Children's Centre Director Steps Down

After 25 years at the helm of the Children's Centre in Thunder Bay, Executive Director Tom Walters is stepping down at the end of the year. Walters says he's excited to retire but notes he's full of mixed emotions. Walters says his greatest achievement was making their services more accessible to the public.

One Lane Open Hwy 17

The Trans Canada highway is still closed to one lane of traffic near Wawa.  It was closed around 1 this morning after a transport carrying fireworks hit a moose.  The collision caused the transport to catch on fire and ever since the highway has been closed to one lane while OPP clear the accident area.

Woman Busted For Illegal Painkillers

A 25 year old local woman is facing charges of smuggling painkillers into the country.  Canada Border Services says that she was nabbed at the Thunder Bay International Airport after returning from a trip to the United States recently.   They say she had over 140 hydrocodone pills which she did not have a prescription for.

HNO To Conform To Hockey Canada Changes

Expect more changes at Hockey Northwestern Ontario. The changes are the result of a new Hockey Canada ruling eliminating body checking from Peewee hockey. HNO General Manager Trevor Hosanna says part of the new rule is mandatory training for coaches which HNO will confirm at its upcoming annual general meeting.  Hosanna hopes to have all coaches trained in time for the new hockey season.

Educator Hopes Provincial Decision Is Thought Out

The head of the Lakehead Public School Board is reacting to provincial plans to cut down on the oversupply of teachers. The moves include cutting the number of students accepted into teacher's colleges and doubling the length of time it takes teachers to get a degree from one year to two years .  Director of Education,  Cathi Siemieniuk,  believes it's a good move if it ensures students can pick a career that will give them employment.  Siemieniuk says she trusts that the decision has been well thought out.

Child Seat Saved Toddler's Life Say Police

City police are crediting a child car seat with saving a toddler's life in a north side accident.  They say that two people were sent to hospital in the two vehicle mishap at Teresa and Bruce Streets this afternoon.  Three others, including the child,  were treated at the scene by paramedics.  None of injuries were considered life threatening.   The driver of one of the vehicles is now charged.

Police Unveil Domestic Violence Unit

City Police now have a six member domestic violence unit. The local force launched the new initiative this morning and Inspector Sylvie Hauth says the high number of domestic violence calls backs up the need for the new unit. Uniform officers will be the first on the scene of a domestic violence call and if an arrest is made the new unit will be called in to deal with the matter.

Grant Funds Student Study

A Lakehead University researcher is getting a 200 thousand dollar federal grant for a social study of local school students.  Ed Rawana says it involves a student's cultural background and whether it can be used to help them develop strengths.    The three year study will start by  involving 12 students in Grades four and up from the three local school boards.

Camp Day Attracts Donations

It's Tim Horton's Camp Day.   The coffee shop fundraiser helps to send sick kids to summer camp.   As part of today's events, local Freedom 55 officials presented a cheque from money the company raised during the NHL playoffs.  They donated 50 dollars for every goal scored by a Thunder Bay NHL player.

Councillor Upset With Tbaytel Move

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is taking issue with Tbaytel's recent decision to start charging for paper phone bills.  The company claims the 2 dollar fee for paper bills will help them save money and become more eco-friendly. Boshcoff takes issue with the company's environmental claims saying it hurts the forest industry. Boshcoff believes it would have made more sense to focus on the financial savings rather than the environment.

Teen Heart Patient Overwhelmed By Attention

Sixteen year old Bronwyn Huffman of Thunder Bay says she's overwhelmed by the attention.  The teen just came back from her year long stay at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto to deal with a serious heart condition.   Huffman says her family and friends were glad to have her back adding, there were a lot of tears. Huffman says she'll head back to Toronto on the weekend to await a heart transplant.

Truck VS House

A 48 year old man is charged with drinking and driving this morning after a pickup truck drove off the road and crashed into a house on Porcupine Blvd.  The incident happened around 1 this morning.  The front of the house is badly damaged.  Police say no one was hurt in the incident and the man will be in court later today.

