CEP CAW Merger Vote

Canada now has its biggest private-sector union.  The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada has approved a merger with the Canadian Auto Workers.  Thunder Bay's CEP Spokesperson Marvin Pupeza says it's a big move for the two unions.  A union official says more than 90 per cent of delegates at Monday's C-E-P national convention in Quebec City endorsed the merger.

Border Cats New Manager

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are hiring a new field manager for the 2013 season.  Dan Holcomb becomes the tenth manager in Border Cats history.  Holcomb is currently the pitching coach at Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

City Ring Of Fire Project Up For Award

Thunder Bay is nominated for a strategic project of the year award.  The award is being put on by the City's North American colleagues.  The city's Ring of Fire project is being considered for the award.   The winners will be announced Tuesday afternoon.

Car Goes Through TD Store Front

A 79 year old woman isn't hurt after crashing her vehicle through the Dawson Road TD Bank.  Police were called to the scene of the collision just after 3 o'clock Monday afternoon.  The woman was parking at the front of the TD Bank when her vehicle sped up and over the curb and continued into the glass window.  The vehicle came to a rest inside the bank.  No charges are being laid because it happened on private property.

Flu Clinics Announced

It's time to consider getting your yearly flu shot. Clinics have started in the city today organized by the District Health Unit. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says it's important to get vaccinated because there are some new flu strains about.  The vaccine will help protect you from A-California, A-Victoria and A-Wisconsin strains. The free clinics run until the middle of November.

Football Blowout Defended

A lopsided victory in a weekend senior high school football game has one official wondering what can be done to prevent such a blowout in the future. David Pineau, the head of school sports programs in the city, says Churchill's 79-0 victory over Superior is something that will likely come up with officials of the SSSAA when they meet next. He says there is no mercy rule in the system.    Pineau says he spoke with both coaches and is confident there was no intention to run up the score.

Waste Reduction Week Kicks Off

It's Waste Reduction Week in Thunder Bay and right across the country.   Jessica Bracken of Eco Superior says once again the organization is teaming up with the city to keep waste reduction top of mind.  It kicked off with a ceremony at Franco Superieur Catholic School this morning.

Youth Centre Up For A Vote

City Council is considering moving ahead with a youth centre. City staff are recommending to council they spend over 122-thousand dollars towards the 18 month pilot project. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's a good idea.  Council will vote on whether or not to go ahead with the project at it's meeting tonight.

Muncipal On Life Support

City Council will re-evaluate the fate of Municipal Golf Course. Councillor Rebecca Johnson isn't pleased council is considering operating the golf course for another year while a group looks at how to make the course more affordable.  Johnson says if they vote to keep the course open until the end of 2013 she'll be very disappointed.  Under the proposal, during the 2013 season a group would be set up to look into how to make Municipal more cost efficient and sustainable.

Local Sports Roundup

The Lakehead Thunderwolves lost at home last night 6-3 to the York Lions.  In the SIJHL, Thunder Bay's North Stars fell to the Fort Frances Lakers 8 to 3.  In College women's hockey, yesterday saw the Confederation College Thunderhawks douse the Prairie Blaze 5-3.

Local Sports Roundup

In the SIJHL, The Thunder Bay North Stars beat the Minnesota Iron Rangers 4-1.  The Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team defeated the York Lions 7-3 last night in front of over three thousand fans at the Fort William Gardens.

Local CEP Rep Favours Merger With CAW

Thunder Bay union representative Marvin Pupeza is attending the Canadian Energy and Paperworkers convention in Quebec City. He says only one thing is on the minds of delegates, and that's vote on the proposed merger with the Canadian Autoworkers which has already been approved by the CAW. Pupeza says he's in favour of the move believing the old saying "the bigger the better". He adds that this new organization will end up having over 300 thousand members. The vote takes place on Monday.

Mining Association Backs Act

The Ontario Mining Association is backing the provincial government's changes to the Mining Act. Executive Director Chris Hodgeson says the changes will help modernize exploration, and hopefully create less conflict with first nation communities. Hodgeson says the changes to the Mining Act will also allow map-staking to take place, meaning prospectors won't necessarily have to be on the ground to stake their claims. 

10 Year Homeless Plan

The Kenora District Services Board is being told to come up with a 10-year plan to address the homeless situation in our area. Director of Integrated Social Services Diane Apland says the directive comes from the Province and must be completed by January 2014. Apland says major centres in the Kenora District face a major housing shortage and she expects the plan to address that situation.

