Border Crossing Study

A new report from the Fraser Institute says delays and increased security measures at the border are costing Canadians over $19 billion dollars a year. Co-author Alexander Moens says the newly signed Beyond the Border initiative has the opportunity to reduce some of the inefficiencies. Moens says what they couldn't adequately determine is if we're getting value for that money.

HMCS Ville De Quebec Visit A Success

Final numbers will come in at the end of the week but the visit by the HMCS Ville De Quebec is being deemed a success. Manager of Tourism, Paul Pepe estimates the ship entertained between 8,000 and 9,000 visitors during its stay here in the port of Thunder Bay. Pepe says they will continue to try and attract similar tourist attractions to the waterfront. Pepe says the visit was a win-win for both the city and the crew who made a financial impact on the city.

M.N.R. Sends Support Personnel To B.C.

British Columbia is getting some help from Northern Ontario forest firefighters. 36 Ministry of Natural Resources personnel have been sent to help with their forest fire situation. 8 Fire Ranger crews and incident management staff have been sent to help. Equipment is also on its way to help. The M.N.R. says it can afford to send help with the fire rating low to moderate across the region. There is no word on how long the crews are expected to stay.

Tuition Costs #1 Issue Facing Students

Lakehead University students are gradually making their way back to the city for the start of another school year. Student Union President Emma Brightwell tells us about the primary concern facing students. Brightwell says for some international students it costs them upwards of $12,000 a year to attend L.U.

Fight To Keep E.L.A. Open Continues

The writing may be on the wall for the Experimental Lakes area near Dryden, but that's not stopping one scientist from her campaign to keep the outdoor laboratory open. Diane Orihel says they risk losing valuable research if the ELA is closed. The federal government has flatly refused any suggestions to keep the ELA open and is planning to shut it down at the end of March 2013, if no other agency comes forward to operate it.

Rainy River Tourism Offer

The town of Rainy River is expressing interest in taking ownership of one of Ontario's now closed tourism centres. The centre in Rainy River was among those closed in May as part of cost-saving measures. Mayor Deb Ewald says they've inquired about buying it for a dollar. Ewald says the Province is now considering their offer.

A Tree For Jack Layton

MP Charlie Angus will be in Thunder Bay today to celebrate the life of Jack Layton. A Memorial Tree is being planted at Birch Point Park on Boulevard Lake at a ceremony starting at 3pm. It is almost a year since the passing of the late Jack Layton. Layton died of cancer last August only a few months after leading the NDP into official Opposition status for the first time in its 50-year history.

Now Owing Michael Antcliffe

Michael Antcliffe, local author and cancer fundraiser is dead. He was 37. Antcliffe created the Facebook group "I Owe Michael Antcliffe $10" with a mission to raise funds for cancer care in the region while battling the disease himself. The premise of the campaign is to owe Antcliffe $10 after he died for the pleasure of being his friend on Facebook. He currently has over five thousand friends between his page and group.

Hockey's Greatest Prize Is In Kenora

Mike Richards, who played a part in the L.A. Kings Stanley Cup Victory, is brining the cup to Kenora. The cup will be there today (Saturday) and will be making a two hour pit stop under the White Cap Pavillion. Richards and the Cup will then be available for photographs for about two hours.

Bikers Collect Toys

The Salvation Army is again hosting its annual summertime Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride. Spokesperson Gail Kromm says toys can be dropped off at any motorcycle dealer from now until September 15th. That's when the bikers gather for a parade around the city. The toys will be presented to the Salvation Army at the end of the ride.

Labour Issues Will Not Delay Local School Year

There is no way the Lakehead Public School Board will be able to get a contract signed with its teachers by the September first deadline imposed by Premier Dalton McGuinty. Board Chair Deborah Massaro says regardless of what happens it will be business as usual in the new school year.  Massaro says the board normally negotiates with its teachers in the fall but doesn't know why no one felt the need to move the talks ahead.

Exemplary Medals Awarded

Thunder Bay Fire Service Personnel are now proudly displaying new medals for exemplary service. Nine members were honoured with the special medals yesterday on board the visiting HMCS Ville De Quebec.  Acting Captain Jo Rucchin was one of the recipients for his 20 years of dedication and says he's very proud to serve alongside a group that is so dedicated to serving our community.

Hobbs Ready For AMO Meeting

Provincial municipal leaders are gathering in Ottawa starting Sunday for their annual meeting. Our Mayor Keith Hobbs says the gathering of the Ontario Municipal Association is a chance to meet cabinet ministers they normally don't get to.  Hobbs says they hope to discuss local issues with the health, energy and infrastructure ministers.  Those issues include helping out the local tissue bank Regen Med, and getting the conversion of the Mission Island Ontario Power Generation Plant back on track.

Queen's Jubilee Medals Awarded

The HMCS Ville De Quebec is serving a special purpose during this week's visit to the port of Thunder Bay. Today the ship hosted a special Queen's Jubilee Medal Ceremony. Five people from the region were given the distinguished award including Retired Captain Ann Zuliani, who says it's an honour. Nine fire personnel were also part of the ceremony, they were given exemplary medals for 20 and 30 years of service.

Inflation Slows To A Crawl

Runaway inflation doesn't appear to be a concern in Thunder Bay.   The rate barely budged in the city last month.  Government figures from Statistics Canada show that the inflation rate dropped from half a per pent in June to point one per cent in July.   Nationally the inflation rate fell to 1.3 per cent in July.

Injured Bear Still Seen In City

An injured bear hobbling on three legs is still being spotted around the city. The bear was last seen by multiple people at approximately 10:00 o'clock last night in the area of Riviera Drive. Another bear was seen near Strathcona Golf Course. There have been no new sightings of what police believe to be a cougar or a lynx since Tuesday night.

