LU Hands Out Honorary Degrees

Lakehead University is handing out honorary degrees to some prominent Canadians. Former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin is one of four people receiving honourary degrees from LU. Thunder Bay's Mining Development Manager John Mason also received a degree.

Clement Fires Back At Mulcair

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is striking back at NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair.  Clement says the leader of the Opposition is purposely misleading Northerners about cuts made to FedNor's budget.  Clement's statement comes after Mulcair's visit to Thunder Bay yesterday.

Lakehead Introduces New Hockey Coach

Bill McDonald is being introduced as the new coach of Lakehead University Men's Hockey team today. McDonald says he's trying to get a feel for his new team. McDonald says he will be implementing a gritty style of hockey for the upcoming season.

Mauro Happy Consultation Happening

Thunder Bay is playing host to a pre-budget consultation today. The Provincial Standing Committee on Finance is listening to the public's comments on the budget at the Airlane Hotel. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says its the second time they've spoken with local groups this year. The consultation session is scheduled from 9 until 5.

Toronto Man Found Dead In Kenora Named

Kenora OPP have named a Toronto man who died in Kenora on Sunday. Officials say 36-year-old Michael Sylborne was found dead on the street under a broken fourth floor window at the Best Western Lakeside Inn. Police had been called to the hotel to respond to a disturbance around 3:45 in the morning on Sunday. Police added Sylborne had been in Kenora while working on a construction project in the area.

Arrest Made In Connection With Robbery

Thunder Bay Police have made an arrest in connection with a March 28th robbery from the May Street Mac's. Officials say an off duty officer noticed the suspect on Victoria Avenue and notified police. Police say 28-year-old Blake Nicholas Kowalchuk was arrested without incident.

Charity Donation Jar Stolen

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a theft from Robin's Donuts on Thursday. Officials say a man stole a "Change for Autism" charity donation jar from the Robins on Frederica Street. Police are describing the man as a Caucasian male with scruffy facial hair, wearing a striped toque and a green hoodie.

Foul Play Not Suspected In Death Of Dryden Man

Ontario Provincial Police are looking into the death of a Dryden man. Police say the man was trapping animals on Jumping Lake, and that his body was found in the snow near his cabin. Officials have identified the man as 43-year-old Derrick Lancaster.

Vickers Arson

A fire that occurred at a vacant Donald Street house is being investigated as a case of arson. Spokesperson Eric Nordlund says there were signs of forced entry and all signs pointed towards someone starting the fire. Nordlund says Sunday's fire started in the basement.

First Foreign Ship To Load At Port

Thunder Bay's Port has welcomed the first foreign flagged vessel to its Port.  Harbour Master Guy Jarvis says the Isadora was the first international ship to pull into Thunder Bay this morning.  Other international ships making their way into the port today include Makagawa and the Federal Hunter.

Tom Mulcair In The City Today

A stop in Northwestern Ontario for the leader of the Opposition Party. Tom Mulcair is in Thunder Bay today to tour the Bombardier Plant, as well as meet with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and the Port Authority. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell and Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty will join Mulcair in his visits.

Accurassy Opens New Facility

Thunder Bay is now home to a one of a kind mineral assessment facility. Accurassay is opening its new sample crushing facility. The facility was made possible through funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Kenora Hotel Victim From Southern Ontario

OPP have identified the victim of a death at a Kenora hotel as a man from Toronto. The incident at the Best Western Lakeside Inn took place around 3:45 on Sunday morning where it appears a man fell from a room on the 4th floor. The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

Credit Union Amalgamation Gets Regulatory Approval

Regulatory approval is paving the way for Kenora's Copperfin Credit Union and Thunder Bay's Superior Credit Union amalgamation to proceed.  Member and Shareholder voting will take place April 9th in Kenora, and April 11th in Thunder Bay.