Tourism Development

The Dryden Development Corporation is moving forward with a new online and mobile travel tool. Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced today that the DDC will recieve over $160,000 in funding from Fednor. Rickford says the development will showcase tourism oppertunties in the area. Rickford says people will be able to access go.nwo.ca on their smart phones and computers.

Assesment Hearing In New Year

A hearing on Resolute Forest Products appeal of the assessment of its mill property in Fort Frances could come next spring.Town C-A-O Mark McCaig says the Assessment Review Board is still waiting on some information from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation first. Resolute wants its assessment cut almost in half which could lead to a tax rebate of over 2-million dollars.

Con College Eyes Atikokan

Confederation College is looking to introduce some new programs to Atikokan. A 12-week welding program could begin this winter with programs in mechanical techniques and practical nursing starting up next fall. Manager of the Rainy River campus, Anne Renaud says the programs meet a couple of needs. Renaud says they're now determining interest.

Mammography Unit In Place

 In the region, the new digital mammography unit at Riverside Health Care  is now up and running. It was in place even before fundraising for the unit was complete. However Riverside CAO Allan Katz says they had enough confidence in the hospital foundation's campaign to commit to the purchase earlier this summer. Katz says the unit produces the lowest amount of radiation possible, while providing exceptional clear clinic images.

Charges Pending Following Accident

Police say charges are pending after a north side traffic mishap. An SUV rolled over after it was involved in a collision with a pick up truck at the corner of Hill Street and Van Norman this morning. They say that there were no serious injuries but the driver of the SUV was taken to hospital. The occupants of the other vehicle were not hurt.

Disaster Relief Events Coming Up

There are a number of upcoming events that will help the Disaster Relief Fund. Anyone making a donation at Saturday's Thunderwolves hockey game will get a free skate sharpening and a chance to win a thousand dollars worth of hockey equipment. Take-A-Hike is helping out by donating 10 dollars from every sale of their plaid rubber boots until October 17th to the cause. The 23rd annual Thunder Bay Reunion in Toronto happening Saturday night will see all of the admissions proceeds given back to the flood relief fund. Volunteer Thunder Bay is recruiting people to help canvass the city for a one day bottle drive that is scheduled for next weekend. Tickets are now on sale for 20 dollars for the Rock The Firehouse fundraiser happening November 17th at the C.L.E. Colliseum, being put on by the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association.

Ground Search Ends For Suspect

Police in Nipigon are continuing their search for a man that is wanted in a stolen vehicle case.   A routine stop just east of the community yesterday became a full blown search which included police dogs and the tactical unit after the man ran off.   Police say they have ended the ground search for the man they describe as a being Caucasian and 30 to 40 years of age with dark curly hair.

Lumber Industry Awakening?

The Resolute Forest Products lumber mill in the city is adding a third shift in the new year according to union rep Marvin Pupeza. He says the company is making the preparations right now. He says the move could add up to 30 jobs to the workforce of 150. Pupeza adds that the move appears to be a sign of the times in the lumber industry noting that the Eacom mill in Ear Falls is expected to reopen in September.

Weather Temperatures Returning To Normal

With a rash of accidents this week along the Eastern shores of Lake Superior, motorists are now worried about Winter driving. Geoff Coulson with Environment Canada says the weather for Thunder Bay in the coming days should not result in any snowfall for the city. Coulson adds temperatures should resume to normals for this time of year with highs of 11 and lows down to zero.

Search For Wanted Man Re-evaluated Today

Nipigon O.P.P. are going to re-assess their search for a man later today. They were searching for a man using their Emergency Response Team and a Thunder Bay Police Canine unit. Provincial police attempted to pull over a vehicle near the township of Patience, just East of Nipigon when the driver took off. Police then found the vehicle abandoned in Nipigon. O.P.P. say there is no danger to the public for now, but the man is wanted on suspicion of stolen property and fleeing police.

Missing Hunter Found

O.P.P. are reporting another successful search for a missing hunter. This time a 78 year old man from Arkona, Ontario was reported missing on Wednesday. The man had been separated from his party.  The Emergency Response Team, O.P.P. canine along with a Ministry of Natural Resources helicopter and Lakehead Search and Rescue volunteers were all involved in the search. The man has been located and is unharmed.