Nuissance Bears A Problem For Police

The President of the Thunder Bay Police Association is speaking out about having to deal with nuissance animals in the city, particularly bears. Greg Stephenson says the decision by the Ministry of Natural Resources to have city police deal with nuissance bears is putting them in a very difficult position. He feels they don't have the proper training or the right equipment to deal with them. Stephenson says they will be be bringing this issue up with MPP Bill Mauro and especially with Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle.

Broken Nose Leads To Charges

City police are reporting more female violence overnight. One woman was sent to hospital after she had her nose broken. City police have 2 women in custody and charged with assault after an altercation took place just after 11:00 o'clock last night on the 100 block of South May Street. Both women are to appear in court this morning.

Forest Fires On The Decline

Cooler temperatures and rain throughout the region are keeping the forest fire situation at bay. There were no new fires confirmed yesterday in the Northwest Region. Widespread rain has reduced the forest fire hazard to low for the entire region and is keeping the fire situation quiet. There are 53 active forest fires in Northwestern Ontario; of those 53 fires, 51 are being monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Woman Charged With Arson

A 25 year old woman remains in custody and is charged with arson. Provincial Police laid the charge after investigating a rash of fires that caused structural damage in the Sioux Lookout area. O.P.P. were looking into 3 fires in particular and with the help of the Northwest Crime Unit, were able to arrest and charge the woman. She is scheduled to appear in a Sioux Lookout court today.

OCSA Lauds City Tobacco Stand

Thunder Bay City Council is getting props for its stand on the issue of contraband tobacco.  The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is pleased council has voted to support the association's fight against the sale of such products.  It also applauds the District Health Unit and its ad campaign against illegal cigarettes.

More Ceremony On Visiting Frigate

There's more pomp happening on board the visiting frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec Friday.  There will be a medal ceremony taking place in the morning starting at 10.   Five Queen's Diamond Jubilee and nine Exemplary Service Medals will be presented to Thunder Bay residents.   Today there was a Canadian citizenship ceremony on board the ship.

Cougars No Stranger To The Northwest

A wildlife expert at Lakehead University says it wouldn't surprise him if it turned out if there was a cougar in the city. Don Barnes says the big cat has been spotted in Northwestern Ontario from Kenora to Thunder Bay for many years. He recalls a thesis one student did on the cougar sightings in Northwestern Ontario. Barnes says because the Ministry of Natural Resources has such strict guidelines to prove a sighting, they are never confirmed.

Peterson Applauds Sault Move

The co-chair of the city's Disaster Relief Committee is hoping it catches on. Lynn Peterson is reacting to the decision by the city council in Sault Ste. Marie to donate 75 hundred dollars to our disaster relief. Peterson calls it wonderful news for the community.  She says it shows that other communities in the north recognize that it's a disaster could have just as easily happened in their own city. Peterson says the request for donations went out to many municipal councils in the province.

True Grit Tees Off For Disaster Relief

The first major fundraising event for the city's Disaster Relief Fund is aiming to raise 300 thousand dollars to help victims of the May 28th flood.  It's a golf tournament being organized by  True Grit Consulting and takes place at Whitewater September 13th.   It also includes an auction of a Fiat sports car.

New Digs For Cancer Care Operations

Cancer Care Ontario's research presence in Thunder Bay is growing.  Vice President Rick Skinner says they have doubled the number of their software developers after being able to snap up some teckies from the now defunct Tornado Medical Systems and move into their former office space in the Whelan Building

Injured Bear Still In City

An injured bear is still making its way through the city. A bear with an injured foot, apparently only using three legs to walk, was spotted this morning at 7:40 a.m. on Golf Links Road near Cascade Crescent. Reports of wild animals including what could be a cougar or a lynx have been dominating police phones throughout the week. Numerous calls of nuissance bears were reported overnight behind the police station on Balmoral and Central. Other locations where witnesses saw bears included Hutton Park at the end of Valley Street, Dawson Road, Dragon Hills Golf Course and in Oliver-Paipoonge.

Police Association AGM

The Thunder Bay Police Association is playing host for the fifth time to the Ontario Police Association's Annual General Meeting. City Police Association President Greg Stephenson says it's a good chance to catch up with fellow members from across the province. Stephenson says 150 delegates from across Ontario are here in attendance for the meetings which wrap-up tomorrow.

Frigate Serves As Ceremony Venue

A new crop of Canadian citizens are ready to take on the world after they were sworn in at a ceremony in Thunder Bay on board the visiting frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec. Senior Citizenship Judge George Springate says having a battleship as a backdrop is just a way to take advantage of opportunities. He calls it Canada at its best. A total of 46 people from 22 different countries took the oath of citizen in the ceremony

Multiple Bear Sightings Overnight

Police are getting a high number of calls about wild animals roaming the city. Most of them are bear calls and police say no new confirmed large cat sightings have been made since supper time on Tuesday. Last night police received numerous calls about bears in the city and on the outskirts. Inside the city, calls came in about a bear behind the police station on Balmoral and Central and at Baseball Central. Other reports came in about bears at Dragon Hills Golf Course, on Dawson Road, Hutton Park at the end of Valley and in Oliver-Paipoonge. Police are continuing to ask for the public's assistance in reporting any wild animal sighting and to exercise caution.

Yesno Wins In A Squeaker

Harvey Yesno is the new Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.  He was selected in the third ballot in today's NAN election. He defeated Terry Waboose 22 votes to 21.   Today's vote comes two months after Stan Beardy vacated the spot after being elected Ontario's Regional Chief. 

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.