NAN Chiefs Meeting This Week

The 49 chiefs of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are meeting this week in Kasabonika Lake.   They're holding their annual conference.   Topics to be discussed this year include treaties, justice, education and policing.

Wright To Oversee FedNor

Mark Wright

The transition from MP to Minister of State continues for Kenora's Greg Rickford.
Rickford has been busy being briefed on his new duties as Minister of Science and Technology and Minister responsible for FedNor. Rickford says that includes the hiring of new staff including Thunder Bay's Mark Wright who will oversee Fednor

More ELA Alarm Bells

The transfer of the Experimental Lakes Area east of Vermillion Bay continues to hit road blocks. The government had plans to keep research uninterrupted this year while it handed the area to private hands. Peter Kirby is with the group Save ELA and says that the delay has halted research at the facility. Kirby also says the science team that ran the ELA is moving onto other jobs and might not be able to come back.

Girls Get Dirty To Fight Cancer

An overwhelming response to a weekend charity event has organizers already planning next year's Dirty Girl Mud Run.   It was held in Oliver-Paipoonge to raise money for the local Canadian Cancer Society.   The first time event collected 200 thousand dollars with the help of 750 participants.

Tournament Raises Big $

Officials at the George Jeffery Children's Centre are still basking in the glow of a successful golf tournament. The second Patrick Sharp Tourney raked in an impressive 115 thousand dollars for the organization. 

One Dead In Canoe Accident

One man is dead following a canoe accident on Lake Superior at Pukaskwa National Park. The OPP say two men were canoeing on Saturday when their canoe capsized, resulting in one man drowning. Officials say the other man managed to swim safely to shore.

Another Quiet Day For The MNR

The forest fire hazard in the Northwest Region remains low to moderate.   The Ministry of Natural Resources says there were no new fires reported today but that they were checking into a report of one in the Elsie Lake area.  There are 22 active fires in the region and 20 of those are being monitored. The MNR says the forest fire situation remains relatively quiet.

Hobbs Happy With Economic Prediction

Thunder Bay's mayor is happy about the summer report from the Conference Board of Canada. The non profit research group says our city is expected to show a 1 per cent growth this year. Keith Hobbs says it jives with another report from the organization this year which said we were one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. Hobbs believes there's potential to show even stronger growth than what the Conference Board has predicted.

Swimming Advisory Lifted

It's safe to swim at Chippewa Park again.   Earlier this week the Health Unit issued a swimming advisory for the Sandy and Main Beaches because of high E-coli bacteria levels.  However after several tests, officials have now lifted that advisory.

RCMP Reopening NWO Cold Case

The RCMP’s historical case unit will conduct a search of the Sakimay First Nation in Saskatchewan looking for remains or evidence in the death of a Kenora area man who vanished 10 years ago. About 25 people, including RCMP officers, civilian employees of the force and volunteers, are combing through a wooded area on the reserve. Robin Cocks, who was in his mid-30s, vanished in 2003 but his skull was found in the area on April 13, 2012. Cocks was born Robin Timothy Jamieson and was originally from the Dalles First Nation, before being adopted. He was believed to be hitchhiking to Vancouver when he vanished.

Ruberto Asking Pet Limits

Councillor Aldo Ruberto wants to limit the number of pets people can have in their homes. Ruberto says as it stands now you can have as many pets as you want and in some cases it's causing big problems, such as the hoarding of animals. Ruberto is asking his fellow councillors to support his proposal to get city staff working on a new pet by-law

Police Update Transport Mishap

A 58 year old transport truck driver from Quebec is injured as the result of yesterdays highway rollover on the Trans Canada near Marathon. Police say the man was hauling a load of wood chips when his rig hit a rock cut. They say they have not completed their investigation into the incident.

City Jobless Rate Drops

Only a slight drop for the unemployment rate in Thunder Bay. Statistics Canada says the jobless rate in the city last month was an even 6 per cent...compared to 6.1 per cent in June. That's still more than one per cent better that the national unemployment rate of 7.2 per cent. 

