Habitat For Humanity Welcomes 50-Thousand Dollars

The mother of a one year old asthmatic is the latest recipient of a Habitat for Humanity home. The home being built on Home Avenue is part of Bombardier's 50 thousand dollar donation.  The company made the presentation today and will also use the cash to build another home in 2013.

Two Historic Designations Announced At Bombardier

Parks Canada has made the Thunder Bay Bombardier Plant a historical site.  The Federal Government unveiled two plaques recognizing the Canadian Car Foundry's 100 years in the community. Another plaque was presented to honor Elsie MacGill's contributions as a woman engineer in the Second World War.

Jeep Rollover Sends 3 To Hospital

Three people have been taken to hospital by ambulance this morning after a vehicle rollover on John Street Road between Community Hall Road and Lawrence Road. Emergency services responded to the incident just before 7:00 o'clock. Police say the driver of a Jeep lost control and rolled over into the side ditch. One person was ejected from the vehicle. All three occupants were taken to the Regional Health Sciences Center with undetermined injuries. John Street Road is currently closed between Community Hall Road and Lawrence Road for the Traffic Unit to conduct the investigation. John Street Road is expected to be closed for at least the next hour.

Cosmo Valente's Death Investigated As A Homicide

The RCMP in Manitoba are investigating the death of Thunder Bay's Cosmo Valente at Stony Mountain Penitentiary this month as a murder. Spokesperson Sgt. Line Karpish says their probe has discovered that Valente was stabbed. While there is no one charged in the death of the 69 year old, police say they are working with the institution on the case.

Fireworks Warning

The hot weather has the Ministry of Natural Resources on high alert for new forest fires this long weekend. The Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association is also asking you to "use caution" if you intend to use fireworks. President Eric Nordlund is reminding you that it is illegal to set them off within city limits. Nordlund is suggesting you watch the fireworks display put on by the city at Marina Park on Canada Day at approximately 11:00 O'clock.

Bishop E.Q. Jennings School Closed Today

Bishop E.Q. Jennings is closed today. Officials will spend the day cleaning up blood left on the library floor. Police say a man and a woman broke into the school overnight and were found sleeping on the library floor. One of them was cut. They have been charged with one count of mischief each.

2 Possible New Forest Fires

M.N.R. officials say 2 new fires are being investigated by Fire Rangers from the Sioux Lookout Headquarters; however, neither fire has been confirmed yet by personnel. There continues to be 8 active fires in the region that are being monitored in the far north districts of Sioux Lookout and Nipigon. The forest fire hazard across northwestern Ontario has climbed to "High" and is expected to climb into the "Extreme" by the weekend. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources urges the pubic to use caution with all outdoor fires.

Cats lose In Extra Inning

The Thunder Bay Border Cats lost 4-3 in an extra inning last night in the opener of a 3-game road series to Alexandria. The loss drops the Cats' record to 12-16 in the first half. They're back home on Saturday to start a 5-game seris against the Rochester Honkers.

CPC Plugs Away At Implementing Plan

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is reaching out to the community as part of their crime reduction plan.  They've started a campaign welcoming remote First Nation residents to the City, as well as work in individual neighbourhoods.  Acting Co-ordinator Sheelagh Hendrick says they've also started partnering with other community groups.  Hendrick updated the council on her work during the last few months at their monthly meeting Wednesday night.

CPC Plugs Away At Crime Plan

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is reaching out to the community as part of their crime reduction plan.  They've started a campaign welcoming remote First Nation residents to the City, as well as work in individual neighbourhoods.  Acting Co-ordinator Sheelagh Hendrick says they've also started partnering with other community groups.  Hendrick updated the council on her work during the last few months at their monthly meeting Wednesday night.

Crimestoppers Launching Highschool Program

Thunder Bay's Crimestoppers Program is looking to launch a Highschool version of themselves.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they want to provide an anonymous tip program for students who want to prevent underage drinking. They'll be recruiting members this summer and launch the program sometime in September or October.  Tilbury spoke about the program at Wednesday night's Crime Prevention Council meeting.

NOMA Goes To Bat For ELA

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is the latest group to plead with the Harper government to continue funding the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora.   President Ron Nelson says the nearly 40 municipalities in the organization are troubled by the proposal to close the ELA next year.   The plea comes in a letter to the Prime Minister on the issue.

