Dryden Finances Update

An update on City of Dryden finances has been provided. The City is posting a 99-thousand dollar deficit in Municipal operations for the 6 months ending June 30th. Waterworks operations are reporting a 361-thousand dollar surplus.

New Dryden Sewage Plant

Construction of the new Dryden Sewage Treatment Plant is nearing completion. Manager of Public Works Blake Poole says they expect to start testing in late August. Poole stresses that the project is on budget this year. He adds that some minor work continues and the next step is getting power to the plant.

Charity Rider Leaves Town

A University of Victoria cyclist on a charity ride is back on the road after spending a couple of days in the city.  Anas Cheema  was here to help draw attention to SOS Children's Villages  an international child charity, providing long- term care for orphans and children.

Striking Workers Get Support

The blame games continues in the Dilico Anishnabek Family Care workers strike. Today members of CUPE joined the striking workers on the picket line in Thunder Bay to sound an alarm bell about what they say are the impacts of provincial underfunding of child welfare. No talks are scheduled in the dispute which began June 8th.

Dryden Hit By Storm

The clean up begins in some areas in the Dryden area following a wicked early morning storm. Hydro One is reporting 7-different power outages in the area with snapped power lines. Nearly 14-hundred customers were impacted.  The area was hit with lightning , heavy rain and severe wind with  several reports of trees snapped in half and tossed around property and roads. There have been reports of twisters but Environment Canada hasn't confirmed any of the reports as of yet.

Inflation Up In Thunder Bay

The inflation rate in Thunder Bay is now above one per cent.  Statistics Canada says the rate in the city for the month of June was 1.2 per cent.  That's almost a full per cent over May's rate.    Nationally the rate  was also at 1.2 per cent mainly due to higher gas and car prices.

Minor Injuries In Cyclist Mishap

Only minor injuries to report in connection with a morning traffic mishap involving a cyclist.  Police say a  boy on the bike came in collision with a car at the intersection of Pearl and Algoma just before 9 o'clock this morning.   They say he was taken to hospital as a precaution.

OPP Detachment To Open

The community of Armstrong is getting a visit today from the OPP's top cop. Commissioner Chris Lewis is going to help open the new OPP Detachment there.

Fort Bust Nets Drugs/Guns

A  39 year old Fort Frances man faces several charges following an investigation by several agencies including OPP, Health Canada, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services and the Town of Fort Frances.  A police search of a home on the 11-hundred block of Kings Highway last Friday led to the discovery of by several types of drugs include morphine, oxycocet, fentanyl, methadone, cannabis resin and several marihuana plants.  Police also seized 12 firearms.

Celebration Voting Starts Today

The  northwestern Ontario communities of Dryden and Fort Frances are about to enter a friendly rivalry which has some financial benefits in the end.   Both are asking for your votes in the Kraft Celebration Tour starting at noon today.   Whichever city wins they will get money from Kraft for a local project. You can vote for your favourite community here kraftcelebrationtour.ca

No New Cases Of C-Diff

Officials at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre appear to have some control over the c-difficile bacteria outbreak.  They say the superbug has now been reduced to only one section of the hospital, 3A and no new cases have developed. 

Iacobucci Fully Immersed In ROF

Frank Iacobucci is fully immersed in his role as the province's chief negotiator for the Ring of Fire mining project.   Just before leaving on a trip from Thunder Bay to visit  area First Nations communities he spoke of how he's been getting himself up to speed on the complex issues he must face.  He says he feels a sense of excitement and challenge about what lies ahead.  Iacobucci says he will be meeting with First Nations negotiator Bob Rae in the coming days

More Forest Fires In Red Lake District

The Red Lake area continues to get hit with forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting one in the district, as well as in Kenora and Nipigon. However, these fires are considered small and pose no problems at this time. The fire hazard is high in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout areas, while it remains low to moderate in the Dryden area.

