Former Bookkeeper Sentenced

38 year old Kerry Wirkkunen is going jail for 15 months.   The former bookkeeper with a contracting company in the city was convicted of theft in connection with the disappearance of more than 200 thousand dollars.   She was sentenced in a Thunder Bay courtroom today by Justice Bruce Fitzpatrick. 

Conmee Gets 1.2 Million From Province

Conmee is getting an extra 1.2 million dollars from the Provincial Government's Disaster Relief fund.  Mayor Kevin Holland says they now have 2 million dollars from the province to repair their roads and bridges from the May 28th flood.  Holland says they want to start construction this spring and have it finished by the fall.  The funding announcement was made during the Ontario Good Roads Conference in Toronto this week. 

Investment Watchdog In T.Bay Wednesday

The province's investment watchdog is in the City tomorrow to talk about fraud.  The Ontario Securities Commission is holding a "Protect Your Money" seminar at the Valhalla Inn Wednesday from 5 until 7.  Spokesperson Eleanor Farrell says you should remember buyer beware.  Farrell adds if someone calls you up out of the blue and tries to sell you an investment you should also be wary.

Shuniah Home Destroyed In Fire

A home in Shuniah Township is totally destroyed after a pre-dawn blaze tore through it early this morning. Fire Chief Blair Arthur says the two people inside the Green Point Road area home managed to make it out unharmed. The cause of the fire isn't known , but Arthur believes it was accidental

Animal Services Cutting Fees

Dodger

Thunder Bay's Animal Services is cutting its adoption fees for cats and dogs this March.  Spokesperson Jody Kondrat says it's because they anticipate the amount of animals they care for will go up in the spring.  The fees usually are in the 200 dollar range but for March only will be dropped down to 50 dollars.

Local Grocery Store Closing

Northwood Foods is closing its doors after the mall management didn't renew their lease.  Officials with the locally owned independent grocery store say the ownership at the Northwood Park Plaza is looking at other options for the space.   The last day of operations will be July 7th.

Workbay.net Is Now Online

Don Bernosky and Mary Hayes

Confederation College is teaming up with Workbay.net to launch an online job bank.  Workbay.net Spokesperson Mary Hayes describes the service as a dating site for jobs.   Hayes says it's taken a year to create the website and notes it will help match employers with future employees.

Jury Roll Recommendations Out

A report on ensuring proper aboriginal representation on provincial jury rolls is out and it includes 17 key recommendations. Former Supreme Court of Justice Frank Iacobucci released his report in Thunder Bay today after meeting with people from 32 First Nation Communities, and Aboriginal Leadership. Key goals include providing cultural training for government officials working in the justice system who have contact with First Nations people and creating a First Nation advisory group to the Attorney General.

High School Sports May Soon Return

High School sports in Thunder Bay could start back up again before March Break but it will depend on volunteer teachers and students willing to participate.  Activities Director Dave Pineau says he held a meeting yesterday with members of the Triple-S Double-A and feels they can still piece together a Winter schedule and hopefully have a full Spring season of athletics for high school students.

No Changes To Electoral Boundaries

No changes to the federal ridings of Kenora and Thunder Bay-Rainy River are being recommended in the final report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission. The report was tabled in the House of Commons yesterday. The Commission had proposed moving Lake of the Woods township from Thunder Bay-Rainy River to Kenora. But its report, the Commission states that after public hearings, it's assumption the area had stronger ties to Kenora than Thunder Bay or Fort Frances was mistaken.

Kenora Murder Trial Winding Down

The jury is expected to begin deliberations today in the second degree murder trial
of Kenneth Ivall.  Justice Terrance Platana has been working on his final charge to the jury for the past four days and will present his instructions this morning.  This after the crown and the defense presented their final arguments last week in the eight week long trial. Ken Ivall has been charged in connection to the death of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009. His co-accused, Angela Duchesne pleaded guilty to manslaughter midway through the trial.

Future In Farming?

