Local Grain Industry Changing

The grain industry continues to evolve. In the latest business move Parrish and Heimbecker and Cargill are proposing joining forces to streamline services which grainhandlers union boss Herb Daniher says will mean the closure of one elevator in the city. He says it's a sign of the times with a deregulated grain environment. He says it's too early to talk about possible job losses. The proposal still needs government approval.

NOHF Promotes Funding Opportunities

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is out promoting new funding opportunities for this region. Executive Director Bruce Strapp is encouraging communities to take the next step forward on a regional economic development initiative. Strapp says they will be consulting with municipalities and first nations the next couple of weeks to raise more awareness on the programs.

Awards For Keeping Work Green To Be Given

The Municipal Green Awards are being presented at City Council Monday night. Nominated organizations are the Airlane Hotel, The Green House and Agnew H. Johnson public school. The awards are handed out to organizations that act in environmental ways.

Officer Not Guilty X2

 An OPP constable is not guilty on two counts of assault causing bodily harm and a charge of public mischief.  Both charges were dismissed against Brian Bellefeuille in a Thunder Bay courtroom today.   Bellefeuille was charged by the province's Special Investigations Unit after a complaint from a man who says he was roughed up by the constable after being arrested in Geraldton in February of 2012.

Atikokan Wood Firm Sold To Americans

There's more American investment coming to Northwestern Ontario.  California's Rentech Inc. has purchased Atikokan Renewable Fuels from Thunder Bay's Ed Fukushima who says he wasn't able to get the necessary Canadian financing to run the plant and made wood pellets.   Rentech has also purchased an idled plant in Wawa, also to produce wood pellets.  

Larry Joy Sr. Dies

A well known Thunder Bay businessman is dead.   Larry Joy Senior died this week after a lengthy illness.    He operated Larry Joy Men's Wear for more than 40 years.   His funeral will be held tomorrow morning at St. Agnes Church at 11 o'clock.

Labour Strife Halts Construction At Courthouse

Construction work at the Consolidated Court house has come to a halt as a result of a strike by unionized elevator workers.  Members of the Elevator Union are picketing at the south side site.  Spokesperson Graham Renner says their strike effects most of the City. Sheetmetal workers and roofers in the City are also on strike and are picketing at their job sites.

Bright Blaze Seen Across City Last Night

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office is coming to Thunder Bay today to investigate last night's major fire at Rizzo's Cabinets on Alloy Drive.  The fire alarm came in just after 9 and crews spent the next two hours bringing the blaze under control.  Rizzo Employee Adam Blair only found out about the fire this morning when he drove into work.  Damage to the building is extensive.

Campbell Says It's A Mixed Bag

The Provincial Budget brings a mixed bag of feelings for the MPP for Kenora-Rainy River.  Sarah Campbell says while it meets all of the NDP's original demands, it seems the Liberals are still throwing around money, especially with home care.  Campbell adds that there wasn't much mention of the Ring of Fire and mining opportunities in Northwestern Ontario.

Boise Closing International Falls Mill

Another blow to the forest industry. Boise is shutting down two machines at its International Falls mill by October.  Spokesperson Lori Lyman says it will keep the mill profitable.  265 jobs will be lost as a result.

Hockey Golf Tournament Back For 8th Year

30 hockey players will be taking part in this year's Freedom 55 Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic at the Whitewater Golf Course this summer.   It's the 8th year for the event and in past years The Staal brothers, Alex Auld, Taylor Pyatt and Mike Richards have all been invited to attend.  Money raised goes towards the Northern Cancer Fund. 

NAN Chief Says Budget Falls Short

While he's not calling for the downfall of the Wynne government, a northern First Nations leader says the Ontario budget falls short. Grand Chief Harvey Yesno of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says he sees nothing about infrastructure spending to accomodate both the Ring of Fire mining project and First Nation communities.  He says the budget doesn't speak about  building transmission lines or constructing all weather roads Chief Yesno says he'll have to study the budget more closely before deciding what the fate of the minority liberals should be.

