Council Hears Flood Fundraising Update

There's only a couple of months left for the Disaster Relief Committee to raise 5 million dollars.  Chair Wayne Fletcher says they've raised almost 900 thousand dollars so far and they've got a long way to go.  Fletcher says they have to raise 5 million dollars because that's what the community needs to recover after the May 28th flood.  The deadline for fundraising is the end of November.

Virdiramo Talks AMO Conference

The City has hammered out a deal with the Provincial Government to create point people in Thunder Bay to deal with the city's Mining Readiness Plan.
Councillor Joe Virdiramo says seven provincial ministers have appointed designated senior staff members as a point of contact for input and support.
The City made the request at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa.  The City also asked Minister of Health Deb Matthew to consider matching funding for RegenMed's sustainability plan.

Friendship Centre Program Renewed

A program run through local Native Friendship Centres is being renewed by the Federal Government. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan says the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth program will be offered for another year. The program encourages youth to get involved in cultural development, community engagement and leadership programs. Duncan says the program gives aboriginal youth the skills they need to enter the workforce.

NOSM Classes Start

64 student doctors start classes today at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at both the Lakehead University Campus and in Sudbury at Laurentian University.  Just under half of those students are here in Thunder Bay earning their 4-year undergraduate degree.  Acting Dean, Dr. Bill McCready says the application process hopes to identify potential future doctors who will remain here in Northern Ontario.

Rib Fest Deemed A Success

Organizers of this year's Rib Fest are simply astonished.   They were hoping for roughly 25-hundred people per day for the three day event being held in the city's downtown Port Arthur site.  But as Donna Lee Morettin says the numbers went far beyond that as 25-thousand people attended the event.  Morettin says Rib Fest will definitely be back for a second year and that the Canadian Diabetes Association benefited the most.

Police Shoot & Kill Bear

Thunder Bay Police were forced to shoot and kill a bear over the weekend.  On Sunday, police were called to the 500 block of McLeod Street to deal with a bear that climbed up a back yard tree.  The bear climbed back down the tree before the Ministry of Natural Resouces was on site and was shot by officers due to public safety concerns.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they've responded to several calls for service to deal with bears in various residential areas within the city limits.  Police are stepping up patrols and will be patrolling pathways in the city where sightings have been noted.

Tornado Touched Down In Raith

Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Crews are looking over the Raith area for downed trees after stormy weather over the weekend. The M.N.R. was moved to look for possible fire risks after a tornado was confirmed in the area on August 24th. So far no damage has been reported.

Report Suggests City Stop Growing Flowers

City lawmakers are being asked to get the city out of the flower growing business to save $100,000. In a report to council tonight, city spokesperson Darrell Matson says administration will recommend the flowers be purchased from a private company instead of being grown at the conservatory.

Forest Firefighters Headed Home

Forest Firefighters are coming back today from British Columbia. All personnel that went to British Columbia on August 19th will be back in Ontario by the end of today. British Columbia has had a chance to recycle their staff and the fire situation has decreased. Typically, FireRangers and other fire response personnel can be out of province on deployment for up to 19 days.

Fire Crews At Resolute Forest Products

Thunder Bay Fire Crews helped put out a fire at the Resolute Forest Products mill today.  Platoon Chief Brian Keesick says an overheated conveyor belt caught wood chips on fire.  Keesick adds since they know the cause of the blaze they've wrapped up their investigation.

Dumped Dude Pulled Over For Speeding

A 23 year old South Gillies man is facing a speeding charge after Thunder Bay Police stopped his vehicle Saturday on Balmoral Street.  Police say they saw the man driving his vehicle at 114 kilometres an hour in a 50 km zone.  When officers stopped the man he said he was in a rush because his girlfriend was going to break up with him.

Retracing Terry Fox's Steps

Curtis Hargrove, a young man from Alberta, is on a cross country run of Canada to raise money for cancer research by retracing the steps of his hero, Terry Fox, who had to stop his run in Thunder Bay in 1980. He is exprected to reach Thunder Bay on Sunday. Hargrove was in the news earlier this summer when Quebec Provincial Police charged him for running on the Trans Canada Highway.

Stop Growing Flowers Says Administration

City lawmakers are being asked to get the city out of the flower growing business. In a report to council Monday night, city spokesperson Darrell Matson says administration will recommend the flowers that are planted around the city,  be purchased from a private company instead of being grown at the conservatory. Matson says the move would not have any "significant reduction in positions".

