AMO Conference Starts Today

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is gearing up for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference starting today in Ottawa. Association President Dave Canfield says he's looking at issues affecting communities throughout Northwestern Ontario like infrastructure funding and tourism.  Canfield says another issue is the rising cost of policing.

Film Hopes To Bridge Culture Gap

The city is teaming up with a local filmmaker to produce  four short films about the Aboriginal people of the city and who they are. City Clerk John Hannam says it's to help bridge a cultural gap with First Nations residents.  He says they're looking for financial help from local businesses and organizations to offset the 45 thousand dollar budget.  Hannam says the documentary will be shown to employees in all city departments.

Mike Richards donates 17K

Another huge success at the Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament in Kenora. A cheque presentation was held where the NHL star donated over 17 thousand dollars to the community foundation. Richards says giving back is a key goal of his no matter how big or small. Richards charity events have raised over 100 thousand dollars overall for the community foundation.

MPP Calls For Hike In Minimum Wage

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says people can't survive on minimum wage. Demonstrations were held across the province earlier this week, calling on the government to bump it up from $10.25 to 14-dollars per hour.  She says people are finding increasingly challenging to put food on the  table and adds, raising the minimum wage is the best way to combat poverty.

Visitor Safety Not An Issue At FWHP

The head of Fort William Historical Park says there's no danger to visitors even though they haven't found what predator could be responsible for the summertime death of some fort animals. Sergio Buonocore is confident the safety of tourists is not being compromised.  He says the animal deaths took place overnight and are not likely to be repeated during the day.  Over the last two months several sheep and chickens were killed.

Gas Line Leak Stopped Quickly

A gas line leak on the 300 block of Lark Street caused a bit of commotion this afternoon.   It appears that someone hit a gas line while doing some work just before 2 o'clock.  A Fire and Rescue official says there was no real danger but homes in the immediate area of the leak were evacuated as a precaution.

Funding Benefits Six Businesses

The province's northern development fund is granting money to local six businesses.   The six are sharing in over 200 thousand dollars of funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.   Dental Hygiene Smiles of Thunder Bay is receiving 125 thousand dollars of that to help it open a dental clinic.   The rest will be split up among Kuhl  Lighting, The Dog Classroom, Confederation College, Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and a Chiropractic Clinic.

George Jeffrey Gets Added $

The George Jeffrey Children's Centre is once again on the receiving end of a government cheque.   This time it's almost 140 thousand provincial tax dollars.    MPP Bill Mauro says the money is going to be used to provide children and youth with improved access to treatment services.

Movie Nights Are Back

It's movie night again at Marina Park.  The city is presenting a series of outdoor movies starting tonight at dusk with "Back To The Future 2".   There will be four more weeks of movies shown including a Bay Street Film Festival night where a local flick will be screened.

City Delegation Heads To China

A delegation from Thunder Bay is heading to China as part of the sister cities program.   Councillor Aldo Ruberto says the trip is designed to cement a friendship pact with the city of Jiaozuo  which started when the Chinese delegation came here.   The group includes Ruberto along with City Clerk John Hannam , Development Services Manager Mark Smith and city mining guru John Mason.  They left today and are due back home August 26th.  

Fire Hazard Increases

As anticipated the forest fire hazard is on the rise across northwestern Ontario. Warmer and dryer conditions sparked 4 new fires yesterday. One fire, 25-kilometres northeast of Dryden, was set by forest industry equipment according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The other fires were reported in the Hudson, Sioux Lookout and Kenora districts.
Two of the fires aren't under control but pose no threats.

Car Lands In Churchyard After Mishap

No one is hurt following a two vehicle collision at Van Norman Street and Rockwood Avenue this morning.   The two cars collided just after 9 o'clock sending one of them careening through a metal fence and it narrowly missed striking the New Apostolic Church.  There's no word on any charges.

A Suspicious Blaze

There were no injuries following a fire in the 500 block of Pacific Avenue late Thursday evening.  Crews responded to a report of furniture on fire outside of a building and when they arrived the flames had spread to the siding of the structure.  The fire was contained to the exterior wall of the building, although some heat and smoke damage was caused inside.  The fire is considered suspicious.

New NAPS Chief

There's a new chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service.  Terry Armstrong takes over the position as of September third.   Former Thunder Bay Police Chief Bob Herman had been holding down the fort on a temporary basis until the board could find someone permanent.

More Traffic Changes In Store

Golf Links Road and the Harbour Expressway is open again as a three-way  controlled intersection.  The city says temporary traffic signals will remain in place until the double left turn lanes at this intersection are ready.   The traffic headaches will continue on Monday when the Central Avenue and Golf Links Road intersection will be closed to traffic as the construction continues.

