The wait is over.....almost.

The city's transfer of waterfront land to a private developer is now signed, sealed and delivered.   It paves the way for a condominium and hotel project.  Developer Giselle MacDonald says they have more work to do before the hotelier can be announced and says that should be announced in June.  Meantime the city's Waterfront Development Committee chair Councillor Mark Bentz says that it's an important day for all the people in the city the project has touched because it shows their work has meant something.

Landfill use on the rise

As the weather warms up, expect longer lines at the city's landfill. Roads Division Manager Brad Adams says going to the landfill in the morning could reduce traffic. Being prepared and organizing your loads at home could also help to avoid lineups.

Police make arrests in Project Dolphin

The alleged ring leader behind a major drug trafficking operation in Thunder Bay is behind bars.  As part of what police are calling Project Dolphin officials announced the arrest of 38 year old John Tsekouras and are charging him with several drug related offences.  Officers also took 4 others into custody yesterday.  Project Dolphin was started in 2010 and has so far netted over 2.1 million dollars worth of drugs and 500 thousand dollars worth of cash and property. Officers also say this organization had ties to organized crime in Western Canada and Montreal including the Hells Angels.

No serious injuries in school bus mishap

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a school bus accident at the intersection of Court and McDougall. The bus and a pick up truck collided at around 8 o'clock this morning. The students in the bus were from three different schools in the area. Police say that the 56 year old woman bus driver and a 13 year old girl received minor injuries. A 17 year old boy, who police say was driving the pick up, has been charged with disobeying a stop sign.

Demolition begins on Sister Margaret Smith building

The first bricks of the St. Joseph hospital construction project are being removed today. President Tracey Buckler says residents will see some demolition action.The demolition of the Sister Margaret Smith building will take several months.

Former Olympian keeping Fox dream alive

A Niagara Falls man wants to complete Terry Fox's dream. Former Olympic Boxer Mike Strange is running from Thunder Bay to the west coast to complete Fox's Marathon of Hope. Strange began his knock-out cancer tour after being welcomed to the city by Mayor Keith Hobbs this morning. 

Ambassador to visit Churchill High

Canadian Ambassador for Jordan and Iraq, Mark Gwozdecky will be speaking to students at Sir Winston Churchill high school today. Gwozdecky was born and raised in Thunder Bay and will be talking about Canada's free trade agreement with Jordan.

Cases of Dementia on the rise

Cases of Dementia are set to rise in the coming decades in Canada and right around the World. Spokesperson Ryan Sigurdson of the Alzheimer Society in Thunder Bay believes the aging population is the cause of these predictions.  The World Health Organization believes the amount of people living with dementia will double to 65 million people by 2030.

Immigration office set to close in May

Thunder Bay's Public Service Alliance Union says the local immigration office on Archibald will be closing its doors next month.  It closes to the public on May 31st.  The reason for the closure is the Federal Government's decision to centralize all immigration services in Canada.  Our immigration support will come out of Toronto.

Events centre seating reduced

There doesn't appear to be much that can change the minds of people on where they would like to see a new events centre located.   The latest open house hosted by city consultants hasn't made a difference to many of  the hundreds  who attended at the Da Vinci Centre Wednesday.   Meantime,  the consultants have tweaked some of their design details including the proposed size from 65 hundred seats to 57 hundred and that only Innova Park and the north downtown will be seriously considered as arena locations

Fight to save Plasma Centre not over

Ontario's Public Services Employee Union is vowing to take the fight to save Thunder Bay's plasma centre to Ottawa.  President Smokey Thomas says the Feds run the Canadian Blood Services and they need to give proper cause for this closure.  Thomas says he doesn't see how it makes sense to close this facility when we are buying plasma from the States.  He will be looking for support from the opposition parties in the House of Commons to bring this matter before the Prime Minister.

L.U. reaches out to future students

Lakehead University and the Public School Board are now part of a program which is designed to give students, who face barriers, a shot at going to L-U.  The Achievement Program was launched at Sherbrooke School.  Qualified students will be able to earn money towards tuition fees.

Robbery at Gas Bar in Fort Frances

Ontario Provincial Police are looking for a suspect in an armed robbery in Fort Frances. Police say someone held up the Safeway Gas Bar around 10:30 Tuesday night. OPP say a man entered the store pointing a handgun and demanded money from the teller. The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled the store. He was wearing a white hooded jacket, blue jeans and white running shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or Fort Frances OPP.