Roller Blader Promotes Suicide Prevention

Youth Suicide prevention is the message that Ashley Gilbank is taking across Canada on her roller blades. Gilbank calls her journey Skate for Life and it started in Newfoundland June 4th. For her its personal since she lost a friend to suicide recently.   During her stop in Thunder Bay today Gilbank felt it was important for her to help get rid of the stigma surrounding mental illness.

T-Wolves Take Another

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team improved to 2-1 in the pre-season after posting a 79-76 win in their series finale against the visiting University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils. The Thunderwolves came from 15 points down in the first half as they struggled offensively and defensively. Next up for the Thunderwolves is the University of Manitoba on September 28th.

Ribs Galore

It's a carnival like atmosphere in the parking lot of the casino as the first Ribfest is underway. Money raised from the event will be going to charity. The event is being organized by Donnalee Morettin of the Waterfront Business Improvement Association.    They are hoping people coming into the entertainment district will see what they may have been missing.  Ribfest runs until 11 tonight and  opens again at 11 tomorrow morning..

Wood Mill Fire Cause Probed

There is no one injured after a fire around quarter to 7 this morning on Mission Island. The Fire Service says it took place at the old Industrial Hardwoods wood mill when some wood pallets in a room caught fire. the cause isn't known.   

Lightning Damages Rural Garage

A garage in rural Thunder Bay is damaged as the result of what's believed to be a lightning strike overnight.  They say the building is located on the 145 Boyko Road. Damage to the garage is said to be extensive.   There were no injuries.

The Banner Is Back!!!

Ontario Provincial Police say the 1907 Kenora Thistles Stanley Cup Banner that was stolen last week, along with a Canadian Flag and a Los Angeles Kings banner have all been returned.  Police say two separate instances of theft are being investigated.  O.P.P. say they are being assisted by the Forensic Identification Unit to help solve the crimes.  The Kenora Thistles banner has been returned to the city while the L.A. Kings banners will been returned to the owner.

Power Outages Overnight

Thunder Bay Hydro says it has no major power outages at this time. A large thunderstorm rolled over the city last night with brilliant lightning strikes seen from 10:00 O'clock last night until beyond 5:00 a.m. this morning. Power was knocked out in many parts of the city including Vickers, Central, the Waterfront District and County Park. Meanwhile, Hydro One is reporting two significant outages. One affecting 35 customers is located to the West of Highway 61 South of the city, the other is west of the city on Highway 102 past Dawson Road. That power outage is affecting roughly 20 customers.

Thunderwolves Even Series

Thunder Bay's Matt Schmidt hit a clutch 3-pointer later in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal for the Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team. They beat the Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils 64-52 in the second game of their exhibition series. They will play a third game today starting at noon at the L.U. Thunderdome.

Bow Hunting Session Well Attended

The stage is set for the city's controlled deer hunt. About 90 bow hunters and land owners turned out Thursday night for an information session. The city's Ron Bourret is happy with the turnout and says there were good questions on issues surrounding boundaries and liability.  He  admits there's still a lot of learning ahead and calls it the first step of many.  Bourret thinks it'll take two or three years, maybe longer to measure any type of success

Bow Hunting Session Well Attended

The stage is set for the city's controlled deer hunt. About 90 bow hunters and land owners turned out Thursday night for an information session. The city's Ron Bourret is happy with the turnout and says there were good questions on issues surrounding boundaries and liability.  He  admits there's still a lot of learning ahead and calls it the first step of many.  Bourret thinks it'll take two or three years, maybe longer to measure any type of success

Public Wake Being Held For "Cancer Warrior"

Thunder Bay's outpouring of emotion for Michael Ancliffe seems to show no end.  His family, friends and supporters will be holding a public wake for him in the fall.   Antcliffe died on  the weekend after his very public battle with cancer in which he started his own fundraising campaign on Facebook.   The wake for Ancliffe takes place October 5th at the CLE Coliseum

Terrace Bay Celebrates

A street festival in Terrace Bay Friday  takes on a new flavour as residents get to meet the executives of the Indian company that bought the town's idled pulp mill. Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the Birla Group has proven it's serious about reopening the facility to make rayon.  Gravelle says the event is important so residents can see for themselves the mill is reopening.

