Horwath Brings Up Local Plant In Q.P.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling on the Liberal government to come clean about their plans for the Thunder Bay Generating Station.   Horwath brought the plant's future up at the first session of Question Period.  The Premier responded but only spoke about the funding for roads and the Experimental Lakes Area.

Rafferty In Saskatoon For NDP Caucus

NDP MPs from across the country are meeting in Saskatoon this week.   Thunder Bay's John Rafferty is among them and says the caucus meeting is expected to focus on being ready for the next federal election and to make sure they have the strategies in place to make sure Stephen Harper is defeated.   Rafferty says he plans to meet with northern Ontario MPs during the gathering to deal with issues of concern to this region.

Rainfall Warning Ended

Environment Canada has called off the rainfall warning it issued earlier this morning.  They are forecasting heavy rain at times today and throughout the night.  50 millimeters was expected.

Gull Bay Education Program Gets Funding

A former Fort William resident and philanthropist is donating 300-thousand dollars to an education program in Gull Lake First Nation.  Margaret Anderson who has a foundation in Oakville, Ontario says she's more than happy to help with the program and could keep funding it for the foreseeable future. The program will see 10 students finish their grade 12 education.  The program will officially be launched next Monday. 

Reduced Speeds Near Schools 24/7

It seems some people may not be obeying the reduced speed limits near schools in Thunder Bay.  Police Sgt. Bill Pollock is reminding motorists that lower speed zones near schools are in effect 24 hours a day. Pollock says some people believe that the reduced speeds are only during school hours but that's not the case.

Hunter Trapped By Bears

A long ordeal for a hunter at a camp in the Dryden area.  Provincial Police received a report from a camp owner that a hunter had left for a tree stand around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and had not returned.  The camp owner checked on him and found 4-cubs and 3-adult bears around the stand not allowing him out of the tree.  Officers arrived and managed to remove the hunter from the tree without incident and without any shots being fired.  No injuries were reported.

NOSM New Research Chair

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is welcoming a new Research Chair.  Dr. Sheldon Tobe is the new Heart and Stroke Foundation chair in Aboriginal and Rural Health.

Speedway Death In Emo

Provincial Police have confirmed the death of a Vermilion Bay race car driver. OPP say 67-year-old Bill Reimer left the track of the Emo Speedway Saturday night and was found unresponsive inside the vehicle. Emergency crews removed Reimer from the race car and tried to resuscitate him. Police are treating the incident as a sudden death.

Dryden Woman Injured In Crash

A Dryden woman is in Thunder Bay Hospital with very serious
injuries following a collision on Highway 17 in Wainwright Township. Provincial Police say a small compact car struck two horses around 8:30 Friday evening. Family members say 37-year-old Crystal DaSilva is in critical condition.  Another passenger in the vehicle was treated and released from hospital.

Orazietti Outlines Priorities For North

MPP's are back to work at Queen's Park starting today. Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti says his priorities will include how the ministry can support more jobs in northern Ontario through areas such as the Ring of Fire and the forestry industry.  Orazietti notes the forestry sector has seen a rebound and notes the government will continue to work with companies to help them modernize and get access to crown fibre that they need.

FASD Awareness Day Today

It's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day today. The Health Unit is helping put on the 5th annual Honouring Mothers Mini Pow-wow at Marina Park today. Organizers of the event will be talking about the preventable disease and spreading the message that it's not ok to drink while your pregnant.

Kidney Foundation Fundraising Walk

Marina Park will be hosting the Kidney Foundation's fundraising walk today. The walk gets underway at 9:45 a.m. this morning. Money raised goes towards education, patient support programs and research.

Taxi Robbery

Police are searching for a man who robbed a taxi in the east end yesterday morning. The suspect was last seen fleeing the area of Simpson Street on foot. An undisclosed amount of money was taken and the cab driver did not require medical attention.

Unifor Promises Forward Movement

The local national representative for Canada's newest and largest private sector union says it's time to move forward. The Canadian Auto Workers and Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union officially merged to become Unifor. Stephen Boon says their members will see a more aggressive approach in the months ahead. Unifor now represents almost 7-thousand members in Northwestern Ontario primarily in forestry, health care, manufacturing, and transportation.

Wabuskang Stands Against Laird Lake Stripping

The Chief of Wabuskang First Nation says it's time the provincial government respects their treaty. Last month, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines issued a permit to an individual allowing mechanized stripping of land in the Laird Lake area. Leslie Cameron says they were hoping the permit wouldn't go through. Cameron says they have received letters of support from Grant Council Treaty Three and the Chiefs of Ontario.

Fort William Street Fair

Fort William is hopping today as the Business Improvement Association's Streetfest gets underway. Spokesperson Tina Huk says downtown Fort William is thriving. Just down the road from Streetfest the City's Riverfest along the Kam River is being held.

Idle No More October Rally

Supporters of the Idle No More movement in Canada are looking to rally across country once again. It's calling on individuals to participate in a mass day of action October 7th. The day marks the 250th Anniversary of the British Royal Proclamation, which led to the founding of Canada.