Crimestoppers Video Challenge

Thunder Bay's Crimestoppers is pleased with the seven entries they received for their first Safe Schools Video Challenge.  They asked local schools to create video public service announcements.  Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School won first place for their "Hate Hurts" video.  Second place went to Westgate for their "Deadly Bullying" video.

Cancer Society Launches Daffodil Days

Yellow flowers will be blooming across the city over the next week as the Canadian Cancer launches their annual Daffodil Days fundraiser. Spokesperson Maria Cabrel says this is the last year they are selling live flowers and hopes to sell every last one.  Bunches of the flowers will be sold across the city over the next week to raise money for cancer research.

School Board Finds Savings

The Lakehead Public School Board is reporting it spent almost 5 million dollars on school bus transportation in the 2012-2013 school year.  Superintendent of Business David Wright says that's less than they've paid in previous years and attributes the decrease to a number of reasons.  Wright says they've been using a mapping program to find efficiencies in their bus routes.

OPA Symposium In T.Bay

Advancing towards production in the mining industry.  That's the theme of this year's 2013 Mines and Minerals Symposium held by the Ontario Prospectors Association.  Executive Director Garry Clark says they are hoping for a great turn out.  The event is being held in Thunder Bay tomorrow and Wednesday.

Kenora OPP Investigate Death

Kenora O.P.P have confirmed that a death has taken place outside the Best Western Lakeside Inn.  The incident took place on Sunday morning around 3:45 after police were called about a disturbance inside a hotel room.  Constable Dave Cain says that upon arrival officers found a male lying on the sidewalk underneath a broken window in the 4th floor.  The man was taken to the hospital where he died a short time later.

Mission Island Collision

A 24 year old man is charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm after an early morning collision on Mission Island.  Police were called to 106th Street just before six in the morning Sunday.  A west bound vehicle left the road, crossed the ditch and hit the railway tracks.  Three people were in the vehicle, two were taken to the hospital with one man in serious but stable condition.

House Fire At Donald and Vickers

Thunder Bay's Fire Department says Sunday's vacant house fire is suspicious.  Crews were called to the scene of a blaze at the corner of Donald and Vicker Street around 3:25 yesterday afternoon. Spokesperson Eric Nordlund says they've completed their on site investigation of the blaze and maintains the fire is questionable since there was no power to the home.  He adds the home was broken into and they've decided not to ask the Fire Marshall's Office to investigate.  Nordlund says it could be several days before they have an exact cause of the fire.

Quiet Start To Fire Season

April first is the start of the new forest fire season and so far all is quiet.   Deb Maclean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's in stark contrast to last year at this time when there were 14 fires even before the season even began. Officials will be working with a budget of about 60 million dollars this year.

Transit Fare Go Up Today

The city is reminding bus riders that fares are going up today April first.   Among the highlights, the exact cash fare goes up five cents, a 20 ride pass increases by five dollars and a row of 10 tickets will cost 4 dollars more. As well all the prices will be available to Handicapped Transit customers.

Dew Drop Inn Serves Easter Dinner

The Dew Drop Inn will be feeding the needy this weekend. They will be serving Easter dinner this afternoon for about 300 people. Dinner is being served at 2:30 today.

First Nations Save Energy

First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario have a chance to save energy through a new program. The "saveOnenergy Aboriginal Conservation Program" is offered by the Ontario Power Authority and First Nations Engineering Services. Director of First Nations and Métis Relations with the OPA Hilary Thatcher encourages communities to get involved. Thatcher thinks First Nations from across the region should apply for the program.

Lakehead University Skiers Win Big

Lakehead University's Men and Women Nordic Ski teams are Overall Team Champions at the Canadian Varsity Cross Country Championships in Whistler B.C. Coach Adam Kates is very proud of his skiers. Kates says the program will continue to grow in coming years.

Canfield Backs Government Budget

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says the government is doing the right thing by investing more money into aboriginal communities. Speaking about the federal budget, Canfield says the government is addressing some pressing issues. Canfield says the funding for skills training is very important in the region with the mining and forestry sector expected to boom.