KI Paddlers To Hit The Water

A team of paddlers from the northern community of KI First Nation is hitting the water to protect their watershed. The group is scheduled to leave the fly-in community Friday and will follow the ancient trading route before arriving in Fort Severn.  Richard Anderson is the Watershed Coordinator for KI and says the paddlers are united .  He says they are calling on Ontario to respect their land before it gets poisoned by mining companies.

College Delves Into Bio Energy

Confederation College is taking green energy research to a new level.  With the help of almost half a million provincial dollars from the Centre for Research in the Bio Econony (CRIBE). College president Jim Madder says they'll be developing a learning and research centre for bio energy. He hopes one of the benefits will be energy for remote communities. Madder says the other goal of the new centre is to support the expansion of the wood pellet industry.

Green Research $ For Atikokan Firm

It's all about green energy for Atikokan Renewable Fuels. The province is providing over 70 thousand dollars to the company through the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio Economy (CRIBE) to begin testing of wood pellets in co-operation with Lakehead University. Company president Ed Fukushima says research is needed to create a competitive product.

Military Plane Seen Over Lake

You might notice that there's a military plane that's circling over Lake Superior.   It's a Hercules from the search and rescue centre in Trenton.  A spokesperson there says it's here as part of  regular air exercises. 

Forest Fires Dwindling

Gradually the number of active forest fires in Northwestern Ontario is dwindling. There are now just 30 actives fires in the region. So far this year the Thunder Bay District has had 57 forest fires. All of them are declared out. The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire hazard is "high" in Southern portions of the Thunder Bay District and also in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

E.L.A. Rally Planned

Scientist and concerned citizens will gather at Husky the Muskie today to speak about the importatnce of the Experimental Lakes Area to Northwestern Ontario. Research on water quality and fisheries will be the main focus of today's gathering in hopes of saving the program which the federal government has decided to shut down as of 2013. The Save Our Fish - Save our ELA event starts at 12:30 p.m. (EST) at Main Street and McClellan Avenue.

Thunderwolves Struggle In Exhibition Opener

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball try-out team lost the opener of a two-game exhibition series against the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils 91-76. Ryan Thompson led the Thunderwolves with a game high 22 points. Game two of that series goes tonight at 7:00 o'clock at the L.U. Thunderdome.

Boating Accident Sends 3 To Hospital

Provincial Police in Atikokan are looking further into an incident on Rainy Lake that sent three people to hospital, two of them by air ambulance. O.P.P. say a jet boat carrying 8 people struck an island on Sunday. 3 women were injured, one from Quebec, one from Dawson, Ontario and the third from Kenora. None of the injuries are said to be life-threatening.

NAN Grand Chief Talks Of Change

The new Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is promising change. Harvey Yesno says he is looking to take different approaches to treaty rights and land development with one key promise on behalf of the area First Nations under his watch, that members will no longer be protesting over their lands anymore, but protecting them. As for negotiations with government over resource development, Yesno says face to face talks at the community level is what's needed. He adds that memos, e-mails and phone calls won't cut it.

Rafferty Remembers Layton

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River is remembering his N.D.P. Party leader Jack Layton with great fondness. John Rafferty is commemorating the one-year anniversary of Layton's death today. Rafferty says there is a permanent reminder of Layton now in Thunder Bay. Rafferty says Layton was a big outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed his time spent here in the city.

Local Teachers Rep Condemns Bill

A bill forcing teacher's back to work is expected to be introduced by the McGuinty government on Monday.  That's not sitting well with the President of the local chapter of the Elementary Teachers of Ontario Ellen Chambers.  She says the government is setting a dangerous precedent and that the teachers and local boards across the province still had time to iron out a new contract before the start of the school

New Role For Heart Doctor

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is welcoming Dr. Mark Henderson to his new roles.   He is now the Executive Vice President of Chronic Disease Prevention and Vice President of Cancer Services for the Northwest Regional Cancer Program.   The heart specialist says this is his first foray into administration and will be taking at least one day a week to attend to some cardiac duties.

Hunting Info Session Tomorrow

Bow hunters who are planning to take part in the city's first controlled deer hunt can get the 4-1-1 on the rules at a public session Thursday evening at Confederation College starting at 7o'clock. It will also be so officials can expel some of the myths surrounding the hunt. Police Inspector Alan McKenzie expects rules will be followed with most hunters getting the written consent required from rural landowners.