Business Owners Stay Pumped About Economy

Expectations for the future are positive according to the 15th annual small business survey by Thunder Bay Ventures.  Manager Royden Potvin says as an example,  seventy-four percent of business owners questioned believe that the Thunder Bay economy will have positive growth over the next year.   Meantime the survey also showed that 75 per cent of owners surveyed believe a new multiplex is affordable.  However the survey was conducted before the May 28th flooding disaster.

Via Rail Safe Sioux Lookout

The daily run east and west from Sioux Lookout isn't impacted by cuts at Via Rail. Trip frequencies are being cut on some of the big routes, including the Montreal to Halifax route ``The Ocean'' which will be cut from six to three round trips per week. In the West, ``The Canadian'' , a Toronto to Vancouver route, will be reduced from three to two round trips per week in the off-season. There will also be a number reductions in southwestern Ontario. Via Rail says it expects to cut 200 unionized jobs, or about 9-percent of its positions, as the government-owned passenger rail service deals with federal budget cuts.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author In Town

Michael Wood

A Pulitzer Prize winning author is speaking to the Regional Research Institute Board today. Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee wrote a book about Cancer and CEO Michael Wood says they look forward to hearing what he has to say. Mukherjee will also be speaking tonight at the Victoria Inn.

Immigration Social Network Launched

Thunder Bay's Multicultural Association is launching its Immigrant Social Network today.  Spokesperson Michelle Lander says the group will help newcomers settle in Thunder Bay.  The new group's board is made up of about 12 people and is being launched on Canada's Multicultural Day.

Life's A Beach

Bad news for the Canada Day long weekend.  The Health Unit has put Boulevard Lake's main beach and sunnyside beach under a swimming advisory.  You can still swim at those beaches but be warned there is high levels of e-coli which can lead to skin, eye, nose and throat infections.  The Health Unit is testing the water and will alert the public when the e-coli dissipates.

Beardy Elected Regional Chief

A local face is the new face of the Chiefs of Ontario.  Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy has been elected Regional Chief.  Beardy received 59 votes in traditional voting this morning.  Incumbent Angus Toulouse received 53 votes.  The 38th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference is on the go in Toronto.  Beardy's election will mean the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation will be electing a new Grand Chief.

Cosmo Valente Dies In Custody

A Thunder Bay Man serving jail time in Stony Mountain has died. Cosmo Valente died at a hospital in Winnipeg on Monday. The 69 year Valente was serving a 5 year 8 month sentence for trying to hire a "hit man" to kill his ex-wife and her lawyer. The cause of his death is not known but is being reviewed by police and the coroner.

Canada Day Activites At Fort William Historical Park

Fort William Historical Park along with the OLG Casino and Marina Park are the host venues for Canada Day festivities. Admission to Fort William Historical Park is free and activities include a scavenger hunt, tug of war, ceremonial canoe arrival with musket salute and Canada Day birthday cake. Communications Officer Marty Mascarin suggests you can start at the Historical Park and then make your way to the casino and marina for their planned activities. The Historical Park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Canada Day. 

Public School Board Passes Budget

The Lakehead Public School Board is going ahead with a budget of more than 131-million dollars for next year. The budget was approved at last night's meeting. Board Chair, Deborah Masserro says “Developing a balanced student-focused with stakeholder input is a significant accomplishment.” Highlights of the budget include: maintaining programs such as Full-Time Senior Kindergarten in existing schools, continued support for French as a second language and Native language support in elementary schools, more money for textbooks and e-books as well as e-learning opportunities for High School students.

Thunderwolves To Compete In Olympic Trials

Lakehead University Thunderwolves Alastair Brown and Hillary Quirion are set to compete at the Canadain Olympic Track and Field Olympic trials starting today in Calgary. Brown is ranked 11th Canada in the 1500 metres and has a shot at making the finals. Quirion, who is from Thunder Bay, qualified for the 10,000 metre run following a 3rd place finish at the O.U.A. provincials this year.  Three other L.U. Athletes will compete in pre-trial events, Tess Naroski in the 800 & 1500, Heather Maxfield in 400 & 800 and Travis Roske in the 800.

Cats Split Series In St. Cloud

The Thunder Bay Border Cats eneded up splitting a mini 2-game series with St. Cloud after dropping a 3-2 decision last night. The Border Cats now have a first half record of 12-15. They start a 3-game seris against Alexandria this afternoon.