Last Year For Daffodils

This is the last year you can buy daffodils to support the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Campaign. Starting next year, pins will be available for a small donation. Sioux Lookout Branch President Lisa Husak says 100-percent of the proceeds go to cancer care programs. Husak says the reason they won't be giving out daffodils anymore is due to cost and transportation factors.

St. John Ambulance Hosting Food Drive

St. John Ambulance will have two empty ambulances to fill with food for the "Fill an Ambulance/Feed the Hungry Food Drive" on Saturday. They are gathering non-perishable food items in support of the St. Thomas Anglican Church Food Bank. You can bring your donations to the Metro on Arthur street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Madder Disappointed With Government

The president of Confederation College is a bit disappointed with the provincial government's new restriction on tuition hikes. Tuition increases will now be capped at three-percent, down from five-percent. Jim Madder says this means things like programming decisions will take more time. Madder says the average tuition for a student is 2500-dollars, so three percent is around 75-dollars.

Canadian Fur Selling High

Canada's fur industry is experiencing something it hasn't seen in a long time. Furs are being sold off, in some cases, at record-breaking prices. President of the Rainy River Fur Trappers Council, Brian Love, says that can only bode well for their future. Love says increased interest in Canadian furs from the Pacific Rim countries is partly responsible for the high prices.

Vehicle Fire Closes Highway

OPP were forced to close Highway 102 this afternoon because of a tractor trailor fire.  They say it happened at  Alppila Road in Kaministiquia..  No one was injured.  Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge Fire Departments responded as well.

Mulcair To Visit Thunder Bay

A stop in Northwestern Ontario for the leader of the Opposition Party. Tom Mulcair will be in Thunder Bay on Tuesday to tour the Bombardier Plant, as well as meet with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and the Port Authority. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell and Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty will join Mulcair in his visits.

Robichaud Tops Local Sunshine List

Once again the head of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre tops the local Sunshine List of those publicly paid workers that made more than 100 thousand dollars last year.   Andree Robichaud was paid 389 thousand dollars in 2012 making her the highest paid public servant in the city.  Lakehead University has the highest number of employees who made over 100 thousand dollars last year. President Brian Stevenson tops that list after making 360 thousand dollars.  He is followed by about 270 more administrators, professors and associate professors who raked in more than 100 k in 2012.  The City of Thunder Bay Manager Tim Commisso tops the city list making 227 thousand dollars in 2012.   Police Chief J-P Levesque made 200 thousand dollars. You can view the entire list by following this LINK

Bentz Wants To See Commitee Costs

City Councillor Mark Bentz is looking forward to finding out the costs associated with Thunder Bay's various committees.  Bentz says he likes having special committees set up to look at specific issues but notes the City should also look at finding savings.  A report on the topic should come back before City Council this fall.

Police Service Members Honoured

It's a big night for 16 city police service members.  They are being honoured for their long service.   The Exemplary Service Awards are being handed out at the Valhalla Inn.  There are three categories. The first for 20 years of service, the second for  30 and 40 years of service and the third honour goes to civilian employees.

Long Weekend Bring Seat Belt Blitz

Buckle up.  OPP are using this Easter long weekend to watch for motorists who fail to use their seat belts.  Constable Anne McCoy says it's an ongoing problem they've identified in the Rainy River area.  OPP says there have been eight deaths on provincial highways related to a person not wearing a seat belt this year.

Fort Frances Mayor Opposed To Tolls

The mayor of Fort Frances is no fan of tolls being set up on northern Ontario highways.  Premier Kathleen Wynne suggests it might help municipalities cover the costs to replace roads and bridges.  Roy Avis doesn't see it as a viable solution.  Avis says earmarking a share of stumpage fees from the wood being hauled along area roads might be a better option.

