Witness Says That Was No Lynx

A woman who called in one of this week's wildcat sightings in the city says there is no doubt in her mind what she saw was a cougar. Lindsay Gibson says she saw the animal in the parking lot of the Regional Health Sciences Centre and it was not a lynx. She describes an animal that is large and muscular with sleek golden coloured fur with a long thick tail. Gibson says she and her hospital co-workers saw the huge cat charge at them and they ran for safety.

Levesque Confirms Support For Eye On The Street

The Eye on the Street program is getting dissed by some member of City Council including the mayor, but the Police Chief is standing by it. J-P Levesque says he would like the video surveillance program to continue.  He says he sees value in the system because police use it quite a bit as an investigative tool.

New Cougar Sighting Reported

A new sighting inside the city of a large cat is coming in. Police say a witness saw the animal last night at around supper time in the River Terrace area. An injured bear was also seen in the Lakehead University area at approximately the same time. Conflicting reports have the large cat pegged as either a cougar or a lynx. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says witnesses are still firm in their belief it's a cougar. Adams is once again reminding you to exercise caution if you see either the large cat or the injured bear and to notify police immediately.

Careless Driving Charge Laid

Careless Driving is the charge. The Traffic Unit has concluded its investigation into a serious auto-pedestriant accident that happened Sunday. A 57 year old woman driver has now been charged after police say she hit a 47 year old woman who was jogging on Blindline Road. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the woman jogger remains at the Health Sciences Centre listed in serious condition.

Latest Cougar Update

No New sightings of a large cat or injured bear are being reported by city police overnight. They were on the lookout for both animals yesterday. The last confirmed sighting of a cougar or a lynx was yesterday during the noon hour near a grassy field near Quality Market on Golf Links road. Earlier sightings had the animal near the Shuniah Building at Confederation College and also near a parking lot near the Health Sciences Centre. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says public safety is paramount. Adams is urging you to call the police immediately if you spot the large cat or the injured bear.

NAN Elections Today

Voting takes place today to elect a new Grand Chief for the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. 7 delegates are vying for Nan's top spot which represents 49 mostly remote First Nations communities. The elections come two months earlier than normal after Stan Beardy was elected as Ontario's Regional Chief. A total of five candidates are running for 3 Deputy Grand Chief positions as well.

HMCS Ville De Quebec Visits

Naval enthusiasts will want to pay attention to the harbour this morning. Thunder Bay is welcoming the 445-foot HMCS Ville De Quebec as it makes port at Pool 6 Pier at approximately 10:00 O'clock The ship is offering free tours starting tomorrow at 1:00 o'clock and will be here until Sunday. Tours are free and transportation will be offered from the Community Auditorium and Heart of the Harbour. The HMCS Ville De Quebec has served during an anti-piracy mission in Somalia and also in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Boulevard Main Beach Safe To Swim

Fluctuating levels of e-coli are constantly being tested by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. The T.B.D.H.U. is now saying the levels have dropped low enough to lift the swimming advisory for Boulevard Lake's Main Beach. High levels of bacteria continue to keep the swim warning in place at Chippewa Park's Main Beach.

Facebook Posting Brings Out Skeptics

This week's reported cougar sightings in the city seem to be drawing a lot of skepticism among the public after the posting of this picture on Facebook. It appears to show a lynx crossing the road at the Lakehead University student residence. Local resident Dave St. Amand says he took the picture on Sunday morning and it appears to have stirred the pot somewhat. However police insist witnesses who they have spoken to claim the animal they saw has a long tail like a cougar would, unlike the short tailed lynx in the Facebook pic.

Facebook Posting Brings Out Skeptics

This week's reported cougar sightings in the city seem to be drawing a lot of skepticism among the public after the posting of this picture on Facebook.   It appears to show a lynx crossing the road at the Lakehead University student residence. Local resident Dave St. Amand says he took the picture on Sunday morning and it appears to have stirred the pot somewhat.  However police insist witnesses who they have spoken to claim the animal they saw has a long tail like a cougar would, unlike the short tailed lynx in the Facebook pic.

KI Chief Honoured

Chief Donny Morris of KI First Nation stood up for what he believes in, and now he's been awarded a medal. Morris was presented a Diamond Jubilee medal, honoring the work he's done for his community. In March 2008, Morris and others were put in jail for standing up to the province. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell presented the medal, saying Morris has been a "true leader".