Man Charged In Dog Deaths

A 50 year old Murillo man is now charged after last weeks incident which killed two dogs on Poleline Road.   The man is charged with failing to remain after a 17 year old girl told police that someone in a truck struck and killed her two labs while she was walking them.

Dryden Woman Convicted Of Fraud

A Dryden woman has been convicted on 2-counts of fraud from the Shaw Walleye Masters and the Ski Hill. Allyson Dunham has received a conditional sentence order of 2-years, less a day. The sentence results in house arrest, a curfew and other strict conditions. Dunham was charged last March with 2-counts each of theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and criminal breach of trust. Dunham sat on the executive committees of both the Shaw Walleye Masters and the Ski Hill.

New Partnership For Aspenware

Aspenware is back with a presence in northwestern Ontario. Members of the Wabauskang First Nation will soon start harvesting poplar trees and creating veneers for the B.C. based company.  The operation is being carried out in the Whiskey Jack Forest and Makoose Wood Innovations Owner Doug Riffel is also heavily involved in the project. Aspenware President Terry Bigsby says it's a win-win situation for everyone involved and could become a blueprint for future partnerships. Bigsby says this is only the beginning and notes he's already in talks for a similar venture with Grassy Narrows and Lac La Croix. Aspenware produces single-use biodegradable wooden cutlery and at one time was thinking about setting up shop in the Dryden area.

Arrest Made In NWO Death

An arrest has been made in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Lee Jack in Onigaming First Nation, near Nestor Falls. Provincial Police and Treaty Three Police have charged 24-year-old Micheline Nicole Chiefson of Naicatchewenin First Nation with second degree murder. She's in custody. The cause of death isn't being released at this time. Police were called to an apartment last week and found Jack dead inside the residence.

Mining Conference Shifts To Kenora

A mining conference that was once held in Dryden is taking place in Kenora this year.The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines puts on an Exploration Information Session each year, which focuses on activity taking place in the Kenora District. It's taking place July 24th and 25th and will feature a site visit to the Coventry Resources Site near Cameron Lake.

Flyers Stop In Dryden

About 50 private airplanes are on their way east after touching down at the Dryden Regional Airport. John Lovelace is the founder of The Century Flying Club and says they are making their way from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island.He says there are a number of planes, including one worth over $1 million.The club was started in 2009, and Lovelace says it's a great way for aviation lovers from all over to come together and hangout. Their next stop after Dryden is Elliot Lake.

Aboriginal Experiments Cause Controversy

News that nutritional experiments were once conducted on unwitting, hungry aboriginal children back in the 1940s has angered chiefs at the annual meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.  National Chief Shawn Atleo says such details have to come out if aboriginals and mainstream society are to reconcile. Some of those nutritional experiments took place in northwestern Ontario.

Police I.D. Murder Victim

Police are reaching out to sex trade workers in  the city  following the latest murder.  They say the victim was 30 year old Shannon Hogan, whom police say was involved in the adult sex trade.  The cause of her death is being withheld.   Police they have been talking to local street walkers  to see if  they know anything about Hogan's death.  She was found outside a Lake Street residence early Tuesday morning with serious injuries.  She later died.

Tall Ship Coming This Weekend

Thunder Bay is in store for another visit from a tall ship.  The Norwegian ship Sorlandet will be here all day Sunday and Monday for public visits according to event organizer Ashley Priem.   Public deck tours will take place starting at 10 o'clock both days at the Pool 6 dock.

Accident Sends Two To Hospital

Traffic is now moving  at Algoma  and Wolseley following a collision just before 7 o'clock this morning.   Police say it was a two vehicle mishap which sent a man and a woman to hospital with minor injuries. One of the drivers is charged with failing to yield.

Dryden Council Balks At Reduction

Dryden Council has thrown cold water on a suggestion to reduce the number of councilors from 7 to 5. The idea was tossed around during budget discussions as a way to save money and was brought forward Monday by Acting Chief Administrative Officer Debra Kincaid. Council overwhelmingly decided to not investigate the merits of the reduction. Sid Wintle and Brian Collins both stressed that the City has more serious problems to deal with. Wintle adds that five councilors would lead to burn out and would likely result in councilors missing meetings on the various boards they sit on.

