City Hoping LU Will Visit Jiaozou

The City is hoping a delegation from Lakehead University will stop by our sister city Jiaozou when it pays a visit to China this fall.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto was part of a delegation that took a trip recently and says there's an opportunity for Confederation College and Lakehead University to partner with that City's University. Ruberto adds the two communities share a strong mining industry and the City will be exploring partnerships in that area as well.

Plane Crash In Kenora

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a plane crash in the Kenora area.  Police say the Osprey Float plane went down in Black Sturgeon Lake around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon.  Witnesses say the pilot was practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings, but ended up losing control of the aircraft and made contact with the water.  The OPP say the pilot sustained minor injuries and the plane received some damage.

Fire Hall Construction Underway

Work is  underway to build a new fire hall on West Frederica Street to replace the  Brown Street station.   Fire Chief John Hay says when it's complete the area will be better served with six minute response times. Today's groundbreaking for the Westfort firehall also signalled the start of construction on a new Neebing station.  

Kemp Back At Christmas Cheer

The board of the Christmas Cheer  campaign is reaching back into the past for its new chair.   Joleene Kemp was elected on Monday to head this year's campaign following Linda Gambee's resignation last week.

Cliffs Is Optimistic

With one roadblock now removed, Cliffs Natural Resources is looking forward to continuing its quest to open a chromite mine in the Ring of Fire mining development.   Company spokesperson Jason Aagenes says with the Matawa First Nations dropping its environmental legal challenges there is more room for optimism. The company says it still has some land issues to settle and environmental approval from the provincial government.

Bedbug Rumours Quashed

A health official says there's no truth to the urban legend making the social media rounds that bedbugs have been found at Silver City.   According to public health inspector Etrick Blackburn , the movie theatre complex has been inspected.  He says the company is working with a licenced pest control operator to make sure everything is pest free.  Meantime Blackburn also says that the apartment building on Court Street in the news this week that's been invaded by bedbugs, is not the only  apartment complex in the city hit with an infestation.

Matawa Pulls Out Of Judicial Review Too

First it was Marten Falls First Nation, now it's the entire Matawa First Nations that has decided to end it's court review of Cliff's Natural Resources Chromite Project.  The case was set to be heard by the Federal Court in mid-September.  The organization says they never wanted a judge to decide their future.

T.Bay Man Charged In Rainy River Area

A Thunder Bay man is in trouble with the law after Fort Frances OPP stopped him on Highway 11 in Couchiching First Nation.  Police learned that he was travelling to the Rainy River District to sell drugs and seized 126 grams of marihuana and drug paraphernalia.   He's charged with trafficking, possession of drugs, and possession of a prohibited weapon when police seized a butterfly knife.

Collision On Highway 11/17

OPP are charging a 22 year old with following too closely after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11/17 this morning.  The driver of a south bound vehicle struck another that was stopped at a traffic light.   The southbound vehicle sustained heavy front end damage.

Children's Aid Talked About At Q.P.

The opposition parties are bringing up recent funding cuts to the Children's Aid Society across the Province and in Thunder Bay.  Minister Children and Youth Services Teresa Piruzza defended her party and says there haven't been any cuts.  Piruzza says the funding formula was based on historical figures but now it will be based on community factors.

Marten Falls Withdraws From Court Review

Marten Falls First Nation is withdrawing from the Matawa Tribal Council's court review of the Cliffs Chorimite Project.  The community officially withdrew from the review on August 27th.  A community official says the project could be a tremendous opportunity for first nation communities.  The community says it's looking forward to working with the business to create a community based environmental assessment.

Pickle Lake Get Fed $

Federal funding for the Township of Pickle Lake. Minister of State for FedNor Greg Rickford announced nearly 300-thousand dollars in funding during a stop in Pickle Lake this morning. 242-thousand dollars will help the community replace an existing line to the local water tower, ensuring the community has access to clean and safe drinking water. The rest of the money will help Pickle Lake increase its bandwidth service to 100-megabytes per second. Rickford says the work will result in faster, more secure and reliable broadband services.

Energy Retailer Issues Raised At Queen's Park

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is declaring war on door to door energy retailers.  Campbell brought the issue up during Question Period and asked the Provincial Government to take action against companies that sign residents up for higher electricity rates.  The Minister of Consumer Services says she's been in discussions on how they can better inform the public about what they are purchasing when they sign a contract with the retailer.

Driver Died Of Natural Causes

An autopsy has confirmed that Vermilion Bay stock car driver Bill Reimer died of natural causes. Provincial Police were called to the Emo Speedway around 8 o'clock last Saturday night. Police say Reimer was pronounced dead after his race car left the travelled portion of the raceway. No other details are being released.

No Booze For CLE?

A city council member of the CLE board of directors thinks it may be time to rethink having alcohol available during board meeting nights.   Speaking on Giant Mornings with John Ongaro, Ken Boshcoff reaffirmed his stand that alcohol is not served during actual meetings, but admitted, there's merit to discussing removing it altogether.  He says in changing times it's something that should be considered and he was planning on raising it.

Quiet Hiring Climate Expected

It doesn't look like the coming months will be good for job seekers in Thunder Bay.   In the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey local employers felt it was going to be a slow fourth quarter of 2013.  10 percent of employers plan to hire, while 13 percent expect to make cutbacks.  Another 73 percent plan to maintain their current staffing levels and only four percent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

Welcome Path Video Launched

Thunder Bay's Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force is launching a new video they created to welcome first nation students from the far north to the City.  The orientation video entitled "Welcome Path" was created after consulting over 250 youth.  The video was created with the hopes of addressing and alleviating some of the students anxiety being in a new place away from home.

Council Speaks About CLE Issues

The City is going to review the fine print in its lease agreement with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.  The decision comes after Council was briefed on the recent controversy surrounding the CLE's Board of Directors. Councillor Ken Boshcoff who sits on the CLE Board says he's never seen anyone drink in the Cardinal room or during a board meeting.  However, he doesn't rule out people drinking after the meeting.Boshcoff says it's legal for members to drink after the meeting in a bar that is paid for by the general revenue of the CLE Board.

New Green Space Project Underway

The City is getting ready to start work on a new green space project this fall.  The property is located at the corner of Memorial, Beverly and High Street.  Part of the project is being funded through a grant and the rest will be covered by the City.

Approval For New Laptops

The City is approving the purchase of a new Panasonic laptops and tablets for City Police.  Council gave its approval Monday night.  The cost of the new technology is over 95-thousand dollars.

CLE Board Releases Vote Count

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board is now releasing more details of last weeks membership meeting that resulted in the ouster of director Linda Gambee.  It says that the membership voted 56 to 22 to remove Gambee.  It also released board minutes and an e-mail that members were given that night to try to strengthen the case that Gambee's conduct was unbecoming a member.  

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.