DSSAB funding program

The District Social Services Board wants to provide money to local organizations working on improving child poverty.  CAO Melissa Harrison says the money is available from their Community Social Reinvestment Fund.  It will go towards food security programs, school readiness initiatives and homelessness prevention.  The deadline to apply is March 2nd.

Mac's Mart robbed with filet knife

Police are looking for a 20 year old man who they say robbed a Mac's Mart Monday night.  The lone man entered the Beverly Street Mac's armed with a knife and demanded cash from the clerk.  A police dog tracked the suspect to a nearby home but he had fled before they arrived.

Shocking robbery in front of Gardens

Thunder Bay Police call a robbery in front of the Fort William Gardens last night "shocking".  A mother dropping her kids off at the Hedley Concert was approached by two teens who asked for a cigarette.  Staff Sgt. Ryan Gibson says they then started to punch her and stole her purse. The suspects were last seen heading west towards Bethune Street.

Police release store name

Police say it was the Mac's Mart on Syndicate and Arthur Street that was robbed on Sunday.  In that situation, a man entered the store with a knife and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Unknown store robbed

Police are not releasing the name of a store that was robbed last night. However, officials say that a man entered the store with a knife and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Trial brings out city's unflattering side

Is Thunder Bay a racist community? A recent court case seems to suggest it may be.  During the Andre Wareham murder trial, Wareham is heard on a 911 call saying that you don't know what it's like to be a black person in Thunder Bay. During the course of the trial we learned that Wareham faced some challenges as a visible minority in the city. In one incident in particular, he testified that once while he was walking down a city street some people passing by in a vehicle yelled out the "N" word and threw bottles at him. Wareham says he came to accept the treatment and tried to be the better person for it, Wareham was eventually found not guilty in the stabbing death of William Atkins

Camper set ablaze

No one is hurt after a fire in a camper. Firefighters responded to a fire on Mission Road last night and found a man inside a camper that was set ablaze. Officials say that the man was living in the camper and an electrical heater is said to be the cause of the fire.

Woman charged after stabbing

Police have a 19 year old woman in custody after a stabbing early this morning on Victoria Avenue. Officials say the victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 19 year old has been charged with aggravated assault.

City man charged after shotgun discharge

An 18 year old  is in police custody after a dangerous incident in Oliver Paipoonge. Police say the man was shooting a shotgun while he was intoxicated. He has been charged with numerous counts, including careless use of a firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Rickford supports Thunder Bay MP's

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he respects Thunder Bay NDP MP's John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer. The Conservative is reacting after the two were punished by interim leader Nycole Turmel for voting to scrap the long gun registry. Rickford says Hyer and Rafferty were voting for their constituents.

No word on accident

There is no word on the condition of a man who was taken to hospital after being hit by a car on Fort William Road. Police say the accident happened after one o'clock Friday afternoon across from the Intercity Shopping Centre. 

Horwath not happy with Drummond Report

Are good jobs in Ontario a thing of the past? NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says if we based work in the province on yesterdays Drummond Report we'd be in trouble. Horwath adds that other jurisdictions and other countries have successfully maintained good jobs for their residents and thinks Ontario can do the same thing.

New grant for Research Institute

A federal grant of six hundred thousand dollars is going to the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute. Michael Wood, the Institute's Vice President of Research, says it will be used for a cancer study which will focus on cervical cancer and involve First Nations women in Northwestern Ontario.   

Accident sends pedestrian to hospital

There is no word on the immediate condition of a man who was taken to hospital after one o'clock Friday afternoon with a serious head injury after being hit by a car on Fort William Road .  They say the man, who is in his 40's,  ran out into traffic near Main Street.  Police say off duty paramedics were there to provide assistance until their on-duty colleagues arrived.

Meet the new boss....

Chuck McPherson has been returned as chief of Couchiching First Nation. McPherson beat out seven other challenges with counting of ballots reportedly going late into the night. Christine Jourdain, Dick Bird, Dan Mainville, Ed Yerxa, Dave Bruyere and Bugsy Morrisseau were elected councillors.