Hydro Leases E-Car

You'll be seeing a lot of Thunder Bay Hydro's new electric car scooting around town.   General Manager Rob Mace says they've leased the Nissan Leaf and plan to use it to promote the utility's conservation programs and attend events.

Young Historian Gets National Props

A huge honour for Vermilion Bay's Emma Lang. Lang has been named a finalist in this year's Canada's History Young Citizens program. Her history project on the Red Lake's Ken Leishman, otherwise known as the Flying Bandit, has been identified as one of the best and she will now compete for the top prize. A national panel of judges will now review the videos of 30 finalists and announce six winners. The winners receive a trip to Ottawa to participate in the Governor General's History Awards.

1 Month Old Baby Boy Dies

Dryden City Police are asking for help from their colleagues as they look further into the death of a 1 month old baby boy. Police responded on Monday to a report of Christian Desgagne dying. A post mortem examination is taking place today in Toronto. Dryden Police have asked for help from the O.P.P. North West Crime Unit and also the Criminal Investigation Branch as they search for answers surrounding the baby boy's death.

Thunderwolves Split Squad Tips Off Tonight

Lakehead University Men's Basketball players hit the hardwood tonight in the first of two exhibition games. They're participating in a split squad game featuring try-out players against members of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils. Tip-off is at 7:00 O'clock at the L.U. Thunderdome.

EMS HQ Displays Public Art

There's more taxpayer funded art on display in the city. A stainless steel sculpture is now gracing the front of the new EMS Headquarters building on Junot Avenue. The artwork, entitled Pulse, was produced by Scott McKay and was selected after an open competition by the city. Officials say it was inspired by the life save services of Superior North EMS.

Hunt A Necessity Says Store Owner

A local archery store owner believes that the city's upcoming bow hunting season for deer is a necessary move. Gary Hall owns "Bait and Bows" and agrees with the logic of holding it within city limits since we have an over population of deer in the community. He says people who are experienced hunters and those new to the sport of archery will be taking part.

MPP Defends Teachers Bill

MPP Bill Mauro hopes some past goodwill is enough to ease any possible labour tensions with local teachers.  Next week the McGuinty government will force a new contract on public school teachers in the province.  In defending passage of the bill, Mauro understands there could be some animosity but thinks teachers here will remember what the Liberals have done for education in the province.

Councillor Eyes Tanning Bed Ban

A Thunder Bay lawmaker believes our city should follow Oakville's lead and ban the use of tanning beds by people under 18. Councillor Aldo Ruberto says he's willing to make the move himself at a future council meeting. Ruberto says dermatologists themselves are recommending people under 18 do not use tanning beds.

Spike Belts Fail To Stop Van

Nipigon and Marathon O.P.P now have a man and a woman in custody but apprehending the two proved to be difficult. Provincial Police say a dark grey van stole gas from a service station in Wawa yesterday. Marathon O.P.P. spotted the suspect vehicle, tried to pull it over but to no avail. Twice they tried using spike belts to stop the vehicle but it continued westward. Eventually Nipigon O.P.P. spotted the vehicle yesterday afternoon in a parking lot and arrested the man and woman with no incident. They remain in custody pending a court appearance.

Kenora Thistles Championship Banner Stolen

The Kenora Thistles 1907 Stanley Cup Championship banner is missing. Kenora O.P.P. say it was stolen from the Whitecap Pavillion on the Kenora Harbourfront sometime between 4:00 o'clock Friday afternoon and 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The burgundy and white banner is 8 feet long and 3 feet wide. Police say a Canadian flag and a Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup flag were also stolen. Police are asking for the public's help for any information.

Basketball Split Squad Set For Exhibition Games

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team is getting an early jump on the season. The tryout squad is teaming up with the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils for a week-long camp at the L.U. Thunderdome. A pair of exhibition games featuring L.U.'s split squad will hit the hardwood Wednesday and Thursday night starting at 7:00 o'clock.

Golf Community Mourns Loss Of Ken Britton

The Thunder Bay District Golf Hall of Fame has lost one of its members.  Local golfers are mourning the loss of Ken Britton who passed away Saturday at the age of 79.  Britton was a 5-time champion at the Strathcona Invitational and a former President of the Strathcona Men's Club.  Britton was inducted into the Thunder Bay District Golf Hall of Fame in 2007.