Two Byelections Called

There will be two byelections in Ontario next month.   Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today that voters in the southern Ontario ridings of Niagara Falls and Thornhill will go to the polls on February 13th.   The byelections will fill vacancies created in the provincial legislature.

Overnight Blaze

City fire crews battled a garage fire on Empress Avenue near the corner of Red River Road.  A second alarm was called in around 4:45 this morning and it took firefighters close to a half an hour to bring the blaze under control.  A total of five units were on the scene.  Two cars were inside the garage, but was there no damage to any other buildings in the area and there were no injuries.      

Kidnapping Suspect Arrested In Dryden

A Toronto man who police say kidnapped his 3 year old and 4 year old sons from Alberta has been arrested in Dryden.   The Edmonton Police Service alerted OPP and the man was spotted driving through Dryden around 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.   Police arrested 29 year old Ilhami Butin.  He faces 2 counts of child abduction, 2 counts of kidnapping and 1 count of uttering threats.  He remains in custody and is due in court Wednesday.  The two young boys were unharmed.

Resort Responds To Accusations

Click to enlarge image

The Dominican Republic resort that is the centre of some local accusations denies news reports that its employees tried to sexually assault and shot at two Thunder Bay women.  The unnamed women, who have not spoken to our newsroom, claim in other news reports, that the incidents happened a couple of weeks ago at the Bahia Principe San Juan hotel.   According to a news release from the company an investigation by police shows the allegations are totally false and unsubstantiated and that there is no evidence that the events actually occurred.

Officials Zero In On Fire Cause

The fireplace and chimney assembly are being looked at as the likely cause of Monday's house fire on the 11 hundred block of Mountain Road.   City fire inspector Eric Nordlund says preliminary indications are the blaze was accidental, but because of the extent of the damage they want to talk with the owner before confirming a causeS.  The house was under construction at the time.

Shipping Season OVER

Thunder Bay's shipping season is in the books.  CEO Tim Heney says the season officially wrapped up on Monday night with the MV Saginaw departing with 13-thousand tonnes of canola.  Meanwhile, two vessels are staying in the Port for the winter, the MV Capt. Henry Jackman and the MV CSL Tadoussac.

NWO's Radford Olympic Bound

A dream come true for Northwestern Ontario's Eric Radford. The figure skater from Balmertown and partner Meagan Duhamel have been named to the Canadian Olympic skating team.  Radford and Duhamel defended their title and won the pairs competition at the Canadian nationals over the weekend in Ottawa. The pairs short program is set for February 11th, with the free skate taking place the next day.

Funeral Services For Deputy Chief Today

Funeral services are being held this afternoon for Deputy Chief Norman Brown, the former Chief of Wapekeka First Nation. Brown passed away unexpectedly at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre on January 9th. The 63-year-old served 21-years in non-consecutive terms as Chief of Wapekeka, about 450-kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout. Brown is described as a true advocate for the protection of his community and their environment.

NAPS Seizes Weapons

Nishnawbe-Aski Police continue their crackdown on illegal weapons. Officers searched a Mattagami First Nations home last Friday and seized two sawed-off rifles, one sawed-off shotgun and several types of ammunition.  Police are still investigating and more information will be released once charges have been laid.

Civic Election Action On FB

A Thunder Bay man is taking this year's civic election to Facebook.   James Murray, who operates the website Netnewsledger, says he has set up a page on the popular social media site to allow candidates to discuss the issues and be in control of the commentary.   Murray said he hopes the page will help change the dynamic of the election race.  You can access the Facebook page HERE

Snowarama Goes Into 11th Year

Easter Seals is hoping to raise more money for their programs with it's upcoming Snowarama fundraiser. Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says to date they've brought in 250-thousand dollars for kids with physical disabilities across Ontario. The snowmobile event is taking place on February 8th at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

City Day Care Sees Decline

City run child care centres are losing money because of a decline in enrollment.  Council heard that there has been a 20 percent decline since full day kindergarten was introduced at local elementary schools.  By 2015 the centres could lose up to 900 thousand dollars.  Council will discuss what they should do at their February 10th meeting.

Youth Plan Approved

The City's Youth Services Plan is getting Council's seal of approval. Lawmakers approved it at Monday night's meeting. The plan calls for 50 thousand dollars in funding for the Boys and Girls Club, and money to set up youth centre satellite sites across Thunder Bay.

Youth Centre Gets OK

Opponents

The Indian Friendship Centre's new youth centre is a go!  City Council approved the centre at their meeting Monday night after people both for and against the project spoke out. Councillor Ken Boshcoff questioned opponent Michael Lemesani's concerns over teens using the Youth Centre late at night noting the former High Street Prosvita used to hold parties.  Lemesani says there's a huge difference. The City is helping fund part of the 8 million dollar project.