Gravelling Monitoring Cougar Sightings

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle is watching the developments surrounding cougar sightings in the city. Gravelle says his ministry is on top of the situation helping to find the animal. He says MNR officials are working with city police to try to track the animal. However Gravelle points out there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of a wild cougar in Ontario since 1884.

Frigate Tour Times Announced

The Royal Canadian Navy is allowing you to take a tour of the HMCS Ville de Quebec when it arrives here for a five day visit this week. On Thursday there will be two opportunities. The first will be in the afternoon from 1 until 5 then from 6 until 8 in the evening. On Friday ,Saturday an Sunday the visits will be restricted to the afternoon starting at 1 o'clock. The ship will be docked at the Pool 6 pier.

Cougar Sighting At Hospital

City police are saying three Hospital staff members were charged by a cougar this morning. Police were called to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre early this morning. Hospital staff reported that a cougar was seen in parking lot H on the east side of the property. Meanwhile, a bear with an injured leg was also spotted in the same area by staff members just after 5:00 a.m. The cougar was said to have acted in an aggressive manner before returning to the wooded area. Police were unable to locate the animals. The police are following up on this matter with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Police are patrolling the area around the hospital and reminding the public to exercise caution when walking in wooded areas in the vicinity. They are also asking you to call them immediately if these animals are spotted.

Injured Bear Still Loose

City police are warning you of the dangers of wild animals roaming through the city. Reports of a cougar sighting were last given to police yesterday afternoon near Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Officers spotted an injured bear near their station on Balmoral on Central at approximately 10:30 p.m. last night. In both cases the animals fled into the bush before police could catch up with them. In a seperate incident, a bear was hit and killed by a vehicle on West Arthur Street at approximately 9:00 O'Clock last night. No Injureies were reported. Police are warning you to use extreme caution when walking or biking near Central, Balmoral, Tungsten and along the trails surrounding the Lakehead University campus.

Brett Kay Named All-Star

Thunder Bay Border Cats Shortstop Brett Kay has been voted to the 2012 Northwoods League Post-Season All-Star Team. Coaches and members of the media voted him as the lone representative of the Border Cats. He batted .320 with 3 triples, 14 doubles and one home run while collecting 77 hits in 64 games during the regular season.

City Wants Trade Talk Exemption

The city of Thunder Bay wants to be left out of any negotiations involving Canada's discussions with the European Union on a new trade deal. Councillor Paul Pugh is fearful having no exemption from the talks could leave us vulnerable to policy changes involving mass transit thus putting local jobs in danger at the Bombardier plant.   Council's request now goes to both the Canadian and Ontario municipal lobby groups to consider.

Funding Priorities Set

The city's top requests for infrastructure funding from the Harper government are now set in stone.   Councillors voted to promote a list of five projects including improvements to the Delaney Arena and Fort William Stadium.  Other priority projects to be submitted by the city include improvements to trails, lighting and bridges and transit shelter upgrades.

Surveillance Program Has It's Critics

It appears the city's Eye on the Street program may get some council scrutiny in the future. In presenting the program's annual report to council, some city lawmakers, like Councillor Andrew Foulds believe it may be time to rethink the video surveillance program altogether. He would like a critical analysis on whether the 200 thousand dollars spent on it is worth it. The mayor too feels the program has no value.

Police Warn Of New Scam

Police are warning drivers to be aware of a scam.  They say it involves someone flagging you down the the highway and claiming to be out of gas.   The schemer offers to exchange a piece of jewelry they have for money,  claiming it's worth hundreds of dollars when in fact the jewelry is fake.  Police say they had two reports of the scam, one close to Nipigon, the other near Thunder Bay.

ATV Accident Injures Man

Police say a local man is recovering from an ATV accident on his Marks Lake property on the weekend.   They say he was thrown from his vehicle and up against a boulder after the machine rolled.  OPP pointed out the 35 year old man wasn't wearing a helmet. 

4 Year Investigation Leads To Arrest

A Manitouwadge man is out on bail but faces severa conditions as he waits for his next court appearance. The Northwest Crime Unit assisted Manitouwadge O.P.P. with a four year investigation that has resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old man. Police arrested him on Thursday and faces two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering threats, one count of assault and breaking and entering charges. Police say the man is expected back in court on September 26th.

City Prepares For Bow Hunting Season

In less than a month the city will be allowing bow hunting for deer within city limits. In advance of that, the city is putting on an information session to inform you of exactly what will be involved according to city spokesperson Ron Bourret. He says that includes consent forms that must be filled out and other rules that must be followed. That public meeting takes place a week from this Thursday, August 23rd at Confederation College.