Rafferty Back From Touring Africa

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is back from a Government trip to Africa.  He toured along side the Governor General.  They visited Botswana, South Africa and Ghana.  Rafferty says during their tour they promoted Canada's University exchange student program including Lakehead University.

City To Have First Pride Parade

 

Thunder Bay’s 1st Pride Parade will take place on June 15.  It will start at the  east end of Waverley Park around noon.    The Parade route will proceed along Waverley Street to Red River Road until reaching Water Street.  The Parade will head to the pedestrian entrance into Marina Park at Camelot Street. 

FedNor Funds NAN

It's Fednor time again. The Harper Government says it's giving the Nishnawbe Aski Nation almost 75 thousand dollars to support the development and growth of energy businesses in remote First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. It is designed to enable communities to explore opportunities to help strengthen the regional economy.

Local Business Women Win Awards

A Thunder Bay restaurant owner is one of three winners of an Infuencial Women's award this week.  Bianca Garofalo of Bight Restaurant says she's happy her hard work is paying off .   Also receiving awards were Tracey Buckler of St. Joseph's Care Group and Erika Maki of A Spa For You who credits her award to the clients who come to her spa

Drug Charges In Longlac

OPP are charging two Longlac men with trafficking drugs.  The charges stem from an investigation after a parent called OPP about her suspicions her child might be doing drugs.  A 33 and 23 year old are charged in connection to the incident.

Ornge Helicopter's Back In Service

Thunder Bay and Kenora's Ornge Air helicopters are back in service.  On Friday, the organization temporarily took its five helicopters offline.  The move follows a fatal accident involving an Ornge air ambulance helicopter in Moosonee.

Shaw Employee Honoured

A Dryden Shaw employee is being honoured by the Fire Safety Council.  Dryden has had difficulty educating people on fire safety in the past, but Tommy Johnson has used his position to help get the message across to residents.  The ceremony will take place on the 12th.

Pride Week Back For Third Year

Thunder Bay will be showing it's pride this summer.  Officials are raising the Rainbow flag today at City Hall.  The third annual Pride Week will be held June 9th to 16th and celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

Dryden Finally Passes Budget

Six months of debate and cuts across the board have come to an end with the passing of the 2013 Dryden budget.  The average ratepayer will see a 6.9-percent increase, however those with a higher property assessment will by looking at a roughly 9.3-percent hike.  The final vote last night was 4-3 in favour of the budget and Brian Collins was one of those who supported it.  Interim City Manager Art Wellington says the hike is needed to cover the costs of the mill assessment, the Dryden Mobility debenture debt and Dryden Telephone debt.

UNESCO Deal

Manitoba and Ontario are defending the decision to commit more than 15-million dollars to get UNESCO recognition for a large stretch of boreal forest along the inter provincial boundary.  Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger says having the forest designated a world heritage site will attract tourists to the remote area.  He says it will also make it easy to protect from development.  Michelle Nowak of Ontario's Natural Resources Department says the site could fill a gap in boreal forest representation in the world heritage system.

Sandy Lake First Nation Murder

A murder charge has been laid against a Sandy Lake man after police say after an autopsy of a 29-year-old man determined he was killed in a homicide.  Investigators say the man was declared dead at the community's nursing station after police were called May 12th.  A 34-year-old Sandy First Nation resident is charged with one count of second-degree murder and due in court today.

2 Charged In Mac's Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are charging two people in connection to a robbery overnight at the Mac's Convenience Store on Simpson Street.  A man and a woman were found shortly after the incident in the area and are facing breach of probation and robbery charges.  Police say the duo stole cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Hobbs Defends Councillor

Mayor Keith Hobbs is defending Councillor Joe Virdiramo.   Hobbs says the Westfort councillor was beaten up in the media for his ghetto comments about the city's south core.   Hobbs agrees with Virdiramo's assessment.  Hobbs says he too doesn't like what he is seeing in the area of the homeless shelter.