Thunder Bay's economic future could lie in farming.  That's the opinion of Food Activist Wayne Roberts who toured area farms yesterday and spoke with local residents this morning.  Roberts says this area has rich farming land and will be heavily relied on when global warming takes effect in Southern Ontario.  Meanwhile, City Council received a report last night claiming area public institutions including themselves spend 6.4 million dollars on food a year and how they could redirect some of that money to local farmers.

Concealing Body Charges Laid

Provincial Police are now charging a 34 year old Manitouwadge woman with concealing the body of a child. O.P.P. say the charges stem from an investigation that started on March 1st, 2011 when they attended the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in response to a woman having been admitted to hospital under unusual circumstances. The woman is to appear in provincial court on March 27th. Meanwhile O.P.P. are still seeking further information from the public but are not commenting further about the case as it is now before the courts.

Council Approves Letter

City Council feels Tbay Tel has met its obligations to consult the public in relation to installing a cell phone tower on Wardrope Avenue. The City is sending the Federal Government a letter saying the company did its job in talking to the public about their proposed antenna.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga was the only one to vote against sending the letter to the Feds.

Boys & Girls Club Tax Report Coming

City Staff will be coming back to Council with funding options for the Boys & Girls Club and it's property tax problem.  Council voted in favour Monday of studying funding options for the group including using money from the City's Charitable Rebate Program.  Councillor Iain Angus says they need more information before they can make a decision on whether to help the club out.  The charity is facing taxes for the first time since the Municipal Property Tax Corporation didn't exempt their new Windsor Street property.

Eat Local

City Council is chewing the fat after receiving a report on local food production.  The report claims the City, school boards, University and College spend 6.4 million dollars on food annually and if they increase buying local food by 2 percent it would put 83-thousand dollars in local farmers bank accounts.  The report investigates how the public sector could use more local food in their cafeterias instead of buying produce from other parts of Ontario.

UAS Wants City Funding For 2013

City Council is considering funding the Urban Aboriginal Strategy for another year.  The group spoke to Councillors Monday night and asked for 90-thousand dollars in financial support.  UAS Spokesperson Frances Wesley says they would be devastated if they didn't get the cash.  City staff will be bringing back a report on funding the organization at a future meeting.

LU Students Involved In Sit In

A group of Lakehead University students are protesting changes to the curriculum at the new Northern Ontario Law School.  Spokesperson Sebastian Murdock Gibson says they're upset the school has decided to drop an aboriginal learning program.  The four students are camping out outside of the President's Office at LU.

Arson Cause Of Weekend Fire

City fire inspectors are now certain that the weekend fire on Finlayson was deliberatly set.   Eric Nordlund says they went through the burned out shell and determined it was vandalism arson.  Nordlund says that a flammable liquid was poured on the main floor of the vacant house.   Meantime Nordlund says there is nothing to connect this fire to the one the week before on Cumming Street.

Teachers Ponder Return To Extra Activities

Local public high school teachers appear ready to get back to reviving extra curricular activities.  Paul Caccamo of the teachers union says it's the result of what he calls positive developments with the new Liberal government, but  he warns not to expect a full  return to activities as some may still harbour some resentments. Caccamo says it's still up to individual teachers whether to participate or not.

City First For Violence Against Women

Thunder Bay is directly named in a new Statistics Canada report that is out today concerning violence against women. Executive Director Debbie Zweep of the Faye Peterson Transition House says it shows the number of violent crimes against women in this city is the worst in the country.   She says it matches what her women's shelter is seeing.  Zweep is trying to work with her colleagues and make a formal presentation in front of city council in the very near subject.

Cataract Surgeries On Hold

Cataract surgeries at the Regional Hospital are postponed until April the first. Officials say it's because the facility performed more surgeries that they were funded for so they must wait until the new government year to begin the cycle again. So far this fiscal year there have been almost 18 hundred and 20 cataract surgeries , almost 40 more than they were allowed by government funding.

OSISKO Nears Study Completion

Osisko Mining is preparing to complete a key document on its gold project near Atikokan. President Sean Roosen says they're about 85 per cent complete on a feasibility study. Roosen says the document could be complete within the next six months.