Teen charged in Fort Frances shooting

A Fort Frances teenager is facing several charges including attempted murder following an incident last night at a Trailer Park in that community. OPP were initially called to the area around 6 last night about a missing boy.  Family members later informed police he had been located, but was in possession of a gun. It was later determined that a family member was shot at, but was not injured.  The 14-year-old was eventually located inside a home at the park and taken into custody without incident.

Detectives facing Police Act charges

Three Thunder Bay Police detectives are remaining on active duty as they face Police Act charges of misconduct and unnecessary exercise of authority.   The three are: Detective William Wowchuck, Detective Constable Ron Popowich and Detective Constable Brad Bernst.   It follows an investigation by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director of an arrest they conducted in September of last year.

Not Guilty!

Andre Wareham is a free man. A jury found him not guilty in the death of William Atkins in 2009. Wareham calls the verdict overwhelming and just wants to put it all behind him saying it's been hard but "you have to walk through it all..stand strong, and just see it to the end". When the verdict was read Wareham  had  an expression of great relief.

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Wareham found not guilty

The jury in the Andre Warehem second degree murder trial has come back with a not guilty verdict.  Wareham was facing charges in relation to the 2009 stabbing death of William Atkin.  The verdict came down this morning.

Inflation rate stays the same in T.Bay

Thunder Bay's inflation rate went unchanged last month.  It was 2 percent in December and January.  That's below the national inflation rate of 2.5 percent in January.  Stats Canada released the info this morning.

United Way reaches goal

United Way is pleased as punch after raising it's 2011 fundraising goal.  The campaign wrapped up last night revealing they had raised just over 2.5 million dollars.  They raised around 200 dollars over their goal.

Bombardier awarded for energy savings

Bombardier is setting a energy saving example in the city.  The facility has been given a Platinum Level Energy Savings Award from Thunder Bay Hydro for saving over 50 kilowatts of electricity.  A Spokesperson with the Utility Bill Willis says Bombardier will hopefully encourage other business to save energy.  Willis says Bombardier changed out old light fixtures for new energy efficient ones. 

Commisso touts centralized bargaining

The city manager could be stirring the labour pot with his reaction to the Drummond report to the provincial government. Tim Commisso says the city is interested in understanding more about the reports proposal for volunteered centralized bargaining with police and firefighters.  He says effectively they're already operating under a centralized system in the way they bargain, so it may be the way to go. Meantime Mayor Keith Hobbs goes one step further and says he'd like to see one police force for all of Ontario.

Hobbs goes to bat for Mauro

The Police Services act hearing for Sgt. Jim Mauro is now over. It ended with surprise witness Mayor Keith Hobbs speaking in defence of Mauro. Mauro is charged with two counts of misconduct under the act for a letter he presented to an arbitration hearing. Hobbs testified for about half an hour and called the whole procedure trying to kill a mosquito with an elephant gun . Meantime Mauro's family has issued a critical statement about the procedure and what they term an abuse of power

DSSAB makes it's move

The District Social Services Board is moving locations this weekend.  CAO Melissa Harrison says they'll be in their new building on May Street starting Tuesday.  In the meantime, emergency service will be provided Friday and Tuesday out of the Victoriaville Mall.

NOMA has concerns

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association isn't pleased with Don Drummond's report to the Provincial Government.  Vice President Iain Angus says they don't like Drummond's suggestion that the Government delay by two years the planned upload of 1.5 billion in provincial costs from the municipal property tax base.  The Drummond report was released on Wednesday.

Campbell on Drummond Report

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Drummond Report gives Ontario a chance to move forward. The NDP member says its now up to all parties to ensure that the report is used to lead the Province in the right direction. Campbell is supporting recommendations to revisit the delivery of health care services, the creation of regional hydro utilities and a push to provide fair funding for First Nations' education. She adds that not all recommendations should be acted on, such as scrapping full-day kindergarten.