Budget Meets Northern Needs: Gravelle

There's no stopping Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle when he talks about about the government's latest budget. The Northern Development Minister says keeping industrial electricity rates down in the north remains a priority with with a 360 million dollar commitment for 3 years.  Gravelle repeated the announcement of the government's 100 million dollar fund for roads and bridges.

Mauro Lauds Budget

Not surprisingly, Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is giving another ringing endorsement to his government's budget. He says there are several clear commitments to the north including the continuation of the  northern electricity rate program and the 100 million dollar roads and bridges program which will benefit some of the small communities in his riding of Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
Mauro adds the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will be kept at 100 million dollars for the next year.

OEB Hears Metis Concerns

The Ontario Energy Board is being asked to consider Metis rights in the process of developing a new powerline from Thunder Bay to Wawa.   At the board's Thunder Bay hearing Thursday,  Metis Nation of Ontario President Gary Lipinski  demanded fair consultation because the so called east-west tie line would run across some of their land.  Metis rights lawyer Jason Madden said it's essential the consultation plan include Metis rights and those of others.  The board hearings continue today at the Valhalla.

35 Year Old Charged In Stabbing Death

Police speak to woman who says
victim is her brother

Thunder Bay police have charged a 35 year old city man in connection with Wednesday's stabbing death of 30 year old Travis Cutfeet.   Police say Cutfeet was stabbed Wednesday afternoon around 5:20 in the city's south downtown and May and Violet Streets.  Police say he died at the scene.   Charged with second degree murder is Shawn Henderson.

Hate Crime Awareness Campaign Launched

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council has launched a Hate Crime Awareness Campaign. It includes billboards, radio ads, and posters in bus terminals. Crime Prevention Council Coordinator Amy Siciliano believes the campaign will help to prevent hate crimes. The campaign will also be launched in the city's schools this fall.

Disaster Relief Sends Out Cheques

The Disaster Relief Committee is hopeful the Provincial Government will come to the table with more money for flood relief claims. Cheques were sent out over the weekend for 75 percent of what people put claims in for. Chair Wayne Fletcher expects they'll be able to pay out the remaining 25 percent or more down the road. Fletcher says they could only pay out 75 percent right now and they felt it was important to get the money into the community.

Mining Accident Kills Worker

The Ministry of Labour is investigating a fatality at the Wesdome Eagle River gold mine near White River. Spokesperson Matt Blajer says a worker was buried in a "Muck pile" and when recovered was found dead. Blajer says they'll be looking at what happened and what safety procedures were taken in the incident.

United Way Thunder Bay Gets New Chair

Walter Flazsa has been announced as United Way Thunder Bay's Campaign Chair for 2013. Flazsa joined the Board of the directors for the United Way Thunder Bay in 1999. The United Way Fall fundraising campaign will begin at their campaign breakfast held on September 12th.

It's Youth Week

Thunder Bay is celebrating youth week.  Youth week is a week dedicated to celebrating and empowering youth within the community.  Program Supervisor Kim Baskin says it's an opportunity to help promote youth to be involved and engaged in the community, focusing on positive growth.  They raised the youth flag at city hall yesterday morning.

MS Society Launches Fundraisers

Renco Foods is going to help collect money for the local chapter of the MS Society.  Chair Linda Adamson says the grocery store chain will ask for donations starting today.  The MS Society will also be selling carnations at local outlets as part of their annual fundraiser.

City Hosts Lifeguard Championships

The Canada Games Complex will be hosting the National Lifeguard Championships this weekend.  Teams from across the country will be participating.  Opening Ceremonies will be held on Saturday morning at 11:30 and events will take place on Saturday and Sunday in the pool area.

Masters Student Speaks In The Fort

Small business owners in northwestern Ontario are being encouraged to work closer together. Lakehead University Masters student Nicki Youroukas  says it was something she found lacking after studying small business perceptions of tourism in the Nipigon-Red Rock area. She says they know that communities need to diversify and they know tourism can help.  Youroukas presented her study to members of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce this week

Chamber Hopes Budget Addresses Mining

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce will be watching today's budget hoping it will address the area's top issues.   President Charla Robinson says it's important the government recognize mining development in the region and the skilled jobs that are needed to go with it.   Robinson says the mining industry has the potential to keep the provincial coffers in the black.