Change the World Youth Challenge

High schools around Thunder Bay are joining together and holding a 3 week long Volunteer challenge for their students. Assistant Project coordinator Kristen Bohonis hopes students will be inspired to volunteer.The Challenge starts today and ends May 6th.

CRIBE makes announcement in Dryden

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy is calling it its biggest project yet.  The organization announced yesterday 6-million dollars in funding to launch a 14-million dollar plan for the Dryden Domtar Pulp Mill to convert wood waste to fuel.  Chief Executive Officer Lorne Morrow says Dryden is on the cutting edge of this new technology in the forestry sector.  Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says the project aims to develop a unique, cost-effective system that if successful, will increase operational efficiencies and a create a fossil fuel alternative for transportation fuels.

Bike lanes to top meeting agenda

New Bike lanes are being planned for a few Thunder Bay locations and residents can have their say at a Current River ward meeting tonight. Active transportation coordinator Adam Krupper says streets in that area will get a bulk of the new bike lanes this year.  The meeting is at 7 tonight at the North End Rec Centre.

Avis decries centre closures

The Mayor of Fort Frances is trying to arrange a meeting with Ontario's Tourism Minister to talk about the pending closure of the region's tourist information centres. Roy Avis understands the government's need to save money, but wants to know if there's other options to keep the centers open. A resolution calling for the centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River to remain open will also be discussed at the upcoming meeting of area Mayors in Kenora.

Event Centre open house round 2

Residents have another chance to learn more about the proposed Events Centre.  The consulting team behind the facility is hosting its second Open House Wednesday afternoon and will present a more in depth business plan for each of the 3 locations.  Lead Consultant Conrad Boychuk says the economic impact study is starting to come together but still needs to look at a lot of different components.  The meeting gets underway at 3 o'clock at the DaVinci Centre and will have 2 presentations from the consultants at 4 and again at 7.

Police arrest 2 during bust

Two people are behind bars after a drug bust last week.  Police seized about 28 hundred dollars worth of cocaine and also took in about 40 thousand dollars worth of assests from the pair last Thursday.  A 32 year old woman and a 48 year old man are facing several charges each.

RBC rewards innovation

The RBC Innovation Awards are honouring Northwestern Ontario businesses.  The 4th annual RBC Innovation Awards were handed out this afternoon and Spokesperson Judy Sanders says there was stiff competition this year.  Barb Courte is the award recipient in the Innovation Hero of the Year category. The Meaglow Semiconductor Research Reactor is the award recipient in the Innovative Project of the Year category and  Global Hydration is the award recipient in the Innovative Company of the Year category.

Car dealer embarks on fundraiser

When you buy a vehicle at Badanai Motors over the next year you'll be helping build the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto. George Badanai says the fundraiser is the result of a request from officials at the facility which houses out of town families whose children need extended care at Sick Children's Hospital. He says they committed to raising 50 thousand dollars.   Badanai says 100 dollars from every vehicle sold will go toward the cause.

Hair Cuts for Cancer

Cops for Cancer is encouraging more people to participate in this year's fundraising event. Volunteer Jesse Pyatt was more than happy to cut his hair for Cancer Research. The event will be held at Intercity Mall on May 12th.

Inspectors at fatality scene

The investigation into a fatal industrial accident yesterday afternoon remains in the early stages. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says a worker was killed after he was run over by a dump truck that was backing up at a construction site.  He says the worker was employed by L-T-L Contracting. Blajer says there are at least two inspectors at the scene of the accident at Oliver Road and Golf Links Road.

Michael Chan wanted in NWO

Ontario's Tourism Minister is a much wanted man.  The mayor of Fort Frances is the latest to seek a meeting with Michael Chan to discuss ways of keeping the region's tourist information centre open.  Roy Avis says that meet should happen with other municipal leaders.  Avis says there might be an opportunity to strike a business venture with the province that keeps the doors open at centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River.

Attawapiskat update

The remote Northern First Nation of Attawapiskat is going back to co-management status.  The Federal Government says its pulling the third-party manager who had been handling the finances of the troubled reserve.  The Aboriginal Affairs office says Jacques Marion is being withdrawn because of progress in reserve management.  A transition of power will take place over the next two weeks.

3 young men in police custody

Police have three young men in custody this morning after an alarm sounded for a break and enter to a County Boulevard home last night.  Officers used a K9 unit to track the suspects and located some of the stolen property.  The three young men are being charged with break, enter and commit theft, and breach of probation.