Rickford on scrapping gun registry

A feather in the cap for Kenora MP Greg Rickford.  The Conservative is beaming today following a vote to abolish the long gun registry passed in the House of Commons last night.  Rickford says it was a moving experience.  Rickford says the Legislation was misguided from day one as it penalized law-abiding citizens.

Gravelle on Drummond Report

The Drummond report on trimming Ontario's 16-billion dollar deficit is being welcomed by Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle. The Natural Resources Minister says the Government has to sit down and take a close look at the 362-recommendations. Gravelle believes there are some recommendations on health care and education which aren't possible.

Stabbing on South Side

Police are investigating a stabbing on the South side of town last night.  A 24 year old man was walking in a lane way off of May Street near Bethune and Cumming Streets when a second man used an unknown object to cut him.  The victim was taken to hospital to get his forearm looked at.  Constable Julie Tilbury says the two men were known to each other.

Taxi driver assaulted

Police are asking taxi drivers to not take the law into their own hands after a driver was assaulted over a fare. Constable Julie Tilbury says this morning a driver was transporting two men and a woman when they tried to flee without paying. The taxi driver grabbed one of the men and struggled with him. The second man attempted to choke the driver. The driver was able to escape unharmed. Police are continuing to investigate.

Hyer and Rafferty to be punished

The Conservative Federal Government has passed its bill to dismantle the national long-gun registry.  The vote was 159 to 130 with Thunder Bay's two New Democrats breaking party ranks to side with the Tory bill.  Interim N-D-P leader Nycole Turmel says John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer will face consequences.  The bill now goes on to the Senate, where a Tory majority ensures passage.  Hyer says frustrating is one of the nice words he'd use to describe Turmel and she's no Jack Layton.  Rafferty says nothing's changed since the first time they voted against party lines and there are no new penalties.

Police taser 25 year old

Police were forced to use a taser on a 25 year old man last night.  Officers were called to the Balsam Street area for an unknown problem, when a man swung at one of the officers with a shovel.  The suspect fled and was located a short distance away, this time the man produced a BBQ fork and attempted to stab the officer.  That's when police tasered the man to the ground.  Both officers and the accused are not injured.  He's charged with assault with a weapon and making threats to kill.

DSSAB budget set at 83 million

Thunder Bay's District Social Services Board will table it's 83 million dollar budget today. CAO Melissa Harrison says it's a 1.5 percent increase from last year's fiscal document  The City's share of the Municipal levy is seventy five percent or just over 18 million dollars.  Harrison thinks board members might choose to defer the budget until next Thursday's meeting.

Heberts tries to reduce tax increase by using reserve funds

Councillor Larry Hebert tried to reduce the budget tax increase by drawing 2.5 million dollars from the Renew Thunder Bay Fund. Hebert didn't like the idea of increasing taxes to fix roads when it could come from the city's reserves. Councillor Foulds argued, that reserve fund is designed to fund legacy projects like the multi-plex. In the end council voted against Hebert's motion.

Council shoots down library budget increase

City Council held another budget meeting Wednesday night and there wasn't much in the way of fireworks.  Councillors seemed to be pretty content to tow the line with not many attempts to make any additions or subtractions.  Councillor Andrew Foulds tried to increase library hours to the tune of an extra 100 thousand dollars but the motion was shot down. 

Book of condolences open at City Hall

A book of condolences is now open at City Hall to allow you to pay your respects to the late Dusty Miller. The former mayor of Thunder Bay died this week at the age of 82. The flags at city hall will be flying at half staff until her funeral.

Chamber prez critical of Drummond report

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson is disappointed the Drummond report to the McGuinty government doesn't pay enough attention to the importance of the Ring of Fire mining development.  Wilson says he would like to see more emphasis on it.   He thinks Drummond may not understand the opportunity the development provides

Report isn't a budget: Mauro

A 700 page report to the McGuinty government provides 362 recommendations to prevent the province from going into a financial abyss.   The Drummond report says overall program spending for every person in the province should be cut by 16 per cent MPP Bill Mauro is quick to point out that the Drummond report is by no means government policy and that it simply provides advice and it's not the budget. Mauro says the report shows that it's a time for restraint in the province.