Thunderwolves Set For Home Opener

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team takes on the York Lions in their regular season home opener tonight at the Fort William Gardens. The Thunderwolves are a little banged-up on defence and will be without Mitch Fillman and Jay Gilbert. Captain Adam Sergerie is epected to play despite missing practice time during the week. The Thunderwolves are 2-and-0 in the regular season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Busy Thursday For OPP

Thunder Bay OPP are reporting a busy Thursday for traffic accidents.  They say that between 7 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon they responded to 14 collisions.  There were numerous injuries, but non were a threat to anyones life.  That included a woman who was 7 months pregnant.  She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Save The ELA Is The Message

A scientist from Winnipeg is on a mission to save the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora. During a visit to Thunder Bay, Diane Orihel said she believes there is enough support for her cause to change the Harper government's decision to end the program. She says municipalities across the northwest have been sending formal requests to Ottawa not to shut the ELA down. Orihel says it's frustrating for other scientists like her to make sense of the move.

Youth Action Plan Addition

35 extra youth outreach workers will be added to Thunder Bay and other communities throughout the province as part of the Youth Action Plan. The McGuinty Government formed the plan which sees outreach workers provide one-on-one help for troubled youth and offer valuable mentoring for making better life decions.

Paramedics Kept Busy

Many paramedics in the city are recovering from an eventful day so far.  Superior North Emergency Medical Services says there were so many calls at one point this morning that there was a 10 minute window when there were no paramedics available to respond to 9-1-1 emergency calls. However, there were no calls during that time. 

Medical School Conference Travels The Region

More than 800 conference delegates are learning about healthcare issues facing northern and remote communities specifically as it relates to Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is hosting medical professionals from 45 different countries this week in Thunder Bay. Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser says starting tomorrow, some of the conference delegates will begin travelling to smaller communities such as Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Sault St. Marie and also Sudbury for varying learning opportunities.

First Taste Of Winter Wreaks Havoc

Highway 17 from Terrace Bay East to White River is listed as closed by the Ministry of Transportation due to ice and snow conditions. Thunder Bay OPP issued a road advisory to alert motorists to drive with caution on Highway 17 particularly in the areas of Thunder Bay East to Marathon. Snow is falling heavily resulting in several commercial vehicles becoming stuck on hills along the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition, officers are responding to collisions related to snowfall and resulting black ice conditions. Meanwhile, a special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada for Nipigon, Marathon, Superior North and Wawa saying the first significant snowfall of the season is happening today.

Rafferty Pleased With Boundary Meetings

It looks like the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is changing its tune. John Rafferty, the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River spoke to the commission during a pair of meetings this week in Kenora and Thunder Bay. He says keeping the riding as it stands now makes sense geographically and for his constituents, who also spoke to the commission. Rafferty says the commission will likely unvail the new official boundaries next year.

Dryden Water Fund Short

A water operations financial plan shows the City of Dryden is not setting aside enough money for the future replacement of equipment and other assets. The City is currently contributing 375-thousand dollars toward capital replacement in the water budget compared with the recommended level of 1.05-million. Director of Public Works and Engineering Mike Louttit says the situation isn't dire right now. The financial plan calls for 6.7-million dollars in capital spending over the 2013-2018 period.

New Charter Service In Sioux Lookout

A new business is flying high in Sioux Lookout. Northern Skies celebrated the launch of air charter service at a special ceremony this week. Operations Manager Derrick Flynn explains why he decided to launch the service. Flynn says Northern Skies flies day and night and provides red carpet service with free meals and drink.

No Change To Gov't Diabetes Program

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care says northerners won't see any change in diabetes programs. The Province is no longer directly funding the Northern Diabetes Health Network and has instead transferred funding to the Northwest Local Health Integration Network. Press Secretary Zita Astravas says the diabetes education program in Sioux Lookout will remain in tact, funding will continue to flow and full time staff won't be affected. She says all money saved through the transition of administrative services will be used to enhance or expand diabetes programs in northern Ontario. She is expecting a smooth transition.

Missing Hunter Found

A Windsor man has been found safe and sound in the woods outside of Dryden. Provincial Police received a report on Wednesday of a missing hunter on Passover road off of Century Lake Road. Police say 47-year-old Scott Boorn got separated from his hunting party after walking into a wooded area to chase an animal. The Emergency Response Team was activated to begin a search but the man was located by his party before the team was dispatched.

North Stars Score Big At Home

The Thunder Bay North Stars took over sole possession of second place in the Superior International Junior Hockey League with a 9-4 win at home over the Dryden Ice Dogs. Cody Fraser led the North Stars with a goal and three assists as they improved to 6-2 on the season. Dryden drops to 5-2. Thunder Bay is now a game back of the Minnesota Wilderness for first place.