Chamber supports Mauro bill

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is throwing its support behind a local politician's efforts to help the wood industry in the north.   MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill would promote wood as a main construction material in provincially funded buildings.  The Chamber says its members have taken a similar stand and will to take it to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting next month.

Industrial accident results fatality

A worker is dead after being involved in an industrial accident this afternoon in the city. Police Staff Sgt. Frank Early says it took place around 1:30 at the Thunder Bay Country Club construction site on Oliver Road. Sgt. Early believes the man may have been struck by a dump truck. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police say they have secured the site until the Ministry of Labour investigates. No name has been released. 

Local operator applying for ONTC routes

A Thunder Bay company wants to fill the void when Ontario Northland Transportation stops providing service in northern Ontario. Sandy Smith of Caribou Coach says they are applying to the province to begin operate busing services to residents east of Hearst on Highway 11. Smith says when ONTC lowers the boom his company wants to be there to keep services seamless.   The province is winding down Ontario Northland train and bus service to help balance the government's budget.

G.C. Treaty 3 miffed at talk of miner "revolt"

Grand Council Treaty 3 says the controversial "Miners United" group will not be tolerated. The group of junior mining companies reportedly met recently to discuss a "revolt" against First Nation communities.Grand Chief Diane Kelly says comments made are totally unacceptable as they depicted community leaders as greedy and money-hungry. Kelly says aboriginals are simply protectors of the land. She agrees the Crown must do more under the Mining Act but stresses Treaty 3 has developed strong partnerships with mining companies because of their commitment to work together.

Michael Antcliffe releases book

A local Cancer fundraising advocate is releasing a new book this week.  Michael Antcliffe's book "You'll never guess who's dying from cancer" will be launched at Chapters on Saturday.   Antcliffe has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and helped raise 10 thousand dollars for the Northern Cancer fund through his Facebook campaign.

Gravelle wants travel grant program to be more flexible

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle would like to see the Northern Ontario Travel Grant program review claims on a case by case basis.  It stems from a claim that was rejected from a Thunder Bay woman who received cancer surgery that was available in Calgary.  Gravelle sent a letter to the Ministry of Health requesting the local woman's claim be reconsidered.

Hospital has high readmission rate

A recent report shows the Regional Hospital has a high readmission rate.  Spokesperson Laurie Marshall says that's because people who don't have family doctors are often forced to come back to the ER for their follow up visit.  Marshall says they're working on lowering the rate of readmissions while still giving care to those who need it.

Tourism Centre Closure talk

Local tourism officials say they haven't heard anything from the Ministry of Tourism about why its closing down three tourist information centers in northwestern Ontario. Gerry Cariou from Ontario Sunset Country says the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership sent out a letter explaining the closures last week. He suggests the only way the centers will stay open is if local municipalities take them over.

Rock climber not harmed after getting caught

A local rock climber is in good condition after she was rescued from the bluffs at Centennial Park yesterday.  She got her arm stuck in some rocks on the way down and couldn't get it out on her own.  Police found a trail to her and with the help of EMS were able to free her arm from the rocks.  She had no serious injuries and left without any medical treatment.

T.Bay Hydro restores power to south side

South Side residents have their power back!  It was off from 9:30 until just after 11 today.  The power outage was caused by equipment failure in the McNaughton area.

Hydro reports power outage

Thunder Bay Hydro is reporting a power outage on the City's south side.  Hydro doesn't know what the cause of the outage is or when they might be able to restore power.  The reporting hotline says most of Fort William is without power.  Hydro crews are working on restoring the power.Outages have been reported in the following areas: West of Syndicate Avenue, East of Vickers, North of Walsh up to Miles. Also off are areas North of Miles, East of Vickers, West of Simpson and South of William including the East end area. Areas West of Syndicate Avenue are also having power difficulties.

Amalgamation Talks Worry School Board

There are renewed fears in the Fort Frances area that the Rainy River District School Board could be caught in another amalgamation. Board Chair Mike Lewis says a merger is identified in the Provincial budget. Lewis says the only board it could merge with is the Keewatin-Patricia School Board, an idea rejected in 1997. Lewis is also urging residents and communities to speak up in opposition.