Transit Renos Going Ahead

City lawmakers are approving just over 2 million dollars to renovate Transit's administration building. Councillors Linda Rydholm and Joe Virdiramo had concerns over the public art component of the project with both taking a shot at the morose code poles located on the waterfront. Virdiramo called them to bent sticks.  The construction contract was awarded last night to Man-Shield Construction.

City Requests Made

City Council is sending several requests to the Provincial Government. They're asking for permission to take over control of EMS dispatch services. Meanwhile, Council is also sending a letter to the Minister of Natural Resources saying they would like to take part in the proposed Spring Bear Hunt Pilot Project.

Contract Ratified For Home For The Aged Workers

A 3 year collective agreement between the City and Unifor is now ratified.  The deal represents more than 655 employees in the City's three Homes for the Aged.  The agreement includes pay increases from July of 2013 to June 30th of 2015.

House Fire On Mountain Road

A two-alarm fire is responsible for significant damages to a home that was under construction on the eleven-hundred block of Mountain Road. Platoon Chief David Long says the building was fully involved when they arrived and that the fire spread quickly, destroying the second floor. No one was injured.

Online Learning Receiving A Boost

The province is looking at making online learning more flexible by the 2015-2016 school year through the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Online Learning. Ontario Online will give college and university students the chance to take more of the same online courses making it easier to transfer credits, it will also encourage schools to share their research. The province is investing 42-million dollars over three years into the program.

Emergency Room Changes Defended

A top official at the Regional Health Science's Centre denies that patient care will suffer as the result of changes to the Emergency Department.  Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott says 5 positions in the department are being eliminated, but there are no job losses.   She says the number of staff in the will not change.   Crocker-Ellacott says the move is being made to put the nurses where they are more effective.

Over 72-Thousand Dollars In Hunting Fines

Eleven people are facing a combined sixty-eight charges for offences that happened at an Eagle Lake hunting and fishing lodge west of Dryden. The offences include unlawfully hunting wolf and using a hunting licence belonging to another person. Those pleading guilty include Steve Herbeck, fined a total of $7 500 while his business was fined $27 000 for 22 offences. Herbeck can't hunt in Ontario for ten years. Both Danny Herbeck and Chris Federman face $7 000 fines and are unable to hunt in the province for four and eight years. Andy Bouchard was fined $4 000, Scott Munford faces $7 000 in fines, Calum Ritchie has been fined $2 000, Tammy Pelletier will pay $2 500 for two charges, George Lindsay of New Zealand must pay $3 000, Travis Runde will pay $1 000, Don Rabideau of New York was fined $3 000 and Ron Jaeger was fined $500. The fines total $72 500.

Virdiramo Wants One Last Term

Joe Virdiramo is giving it one last shot.   The Westfort Councillor says he is seeking re-election in his ward one last time in this fall's municipal election.    He says he wants to go one more term and then someone new can take over.  Virdiramo says he wants to see certain projects to their competition, including the courthouse and the proposed events centre.  There is no indication whether anyone plans to challenge him.

Transit Negotiations To Be Held Later This Week

Thunder Bay transit workers are receiving support from fellow union members from the GTA. Negotiations between the city and the transit union are scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday with job action a possibility on Monday January 20th. Bob Kinnear is the President of ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Ontario and described current working conditions for the city's transit operators as "second class".

Goldcorp Eyes Osisko

Goldcorp is making a  bid to acquire Osisko Mining.   Oskiko's key asset is the Malartic, Quebec gold mine.  The deal would also include Osisko's development projects in Kirkland Lake, and the Hammond Reef project near Atikokan, but president Chuck Jeannes  says right now those two are not their focus. Goldcorp is giving Osisko until February 19th to decide on the offer.

Mace Appointed To Electrical Safety Authority

Some added responsibilities for Thunder Bay Hydro boss Rob Mace.  He has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the province's Electrical Safety Authority .  Mace says it doesn't mean he will give up his current job as hydro president, it will simply mean more trips to southern Ontario for board meetings.

PCs Launch "Million Jobs Plan"

The Progressive Conservatives in Ontario are launching an ambitious plan.   Leader Tim Hudak says it's a promise to create 1 million jobs in the province in the next 8 years.   Hudak says the key component is to lower business taxes to 10 per cent to encourage businesses to hire more people.   Hudak adds the plan includes promises to reduce debt,  establish better energy rates and reduce regulations.

