 years of Off Lake Road is described as a First Nation female, 5'2" tall, 120 lbs. If you have information about Paishk's whereabouts, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. 

FedNor Funding

There's a call for a regional economic development fund to help pay for municipal infrastructure upgrades.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and the New Democrats see FEDNOR as a good source to cover the cost of small projects. Rafferty says with no stimulus money expected in the coming budget, FEDNOR funding would be a viable option.

Canada is the most educated country in the world

A new report on the most educated countries in the world lists Canada at the top.  The Yahoo story puts us first with 50 percent of our population holding a post secondary education.  Lakehead University Vice President Rod Hanley says studies have proven that people with post secondary educations have a better standard of living.  Hanley says LU is pulling its weight by leading the province with an almost 13 percent increase in applications this year.

Dawson Road back on the agenda

Transport Traffic on Dawson road will be on the agenda at Monday's council meeting.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says he doesn't think much can be done since the road is part of the National Road system.  Boshcoff says the best we can do is encourage tougher enforcement of the speed limits by City Police and OPP.   

Boy arrested after causing blackout

Thunder Bay Police have arrested a 19 year old boy in connection to a collision that knocked out power to part of the city yesterday.  Police say the boy took his parents truck without permission and ended up driving into a power poll which left 1800 people in the dark.  Officers say the boy and his friend fled the scene.

Bill proposes low passport fees

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer wants to give us a break on our passport fees. He has introduced a private members bill to cut the costs of obtaining the travel document in Canada and the United States to help tourism. The Harper government majority means Hyer's bill is not likely to pass.

Grann trial takes a break

The Toni Grann trial is taking a recess for three weeks. Grann's lawyer Clay Powell says both sides will now take the time to write their final submissions to the judge. Grann, a Thunder Bay police officer, is charged with Breach of Trust over the way she maintained records in the local Sex Offender Registry

McQuaker resurfaces

Barry McQuaker is back in jail after a somewhat strange appearance in court today.  McQuaker spent time behind bars in the 1990's after admitting to cremating and burying the remains of his 12 year old son Jason, who disappeared in June of 1988. McQuaker denied ever killing the boy and his murder is still unsolved today. In today's court appearance we discover McQuaker has been a victim of homelessness and mental health issues. He was sentenced to 85 days in jail for threatening a police officer and assaulting an inmate at the District Jail. During proceedings McQuaker displayed a careless attitude pleading guilty to whatever charge was read to him. As he was lead out he could be heard saying, "have mercy on all your souls."

T.Bay targetting motorcycle market

Thunder Bay is looking to capitalize on the motorcycle tourism market.  Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says they've handed out a check list to area businesses asking them if they're "motorcycle" friendly.  A list of motorcycle friendly locations in the City will be made available on smart phones.  Thunder Bay is taking part in a trade show for motorcyclists in Minneapolis this weekend.

NAN Youth in T.Bay for gathering

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation's younger generation will be gathering in Thunder Bay this week. The group comprised of youth from various First Nations will be discussing how to increase the quality of life on and off reserves. The conference starts on Tuesday and wraps up on Thursday.

NAPS to hold recruitment initiative

An area police force wants to hire area First Nations to fill the growing need for police officials in the North.  The Nishnawbe Aski Police are holding a police recruitment initiative to spread the word about a career in law enforcement.  The two day recruitment drive will take place in the Spring.