City Staff To Study Royal Edward Arms

The Royal Edward Arms is going under the microscope.  City staff will be assessing its condition as a  continued venue for social housing after the Social Services Board lets it go.  Councillor Andrew Foulds believes it's critical to keep it available for low income housing. The report back to council is expected by the end of the year.

Eye On The Street Not A Crime Fighter

The city's Eye on the Street program is not a game changer in crime prevention.   In presenting the program's annual report to city councillors city spokesperson Charles Campbell says the program appears to be driven by social and economic factors liking helping to reduce property crime in the cores. Campbell says the program also helps paramedics to find people in distress and police get crime related footage.  

Age Friendly Is $ Friendly

The city gets good bang for its buck in having us considered age friendly.   In a presentation at City Hall spokesperson Randy Moore says it helps to have the designation from the World Health Organization.   He says it is a key element in boosting the economy.  Moore says the city can be marketed as a good place to retire.

City Man Escapes Fire

A car and garage in the city's East End are totally destroyed after an fire yesterday afternoon.    Camille Landry was doing work in the vehicle when the blaze broke  out and he made it out just in time.   He says faulty wiring in the vehicle is to blame.  The fire took place behind 535 McPherson Street.

Zone Watch Training Starts Today

Training begins tonight for 84 residents enrolled in  the new police Zone Watch program called The Academy.  Constable Julie Tilbury says so far the program has exceeded volunteer expectations, and admits they're going into uncharted territory.  She says they will be looking to the citizens to tell police what is needed to keep the program running.   More training will take place later this year in the fall.

PEI Man Falls Asleep Driving

A Prince Edward Island man and his friend are lucky to be alive after he fell asleep at the wheel on the Trans Canada Highway near Upsala on Sunday morning.  Police say the 30 year old nodded off around 6:30 and woke up when the vehicle hit the gravel shoulder and it rolled in the ditch.   Police say the driver and passenger were not injured.   The man has been charged with careless driving.

NOSM Inspired TV Show Begins Sunday

A television series with a northern Ontario flare makes its debut on TV Ontario this Sunday. It's called Hard Rock Medical.   Actress Tamara Duarte,  who plays Gina Russo, a first year med student, feels its a good portrayal of the medical challenges facing the north. The show is based on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Tbaytel Examining CRTC Ruling

TBaytel has not yet responded to news Ottawa is making changes to wireless contracts.    The C-R-T-C says as of December, customers will be able to cancel their cellphone contracts after two years without anypenalties, even if they've signed up for longer terms.   Tbaytel's Katie Crowe says the city run wireless company is looking over the decision, but early indications are,  it is in line with what the company is doing already.

Consultant To Review Garbage System

Everything appears to be on the table, including privatization,  now that a consultant has been hired by City Hall to look at garbage collection.    Cathy Smith of Stantec Consulting says we might even get a new system like the one her company recommended for Winnipeg.  That's where everyone is assigned the same garbage containers.  Smith says  automatic collection is considered a best practice for an number of reasons.  As well she says if privatization makes sense in certain areas it will be considered.  The process begins with a public open house Tuesday night.

Domestic Violence Unit In The Works

City police say they are unveiling a new Domestic Violence Unit .   It will be responsible for handling what they say is a major concern for police and people in community.   Details are being revealed on Wednesday morning.

Garbage Meeting Tuesday

The City wants you to have your say on how it collects your garbage. City staff want to hear the public's thoughts on a variety of garbage related topics.  An open house is being held at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Man Turns Himself In

A 32 year old man is charged with theft under 5-thousand dollars in connection to the theft of an Alzheimer's donation box from the North Cumberland Husky gas station last month.  The Thunder Bay man turned himself into Police yesterday and has been released with a July court date.