Soapbox Races Back For 10th Year

The George Jeffrey Children's Foundation is working along side Superior North EMS, and Form Architecture this year to promote the 10th annual Soapbox Races.  EMS Spokesperson Ryan Ross says they're going to be organizing volunteers for the event and will also have several soapboxes in the race.  This year's fundraising goal is 30 thousand dollars and the annual event is taking place at Waverly Park Hill June 8th and 9th.

Busted!!!!!

At least one person is in custody after a sharp eyed city police officer spotted a stolen pick up truck from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta this afternoon.   After noticing the vehicle and confirming it was stolen the officer stopped the truck in the marina parking lot. 

Resolute Increases Pension Contribution

Some good news for Resolute Forest Product workers.   The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union  says that the company has agreed to increase its  pension payments from the current 50 million dollars per year to 80 million dollars per year for the next 8 years .  It's to meet the company's legal obligations to top up underfunded pension plans. Union spokesperson Stephen Boon says while they are pleased with the increase,  pensions still remain underfunded.

Lawyer Pleads Guilty

An assistant crown attorney in Thunder Bay recently plead guilty to drunk driving in Ontario court.  Karen Scullion was charged with a drinking and driving offence last year.  She was also fined over a thousand dollars and was suspended from work until the matter was resolved.

More Snow On The Way

You may want to put on a few extra layers this week, as Thunder Bay is due for yet another snowfall. Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says a cold front has just moved through Thunder Bay, drastically lowering temperatures. Environment Canada is calling for 10 centimeters of snow.  Coulson says there is also a chance of freezing rain on Saturday.

H.S. Asking Teens To Be Tan Free

Sir Winston Churchill High School is asking its students to be "tan free" for grad.  Student leader Melissa Johnston says they've noticed students skin starting to get more orange over the years and that's why they've launched this campaign.   Students who pledge to be tan free have a chance to win prizes.

Tbay Tel Revenues Up

Revenues are up for the tenth year for Tbay Tel.   Councillor Ken Boshcoff took in the municipal telephone annual general meeting Tuesday night and says it's good news for the City.  Boshcoff says the company will be giving the City a 17 million dollar dividend. 

Spring Up To Clean Up

The first day of May brings area businesses cleaning up litter around their offices today.  It's part of Eco Superior's annual Spring Up to Clean Up program.  During the month of May residents are encouraged to help clean up their neighbourhoods.

LRCA Issues Flood Outlook

The Conservation Authority is asking you to watch out for localized flooding.  Officials say it's as the result of our recent snow melt and rainfall.   They say low lying areas would most affected while in the city the Neebing-Mcintyre Floodway is protecting the Intercity area along with the lower Neebing River.

Rafferty Curious About Mysterious Spending

MP John Rafferty has a lot of questions surrounding one of the findings of federal auditor Michael Ferguson.   As a member of the Public Safety and Security Committee Rafferty is curious about some mysterious spending, specifically an unaccounted expenditure of 3.1 billion dollars in anti-terror funding. Rafferty wants to see how the Harper government explains away the spending.

Coroner Probing Possible Bath Salt Deaths

The regional coroner says it could take a couple of months before he knows if two recent deaths in the city are directly connected to a new drug called bath salts.  Dr. Michael Wilson says the challenge is to find what role, if any, the new drug played in the deaths and if the bath salts were a direct cause or a contributing factor to the deaths.  Wilson says while research on the drug is new,  it's clear that the drug is not safe.

Tripping On History

The Lake Superior Art Gallery is leading the way on a historical walk through the Fort William Business District. It's called a Jane's Walk and historical neighbourhood tours are taking place across the City Saturday. Art Gallery Spokesperson JP Fraser says they'll look at what once was in Fort William. The walk starts Saturday at 11 and Fraser expects anywhere from 50 to 60 people to take part.

