Stats Can Releases Jobless Rate

Thunder Bay's jobless rate went down in May.  According to Statistics Canada, our unemployment rate went from 6.4 percent to 6.  Canada's rate was 7.1 percent.

HWY 17 Fully Open

Highway 17 is finally open to both lanes of traffic near Wawa.  An early morning collision between a transport and a moose caused the highway to be closed to one lane for most of Thursday.

Missing Man Found Deceased

Provincial Police have found the body of a missing Minnesota man in Basswood Lake within Quetico Provincial Park.  The remains of 78-year-old Richard Barber were found yesterday by OPP and the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Richard and his wife Elaine were in the boundary of the park for a canoe trip when their canoe capsized.  Rescue crews were able to locate Elaine and return her safely to Atikokan.

Backhoe Responsible For Gas Leak

It appears a backhoe at a city works site is the cause of a natural gas leak in the city yesterday.  City official Darrell Matson says the sewer and water crew was doing maintenance on Red River Road and Rupert and that the tire of the backhoe hit the gas line.  He says the extent of the damage is not known  The leak forced the evacuation of several homes and buildings in the Mariday Park area for much of the midday and forced the closure of Red River Road.  Drivers are asked to avoid the area of the leak with some of the main streets around the site remain closed.

School Introduces Elders Program

A new program is being introduced in the fall by the Lakehead Public School Board.  It's called Elder in Residence, and it pairs elementary teachers with aboriginal elders who help the teachers prepare courses through the arts according to program expert Crystal Nielsen. The school board gave the public a sneak peak at Kingway Park School yesterday.

Con College Graduation Today

Over a thousand students will be graduating from Confederation College today. Registrar Marjorie Kinnunen says the graduating class is bigger than last years. The ceremony will include graduates from the aviation school, engineering, technology and trades, business, hospitality and media arts.

Backhoe Responsible For Gas Leak

It appears a backhoe at a city works site is the cause of a natural gas leak in the city  today.  City official Darrell Matson says the sewer and water crew was doing maintenance on Red River Road and Rupert and that the tire of the backhoe hit the gas line.  He says the extent of the damage is not known  The leak forced the evacuation of several homes and buildings in the Mariday Park area for much of the midday and forced the closure of Red River Road.

Mariday Park Emergency Is Over

The emergency is over on Red River Road.   Fire Chief John Hay says a natural gas leak at Rupert Street forced the evacuation of some Mariday Park residents for much of the midday today.  He now says however, that the leak has been stopped by Union Gas and that road repairs are underway.  He says all residents whose homes and buildings had to be evacuated can now return. A section of Red River Road had to be closed  during the emergency.

OPP Help Free Man From Heavy Machinery

A 60 year old man is recovering after a scary incident on Wednesday afternoon.  OPP say a man was moving gravel on Sunset Lake Road when his Kubota tractor rolled over and pinned him.  An officer and the man's neighbour helped free the man's leg from under the heavy piece of machinery.

Vehicle Lands In Ditch After Collision

A 60 year old man is charged with careless driving after a collision on Highway 11/17 in Oliver Paipoonge.  The driver of a west bound vehicle on highway 17 crossed the centre line yesterday afternoon hitting another vehicle in the east bound lane.  The collision caused the vehicle to become airborne and it landed on its roof in the ditch.  OPP say no one was injured.

Police Nab More Speeders On Expressway

It appears some people are not getting the message about speeding in construction zones.  City Police issued 76 speeding tickets to drivers on Wednesday for speeding in the construction area on the Harbour Expressway.  Police feel they would have pulled more people over for speeding if it had not been for the other collision related calls that pulled them away from enforcing the expressway.

Natural Gas Leak Update

A major emergency on the City's north side. A natural gas leak in the area of Red River Road and Rupert Street is causing some residents in the Mariday Park area to be evacuated.  The evacuation of local businesses and homes include a day care. Union Gas says they're working on repairing a break in their line.  In the meantime natural gas is still leaking until crews can dig a hole and reach the area damaged by excavation workers.  Red River Road is closed between Pine and Summit.   

Rafferty Not Surprised

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he wasn't surprised an Alberta MP quit the Conservative caucus over the Federal Government's lack of transparency.  Rafferty says it's not a shock to see Brent Rathgeber resign after his private member's bill was rewritten by a largely Conservative committee.  Rafferty says there are a lot of unhappy Conservative MPs and notes there's trouble in the ranks.

Natural Gas Leak Causes Evacuations

There's a natural gas leak on the City's North Side.   Fire Platoon Chief David Long says the City's public works department has hit a major gas line in the area of Red River Road and Rupert Street.  Red River Road is closed off at Hill Street.  Long says fire is evacuating some nearby buildings and homes.

City Transit Wins National Award

The City's transit service is receiving a national innovation award. The Canadian Urban Transit Association is impressed with the local transit's real time schedule and vehicle location information found on Tbaytel's Digital tv service.

Mental Health Awareness Ride In Town

A cross Canada bike ride promoting mental health and in memory of Hilary Werthmann is in Thunder Bay today. Her father Bill is riding across the country spreading Hilary's story. After Hilary took her own life, her father proposed the idea of taking her story across the country to reduce the stigma around mental health issues.

University Student Bikes Across Canada

A University Student riding across Canada is expected in Thunder Bay today. Kilderic Moroy is collecting environmental pledges. Moroy is asking people to promise they'll become more environmentally friendly.

Superior High School Donates Money To Charity

Superior Collegiate High School is wrapping up a fundraiser for the Northwestern Ontario Epilepsy  Association. They've raised almost 2 thousand dollars for the local epilepsy help group. The school is also promoting the 2nd Run for Epilepsy in August.

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.