Mayor Seeks Financial Help

The town of Fort Frances is seeking some financial help from the province to offset the tax rebate to Resolute Forest Products. Mayor Roy Avis intends to broach the idea with Municipal Affairs Minister Linda Jeffrey while they're at the joint meeting of Ontario Good Road Association and the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association meetings in Toronto this week.

Food for Thought

The City of Thunder Bay, in partnership with the District Health unit and the local Federation of Agriculture will be hosting a talk about everyone's favourite subject; food. World famous "food activist" Wayne Roberts tonight from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Baggage Arts Building at Prince Arthur's Landing.

Man Charged With Stunt Driving

O.P.P. In Dryden are charging a 22 year old Manitoba man with stunt driving. He was caught doing 50 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit on Highway 17 in Machin Township. The vehicle has been impounded for a mandatory seven days and the man is facing a court appearance in Dryden to answer to the charges.

Hackner Falls Short In Senior Finals

The "Iceman" fell just short. Al Hackner's Thunder Bay rink lost 6-4 to Bruce Munro of Idylwilde in the final of the Northern Ontario Senior Men's Curling Championship yesterday in Geraldton. Munro now moves on to represent Northern Ontario at nationals next month in P.E.I.

Ski Teams Win Provincial Titles

The Lakehead University Nordic ski teams continue to dominate their provincial rivals. The Thunderwolves men's and women's teams captured the O.U.A. title at the Lappe Nordic Ski Centre over the weekend and got individual wins from Scott Hill and Alannah MacLean in the mass start events. For the women, it's the 9th straight team title and second consecutive for the men. Both teams now have 12 provincial team titles.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers needs your help in identifying a man wanted for a serious assault near Grandview Arena on June 9th, 2012. A woman was walking home from a party when she approached a group consisting of two men and a woman, asking for a cigarette. The woman was denied and shoved towards a tree. She was then punched in the face and shoulder and suffered a puncture wound to her back. The suspect is described as a 5'7" Caucasian male with blond hair who was wearing a white muscle shirt and jeans. If you have any information about this incident that can help police, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 623-TIPS, that's 623-8477.

Fire Hits Vacant House

No one is hurt following a fire in a vacant house on the 100 block of Finlayson Street just off of Simpson Street behind the old Gilbert's Furniture store.   Firefighters were called to the scene at around 8 o'clock this morning.   The cause is not known, but it is the second fire in an abandoned building in that area of the city in the last week.

Driver Of Mini Van Dies

The 21 year old man involved in a serious accident on Wednesday morning has died from injuries sustained in the crash.  Police are reporting Matthew Hakala of Thunder Bay died in hospital after his mini van collided with a front end loader on John Street Road Wednesday. Officers are continuing with their investigation of the incident.  

OSSTF Could Resume After School Activities

We soon could see after school activities back at area high schools.  The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation released a statement Friday afternoon says local leaders voted to suspend political action related to its labour dispute with the Liberal Government.  The OSSTF is encouraging members to consider resuming extracurricular duties.

First Northern Cabinet Meeting March 1st

Sault Ste. Marie is the location of the Provincial Government's first cabinet meeting in the North.  The meeting will be held March 1st and will address northern issues. Mayor Keith Hobbs had wanted the Premier to hold the meeting in Thunder Bay.

Commisso Says Staff Receiving Threats

City staff are receiving serious threats.  City manager Tim Commisso says in the past year there have been threats made and they've called the police to look into the matter.

Rickford Says He's A Team Player

A bit of a surprise on the federal government front.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper has named Bernard Valcourt as the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, leaving Kenora MP Greg Rickford remaining standing on the side-line.  Rickford says he's a team player and will continue in his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs.

Boys & Girls Club Taxes Up For Debate

City Council could decide what to do with the Boys and Girls Club and their outstanding property taxes Monday night.  They'll vote on whether or not to explore funding options for the group through the City's Charitable Rebate Program.  Councillor Paul Pugh says it's a tough decision to make.  The charity is facing taxes for the first time since the Municipal Property Tax Corporation didn't exempt their new Windsor Street property.