Dryden Doctor Breaches Code Of Conduct

The Dryden Regional Health Centre says a physician has breached the Hospital's Code of Conduct. The Hospital has reviewed an incident that occurred on August 4th, during which an emergency room doctor reportedly used inappropriate language while attending to a First Nations patient and his family. Officials say they take this breach seriously. The physician in question has acknowledged that his conduct was inappropriate and has asked to apologize to the family. He has also agreed to attend cultural sensitivity training. The hospital has expressed regret that this incident occurred. There is no word on possible disciplinary action.

Local Woman Crashes Truck

A 29 year old Thunder Bay woman is in Kenora hospital following a collision on Highway 1 in eastern Manitoba. The RCMP say the single vehicle accident took place Saturday afternoon around 3:00 about 3 kilometers west of Falcon Lake. The Mounties say the woman lost control of her pick-up truck and rolled the vehicle. She was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital in critical but stable condition. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Injured Bear Spotted Near L.U.

City police are warning bikers and trail walkers to be on the lookout for an injured bear in the area of Lakehead University. The report was filed with police after 9:00 O'clock this morning. Police are patrolling the area and have contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources. Caution is being warned for residents in the area of Oliver Road especially near trails surrounding the university campus.

Hotel Announcement In The Fall Now

The developer of the condominium project on the waterfront says condo sales are going better than expected. Giselle MacDonald says that the first of the two condominium projects is 80 per cent sold out which is ahead of projections.  Shesays originally they thought it would take them 3 months to reach the 80 per cent mark instead it took them only a month.  Meantime MacDonald says that negotiations are going full tilt with the proposed hotelier and an announcement on that is now expected in the fall.

Woman Jogger In Critical Condition After Being Hit

Blindline Road at Fraser Road is now open again after city police had to close it after being called to the site of a auto-pedestrian motor vehicle collision. The incident happened just before 10:00 a.m. yesterday.  A 47 year old woman had been jogging east bound on Blindline Road when she was struck from behind by a Jeep being driven by a 57 year old woman. The 47 year old female victim remains in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital listed in critical condition. The accident is still being investigated by the Thunder Bay Police Traffic Section. The woman has been identified but police are not releasing her name until all family members have been notified.

Cougar Watch

City police are warning the public to be on the lookout for a cougar. Police say they were alerted to a possible sighting in the vicinity of Tungsten Street and Pioneer Ridge. Police did check the area around 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon but were unable to locate the large cat. They are asking the public to report any sightings to police as soon as possible and to use caution when walking or biking in the area.

O.P.P. Officers Allegedly Assaulted

Two Ontario Provincial Police Officers were allegedly assaulted over the weekend in Pickle Lake. Police were flagged down by a man in a store parking lot when one man began shouting obscenities to police. Police arrested one man for public intoxication when they were allegedly assaulted. A 34 year old man faces multiple charges. Neither of the two officers were injured.

Woman Faces Assault Charges

A verbal argument escalated to assault in Pickle Lake. A 20 year old woman is being held for bail by O.P.P. and is to appear in court today after police responded to a call where they could hear shouting from inside a home. Police say the woman assaulted her 22 year male partner and now faces assault charges in a Sioux Lookout court.

Cats Season Ends

The Thunder Bay Border Cats season came to a screaching halt yesterday when their game was cancelled due to poor weather in Willmar. The Cats ended the second half with a 16-18 record in the North Division, finishing out of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Serious Collision on Fraser & Blindline Rd.

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a serious collision involving a Pedestrian and a Vehicle this morning at Fraser Rd. & Blindline Rd. Police say the unidentified women pedestrian has been taken to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital with life threatening injuries. Police are asking drivers to avoid travelling in this area until further notice as the roads are blocked for investigative purposes.

Border Cats Stung

The Thunder Bay Border cats were stung 9-2 playing the Willmar Stingers at Taunton Stadium on Saturday. They face off each other again this evening in Willmar.