Wareham trial in final stage

The Andre Wareham murder trial will be going to the jury tomorrow.   Justice Terrance Platana is going to be giving his legal instructions to the 12 members at 11 am.   Wareham faces a second degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of William Atkins in 2009.  Wareham maintains it was self defence.

Police officer fails to show for hearing

A Police Services Act hearing for a Thunder Bay police Sgt. is taking place without the officer or his lawyer.   For the second time in a row Jim Mauro failed to show for the hearing into charges of misconduct.   The hearing officer, Morris Elbers ruled that the hearing will go on without Sgt. Mauro or his lawyer present.

Eight years for Manslaughter

Two Thunder Bay women are going to jail after being sentenced in a manslaughter case.    Joanne Vivier and Michelle Morris pleaded guilty in the death of a Big Trout Lake woman who's body was found in a room at the Arthur Street Travelodge Hotel in September of 2010.   In a Thunder Bay courtroom this morning they were each given a sentence of eight years.

Shoal Lake man dies in Winnipeg

A northwestern Ontario man who was months away from becoming a father is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of this year.  Eighteen-year-old Wahb Mandamin of Shoal Lake First Nation was stabbed near his hotel early yesterday.  He was in the city to accompany his girlfriend to her ultrasound appointment.

STI's in NWO

The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting high rates of sexually transmitted infections in the Kenora and Rainy River districts. The Health Unit's Gillian Lunny says chlamydia and gonorrhea are most commonly detected in the region.

Sexual Assault and Stabbing in Thunder Bay

Police are charging a 37 year old man in connection to two separate incidents this morning.  Sgt. Brain Crocker says they were called to a Park Avenue Apartment building by a woman who was reporting a sexual assault.  Police say the suspect in the sexual assault was also involved in a stabbing on Ambrose Street.  A 37 year old man is being charged in connection to the two incidents.

Former mayor dies

Former Thunder Bay Mayor Dusty Miller is dead. She died on Tuesday after a lenghtly illness. She was the first woman to become the mayor of the city when she was elected for one term in 1978. She was also a councillor for two terms, the first just prior to her election as mayor and the second in 1985. She was noted as a huge supporter of arts and culture. The funeral arrangements are pending.  Dusty Miller, dead at the age of 82.

Haircut incident now settled

A dispute over an impromptu haircut given to a Aboriginal student at McKellar Park School is now settled. The incident caused a furor and ended up with a top Toronto lawyer taking the case on behalf of the family. However Bruce Nugent of the Lakehead Public School Board says the terms of the deal are a secret, but both sides are satisfied with the outcome.  The incident took place in almost three years ago.

Murder trial about to go to jury

The Andre Wareham murder trial is winding down. The prosecution and the defence have completed presenting their evidence, which included testimony from the accused himself. Wednesday morning Steven Hinkson will be giving his final summation to the jury followed by the Crown's Rob Kozak. That is expected to take until the lunch break. From there it will be up to Justice Terrance Platana to given his instructions or as it's known in legal terms, his charge to the jury. Whether that will be Wednesday or on Thursday isn't clear. When that's complete it will be up to the jury to decide whether Andre Wareham killed William Atkins in self defence or whether he is guilty of second degree murder.

Border towns work for recognition

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to give recognition to the relationship between Fort Frances and International Falls. Speaking to Fort council last night, Falls city administrator Rod Otterness says the two cities deserve to have July 2nd proclaimed by their leaders as Peaceful Border Day. The day coincides with the annual tug of war between the two cities.

Wareham faces prosecutor

Wareham is claiming self defence in the 2010 stabbing death of William Atkins. This morning the prosecution tried to show an inconsistency between what Wareham told the jury yesterday and what he told a 911 operator right after the stabbing. In Court Monday,  Wareham testified about being kneed in the face repeatedly while he was stabbing Atkins, while he told the 911 operator he was being booted, or kicked in the face. Wareham explained he was hysterical at the time of the call.