Gas Line Break At Champlain Place

Some residents of Champlain Place were told to leave their homes this afternoon. A contractor digging a drive way hit a gas line causing an evacuation of about 20 people. The City's Fire Department expects the residents to to be back in their homes by supper time.

Gravelle Talks Forest Management Corporation

Ontario is giving a giant chunk of forest land over to area First Nations and surrounding communities. The Northeast communities will form a Forest Management Corporation that will oversee the sale of timber. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says the corporation will be operational by the Spring of 2013.

Quality Of Life Improvements No Thanks To Feds

A new report says the gap between aboriginal and non aboriginal residents quality of life is improving. The benchmarking report is backed by the Federal Government and states the gap is not as big as it once was. Pic River Chief Roi Michano says things have improved but no thanks to the Government. The report was released on Tuesday and states more First Nations people are finding jobs and self employment is on the rise.

Deer By-Law To Be Re-Examined

The City is considering amending the deer feeding by-law. Council will make a decision on July 23rd which if passed will allow feeding on private property on McKellar and Mission Islands only. Long time 103rd Street resident Rob McCallum feels the Mission Island deer are a tourist attraction.

Hit & Run

Police are charging a 37 year old woman in connection to a hit and run at the intersection of Secord and Dufferin Street today. Police say an eastbound Intrepid was struck by a northbound Subaru that did not stop at the posted stop sign. The driver of the SUV left the collision scene on foot and was later located by police and arrested on outstanding warrants. She's been charged with Failing to Remain, Driving without a licence and Failing to Stop. More charges are pending.

Press Repeat...Hotel Announcement Not Ready

The cloak of secrecy surrounding the proposed hotel at Prince Arthur's Landing is still firmly in place. Developer Gisele MacDonald can't say when the official announcement will be made adding it's a complex process.   Meantime the developers are showing off the condominium designs.

Oh Canada! What A Day It Will Be

Staff are releasing details about what is happening this Canada Day long weekend. Coordinator Megan Shanks says the parade is back again this year at 6:00 p.m on Water Street. Brand new activities this year include canoeing, kayaking and even dragon boating at the marina. Canada Day festivities at Marina Park officially begin at 5:00 p.m. on July 1st and wrap-up with the fireworks display at approximately 11 o'clock.

Bruno's Contracting Talks Business

Money can be made and lost during times of disaster.  The May 28th flood ended up being a neutral event for Bruno's Contracting from a business perspective.   They lost money because they had to leave projects alone because of the water, but Secretary-Treasurer, Silvio Di Gregorio says they were able to help the M.N.R.  Di Gregorio says the down time on their own projects was minimal and that they are back on schedule.

MP Warns Of New Bill

There could be another omnibus bill coming before MP's in the House of Commons this fall. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he hasn't been told what it may contain, but worries debate will be limited as it was with the budget bill. The budget bill contained changes to several pieces of legislation effecting such things as old age security, the environment and fisheries.

$2.7 Million Invested For Red Lake Gas Pipeline

The future is looking bright for Red Lake. FedNor Minister Tony Clement and Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced last week that they will be investing in the area. An investment of 2.7 million dollars will support a gas pipeline project, which will provide 180 businesses with natural gas in the next 5 years. The development is estimated to create 120 jobs.

NAN Bills Province For $127 Million

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is in Toronto this morning. He will be presenting a billing invoice of $127,000,000 to the province of Ontario for benefits derived from resource development for the past 100 years.

Cats Eek Out Win

The Thunder Bay Border Cats opened a mini 2-game series against St. Cloud on the road last night with a 3-2 win. The Border Cats improved their record to 12-14 on the year.

Morrison Brings Home Bronze

Lakehead University Men's Basketball Coach Scott Morrison has brought home a bronze medal from the FIBA America's U18 championship in Brazil. Morrison was the assistant coach of Canada's under-18 men's basketball team.

Earthwise Trademark Is Pricey

The City is turning down a proposal to buy the Earthwise Trademark. An energy company wants the City to either lease the use of the name or purchase it. Councillor Ken Boshcoff calls the request to purchase the trademark offensive. The Earthwise committee wants council to buy the trademark for 44 thousand dollars. The committee has one year left on their current lease of the name.