Trans Canada Twinning Still Planned

Plans to twin the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora may be dormant, but the project isn't dead. That assurance from Premier Kathleen Wynne. Wynne admits it's taking longer than expected to start construction but says they are continuing to work with local First Nations to ensure the project can go ahead. Former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced 100-million dollars to kick start the project four years ago.

Stats Can Out With Jobs Report

Statistics Canada is out with its latest jobs report.  They say in August the number of jobs created rose by 59-thousand which is almost three times more than analysts expected.  Locally, the unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent a slight bump from 6 percent in July.  The report also shows that the national unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 7.1 per cent.

CLE Stays Mum

Rita Stoger

It appears the cone of silence is on with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   Following a noon hour meeting board president Reta Stoger says there will be no further comment on this week's events that saw one director, Linda Gambee, removed from the board.  Meantime, the board is coming out in full support of the Christmas Cheer campaign after Gambee announced her intention to resign as campaign chair.

Province Announces Rehab Money

The Provincial Government is vowing to spend 5 million dollars annually to improve the lives of kids with special needs in the region.  The investment will expand the family-centred Children's Rehab Information System to five treatment centres in Northern Ontario.  The move will mean kids will receive improved access to physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Fatal Plane Mishap Near Red Lake

A 67-year-old man from Minnesota is dead as a result of a float plane mishap just south of Red Lake.  Ontario Provincial Police say the incident took place on Dee Dee Lake yesterday morning around 10:30. Police says the operator of an amphibious plane was standing on the floats as he was coming into shore. When the plane came into contact with the shore, the pilot was thrown into the  propeller.  He was was transported to hospital in Red Lake where he died of his injuries.

Oshki & Cambrian Renew Deal

A First Nations education organization and Cambrian College are teaming up.  They renewed their working agreement for another five years.  The deal means the two will work together to enhance education and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Former Child Prostitute Speaking Out

A former child prostitute in Thunder Bay is speaking about her experiences in the sex trade industry in the City.  Bridget Perrier says she was shocked that the story she told an American researcher about being sold on a ship in Lake Superior got so much attention.  Perrier says Thunder Bay has a dirty secret and she hopes her story helps women in the local sex industry get out.

Nipigon Bridge Construction Underway

Construction is underway on the new Nipigon River Bridge.  The work on the stretch of Highway 11-17 east of Nipigon includes building two additional lanes.  The move will improve traffic flow on the Trans-Canada Highway.  A construction kickoff was held today with Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle.

New Management At ELA 2014

The International Institute for Sutainable Development says it won't actually be taking over the Experimental Lakes Area until next spring. Matt McCandless is the project manager and says there's still lots of work to do before they can assume responsibility for the ELA.  McCandless says the 2-million dollars announced by the Province of Ontario for the ELA will only cover about half of their annual operating costs, so they are still looking for more partners.

Numerous Groups Interested

The City is happy with the number of applications they've received from interested potential Event Centre partners.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they received responses from several quality organizations. Finding a tenant for the proposed facility is one of the steps towards making the project a reality.

Gambee Resigning Christmas Cheer

The Christmas Cheer campaign will have to find another chair.   Linda Gambee says she is resigning from the position following her removal from the board of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.  Both the CLE and Christmas Cheer work together during festive season.

Drug Bust In Nipigon

A 53-year old Thunder Bay man has a court date in December following a drug bust in Nipigon.  OPP seized 579 grams of marijuana, 31 percocet pills and $27,000 in cash after searching a home.  The man has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of property obtained in a crime.  Two other males were also charged.  The investigation continues and police say more charges could be laid.    

OPP Nab Escaped Prisoner

An escaped prisoner has been captured in downtown Kenora.  Kenora OPP say they found and arrested 53 Harvey Smith of White Dog First Nation.  Smith had escaped custody while at the Kenora Court House on August 20th.  Smith made a court appearance after his arrest to answer to the charge of escaping lawful custody.

Collision In Front Of Waverly Park Apartments

Police, paramedics and fire are on the scene of a two vehicle collision in front of the Waverly Park Apartments.  The collision just after 3 happened at the intersection of Red River Road and New Street. Officials say one of the people involved in the crash may have whiplash.

Ainsworth Selling Barwick Mill

There's to be new owners of the mill in Barwick.  Ainsworth is agreeing to sell all of its operations, including the Barwick mill, to U-S forestry giant Louisiana Pacific in a deal worth one-point-one billion dollars. Louisiana-Pacific chief executive Curt Stevens says the acquisition provides more financial stability to weather market conditions. Stevens says it will also gives L-P greater access to the Asian market where Ainsworth is well established.

Mayor's Community Safety Awards Back

The Crime Prevention Council is looking for nominations for the 3rd annual Mayor's Community Safety Awards.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says since its inception he's noticed more grassroots groups making their neighbourhoods safer.  The awards recognize citizens and groups who work to improve community safety. Nominations close September 27th with the awards being presented at the November 4th meeting of Council.