Border Cats Win 8-1

The Thunder Bay Borders Cats put the game in the bag 8-1 at the Subway feild agianst the Duluth Huskies last night. The Border Cats ended their at home schedule on a winning note. Tonight they're away playing the Willmar Stingers

Feds Announce Another First Nations School

It took five years, but Pikangikum is going to get a new school. Today Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan announced the federal government would be building a new school. He says at this point they don't know how much the school might cost since the tenders have not gone out yet. In July 2007, the only school in the community burned to the ground.  Yesterday Duncan announced a new school would be built in Fort Severn

No Changes For Eye On The Street: Admin

City Council gets it's yearly update Monday on the Eye on the Street video surveillance program. Administration is recommending no changes and you'll get no argument from Councillor Brian McKinnon who supports the program 100 per cent because he say it works. McKinnon says in the future he'd like to see more surveillance cameras

Happy Anniversary FedNor

FedNor is celebrating. The economic development funding initiative specific to northern Ontario was established 25 years ago. Minister Tony Clement says FedNor has played an important role as a catalyst for development and growth in the region.

Sioux Lookout Fire Bug

Sioux Lookout O.P.P. are investigating a possible fire bug. Provincial Police were called to a residence yesterday and met up with the Fire Service to put out a fire. Damages to the home were undetermined but police say people were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire. O.P.P. say they are looking into a rash of fires in the recent months and are appealing to the public for help with any information.

Pikangikum Braces For Education Announcement

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, John Duncan is expected to make an  announcement related to First Nation education today. Minister Duncan will be joined by Pikangikum Chief Peter Quill at the local community centre. Yesterday John Duncan announced a new elementary school would be built in Fort Severn First Nation. The announcement is expected to be made just after 1:00 O'Clock today.

Mauro To Hebert...Don't Be An Alarmist

There's controversy between two local politicians surrounding Ontario Power Generation's plans to convert it's Mission Island power station to natural gas.  Councillor Larry Hebert is warning of rolling blackouts if a power purchase agreement can't be reached with the OPG and the Ontario Power Authority, but MPP Bill Mauro doesn't agree. He says it's all part of the negotiating process and tells the councillor not be be an alarmist.  Hebert's comments follow news that purchase agreement talks between the OPG and and Power Authority have stalled.

West Nile Not A Threat In The North

Despite high numbers of reported cases of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in southern Ontario, we appear to be quite safe here in the North. Entimologist, Dr. Ken Deacon says there have been no positive tests on mosquitoes trapped here so far. Apparently even higher temperatures than what we've experienced for it to be a legitimate threat.

Swimming Advisory..On Again

Just in time for the weekend comes news of a swimming advisory for the Main Beach at Boulevard Lake.  The Health Unit says it's due to high bacteria levels.   Meantime the advisory for the Main Beach at Chippewa Park remains in effect.  

Local Jobless Rate Up

The latest Government figures show  unemployment was up in the city last month.   Statistics Canada says the jobless rate in Thunder Bay for July was 6.1 per cent.  That's up from 5.7 per cent the month before.

Thunder Bay All-Stars Lose Canadian Championship

There will be no Junior Little League World Series for the Thunder Bay All-Stars. They were beaten 14-2 in 5-innings by Alberta in yesterday's Canadian final in Lethbridge, Alberta. The All-Stars allowed 5 runs in the top of the first and were unable to recover. The team was playing for a spot at the world's in Taylor, Michigan.

Border Cats Eliminated From Playoffs

The Thunder Bay Border Cats will now try and play the roll of spoiler in their last regular season home game of the 2012 season tonight. The Border Cats were officially eliminated from playoff contention after suffering an 11-4 loss at the hands of the Duluth Huskies last night. The series finale goes tonight at 7:05 p.m.at Subway Field.

Election Day Next Week For NAN

Election Day is coming up next week for Chiefs with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Delegates at the Keewaywin Conference in Kashechewan First Nation will be voting for NAN's executive council. August 15th is election day.

Afternoon Mishap

No one is injured following a three vehicle accident at the intersection of Tupper and High Street which happened just after 3:30 this afternoon.  There's no word on any possible charges.

Joe Van Koerverden Happy For Son

Dryden City Manager Joe Van Koerverden is feeling nothing but pride for son Adam.  Adam Van Koerverden grabbed a silver medal in Men's Kayaking at the Olympic Games yesterday.  Father Joe was in the stands for the race and says there was nothing but celebration afterwards.  Joe says Adam wanted gold but is content and happy with silver.

Rickford New Gig

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford's summer just got busier.  Rickford has been appointed to a five member panel which will decide who will become the next justice on the Supreme Court of Canada.  The panel will review a list of qualified candidates from the Province of Quebec and submit a list of three people to the Prime Minister for review.  The all-party panel was appointed today by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.