Council Moves Forward From Flood

The City is moving forward after the May 28th flood. Council approved a number of initiatives at it's Monday night meeting that will help pinpoint flood areas including a neighborhood drainage study and review of it's sewage treatment infrastructure. City Manager Tim Commisso says they'll be digging deep into what areas were hit by the flooding. A report on the cost of the studies of neighborhoods and the sewage treatment plant will come before council in July.

City Plans To Take Over Salvation Army Funds

The City is going to take over the funds raised by the Salvation Army and Red Cross. The decision was made at tonight's council meeting. After the two organizations updated council on their work, councillors gave them a standing ovation.

Northwood Residents Share Concerns

A group of concerned Northwood residents expressed their anger over repeat flooding in their neighborhood. They told council they've warned the City over and over again about the periodic flooding that happened long before the May 28th flood. They feel they've done everything they can to prevent flooding. They are in favour of City staff's plan to conduct a neighborhood drainage study.

Missing Boater Located

A 62 year old Thunder Bay man is safe after a weekend boating accident on Lake Nipigon.  OPP say the man's vessel was damaged after it struck an island.   He was reported overdue on Saturday morning, but was found by 7 o'clock that evening.  He was flown to the Nipigon hospital for his injuries and then taken to the Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Class Action Suit To Target Province

The provincial government is being put on notice that it's about to face a  half billion dollar class action lawsuit by victims of flooding in Thunder Bay.   Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff says the lawsuit will allege the province neglected in it's duty to police the workings of the city's storm and sewage  system.  None of the allegations have been proven in court.   Zaitzeff says they plan to formally file the statement of claim in two months

Quashing Rumours

City Manager Tim Commisso is putting to bed any mis-conceptions about Provincial Funding coming in for flood relief. Of the 16-million dollars the province has promised, 10-million is for roads and sewers. Commisso says fund raising the 3-point-2 million is the figure to focus on if you want to help flood victims. Conmee Township and Oliver-Paipoonge were recipients of 2-point-8 million dollars from the province to round out the 16-million dollar figure.

Mayor Away In Quebec

Mayor Keith Hobbs is in Quebec at a conference that brings together the Mayors of Great Lake cities. Hobbs has some scheduled time to speak at the conference and intends to raise awareness about Thunder Bay's Flood situation to his colleagues.  Hobbs has said that he has targeted this meeting as a potential source for financial help since the disaster first occurred on May 28th.

Johnston Stresses Flood Relief Number

Members of the Emergency Operations Control Group are making sure you are well aware of what's available when it comes to flood help. Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson wanted to relay the message about Disaster Relief Forms being available on-line. The "9-8 Flood" number is important for you to call if you have any questions or inquiries about flooding.

Bentley Hears Our Energy Concerns

Energy Minister Chris Bentley is back on the road after a meeting in Thunder Bay with municipal and First Nations leaders. Bentley says he was especially interested in his discussions with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and it's energy concerns. Bentley says all sides are still exploring the energy needs in the Ring of Fire mining development.

School Board Unions Raise $

The Red Cross has 28 thousand dollars more in it's relief fund for city flood victims. Spokesperson Rob Kilgour says it comes from money raised by the unions within the city's public and catholic school boards which he hints may get matching funds. Kilgour says the organization's flood fund has reached a quarter million dollars and continues to grow.

7 Active Fires In Northwest Region

The recent wet weather helped keep forest fire activity to a minimum this weekend. The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting 7 active fires in the Northwest Region. One in the far North of the Nipigon District and six in the Sioux Lookout District. There are no problems being reported with these fires. They are all classed as Being Observed. The weather forecast is calling for another sunny day today and the fire hazard is rising. It is "Moderate" to "High" in the West and "Moderate" across the remainder of the region.

Stan Beardy Greets Literacy Counsellors

Nisnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy will welcome more than 80 students this morning as they begin training to become Literacy Camp Counsellors. The training will take place starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Bora Laskin Building at Lakehead University. This is the 7th year for the Lieutenant Governor's Aboriginal Summer Reading Camps program, which works to improve literacy skills among youth in NAN First Nations. This year, the program will be providing 38 camps in 29 Northern Aboriginal communities.

Cats Hit Road

The Thunder Bay Border Cats enjoyed a day off yesterday and are on the road to face St. Cloud tonight. The Border Cats are 11-14 on the year and are 7 1/2 games back int he North division.