Riding Commission Change Of Heart

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is having a change of heart.  Public hearings on riding changes in northwestern Ontario were held in Kenora recently, and there was a lot of feedback from residents in Lake of the Woods Township.  George Valin is chairman of the Commission and says they understand their concerns about being moved out of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.  Valin says they will likely recommend that Lake of the Woods Township stay put and not be moved into the Kenora Riding.

Report Picks Waterfront For Multiplex

The feasibility study on the proposed event centre is recommending the waterfront at Prince Arthur's landing as the site for the new multiplex.  Study Coordinator Conrad Boychuk says the report shows the site is leaps and bounds better than the other sites.  Council will hear about the site at it's Monday night council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says the City can afford to build the 106 million dollar facility as long as the Provincial and Federal Government comes to the plate with funds.  Council will decide on whether to proceed with the next phase of the project at it's November 26th meeting. 

Community Impact Success

A former gang clubhouse in the city has been restored to a neighbourhood friendly home. The house on Heron Street has been converted thanks to the United Way and a neighbourhood association. The United Way's Sandra Albertson says the House can be used for many things. The revamp house will be available to the community as resource center and hub.

Hyer To Hold Nuke Meetings

Bruce Hyer is planning a road trip.    The Thunder Bay MP says he wants to hold a series of public meetings. They would be in towns that have the potential to be along the transportation route for nuclear waste which could be shipped to the northwest.  The meetings would start at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ontario on November 9th and work their way north.   Hyer says he's doing it because he has been repeatedly turned down by the Nuclear Waste Management Agency and has issues with the way the government agency is conducting public meetings on  possible nuclear waste burial sites.

New Walmart Set To Open Shortly

The newest Walmart store in Thunder Bay will be opening this month. The company says October is one of the largest month of grand openings for the company. The County Fair location is part of a total of 30 set to open soon.  It's one of two former Zellers stores in the city which are being converted to Walmarts.

Wilson Gives Thumbs Up To Alberta Office

The province of Ontario is opening a trade office in Alberta to help businesses in our province make the best of opportunities in the West. Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says it's a good move that will benefit businesses here by providing a solid presence in that province that looks at how we can tie our suppliers and companies with the demands there. Wilson says the move makes sense.

Police Penalties Hearing Set For Later Date

Two Thunder Bay police detectives will find out their fate at a Police Services Hearing set for October 23rd. The adjudicator in the case hear both sides argue what the penalties for the officers should be ranging from a reprimand to docked pay. Detective William Wowchuck and Detective Constable Brad Bernst were found guilty of Unlawful Use Of Authority in connection with the way they handled a drug arrest a year ago.

Experimental Lakes Area Discussions Hit City

Diane Orihel, the leader of the coalition to save the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario is in Thunder Bay today speaking out against its closure. Orihel will be at Lakehead University and Confederation College for a pair of presentations and open discussions on the topic. Scott Harris with Environment North says the scheduled closure of the E.L.A. in march of next year is disturbing to scientists all over the world. Diane Orihel will be at Lakehead University's ATAC building from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at Confederation College from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tonight.

Pig Roast For Flood Vicitims

The Thunder Bay Dining Club is inviting you out to dinner on Friday night.   A pig roast at the Moose Hall is being held to raise money for the Disaster Relief Fund.  Tickets are 20 dollars and Coordinator Kim Berley says local bands will provide entertainment free of charge on Friday night.
Thunder Bay Transit is offering free transportation to the Moose Hall providing you show the driver your ticket.

Disaster Relief Office Moves

Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief office is moving to a new location.  Starting Wednesday, the office will be located at 401 Donald Street in the former EMS Building on the corner of Donald Street and Simpson Street.  Meanwhile, the Disaster Relief Committee is reminding citizens that the application for losses and damages is due on Oct. 31st.

Operation Impact Wraps Up

The results from the OPP's operation impact long weekend blitz are in. Sgt. Ann McCoy says they charged 361 people in the Northwest region with speeding, 41 with hazardous moving violations and 25 seat belt charges. 5 people in the region were charged with drinking and driving.

CMHA Wants To Help

The local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association is weighing in on reports three teen girls allegedly attempted to overdose this weekend.  Executive Director Maurice Fortin wants young people to know there is help. The help line is 346-8282.