First Nation Agreement With Rainy River Resources

Rainy River Resources has a key agreement in place with six area First Nation communities. It sets out a series of benefits the communities will receive out of the company's gold mining operations north of Barwick. President Raymond Threlkeld says it ensures ongoing cooperation and communication. First Nations will also get employment and training opportunities through the company, as well as shares in the company.

Fire on Hazelwood Dr.

Thunder Bay's Fire Department spent several hours battling a brush fire that started on a hydro line yesterday in the City's rural area. Platoon Chief Dave Long says around 5 o'clock Saturday they were called to a fire just off of Hazelwood Drive north of Dawson Road. Long says it was a stubborn fire to put out simply because it was off-road and difficult to get equipment in. Friday night there was a brush fire on Mission Island.

7 Year Old Fine After Accident

A 7 year old boy is in good condition with only a scratched knee after he was hit by a van yesterday afternoon. The incident happened on River Street and Police say it was a very minor accident.

Local Sports Round-up

They will play a sixth game in the Superior International Junior Hockey League Final. Last night the Wisconsin Wilderness posted a 3-1 win over the Fort Frances Lakers. Fort Frances still leads the best of 7 series 3 games to 2. Game six is set for tomorrow night back in Fort Frances. The winner of that series advances to the Dudley Hewitt Cup.

Former Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey star Jeff Richards scored a natural hat trick in the second period propelling the Kenora Thistles to a 6-1 win over Dundas yesterday. The Thistles now advance to the Allan Cup which will be played starting April 16th in Lloydminster.

The Ontario Hockey League held its draft yesterday and Thunder Bay Kings netminder Mackenzie Blackwood was the highest player selected out of Northern Ontario player selected. Blackwood was taken 99th overall by the Barrie Colts in the fifth round.

Band Still Taking Government to Court

The Attawapiskat First Nation is welcoming the news that Ottawa is removing the third party who has been handling the reserve's finances. They are however pushing ahead with legal action against the Federal Government, launched last year, to try and block the initial appointment. The band wants courts to refute Prime Minister Stephen Harper's allegation that the Northern Ontario band mismanaged federal funds during their housing crisis.

Seniors Want to Save Pensions

They're mad as hell and they aren't going to take it any more. A group of seniors in Northwestern Ontario is organizing to help protect their hard earned pensions. Allan Bedard is spear-heading the move and says the issue started up a couple of years ago surrounding the fate of the pensions of Abitibi workers. Bedard says they are also upset that the Federal Government has decided to increase the age of eligibility for Old Age Security to 67 from 65.

New Health Care Network Innitiative Launched

Greater cooperation! That's what the Kenora Chiefs Advisory is hoping to accomplish with a new health care blueprint introduced last week by the North West Local Health Integration Network. Executive Director Joe Barnes says he's excited about the future. Barnes says for too long, heath care groups have been working on their own.

N.W.O. Fire Hazard Grows

The fire hazard is growing in Northwestern Ontario with the recent, warm, dry weather. Ministry of Natural Resources Information officer Debbie McLean says crews will be on alert this Easter Long weekend. She is urging people to use extreme caution with flammable materials in the wilderness. A fire in Lac Lu on the Minaki Highway on Thursday destroyed an old abandoned log home. Its estimated the log cabin was more than 130 years old.

Brush Fire on Mission Island

Thunder Bay's Fire Department spent it's Good Friday dealing with a brush fire on Mission Island last night. 9 crew members were called to the blaze just after 11 o'clock and were able to put it out. A fire spokesperson says the fire was a good size when they arrived and the wind helped to keep it contained.

Feds pull financial manager from Attawapiskat

Ottawa says it's pulling the third-party manager who had been handling the finances of the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation.  The federal government says there's been an improvement in reserve management, so it's withdrawing the third party manager.  It stems from when the First Nation declared a State of Emergency in the fall over a lack of housing. 

L.U. Basketball Adds Three Players

The Lakehead University women's basketball program announced the addition of three players to the roster for the upcoming year. Rachael Bland of England, Gabrielle Robin of New Brunswick and Thunder Bay's Jessica De Haan have all formally announced their commitments to join the Thunderwolves.

School bus accident in Oliver Paipoonge

A motorist is charged in an accident yesterday involving a school bus full of children.  Police were called to Harston Road in Oliver Paipoonge after a bus was hit by another vehicle and went off the road.  The kids and bus driver were uninjured, with only some minor scratches being reported. The driver faces a charge of careless driving.