T.Bay SongQuest Entry

A Thunder Bay man is entering the CBC SongQuest competition.  Jim Hamilton's entry is called "For the Love of Hockey".  Voting begins on November 23rd and the more plays a song gets the better chance it has making it to the final rounds.  To listen click here.

Red Cross Raffle Launched

The Canadian Red Cross Society is starting to sell its tickets for the Northern Raffle.  The organization hopes to sell over 4-thousand tickets.  Disaster Manager Coordinator Dave Wright says the fundraiser is vital to their operation. Tickets can be purchased at Halfway Motors and the Canadian Red Cross Office.

TSB Releases More On Keystone Crash

The Transportation Safety Board has ruled that operational pressures, adverse weather conditions, and a lack of experience factored in a fatal plane crash in northwestern Ontario.  The pilot and three passengers died when the Keystone Air Service aircraft went down in a snowstorm about 2-kilometres shy of the runway at North Spirit Lake on January 10th, 2012.  36-year-old Brian Shead was the only survivor of the crash.

College And FWFN Sign Education Deal

The Fort William First Nation and Confederation College are partners in education.  The two have signed a deal which will see First Nation students get skills training on the reserve.  Chief Georjann Morriseau says it's a first step in building a relationship between the two groups.  College President Jim Madder says it will help the students become a part of the growing First Nations economy.  The program is expected to get up and running in the new year.

Fire Service Puts Out Blaze On Lydia Ave

Thunder Bay Police are treating a fire at the home of Councillor Trevor Giertuga as suspicious. One vehicle in the Lydia Avenue driveway was completely destroyed by the fire and a second vehicle in the driveway also received damage as a result of the blaze. The preliminary investigation of the early Thursday morning fire shows that it looks to have been deliberately set.

Reaction To Cliffs Announcement

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath isn't surprised by the decision of Cliff's Natural Resources to indefinitely suspend its Chromite Project in the Ring of Fire.  Horwath says the blame is solely on the Provincial Government. Meanwhile, Cliff's Spokesperson Pat Persico says they're not bluffing and will pull out of the project by the end of the fourth quarter of this year. Around 40 jobs will be lost because of this decision. Perseco says they will be open to further discussions with the Provincial Government and First Nations.

Art Gallery Looking For Input

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is asking the public for ideas when it comes to a possible move along the waterfront.  Gallery Director Sharon Godwin says the community will play a big role in the decision making process.  Godwin added that they are still early in the planing process, with designs expected to start in the middle of 2014.

Christmas Wish Bag Campaign Launched

Dilico Anishnabek Family Care is in its fifth year of their Christmas Wish Bag campaign.  This year's goal is to fill six-hundred gift bags for kids in need  Tausha Esquega is Case Manager and says it's sometimes family's just need a little help.  Those looking to help have until December 13th to register.

Noront Consults T.Bay

Noront Resources continues to consult the public about their Eagle's Nest project in the Ring of Fire. An open house on the environmental assessment of the project was held Wednesday night in the City.  President Alan Coutts says the draft version of their Environmental Assessment report should be complete by mid December.  Many of the people who took part in last night's session were industry stakeholders with the Provincial Government and Mining industry.

A Major Player Is Out

There's a big question mark hanging over the the Ring of Mining Development following a surprising decision by Cliffs Natural Resources. Cliffs has announced it will suspend indefinitely its Chromite Project in Northern Ontario by the end of the fourth quarter of this year.  The company has decided not to sink any more capital into the Ring of Fire due to the uncertainty of the timeline and necessary infrastructure to bring the project on line.  Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, says the government is still committed to the project and the development is about more than just one company.  The suspension of operations affects 14 employees here in Thunder Bay and 17 more workers in the field.  

Mill To Re-Open

It's back to the job for workers at the Resolute Forest Products Sawmill.  The mill was suddenly shutdown and workers were sent home Tuesday following a recent string of accidents at the facility.  Company Spokesperson Xavier Van Chau says the company went through a review of its health and safety procedures.  The sawmill will be back in operations this Sunday.  About 200 workers were affected by the shutdown.