NAPS Fights For Funding

The Nishnawbe Aski Police service is in a crisis.   Interim Police Chief Bob Herman says the problem is simple, the federal government isn't funding the service properly,  and as of next week, 11 positions will be lost.  Herman hopes the Feds will come to the table and negotiate in good faith.  Herman says he's been working to try to keep the service operational, but says the days of band aid solutions must end.

Algoma Open

 Algoma Street is now open to traffic.  It was closed yesterday to both lanes of traffic while crews worked on repairing a section of road.  A sewer backed up causing a stretch of Algoma near Camelot and River Street to be closed.

Virdiramo Envisions Waterfront Book

One city councillor wants a coffee table book produced on the new Thunder Bay waterfront.  Joe Virdiramo believes there should be something to commemorate such a huge legacy project.  He thinks it should include all the successes and failures that went into having the 58 million dollar project become a reality. Staff at City Hall will be reporting back on the idea at a future council meeting.

LU Hockey Welcomes New Coach

Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves hockey team have a new Head Coach.  Bill McDonald replaces Mike Busniuk, who had been at the Wolves’ helm on an interim basis since taking over for Joel Scherban early this past season.

Teachers Anxious To Volunteer

There is relief now that public elementary school teachers are again volunteering for extracurricular activities.  David Pineau organizes school sports in Thunder Bay and says there's plenty of activities in store and believes  it should be no problem to salvage the year for many activities. Pineau says he's had calls from teachers who are anxious to get started.

Rafferty Sides With Revolting MPs

Some Conservative MP's in Ottawa are revolting and Thunder Bay NDP MP John Rafferty is on their side.  The MPs are upset with how short a leash the Prime Minister's office has them on and Rafferty says he's not surprised.    Rafferty agrees that it's limiting the MPs ability to represent their ridings

Sewer Work Forces Street Closure

The city is conducting sewer work on Algoma Street and that's forcing a road closure for at least two days, maybe longer.  Officials say Algoma between River Street and Camelot will be closed to all traffic for that time.  

City Says Fewer Pothole Calls

City crews are working to fill potholes as fast as they can find them.  Over at City Hall roads boss Brad Adams is coordinating it all.  He says crews are telling him it's an average year for potholes and he says there have been fewer calls to complain about them.  Adams says you can report potholes by calling 625-2195 or report it online at this LINK

Con College To Host DFC Residence

Confederation College will be hosting the new residences for Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.  President Jim Madder says they're happy to help by building the facility on the corner of Edward and Williams Streets.  The building is expected to house 150 beds for students and another 50 for families visiting from the remote north.
DFC New Residence  on PhotoPeach

Foul Play Ruled Out

OPP don't suspect foul play in the death of 33 year old Erik Legarde.  The Geraldton man was reported missing and then later found dead on a bush trail.  Police say results from the post mortem don't point to foul play.

T.Bay Inflation Rate Rises

Statistics Canada is out with its latest inflation rate figures.  Thunder Bay's rate in February was 0.9 percent up from January's 0.3%.  Canada's national annual inflation rate was 1.2 per cent.

Safeway Fundraiser Kick Off

Thunder Bay's Safeway Stores continue to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics and Easter Seals.  Easter Seals Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says they'll be using their share of the money to send kids to camp.  During the month of April, Northwestern Ontario Safeway stores will be asking customers to donate two dollars towards the charities in return you'll receive 5 bonus air miles points.

College Gets Cash For Mental Health

College and university students in Thunder Bay will have better access to mental health supports.  The Provincial Government has announced over 900-thousand-dollars in funding over a three-year-period.  Confederation College will design a "northern relevant" website for students and staff, improve counseling services and programs and create a peer support network.

Wonky Fridge To Blame For Empire Fire

Fire officials are revealing the cause of a fire at an Empire Avenue home.  A malfunctioning fridge was the culprit of yesterday afternoon's blaze.  The fire was put out quickly but the home sustained major fire, heat and smoke damage.  No one was home at the time the fire started.