Outbreak Warning Expanded

The Health Unit is expanding its respiratory outbreak warning at Lakehead Manor to include the whole facility.    It means all admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities are now  cancelled until further notice.   The first warning for the North Vickers Street seniors complex came on Friday, but was only restricted to the fourth floor.

Council Preview

Superior North EMS wants City Council to ask the Province for permission to take over EMS dispatch services.  The Province currently funds the service but keeps dispatch operations at arms length from EMS operations.  Councillors will hear about the proposal at their first meeting of the new year tonight.    Meanwhile, A group of residents who are opposed to a new youth centre on High Street will be at City Council tonight. They're presenting a 95 signature petition against the Indian Friendship Centre's project with the City. Council will vote on the youth centre partnership tonight.  The City is considering putting an end to a pilot project at the Grace Remus Child Care Centre.  Council approved evening hours at the centre but is now considering bringing them to a close at the end of June.  City lawmakers will vote on the matter at its meeting tonight.

Children's Centre Fundraiser

A dress auction on January 23rd will help raise money for the Children's Centre Foundation. Organizer Kim Latimer says they are expecting 100 people to attend and hope to double the amount of money they raised last year. The event being held at Bight on the Waterfront will showcase 70 gently used dresses that party goers can purchase for a good cause and several new dresses they can bid on.

Another Addition To The Council Race

City Council's at large spot promises to be a closely contested position in the upcoming municipal election. Diane Armstrong is the newest candidate to join the race and encourages voters to try and familiarize themselves with those running. Armstrong adds that because this is her first time running it made more sense to run as an at-large councilor.

Drug Charges

A Thunder Bay man is facing several drug related charges from city police. Early Saturday morning during a traffic stop in the city's north end police found 650 grams of cocaine worth approximately 65-thousand dollars. Police also responded to an incident near Empress Street where a car struck a tree, two teenagers are facing Break and Enter and Theft of a motor Vehicle charges. There were also four impaired driving charges laid.

Comedy Night

Three Toronto comedians from Thunder Bay are bringing their routine to the City. Dean Young, Veronika Swartz and Bobby Knauff are headlining the Thunder B'EH Homecoming Tour which wraps up tonight at the Dragon's Den Sports Bar. Young says there has been a great public response with last nights performance being sold out. Tonight's show starts at 9.

Health Unit Warns Of Outbreak

The Health Unit says Lakehead Manor is currently experiencing a respiratory illness outbreak on the fourth floor that facility. All admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities on the fourth floor have been cancelled until further notice. Visitors are restricted to family members and caregivers only.

LU Alum Shortlisted For Mars Mission

A former Lakehead University electrical engineering grad says he has made it to the short list for a Dutch mission to colonize Mars.  Zac Trolley, who now lives in Calgary,  says it's a dream he's had since childhood.   The 31 year old says he's one of 75 Canadians on the short list of over 1 thousand people worldwide  for the Mars One project in 2025.   He says there will be an interview process which will eventually whittle down the candidates to about 25 to 40 people.  Trolley says he doesn't look on the trek as a suicide mission, but as a one way ticket.

Sioux Lookout Stolen Vehicle

OPP are asking the public to help find the person who stole a vehicle from a Sioux Lookout driveway.  The suspect than drove the vehicle southbound on Highway 72 and crashed it into the ditch. Another motorists driving by at the time observed several people at the collision scene, but was unable to identify any of them. Police believe the suspects were picked up by another motorists and driven back into Sioux Lookout.

KI Worried About Moose Survey

The chief of a remote First Nation says the province needs its permission to do an aerial moose survey. KI Chief Donny Morris says he opposes a survey the Ministry of Natural Resources expects to conduct around K-I this weekend, including on the community's traditional territory. Morris says he doesn't trust how the MNR will use the results. He fears the government will use the survey to inform residents that there's not enough moose to hunt.

McPherson Funeral

Some high profile people will be attending the funeral for Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson. The funeral is being held Saturday at the Couchiching First Nations Arena. Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy will be present. Premier Kathleen Wynne, though won't be in attendance. McPherson's death, meantime, has prompted a delay in the band's nomination meeting for this year's elections. A notice issued by the band's electoral officer says it will now take place January 23rd. Elections for the chief and six councillor positions are slated for March 6th.

Hwy 11 Open

Highway 11 is now open after being shut down for a period of time overnight following an accident involving a tractor trailer unit.  The highway was closed 7 kilometres east of Nipigon.  There were no injuries in that mishap.    