Shelter House Wants Help

Shelter House is looking for the city's help in starting up a cold weather pilot project to house as many  homeless as possible during the winter months. Spokesperson Patty Hajdu says it has various components to it which are designed to get the homeless a place to stay over the winter months. The proposal will be pitched to councillors on Monday night.

Fort Frances Hospital Gets Money

Riverside Health Care in the Fort Frances area is getting over 12-thousand dollars from the Northern Cancer Fund.  The Regional Health Sciences Foundation helped them purchase the new equipment for chemotherapy including an IV pump and specialized pharmacy cart.

Connect The Dots Open

There's some new life in the Park Avenue area.  A new business called "Connect The Dots" is now open at 206 Park Avenue.  It's a nature inspired play centre that provides children with hands-on playing. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier today.

Hwy Open

Everything is back to normal on Highway 11/17 between Upsala and Ignace.  The highway was closed earlier today while a transport was pulled from a ditch.  A man was sent to the hospital for treatment.

OLG Employee Wins Green Award

An OLG Thunder Bay Casino employee is the WWF Canada's 2013 Champion of the Year for its living planet at work program.  Alan Forbes is being awarded for his efforts in mobilizing his colleagues into environmental action.  The gaming site's Cage and Coin Shift Manager helped curb the casino's paper usage and committed them to recycle.

Snowmobile Club Complaints Heard

Complaints from Ontario snowmobile clubs has forced the provincial government to reconsider a controversial policy.  Transportation minister Glenn Murray confirmed that a decision to charge snowmobile clubs for use of hydro right-of-ways is under review.  NDP critic Michael Mantha says its just one of a long line of policies that's hurting winter tourism in Ontario.  Murray says the policy was put in place because of liability concerns raised by the Ministries of Infrastructure and Energy.

ORNGE Report Cites Safety Issues

Federal investigators have cited a number of safety issues with the Ornge ambulance service.  The Report by Human Resources Skills Development Canada was conducted following the crash of an Ornge helicopter last May in northern Ontario.  Ontario's health minister Deb Matthews says she's aware of the report and says they are already taking action to address some of the deficiencies outlined.

Rentech On Track To Produce Wood Pellets

Encouraging news for Atikokan.  Published reports indicate Rentech is on track to begin producing wood pellets at the former coal-fired plant next year.  The company is also projecting the Atikokan facility to produce roughly 100-thousand tonnes.  45-thousand tonnes would go to fulfilling a contract with Ontario Power Generation.  The company also identifies European-based Drax Power as a customer.

LU Researchers Get Cash

Lakehead University researchers are getting over 1.4 million dollars from Canada Health Research Institute. Three doctors will be sharing the money to conduct research into helping injured workers, improving the lives of seniors and improving the health of Aboriginal people.

Sawmill Takes Safety Break

The Resolute Forest Products Sawmill is being shut down after an employee broke his nose on the job Monday.  Xavier Van Chau is the Director of Corporate Communications for the company and says they're taking a safety break.  There isn't a time frame for how long the mill will be shut down.  Calls to Unifor the union representing the workers have not been returned to our newsroom.

DSSAB CAO Not Coming Back

The former CAO of the local Social Services Board isn't going to return to work.  Melissa Harrison was on leave and has decided to remain at home for the early years of her children.  Harrison will also work on her Masters' Degree.

Murder Charge

A 21-year old woman is facing a second degree murder charge following a death on Kasabonika Lake First Nation.  The OPP say 20-year old Courtney Mamakeesic died from her injuries sustained in an altercation at a residence last Sunday.  Charged is 21-year old Clarissa Anderson of Kasabonika Lake First Nation.  She'll appear in a Kenora courtroom on November 22nd.  A post mortem exam has been completed but the cause of death has not been released.  

Police Bogged Down With Background Checks

Background checks are starting to become a headache for the city police.   Chief J-P Levesque notes that at today's board meeting members heard police are dealing with a large number of them and it's causing delays.  He says the delays are causing complaints from people who say they are losing chances at employment. A report on the problem will be presented to the board at a later date.