Resale Housing Market Offsets New Starts

More new houses and apartments are being build in Thunder Bay this year that last. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says that there has been a 30 per cent increase in the total number of new projects so far this year compared to last, but that isn't enough to fill the void because of a tight resale market.  So far this year there has been a 5 per cent drop in the number of single family home starts compared to last year.

Still A Slow Fire Season

The Ministry of Natural Ressources is reporting one new forest fire in the Northwest Region. Nipigon District Fire Number 61 was reported as a grass fire on the side of Highway 17 west of Nipigon. FireRangers from Thunder Bay District responded and put the fire out by the afternoon. Red Lake District Fire Number 24 has also been declared out. This was a lightning-caused fire that started July 02 and burned an area of 300 hectares. It was located about 40 kilometres northwest of Red Lake.

Firefighter Injured In Blaze

One firefighter is recovering from minor injuries following a fire at Northwood Park Plaza.  Crews were called to the scene just before 8 o'clock last night with smoke coming from the roof of the building.  Workers had been using torches to melt tar on the roof of the mall earlier in the day.  The firefighter, who fell off a ladder battling the blaze, was treated at hospital and released.   

Hospital Sees No Impact From Blood Shortage

Local hospital officials are refusing to say much about a reported blood donor shortage in Canada.   A spokesperson at the Health Science's Centre says they will not offer any comment except to say they have not been seeing any impact.   The shortage has forced Canadian Blood Service to delve into its reserves.

Renewed Call For Spring Bear Hunt

Bringing back the spring bear hunt would be beneficial for the region according to the Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance. Executive Director John Kaplanis's comments follow the bear attack at Sandbar Provincial Park, north of Ignace.  Kaplanis says by bringing back the spring hunt, it would help the bears develop a greater fear of humans and not consider them as food.

Hebert Frustrated With Energy Process

An energy conference in the city this week is concerning to Larry Hebert.  The co-chair of the city's Energy Task force says the gathering to examine Ontario's long term energy plan seemed to focus on the needs of southern Ontario and not our region which will require extra electricity to deal with various mining projects.  Hebert calls this weeks process frustrating.

Inmate Hurt At District Jail

The province is probing an incident at the District Jail on MacDougall Street yesterday afternoon..  Brent Ross of the Ministry of Correctional Services isn't allowed to say much about what happened only to say than an inmate was hurt.   City police say that it  involved a 58 year old inmate who sustained minor injuries after being assaulted by two other prisoners.  Two men, aged 25 and 45 are facing charges.

ROF Training Cash Announced

The federal government is kicking in almost 6 million dollars to help train Aboriginals for work in the Ring of Fire mining development.  Minister of State Greg Rickford made the announcement in Thunder Bay today.  He says the project will run in cooperation with Confederation College and Noront Resources

Process Begins For East West Tie Line

The process is now underway for the construction of a new transmission line to provide electricity between northwestern and southern Ontario.  The Ontario Energy Board's Vanda Wall says a company has been chosen to begin the initial design, the environmental assessment and land acquisition. She says this stage of the so called East-West Tie Line can last up to 18 months.

Manufacturer Still Eyeing NWO

B.C. based Aspenware still has plans for expansion but the exact location isn't known. President Terry Bigby says the wooden cutlery manufacturer still has its eye on northwestern Ontario.  He says the key is getting a steady supply of wood fibre.  Aspenware recently signed an agreement with a Kenora area First Nation for harvesting operations in the Whiskey Jack Forest.

RFDA Needs Food

The local organization that distributes food to area food banks is in need of donations.   Volker Kromm of the Regional Food Distribution Association says they are looking for the basics. He says that includes pasta, canned goods and peanut butter. Kromm says they are "scrounging around the rest of the province" to try to get at least a truck load of food to ease the shortage.  He adds summer is the time when food bank stocks are normally low.

CEDC Praised For CEO Selection

Charla Robinson

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is giving props to the board of the Economic Development Corporation.  Charla Robinson says the choice of Doug Murray as the new CEO of the city organization is a a great one for Thunder Bay.  She says the Chamber has worked with Murray in the past and calls it a great fit.   Board Chair Paul Inksetter says Murray beat out  about 65 other candidates for the position, many from as far away as China and Australia. Murray will be handling a yearly budget of 1 million dollars towards the goal of attracting more industry and jobs to the city.