Leadership Training For Aboriginal Youth

15 aboriginal students are enrolled in the Urban Aboriginal Strategy's new leadership training course.  Spokesperson Frances Wesley says they hope the program will be successful and be back for another session in September.  Leadership Thunder Bay is a partner in the training and the Ontario Trillium Foundation provided 43-thousand dollars towards the pilot project.

Local Sports Roundup

Lakehead's track team will be in action at the OUA Championships today.  In total 12 Thunderwolves will be competing in various events in Windsor.  Meanwhile, Lakehead University Men’s and Women’s Nordic Ski teams are excited to be on home turf vying for another OUA Championship title this weekend at Lappe Nordic Ski Centre.

Province Announces Addiction Services

The provincial government wants to improve access to addiction services for First Nations communities.  Ontario will provide 1.5 million dollars in ongoing annual funding to support five new Community Wellness Development Teams, and to increase the use of tele-medicine equipment in treatment centers.  This will allow health care providers to conference with patients in remote communities to enhance addictions treatments.

T.Bay's Inflation Rate Stays The Same

Thunder Bay's inflation rate stayed put at 0.3 percent last month.  Statistics Canada says Canada's national annual inflation rate was 0.5 per cent in January.

Save The ELA Picks Up Steam

The provincial government is being asked to help save the Experimental Lakes area, west of Vermilion Bay.  Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell has made that plea in the Ontario Legislature.  The ELA is scheduled to close at the end of next month unless the federal government can find a buyer or some outside agency to operate it. 

Dryden Police Cutbacks

The Dryden Police Service is looking to save where they can.  Chief Rob Davis says they were able to save 300 thousand dollars in the initial draft of the budget, but they will still be asking for a 14 thousand dollar increase.  Davis says they will be making changes to the guard position.  Davis says they also plan on extending the life of their cruisers by refurbishing them.

Jury Rolls Report Released Tuesday

A long awaited report on the jury roll system in Ontario will be released next week.  Former Ontario Superior Court judge, Frank Iacobucci was asked to look at how to better get aboriginal representation on jury rolls.  His report will be released in Thunder Bay on Tuesday.  He was asked by the Attorney General back in August of 2011 to look at ways of getting aboriginals living on a reserve included on provincial jury rolls. 

Foulds To Seek Provincial NDP Nomination

City Councillor Andrew Foulds is seeking the Provincial NDP nomination in the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding. Foulds says if he is succesful in winning the position, he'll be ready to take on current MPP Michael Gravelle.  He adds he wants to be Thunder Bay's Queen's Park champion.  The nomination meeting will be held March 14th. 

Minnesota Street Fire

Thunder Bay Fire Crews are working on a fire at a home on Minnesota Street.   Spokesperson Les Newman says the fire is in the back of the house.  The fire has moved into part of the attic and crews believe it started in an electrical panel.  The power has been turned off as a precaution.  Newman says there wasn't anyone home at the time the fire started.

Council To Consider Solar Project Support

City Council is going to hear from a solar company at it's Monday night meeting.  GTE Solar will be talking about their proposed solar facility on Dawson Road.  They'll be asking for Council's support in the Provincial Power Authority approval process.  Other topics up for discussion include continued support for the Urban Aboriginal Strategy. 

Con College Gives Out Bursaries

Confederation College is helping out 360 existing students.  An awards recognition ceremony is being held tonight and will see over 142-thousand dollars in scholarships and bursaries doled out.  The money is to be used during the upcoming school year and came from donors to the college foundation.

RBC Innovation Awards

The RBC Innovation Awards are back for another year.  This year's winners include Hero of the Year Dr. Mathew Leitch and Company of the year KBM Resources Group.  The awards were handed out Thursday afternoon.

Campbell Talks NDP Budget Demands

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the N-D-P has a number of demands for the upcoming budget.  Campbell says their demands come from people throughout the province.  Some of the priorities include ending corporate tax loopholes, and changes to auto insurance.

Meeting With 3 Cabinet Ministers

The Mayor is leading a contingent to Toronto this week for the annual Good Roads Association conference.  So far, they are meeting with three Provincial Cabinet Ministers.  Keith Hobbs says first up is new Energy Minister Bob Chiraelli.  They'll also meet with Health Minister Deb Mattews and Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Glenn Murray.