Chamber Pans Power Plant Announcement

The Chamber of Commerce is panning the Provincial Government's announcement to convert the local power plant into a biomass burning operation. President Charla Robinson says it does little to address the uncertainty of energy supply for the business community in the region. Robinson notes that keeping the plant operational for the next five years will however retain jobs at the plant.

Con College Alumni Gets Award

A former Confederation College student is the winner of a Premier's Award. Ramesh Ferris is a Social Service Worker program graduate and was honoured for his work in eradicating polio worldwide.

NAN Talks Legal Issues

Celina Reitberger

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is spending the next three days discussing First Nation legal issues.  Executive Director for NAN Legal Services Celina Reitberger says they'll be talking about bringing back traditional aboriginal justice systems.  Other issues up for discussion include First Nation Representation on Juries, legal representation in the North and fly-in courts for remote communities.

Police Service Looks At Legal Costs

The Police Services Board is concerned about how much money it's paying in legal fees.  Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says at today's meeting there was even a suggestion that the board hire its own lawyer down the road.  For this year Police Chief J-P Levesque says the board is staring at legal fees of 300 thousand dollars.

Dryden Loses Millions

The City of Dryden lost roughly 13.3-million dollars in 2012.  The audited financial statements were presented to Council last night. It also  showed  Dryden recorded 34-million dollars in revenue in 2012, down from 45-million. Expenditures went from 40-million to 48-million dollars.

More Kiddie Porn Charges Laid

City police are reporting the second arrest on kiddie porn charges in a week.   Police say that a probe that began in August culminated with a raid on a North Edward Street home last month.   They say that a computer, an Xbox and flash drives were seized and that child pornography images were found.  Charged is 47 year old Peter Williamson of Thunder Bay.

Wedding Ring Found

Thunder Bay Police are looking for the owner of a wedding ring.  It was found in the McIntyre Centre sometime before August 3rd and Police Chief JP Levesque says they're looking to find out who it belongs to. Police say the ring has an inscription that only the owner would know. If this is your ring, call the Thunder Bay Police Service – Property and Stores at 684-1312. The incident number is P13058283.

Council Calls For VA Office To Stay Open

City Council is putting pressure on the Federal Government to keep Thunder Bay's Veterans Affairs Office open.  The Harper Government plans to close the office in 2014 and Council wants them to reconsider that decision.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says people deserve to speak to people and not an automated phone line.  Council voted Monday night to write Minister Julian Fantino saying they are opposed to the closures of VA offices across Canada.

Voting Method Sticks With Status Quo

It wasn't a surprise to Councillor Ken Boshcoff that his call for electing all council members at large failed. At the beginning of his bid he started off by saying he suspected how the vote would turn out but urged his fellow members to have an earnest discussion about changing the way the public votes. Councillor Brian McKinnon felt the current system is working well.  Several of the ward councillors argued against the idea of getting rid of the ward system.

Courthouse Parking Report

City Council is going to get a report looking into getting rid of some taxi parking spaces near the new consolidated courthouse.  Parking is premium in the area of the court house and staff will look into parking solutions before the courthouse officially opens.

First Nations Mining Agreement Signed

A junior mining company looking for gold in the Atikokan area has signed a memorandum of understanding with an area First Nation. The Bold Ventures agreement with Lac Des Milles Lac First Nation pertains to its Wilcorp Gold project, located about 14 kilometres northeast of Atikokan. Executive vice-president president David Graham says it sets out certain guidelines, like how they approach the property from an environmental point of view and how to work with the First Nation for job opportunities and business development. Graham says the project is still in its infancy and when any actual drilling takes place is still to be determined.

Golf Links Open Tuesday

Good news for city drivers.   Golf Links Road between the Central Avenue and Oliver Road will open to traffic at midday tomorrow.   That section of roadway has been closed for much of the year as crews worked to widen it to four lanes.   Some work may continue on boulevards and Active Transportation trails, which may result in some lane closures.

Hospital Staff Asked To Be Organ Donors

The staff at the regional hospital are being asked to register to be an organ donor.   Spokesperson Kiley Broughton is hoping it will set an example for others in the city to follow.  Broughton is hoping other large businesses come on board as part of the registration blitz.