Swimming Advisory At Chippewa

A swimming advisory is back on at Chippewa Park.   The Health Unit says that there are high bacteria levels at both the Main and Sandy Beaches and that you swim at your own risk.

MV Thunder Bay On The Job

The MV Thunder Bay is officially on the job.   Canada Steamship Lines has unveiled its newest ship named after our city.  It was given a special maiden voyage celebration  in Port Colborne today.  However,  there are no immediate plans for the new vessel to visit our port.  It's currently travelling from Escanaba, Michigan where it loaded up with iron ore pellets which are being delivered to the Port of Quebec for shipment overseas.

Bacteria Outbreak Over

A three week bacterial outbreak at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is over.   It  involved C-difficile  a mainly hospital born super bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.  Officials say no new cases have developed on 3A, the centre of the outbreak.

Police Tout First Possible Meth Seizure

Police say they have two men in custody following the latest drug bust.  Officers seized about 5 thousand dollars worth of cocaine, marijuana and what's believed to be the first seizure of methamphetamine in the city.  Also seized was a loaded 22 caliber handgun and 19 thousand dollars in cash.   The busts centred around homes on Strand Avenue and Piccadilly Street.

Brown Cool With Osisko Decision

The Mayor of Atikokan isn't panicking over Osisko's plans to delay a gold mining project near the community. Dennis Brown says the Hammond Reef project would have meant new jobs, but stresses there's still plenty of other economic activity in Atikokan including the Rentech and Resolute mills.. Brown says Osisko still has a presence in the town and hopes their project can proceed when gold prices get better.

Lyceum Building Causing City Headaches

The city is facing a decision on what to do with the derelict Lyceum building on Cumberland Street.   City Manager Tim Commisso says the ever elusive owner needs to fix it up or else it may have to be demolished.   He says the problems include a leaking roof and the accumulation of water.  Commisso says a decision on the structure could come in less than a month.

Doug Murray Heads The CEDC

The new CEO of the city's Economic Development Corporation is Doug Murray.  He comes from the private sector as a manager in the pulp and paper industry.   Murray hopes to use his skills to bring new industry and jobs to Thunder Bay and to diversify the local economy and points to the ever expanding health care industry   Murray officially takes over on Monday

City Man Recounts Bear Attack

Thunder Bay's Trevor Miller will never look at bears the same.  It follows an attack this week in Sandbar Provincial Park near Ignace. Miller tells our newsroom that it was a harrowing experience that seemed like it would never end as the whole ordeal lasted about 2 hours as he tried to dodge the bear by going in the water.  He says at one point he smacked the bear on the nose with a stick as it swam towards him,  but that only stopped the stalking for a short period as the bear regrouped itself.   Miller says it all ended when his dog went after the bear and was killed in the process.

Police Arrest Robbery Suspect

A 28-year old Thunder Bay man is being held in custody following his arrest for the armed robbery of the Simpson Street Mac's Store on August 2nd.  Police made the arrest yesterday without incident on East Victoria Avenue.  The man entered the store armed with a syringe and escaped with a small amount of money. His court date has yet to be determined.  No one was injured during the incident.  

Murray Visiting NWO

Ontario's transportation minister is visiting Northwestern Ontario this week.   Glen Murray will be in Murillo this morning. The minister will consult with Northern and rural municipal leaders on the new 100 million dollars in provincial funding for infrastructure in their communities.  He will be in Kenora tomorrow.

Minor Injuries In Expressway Mishap

There were no injuries following a three-vehicle collision on the Thunder Bay Expressway and Balsam Street late yesterday morning.  The accident involved a car and two tractor trailer units.  The driver of the car, a 27-year old Calgary woman has been charged with a lane change violation.

Meals On Wheels Could Change Hands

The city's Meal's on Wheels program could be given to someone else to run. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's one of the options being considered as a source of saving money.  She says it would be about 100 thousand dollars a year.  Johnson says the Red Cross is one organization considering taking over the decades old program.