Cup Will Arrive August 2nd

 The date is now set.  Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks will bring the Stanley Cup to Thunder Bay August 2nd.  The date was confirmed on the Visit Thunder Bay Facebook page.  Details are still being finalized.

Union Pleads For Talks In Treaty 3 Dispute

The pressure continues to save the Treaty Three Police Service. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, says the board hasn't really changed it's mind on any of the issues raised. Regional Vice President Sharon De Sousa says they're hopeful a solution can be found.  De Sousa is requesting the help of a mediator.

Body Recovered

The body of a swimmer who went missing in the Rainy River in northern Ontario this week has been found. Provincial police say a dive team recovered the body of the 27-year old  Toronto man just before 5 p.m. yesterday

Police Remain At Crime Scene

Police are still protecting the crime scene on Lake Street this morning, 24 hours after the city's second murder of the year.   They have not released the name of the woman who died after being found with injuries outside a residence early yesterday morning.   The cause of her death has not  been released.  

C-Diff Outbreak At TBRHSC

The Regional Health Sciences Centre is dealing with a bacteria outbreak.  They say it involves C-difficile a mainly hospital born bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.  They say they have restricted  floors 3A and 3B to visitors until the illness goes away.

Diver Dies At Isle Royale

A 55 year old Minnesota man is dead after a scuba diving mishap at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.  Officials at the park say the man was with two other divers planning to explore a sunken Canadian cargo ship called the Kamloops.   The man was noticed in distress during the dive, and was sent to the surface, but it was too late, he wasn't breathing by the time they got him in a boat.

Rainy River Search Continues

The search continue for a missing swimmer in the Rainy River near Emo.  A unnamed 27-year-old man went under the water Sunday night while attempting to swim a length of the river with another person. The one person returned safely back to the public docks at Emo. An OPP dive team is expected on scene later today.

Police Probing Second Murder Of 2013

Thunder Bay police are probing another murder in the city.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says they found a woman with injuries on Lake Street at around 3:30 this morning. He says she later died of those injuries.  The woman's name and age won't be released until they can formally identify her.   This would be Thunder Bay's second murder of 2013

Target Now Open

The new Target store in Thunder Bay is now open.  There was a line up to get into the new Intercity Shopping Centre location where hundreds got to see what all the fuss is about.   The old Zeller's store received 10 million dollars worth of renovations.  

Three More Wildfires In NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting three new forest fires in Northwestern Ontario.One sparked in both Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, and the other one is in the Fort Frances District.
The Red Lake fire remains a priority and is believed to be lighting caused. Fortunately no communities are threatened by fires at this time.

Police Probe "Serious" Incident

We have a developing story this morning....Police say there has been a serious incident on Lake Street on the city's north side overnight.   There is no indication what it may be but one emergency official tells our newsroom that it's being treated as a crime scene.  Police are expected to release more information later this morning.

Police Release Video Of Hit And Run

Thunder Bay police are looking for the driver of a car that rammed into a couple of vehicles in the OLG Casino parking lot early Sunday morning.   It was caught on a video surveillance camera which police have released in hopes of finding the driver of what they believe to be a two door silver Mitsubishi Eclipse,

MPs React To Rickford Appointment

Greg Rickford

The appointment of Kenora MP Greg Rickford to the Harper Cabinet is getting a positive response from Thunder Bay NDP MP John Rafferty.  Rafferty says it's good to have someone from the north taking care of FedNor.  Meantime Independent MP Bruce Hyer says Rickford has been rewarded for being a "yes man" for the prime minister.

Float Plane Base Looking For New Home

Confederation College is looking for a new location for their Float Plane Base.  It comes after Eva Lake Cottagers complained about planes flying over head this summer.  President Jim Madder says they're looking for a community that has a lot of room and very little air activity.  The next float plane program will start in June next year.