Tbaytel Gets Award

Tbaytel keeps racking up the awards for its local digital TV apps.  They are the recipients of the 2013 Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Community Channel Award for NextBus and Flight Status.  As part of their award they've been given a thousand dollar donation for Children’s Wish Thunder Bay.

City Seeks Uses For Gardens

The City is looking for a consultant to study the future use of the Fort William Gardens.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they want the consultant to examine what possible uses the garden could have if and when an event center is built.  Smith says the deadline to apply is September 26th.

Fort William Street Festival This Weekend

This weekend marks the sixth annual Fort William Street festival.  Business District BIA Coordinator Tina Huk says they'll have plenty of food, entertainment and some surprises.  The roads will be closed starting at 9.  The festival starts at 11:30 and runs until 5.

School Stress

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out. The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it. Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.  MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Easter Seals Announces Roast

Easter Seals is getting ready to host it's 11th annual celebrity roast in November.  This year's guests of honour are the manager of the Best Western Norwester and the dealer of Performance Kia.  Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says money raised goes towards sending local kids to camp.  The fundraising goal this year is 50-thousand dollars.

Thrift Shop Party September 13th

It's time to get your thrift shopping on.  Camp Quality is throwing a "Thrift Shop Party" on Friday the 13th at the CLE Heritage Building. Organizer Boris Potoyants says it's based on Ryan Lewis and Macklemore's Thrift Shop music video.  Potoyants wants to raise 5-thousand dollars for the organization through the party.

Hockey Locals Make Their Mark

A couple of Thunder Bay hockey players are gearing up for some NHL action.   The Pittsburgh Penguins have inked 19 year old  Matthew Murray to a three year entry level deal and Carter Hutton is officially the backup goalie for the Nashville Predators.

Ministry Probes Fall

The Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident in the city yesterday.   Emergency officials were called to a construction accident on Cadillac Circle  where a 24 year old worker had fallen off the roof.  They say he sustained leg injuries.

Subway Robbed

The latest robbery in the city hit a Subway Restaurant on North Cumberland Street.  Police say a man entered the location last night around 11 o'clock wearing a mask and holding what appeared to be a black barrel.  He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.  There were no injuries.

Gambee Booted From CLE Board

Linda Gambee is no longer a member of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   The general membership voted her out at a special meeting last night.  CLE spokesperson Ralph Scharf  says it was for conduct unbecoming a member, but he did not elaborate.  Gambee believes it's because she was threatening legal action and her stand on alcohol at board meetings. She is disappointed with how the meeting was conducted and claims her supporters were not given a chance to speak.  With Gambee off the CLE board, her tenure as chair of the Christmas Cheer campaign is up in the air.  After last nights membership vote Gambee said it was too emotional for her to discuss but she will announce a decision very shortly.

Cargo Stats Down

The latest cargo stats from the Port of Thunder Bay show that grain numbers are down considerably from last year.  It says over half a million tons fewer tons of grain has moved through the harbour than at the same time last year.  Potash and coal numbers are also down.

New Law School Is Open

Lakehead University's new law school is officially opened.  A ceremony was there this morning with local politicians and dignitaries.   Confederation College President Jim Madder says he's been in conversation with the Law School Dean about cross programing between the two schools. The school is located on Red River Road in what used to be Port Arthur Collegiate.  

 

CLE Board Member Speaks Out

The general membership of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition meets tonight to decide the future of one of the board of directors.   Board member Kathy Thompson says some members want to kick the unnamed person off.  She believes it's all about removing a director who has tried to prevent what Thompson calls "criminal acts" of driving after drinking in a boardroom bar that is free of charge to board directors,  24 hours a day seven days a week.   Tonight's meeting gets underway at 7 o'clock.

NOSM Makes Changes

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is making some changes in its management.  They've announced three senior appointments that include Dr. Janice Willett as the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Dr. David MacLean as Assistant Dean of Research and Dr. Owen Prowse as Assistant Dean of Admissions.

Gravelle Acclaimed

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is going to be back for another provincial election.  Gravelle was acclaimed at his nomination meeting last night at the Italian Cultural Centre.  He'll face the NDP's Andrew Foulds and P-C candidate Tamara Johnson in the fall of 2014.

Forest Fire Hazard Low

 Rain over the weekend, is helping fire fighting efforts in northwestern Ontario.  No new forest fires were reported over the Labor Day long weekend, and Saturday's precipitation has reduced the fire hazard to low across most of the region.  The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

Rickford Upset With Province

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has mixed feelings over the new deal to keep the Experimental Lakes Area open.  While he's pleased they've come to an agreement with Ontario, Rickford is fuming mad with the way the provincial announcement was handled.  Rickford says all three parties agreed on a joint media release and the province turned around with a complete different version and with no mention of the federal Government.

Innova Park Not Zoned For Costco

The city owned industrial park is being talked about as a possible site for a new Costco store.  With the retail giant pondering new Canadian locations city spokesperson Mark Smith says unless city council votes otherwise, Innova Park isn't zoned for such a development.  Smith says Costco has not contacted the city about locating a store here.