Tragedy Risk Reduced In thunder Bay

Owning exotic pets like a python in Thunder Bay is against the law.  One pet store owner in the city we spoke to says for that reason the likelyhood of the  New Brunswick python tragedy repeating itself here is greatly reduced.  Two young boys in Campbellton were suffocated by the giant snake as they slept in an apartment located above a pet shop

College Expands Mining Opportunities

Some new educational opportunities in mining are opening up at Confederation College. The College will deliver Timmin's based Northern College's highly successful Haileybury School of Mines program through its Thunder Bay campus. It allows graduates of Confederation's Mining Techniques certificate program to advance to the third semester of  Northern's diploma program. The Colleges say it will help meet an expected demand for workers.

Treaty 3 Police Chief Calls It Quits

The Chief of the Treaty 3 Police Service is calling it quits. Conrad DeLaronde handed in his resignation this morning. Police Board Chair Eli Mandamin says they will discuss the situation next week.  Mandamin says DeLaronde will leave his post in 3 months.   No reason was given for the decision.

Forest Fire Activity Still Low

Cool weather across northwestern Ontario continues to keep the forest fire hazard down to low levels. Only a handful of new fires were reported over the weekend, mostly in the Kenora and Thunder Bay regions. There continues to be no fires burning in the Rainy River district.

Osisko Suspends NWO Operations

Osisko Mining has suspended construction of the Hammond Reef gold mine in the Atikokan area. Low gold prices and high construction costs are to blame. Company President Sean Roosen says the property is still a valuable asset, but better prices are needed.  Roosen says the company still plans to complete the permitting process. Osisko Mining has been working on Hammond Reef since acquiring the property from Brett Resources in 2010.

Highway Improvements For Greenstone

Expect some delays if you are taking the northern route of the Trans Canada Highway.   Twenty one kilometres of Highway 11 in Greenstone is getting some summer improvements.   The government is paying 5 million dollars to have that portion of highway reconstructed.

Suspects Caught Near Marathon

Two men from Kitchener are in OPP custody in Marathon following a weekend adventure.    Police say the two ran away from police after the car they were passengers in was stopped by police on the Trans Canada Highway near William's Mine yesterday.  One of the men was caught last night, the other this morning and both have been charged.   The car's driver, who is also from Kitchener, is also charged.

Councillor Pumped About AHL Possibility

The purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes by Thunder Bay's Anthony LeBlanc and company is reviving hopes for an American Hockey League franchise for the city.   Councillor Ken Boshcoff says that possibility  will certainly be a catalyst for the new events centre.  Boshcoff says it could spur partnership between the city and private developers.

Fire Cause Still Not Known

There's still no cause to report involving a weekend fire on the city's south side.   Officials say that a house on the 1300 block of Mountdale Avenue is heavily damaged as a result of the blaze.  They say it started in the rear of the home, and while there were people inside at the time the fire broke out, they managed to escape safely.   The Fire Marshall's office is investigating.

City Man Attacked By Bear

A Thunder Bay man is lucky to have only minor injuries after being attacked by a bear. The OPP say the 42-year-old man was camping at a park in Ignace and was out for a walk with his dogs when he was attacked by a black bear. The man and his dogs were able to fend off the bear, and he was able to escape with non-life threatening injuries.

Crime Stoppers Crime Of The Week

 Crime Stoppers and the Thunder Bay Police are asking for your help to identify who was responsible for a break and enter into a home on the 2000 block of Government Road which happened on June 26th. Police say a number of items were stolen from the home including a flat screen TV, laptop, as well as several pieces of jewelry, including a Confederation College graduation ring. The total value of the stolen items is over $15,000. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 623-8477.

Dryden Firefighters Ride Bikes For Charity

Northwestern Ontario firefighters will participate in the 2nd Annual Bike Ride in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Reagan Breeze with the Dryden Fire Service says they leave on September 9th. Breeze says last year they raised six thousand dollars and they're looking to beat that this year.

TransCanada Pipeline To Expand

TransCanada is calling it the biggest capital expenditure in company history: a 12 billion dollar Energy East pipeline that will bring Alberta oil through to the Irving Refinery in Saint John. TransCanada President Russ Girling says demand by potential customers was higher than anticipated. The pipeline proposal will use existing TransCanada pipe through northwestern Ontario to Quebec City with construction of a new leg from there to Saint John.