Teen Robbery Suspects Caught

Two sixteen year old girls are in trouble with the law in connection with a County Park robbery.   Police say that two youngsters enjoying the splash pad had their back packs stolen  around 7 o'clock last night .  Police caught up with the two female suspects on the bike path behind the Landmark Inn. Both are charged with robbery.

Hit And run Suspect Comes Forward

Thunder Bay police say a male is claiming responsibility for last weeks hit and run that resulted in the death of two dogs.   They say he has now come forward.   The incident took place on Poleline Road as a 17 year old girl was walking the two Labs.   She says that a driver of a green pick up truck didn't stop after the vehicle struck the animals.

Sneak Peek At New Target Store

Inside the new Thunder Bay Target Store which opens at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Thunder Bay Target Store on PhotoPeach

Rickford Reacts To His New Posts

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has been appointed to Cabinet.  Rickford has been named Minister of States for Science and Technology and Minister responsible for FedNor.  Rickford says he's happy to represent the Northwest at the cabinet table.  Rickford replaces Gary Goodyear as Minister of Science and Tony Clement as FedNor.

Missing Man In Emo

Police on both sides of the border are involved in a search for a man in the waters of Rainy River.  OPP say the unnamed 27-year-old was with another who attempted a swim into the river and back to the Emo public dock last night.  The one returned safely, but the other went under and never came back up.  An OPP Marine unit, with help from Koochiching County Sheriff's Department are patrolling the area.

Stolen Truck

Thunder Bay Police and Crime Stoppers are looking for your help in finding a stolen vehicle.  On May 29th the owner of a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel truck finished working in a field close to Townline Road and John Street.  He locked the vehicle and left for the night when he returned the next morning the vehicle was gone.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Sixties Scoop In Court

Efforts to certify a class action lawsuit  involving First Nations and the federal government resume today.  The lead plaintiff in the case is Beaverhouse First Nations Chief Marcia Brown Martel who says she wants the government to do the right thing.  The suit surrounds First Nations children in the 60's who were taken away from their parents and had to live in foster care.   

Valhalla Inn Under Renovations

The Valhalla Inn is using the summer to remodel the Timbers restaurant that was damaged by fire in January.  The renovations should be done by October.  In the fall, Runway 25 and Timbers will switch locations in the hotel with Runway 25 taking the former Timber's spot.

OPP Looking For Missing Man

The OPP's Marine Unit is continuing its search for a 20 year old man missing on the Winnipeg  River in Keewatin.  Officers were initially stopped shortly after 9:00 Saturday morning on the Darlington Bay Bridge.  Witnesses say they saw a man jump off the bridge, but he failed to surface.  The OPP are continuing to patrol the area and an Underwater Search and Rescue Unit has also been called in.

Northern Ontario Angels Recognized

The Northern Ontario Angels group is being ranked as one of the top investing groups in Canada.  Local Angels group Executive Director Mary Long-Irwin says it's great for their national body to recognize their hard work.  Long-Irwin says the 51 deals they made created a thousand new jobs in Northwestern Ontario.

Quiet Weekend For Fires

A quiet weekend on the forest fire front in northwestern Ontario.  Just one new fire was reported with the number of active down to 32.  However, the effects of rain in the far north were short lived and the hazard there is back to the high range.  The central and southern portions of the region are in a low to moderate fire hazard.

Target Opens Tuesday

Thunder Bay's new Target store is one day away from its grand opening.  A sneak peak of the Intercity Mall store was provided to media this morning and Spokesperson Lisa Gibson says the store has 170 employees. Gibson says they'll be offering Target specific brands and unique American products Target made famous.

City Hosts Fun Day At Chippewa

Chippewa Park is a buzz with people today during Family Fun Day. With events and entertainment organizers are hoping to draw those people who rarely or never go to the city owned park.   Organizer Bonnie Shipston says they'll be offering an educational scavenger hunt.  There is also a vintage car display and free cake. Shipston says it's great to see new families taking part and learning about the park.