Horwath Comments On Coal Plant

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath isn't convinced that the conversion of the local coal plant, should be considered as imminent.  Horwath says the announcement made late last week to switch the generating station to advanced biomass may just be a Liberal attempt at securing seats. Horwath expects further action will be needed to convince residents in Northwest Ontario that change will happen.

Safe School App Launched

The Lakehead Public School Board is launching a new safe schools app for all iPhone and iPad users in their schools.  Grade 12 student and App Developer Phil Bystrican says it will help students report bullying activity. The app can be found for free download on the iTunes Store and School Board website.

Chiarelli Responds To Power Plant Concerns

The province's energy minister says the latest move to convert the Thunder Bay generating station to burn biomass may not be the end of its expansion.  In the legislature,  Bob Chiarelli said with the north on the verge of a mining boom there still could be room for future growth of the plant.  He says the government will assess demand in the area as they proceed and if they have to add another unit and extend the time period beyond 5 years,  they will.  Chiarelli was responding to NDP leader Andrea Horwath's concerns that the conversion is only for a limited time.

EMS Gets Three Year Certification

Superior North EMS will be operating its land ambulance service for the next three years after getting certification from the provincial government.   Local EMS head Norm Gale says he's pretty proud of this latest accomplishment.  He says the inspectors noted that local paramedics are both compassionate and deliver quality patient care.  Gale says the three year certification is the maximum the government approves

Overnight Blaze

City Fire crews battled an overnight blaze on the south side.  Firefighters were called to garage fire in the 400 block of South Marks Street around 3:45 this morning.  A second alarm was called in as five pumpers and an aerial platform battled the fire. An SUV was destroyed inside the garage, but there was no damage to any surrounding homes or buildings in the area.  Officials are attempting to determine a cause and there were no injuries.

Public Consultations To Be Held

Expect plenty of public consultation now that the Provincial Government is looking at giving the Thunder Bay Expressway a face lift.  Ian Smith is the Regional Director of the Ministry of Transport and says they'll be conducting an environmental assessment of a 13 kilometre stretch of highway between Balsam and Arthur Streets.  The study is expected to be completed by 2015.

NOSM Recognition

Thunder Bay's Dr. James Goertzen received the Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award at a national conference held in Vancouver. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine was well represented with Dr. Sarah Newbury also winning an award. Four former members were also recognized.

Sioux Lookout Family Centre Receives Accreditation

The Sioux Lookout Family Treatment Centre has received recognition from the Canadian Accreditation Council. This is the first time the centre has received accreditation. Executive Director Roy Thunder says this will provide credibility to the provincial and federal government when making decisions, and will allow clients even better service. A formal announcement was made in Thunder Bay late last week.

Weather Statement

Environment Canada is issuing a special weather statement for Thunder Bay. A low pressure system moving over Lake Superior is expected to drop up to fifty-millimetres of rain on the city by Monday morning with temperatures dropping, and wind increasing.

Garage Fire On Van Horne

Thunder Bay Fire Services responded to a garage fire on Van Horne Street last night. The fire was quickly contained however there is moderate structural and smoke damage to the garage and its contents. There were no injuries and the cause is not yet known.

Courthouse Opening Still Up In The Air

The new courthouse in Thunder Bay remains under construction with the opening date still up in the air.  The provincial government originally said the facility should be open before the end of the fall. However there are some people within the court system in the city speculating that may not happen.  A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General won't confirm that the opening has been pushed back, but says that the move from the two existing facilities will be staggered and says planning and dates are still being finalized.

Twenty-Third Annual Christmas Parade

The annual Christmas parade took place earlier today. A slight change was made from years past with the reversal of the usual route. The parade began at the Real Canadian Superstore and finished at the Community Auditorium.

Bomb Scare

Thunder Bay Police and O.P.P continue to investigate a bomb scare on East Frederica Street. The incident happened around 9:30pm Friday when a smouldering object was thrown thru a house window. When police responded they closed off the area and had the O.P.P Explosive Disposal Unit called out. Anyone with information is being urged to contact police.