Four More Years For St. Joe's

More bragging rights for St. Joseph's Care Group.   Accreditation Canada, the independent organization that oversees health care standards, has given St. Joe's a 4 year stamp of approval. President and CEO Tracy  Buckler calls it an amazing accomplishment.   St. Joseph's Care Group  runs a number of health care facilities in the city ranging from acute care to addiction treatment .

Campbell Slams MNR Layoffs

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is slamming the Minister of Natural Resources over the recent announcement of layoffs across northwestern Ontario and the province.Campbell says there's nothing but confusion on how many jobs will be lost. The NDP member says the public has the right to know how these cuts will impact them.

New Bike Lanes Being Painted

The city is finally getting around to painting the new bikes lanes.    Spokesperson Adam Krupper admits it's a bit late in the season but he blames City Hall red tape. Krupper says when the new lanes are complete in the next couple of days, there will be 9 new streets painted which will complete  a continuous biking route from Current River to Bay Street.

City Reverses Childhood Cancer Decision

A change of heart.  City Hall will be proclaiming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month after all.   City Clerk John Hannam says officials decided to review the original decision after a public outcry and not necessarily because of the mayor's complaint.
Hannam says the request does meet the criteria for being in the public interest.

A City Hall Mix Up

Mayor Keith Hobbs is under fire after the City's denial to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Local groups were disappointed that the proclamation was denied by the Office of the City Clerk.  Hobbs says he and city council were not made aware of the request adding that current policies will be reviewed.  

Bear Hunters Asked To Be Cautious

The Ministry of Natural Resources is urging caution as the black bear hunting season begins this week. Spokesperson Debbie MacLean is reminding hunters to be on the lookout for firefighters.  While they have Blaze orange clothing, at times they might be hidden from view.  Maclean says the forest fire season doesn't  run out until October 31st.

School Survivors Remember

A new beginning for survivors from residential schools in Treaty Three territory. Grand Council Treaty 3 held a ceremony to commemorate survivors of the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora. Mayor Dave Canfield spoke about how everyone needs to work together to continue moving forward. Peter Bush with the Presbyterian Church apologized for the acts of abuse that were performed at the school.

Feds Want To Get ROF Right: Rickford

The Harper government plans to wait out a First Nations court challenge to the federal environmental process for the Ring of Fire mining development.  Greg Rickford, the minister responsible for the giant mining project, denies the government is slowing down the process saying they want to get it right.  Meantime Rickford won't say if the federal government will join First Nations and the province at the Ring of Fire bargaining table.

Disaster Relief Winding Down

The final cheque is in the mail for some 430 people whose homes were damaged in last year's spring flood.  Kari Chiappetta, the manager of the disaster relief program,  says an appeal period is now in place.   Anyone who has a dispute over the amount they received has 30 days to ask for a reconsideration.    The cheques represent the final portion of the relief money flood victims applied for.

Health Authority Reappoints Two

Two  residents from the region are back with the Northwest Local Health Integration Network. Dennis Gushalak of Ear Falls and Diane Loubier of Ignace will remain on the board of directors for the next three years. The LHIN oversees regional health care planning and funding. The Province has approved their reappointments.

Carpet Underlay Causes Accident

No one is hurt, but a truck driver in the city has learned the hard way about making sure you have a secure load.  It follows an incident on the Thunder Bay Expressway today near Oliver Road.   A roll of carpet underlay flew out of the back of his truck causing a multiple vehicle accident.  That truck  driver is now charged.

FedNor Provides ROF Funding

The Harper government is providing more Ring of Fire related funding in the area.   FedNor is granting 4.4 million dollars to the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund to help First Nations businesses to create job opportunities in preparation for the giant mining development.   Fund advisor Brian Davey says it provides a chance to prepare First Nations communities to take advantage of the wealth that will be developed in the area. The funding is spread over 3 years.

MNR Layoffs In Thunder Bay

Some bad news for scores of Ministry of Natural Resources employees in Ontario.  A number of jobs are being cut including 7 in Thunder Bay.  Other communities in the region affected by the cuts include Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden.  In all over 100 MNR workers in the province are being laid off because of budget cutbacks.

Half-Way Celebrates The Big Five-Oh

A Thunder Bay car dealership that started out in Current River  is celebrating its 50th year in operation.  General Manager Marcus Luft of Half-Way Motors says the company has come a long way since the early 60s.  He says it started out as a grocery store located "half way" down Hodder Avenue.  They began by selling Studebakers and then moving to Jeep and then Datsun, which became Nissan.   The company is recognizing the occasion at an  event this evening at its Memorial Avenue location

Swimmers Beware...Again

Once again you swim at your own risk at three local beaches.   The Health Unit says high E-coli bacteria levels have forced officials to issue swimming advisories for Sandy and Sunny Side Beaches at Boulevard Lake along with the Main Beach at Chippewa Park.