Shelter House Soccer

The Provincial Government is providing 28-thousand dollars to Shelter House to launch a street soccer program. Program Coordinator Ken Miller says the program is meant for people who are homeless or living in poverty but welcomes anyone to take part.  Miller says anyone who wants to take part can call him at Shelter House.

Busy Day At LU

Lakehead University is signing a deal today with Fulbright Canada's Foundation for Educational Exchange. The agreement will see an American research chair study sustainability in a variety of areas at Lakehead University.  Meanwhile, students from 11 countries will be studying at Lakehead University this semester.  The international students will take part in orientation events this afternoon. They hail from Venezuela, Iran, Sweden, Nigeria and Brazil as well as other Countries.

City, Belluz Farms & LA Quality Foods Get Cash

The City, Belluz Farms, and LA Quality Foods are all getting money from the Provincial Government and the Greenbelt Fund.  Greenbelt Fund Vice President Kathy Macpherson says 210-thousand dollars will be shared between the three organizations for projects that will increase access to fresh local food. The City will use the money to provide more local food in their long term care homes and child care centres.

Goodbye Holidays...Hello Gridlock

With the holiday break over the bed shortage is back at the Regional Hospital and so is "code gridlock".  Patients are being treated in the halls and alcoves.   Spokesperson Mark Henderson, says the hospital has been preparing for this latest surge with the health authority and says it will likely continue for the rest of the winter.    Dr. Henderson believes the hospital may not see the end to the gridlock cycle for another 3 years.

NDP To Select Candidate Next Month

New Democrats in Thunder Bay-Atikokan will select their candidate for the next provincial election next month. The riding Association has set voting meetings February 8th at the Pioneer Centre in Atikokan and the next day in Thunder Bay. Former Schreiber mayor Madge Richardson  and Mary Kozorys  are vying for the position. Kozorys won the nomination over Richardson in 2011.

District Flu Death Toll At 5

Grim news to report on the H1N1 flu front .   The District Health Unit says the the death toll has increased to 5.   The Health Unit's Diana Gowanlock says four of the deaths were adults under the age of 65 and one was a senior citizen.   She says the number of confirmed cases in the district is now up to 81 and Gowanlock believes we have peaked.

Shoppers Robbed

City Police are looking for a woman who they say robbed the Red River Road Shoppers Drug Mart. A woman carrying a knife approached the pharmacy and demanded drugs from the employee. She got away with Fentanyl patches and was last seen on Junot Avenue heading toward the Blucher Street area on foot.

FN Walk To Ottawa

Three walkers have left Attawapiskat First Nation with the goal of trekking to Ottawa with a message for the government. Danny Metatawabin, Brian Okimaw and Paul Mettina are on foot to encourage the government to work together to address and reconcile several Aboriginal issues. According to a statement posted by Metatawabin on Facebook, they are walking from the "traditional territories of the people" to deliver a message to the leaders of both levels of Government and to Chiefs that the time to honour treaties is now!
The Attawapiskat walkers are supported by helpers carrying supplies on snowmobiles.

Drug Bust In Constance Lake FN

The war against drugs continues in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.   Police say the latest bust took place in Constance Lake First Nation where about 17 hundred dollars worth of high end prescription painkillers were seized in a home in that community.  A 27 year old Constance Lake resident is facing charges.

ATU Conference On Monday

The local Amalgamated Transit Union is getting some support from their fellow transit unions.  President Sheila Kivisto says they'll welcome other transit unions from across the Province on Monday where they'll rally and hold a news conference about their current contract negotiations.  The ATU will be meeting with the City and a Mediator on January 16th and 17th. If an agreement isn't reached by January 20th the local transit workers will be in a legal strike position.

Housing Starts Down In 2013

Government figures are showing housing starts in Thunder Bay  were down over 15 per cent 2013.   Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says that's a drop of over 50 starts of both multiple and single detached units.    There were 324 starts last year compared to 380 in 2012.   On a positive note Philp says the number of single starts last year is in line with the 20 year average.

Fatal Accident Closes Hwy

A 57 year old Atikokan man is dead after a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 17 west of Ignace Thursday. Danny Henderson has been identified as the victim in the two vehicle collision. OPP say two other people have been sent to Dryden Hospital for treatment of injuries. The Highway remains closed while police continue to investigate. 

Open House Draws 70

Around 70 residents gave the City's consultants a piece of their mind on what should be done with the Fort William Gardens.  An open house was held Wednesday night at the facility where members of the figure skating and minor hockey community shared their concerns about a possible loss of ice time.  Consultant Conrad Boychuk says if ice time is needed they'll address that in their report to Council. The City wants to find a future use for the building once it's closed and a new Multi-plex is built.