Licensing Blitz Will See A Second Phase

If you think the city's pet licensing blitz is intrusive now, just wait.   Licensing boss Ron Bourret says phase two consists of going after pet owners who have never purchased a tag for their dog or cat.  He says it'll be a combined effort of all his staff, meaning, building inspectors, by-law enforcement officers and even the police.   Right now inspectors are going to the doors of pet owners who have been delinquent paying their pet licence fees

Nolalu Man Charged In Sexual Assault Case

A 42 year old Nolalu man is due in court tomorrow to answer to a charge of sexual assault.   Police aren't saying much about the circumstances of the case, but say he is being charged with, among other things, 2 counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement and one count of sexual assault with a weapon.  His name is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.

IJC Sides With Shoal Lake FN

The International Joint Commission has sided with the Shoal Lake First Nations. The IJC has ruled against the City of Winnipeg's plan to sell water to surrounding communities.The Kenora area first nations argued that the city would break the agreement in place by making a profit off the water. In a letter, the Commission supported the argument and informed Winnipeg that it could not sell the water. The decision will put a dent into the city's CentrePort project.

Public Board Budget Talk Continue

The public school board's budget talks continue tonight with presentations from various delegations.  That includes Paul Caccamo of the high school teachers union who will be fighting to keep some special needs program off the chopping block. The union will also plead for support in  early childhood education and educational assistants.

Police Asking For Info

Marathon OPP are looking into a bizarre incident that happened on Highway 17 Saturday. Constable Dave Shaw says the driver of a dark blue pickup truck was attempting to run other drivers off the road before crashing into a ditch and being arrested. The driver's name is not being released at this time.

Golf Links Road Closed Starting Tomorrow

Golf Links road is going to be closed starting Wednesday.  City Spokesperson Pat Mauro says Golf Links Road from the Harbour Expressway to Central Avenue will be closed to traffic in both directions.  The major construction project will see road widening to four lanes and new sidewalks.  The major construction project is expected to last up to 12 weeks.

Man Charged With Weapons Related Offences

Thunder Bay Police have a 44 year old man in custody after they charged him yesterday with weapons related offences.   They were called to May Street to deal with a report of a man brandishing a firearm.  Officers took him into custody and recovered a previously reported stolen shotgun.  He faces multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, weapons dangerous to the public, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.

New Ways Of Detecting Colon Cancer

A Thunder Bay researcher is on the receiving end of nearly 200-thousand dollars in Canadian Cancer Society grant money.  Society CEO Martin Kabat says the money will be used to look at new ways of detecting colon cancer.  Kabat says this is the single largest research grant awarded by the Canadian Cancer Society in the Northwest Region.  The funding announcement is being made today at a special 75th anniversary commemoration event.

Construction Work Approved

More construction work is now approved for the city. Councillors have given the green light to 2 and a half million dollars of work  on Frederica and Waterloo Streets. The contract has been awarded to Makkinga Contracting who submitted the lowest bid.

Canoe Not Likely To Move

It doesn't appear Atikokan will be getting the Centennial Canoe which is currently being stored at Fort William Historical Park. The Neebing Voyageur Brigade is in control of it and its spokesperson Bob Slusar doesn't believe his fellow members will agree to letting it go but says he will ask. Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown made an impassioned plea to councillors last night to have the canoe released to them so it could be put on display in their community.

Friedman Lectures Councillors

The city is being warned not to allow businesses in the city to fail. Canadian housing and style guru Avi Friedman told city councillors that it's important to offer incentives for new businesses to arrive or we will continue to have streets with boarded up businesses saying Simpson Street will multiply. Friedman praised the new waterfront calling it an ATM machine for the city.

Global Sticks Up For Sale

The Global Sticks story is not over yet. During last nights presentation at City Hall, Paul Inksetter, of the city's Economic Development Corporation told councillors the area popsicle stick manufacturer is up for sale, but wouldn't speculate on whether it may reopen someday or not.  Inksetter says there have been 2 or 3 offers for the business, but none have panned out.

PSAC Launching Aboriginal Circle

It's a historic day for the labour movement in Thunder Bay. Judith Monteith-Farrell of the Public Service Alliance says the union is launching it's new Aboriginal Circle this afternoon.  She says the Circle will work on important issues dealing with PSAC's  Aboriginal members. The ceremony takes place at the Metis Nation of Ontario building on May Street at 5 o'clock.