New Name Takes Time

People are still talking about the merger between the Canadian Autoworkers Union and the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union.  CAW President Ken Lewenza says the new name Unifor might take some time to get used to.  The new mega union now represents over 300-thousand members.

Eye On The Street To Be Discussed

The City is getting a review of its Eye on the Street Program surveillance camera program.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's an annual look at how the program is operating.  The report comes before Council tonight.

New CPR Program In The Region

Local high school students will be trained to save lives.  Over one-thousand-students each year between 3 area schools boards will be receiving CPR and defibrillator training from the ACT Foundation.  Executive Director Sandra Clark says it's very important for everyone to know CPR.  Clark says 10 high schools are receiving CPR mannequins and AED training units.

Two Bodies Recovered

The Ontario Provincial Police have recovered two bodies from a fatal plane crash in Northwestern Ontario. OPP Officials say an Underwater Search and Rescue Team found the bodies of a 58-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man, both from Phoenix, AZ., who died in a float plane crash in Red Lake on Thursday.  The Transportation Safety Board is continuing their investigation of the crash.

Mayor's Hike For Charity Today

Thunder Bay is hoping to start a new annual event today. The Mayor's Hike for Charity is dedicated to supporting local charities. Participants donate half of their pledge to the charity of their choice, while the other half goes to Volunteer Thunder bay for organizing the event. The hike will be taking place at Centennial Park.

The Relay Is On!

The annual Shelter House Relay takes place today at Chippewa Park.   It's the annual fundraiser for the city's homeless shelter and Executive Director Patty Hajdu admits participation is down from previous years, but they expect to  bring in about 140 thousand dollars.   She says next year they hope to breathe some new life into the event on its 20th anniversary.  The relay is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Shelter House.

Martin Receives Honourary Degree

Former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin now has an honourary degree from Lakehead University.   Martin calls it a great honour from a great university.  Martin praises LU for setting a standard for the education of Aboriginal Canadians. Martin received the degree at the morning ceremonies which took place at the Community Auditorium.

Highway 587 Now Open

The Ministry of Transportation is reporting that Highway 587 near the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is open again. The highway was closed due to road washouts from recent heavy rainfall.

Hospital To Enforce Smoking Ban

A smoking ban on the grounds of the Regional Health Sciences Centre will soon be enforced by officials.   Spokesperson Allison McMullen says as of September 30th patients and staff will no longer be able to light up on hospital property.   McMullen  says the long lead time is for everyone time  to prepare.

The Thunder Bay Sets Sail

The Thunder Bay has set sail on its maiden voyage.   The Canada Steamships Lines laker left a port in China this week and is expected in Montreal in late July where it will operate the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.   It's expected to take up to two months to complete the trip.

Rickford Breaks Silence On Senate Scandal

Kenora MP Greg Rickford believes it's time to move forward.  Rickford says the government want to see the latest Senate scandal taken care of, and hopes they can make the Senate a more accountable part of parliament. The Conservative MP says the Senate has had some disappointing expenditures in the past.

Fatal Fire In Fort Frances Area

There has been a fatal house fire in the Fort Frances area.   OPP say that the blaze happened early this morning in the township of Devlin.   Police say that one occupant of the house died, but they have not identified the victim.   The cause of the fire is not known and police remain at the scene.

Police Search For Charity Thief

It's the lowest of the low when someone steals from a local charity.  This time police are asking for your help in locating  the person responsible for  the theft of an Alzheimer's Society donation box from the Cumberland Street Husky gas station last night just before 10.   Police have issued a picture of someone they'd like to question.

Vienna Bakery Closing Today

It's the end of an era .   After over 50 years at the same Cumberland Street location. Vienna Bakery is closing up shop at the end of today.   Co-owner Betty Krebbs says there there have been a lot of tears shed today by customers who are coming in for the last time.   She says it's possible the bakery will reopen under new ownership, but that won't be known for several weeks.