Shoppers Drug Mart Calls A Scam

A northwestern Ontario Shoppers Drug Mart manager says another scam is targeting their customers in the market. Cory Pyykka  says someone is calling peopel saying they have won a trip on behalf of Shoppers, and then asks for financial information.  Pyykka says this is completely fake and that the company is not calling anyone and would never ask for financial info. Pyykka says they have been receiving a number of calls from customers.

Fire Season Remains Quiet

An unusually quiet summer for forest firefighters with the Ministry of Natural Resources. August has been especially quiet as cool and wet weather has overcome the area. There are now only 17-active fires in the region. Sioux Lookout has 8-fires currently burning, while Red Lake and Kenora each have one each.

Horizon Refutes Opposition Claims

The war of words continues in the Big Thunder wind farm dispute.   The group opposed to Horizon Wind's plans to build wind turbines on the Nor'Wester Escarpment says the company is cutting down trees and building a road on that property.  Horizon's Kathleen MacKenzie says they are conducting soil testing on the site and it requires equipment to be brought in and some tree trimming or clearing has taken place. MacKenzie  refutes an opposition claim the company is building a road saying there are known trails on the property.

Suspect Surrenders

The Thunder Bay man who was wanted on a Canada wide warrant in a sexual assault investigation is now back in police custody.   Police spokesperson Chris Adams  says that 62 year old Arthur Lyons gave himself up peacefully to police yesterday.  He is facing sex related charges after an investigation police say involved a child victim.  

Ron Bottos Dead At 71

A long time local radio and TV personality has passed away.  Ron Bottos, who hosted the "Reach for the Top" show, was 71.  He died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospice.  Bottos was also a musician who played in the band StoneRidge and also hosted the annual Cystic Fibrosis Telethon.   Funeral arrangements are pending.  

City To Save Lyceum Theatre Building

The city is going to save the Lyceum Theatre building.  The structure,on Cumberland Street, has been deemed to be sound by engineers and will be saved from the wrecking ball.  The city could end up paying for the repairs if the current owner doesn't comply with the work orders.  The property has outstanding taxes, which could lead to the city taking it over and then selling the 103-year old building.

Pet Limit Proposal Nixed

City councillor Aldo Ruberto is not getting his wish.   His plan to get the ball rolling on limiting the number of pets a person can own was torpedoed by his fellow councillors,  even after his plea for support.  Ruberto says he has spoken with health and city officials who liked the plan.  Mayor Keith Hobbs mocked the idea asking if the city would start limiting the number of children a family could have.   He called it waste of time.

Homeless Housing Initiative Supported

City lawmakers are backing a so called "housing first" program to help get more homeless people off the street.   The plan makes  giving the homeless a place to stay the first priority before getting a job.   Council's support gives the coordinators of city's Drug Strategy the extra leverage when it comes to get money from other levels of government.

Councillors Give Support To Smoking Ban

City council is on its way to giving some legal muscle to the regional hospital's plan to ban smoking on its property. Councillors have asked City Hall staff to make the necessary by-law changes to make it happen.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith told councillors  it could happen by next month. The hospital will have the total smoking ban in place at the end of September.

Truck Stop Gets New Life

The old Pass Lake Truck stop on the Trans Canada Highway in Shuniah Township is getting some new life.  Reeve Maria Harding confirms it will be converted to a Shell-Flying J Truck Stop, hopefully by the end of the year. Harding calls it a good thing.  The business  has sat vacant for about a year and a half.

Payne Sentenced To 90 Days

A Thunder Bay man is going to jail after being sentenced for possessing child pornography.  Forty six year old Michael Payne has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year probation   In court Monday it was revealed there were almost 18 hundred images on a computer that police seized at the time of his arrest.

More Building Permits For July

 City Hall is reporting a number of new building permits issued in July.  They include a new office and retail space on  Waterloo Street between Cumming Street and the Tim Horton's.   Officials say there will be three buildings on the site but it's not known what businesses they will be including. Work is already underway.  The Fort William Clinic has also received a permit for its new clinic on Golf Links Road.

The Mystery Remains...Who Killed Shannon Hogan?

If police have any leads in their latest murder investigation they remain tight lipped about it.   For now the death of 30 year old Shannon Hogan remains unsolved almost one month after she was found early in the morning, seriously injured behind a Lake Street house.   Police have not released the cause of her death.   It's the second murder of 2013.

Library Out With Strat Plan

The public library is out with its strategic plan for the next three years.   Chief Librarian John Pateman says it's now available online and they are hoping for your input.  He says they are setting up a community action panel which will get the public's views on the plan's objectives.   While not mentioning a new central library by name, Pateman did say that the plan's directions for innovation and change  could provide for some "interesting developments in the future."   You can view the document at this LINK

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.