Another attempted robbery at local drug store

No one was hurt after a third armed robbery of a drug store.  Police say a woman tried to rob the Shoppers Drug Mart on Red River at about 7 o'clock last night. The woman was armed with a syringe and when she was denied pills she fled on foot.  At this time police are not connecting this with a similar robbery that happened Tuesday night on Memorial.

Ndrangheta expert sheds more light on organization

Thunder Bay's cocaine trade could be on the rise. Italian Author Antonio Nicaso has written several books on Ndrangheta and in an exclusive interview with our newsroom says this organization is one of the biggest cocaine traffickers in the world and view Canada as a great place to invest money and as a conduit to the US cocaine market. Nicaso says Thunder Bay's port could be very attractive to Ndrangheta because laws and regulations in Canadian Ports are Lax in comparison to the US.

Charlton case ends

The trial of a Thunder Bay driver involved in a fatal car accident has come to a close. Thomas Charlton is charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.  The charges stem from an accident that claimed the life of a 14 year old boy two years ago.  Judge Helen Pierce will make her verdict on February 14th.

Tainted Turkey cause of illness at Slovak Legion

It was tainted turkey that caused many holiday goers to become ill after dining at the Slovak Legion.  The Thunder Bay Health Unit found bacteria in the samples collected earlier in the month.  34 people came down with stomach flu like symptoms after eating a Christmas dinner on December 14th.

NAN Grand Chief in New Zealand

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is traveling to New Zealand next week.  He'll be taking part in a conference that will look at environmental issues.  He'll be one of the panel speakers representing First Nations living in the boreal forest.

Bombardier's LRT favoured in report

A national think-tank is favouring Bombardier's light rail transit over extending Toronto's subway line. The Pembina Institute compared costs and benefits of the proposed subway with the LRT plan in a recent report.  Author Cherise Burda says she hopes Mayor Rob Ford will take heed and see the LRT plan provides better service for less money.  The report says the four L-R-T projects would deliver more than twice as much service for every dollar invested than the proposed subway extension.

Council updated on pricey lawsuit

The Horizon Wind lawsuit was the main topic of a closed door session of city council Tuesday night.  City administration provided an update on the 126 million dollar claim.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says the meeting dealt with the legal processes available to the City.  Meanwhile, Boshcoff says they are looking at ways of letting people know what their closed door sessions are about.  An arbitration hearing in Toronto will be held next Wednesday.

Another armed robbery at a local drug store

No one was hurt in another armed robbery of a drug store.  Police say a woman armed with a syringe made off with some pills after holding up the Memorial Street Shoppers last night just before 6 o'clock.  The robbery followed a similar one December 28 involving a man at the Janzen's Pharmacy in Westfort.

Passengers stranded in White River for 14 hours

Greyhound passengers are upset with the company after being stranded in White River for over 14 hours on Sunday. Thunder Bay resident and passenger Elaine Legarde describes the situation as abuse. She says they didn't receive any information from Greyhound itself, and notes she received updates by chasing down OPP officers and talking to locals. Some passengers are considering a lawsuit. Greyhound is vowing to review its protocols.

Gravelle provides an update

A Thunder Bay office for the Ring of Fire should be open by February or March.  Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle provided the update on Tuesday.  Gravelle adds he'll be creating an advisory council that will include aboriginal stakeholders, the mining industry and post secondary institutions.  The aboriginal consultation stakeholder Director will be announced in February or March as well.

Charlton in court

Three days have been set aside for the Superior Court Case of a Thunder Bay man.  Thomas Charlton is charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.  The charges stem from an accident two years ago that claimed the life of a 14 year old boy.

Ramped up Festive RIDE program comes to an end

The Festive RIDE campaign has come to an end and almost 24 thousand vehicles were stopped in the Thunder Bay area. OPP Sergeant Dave Bell says its disappointing to see people still drinking and driving.  Bell says between the OPP and Thunder Bay police 17 people were charged with impaired driving. 

School Bus Accident update

Charges have been laid in connection with yesterday's bus accident.  Thunder Bay Police Traffic Sergeant Glen Porter says one man was charged. The incident involved a stopped bus at the intersection of River and Algoma.  Porter says the driver of the vehicle which rear ended the bus is charged with careless driving.

Cold weather with us for a while

2010's weather turned out to be mild compared to normals for the region. Thunder Bay's average temperature for the year was the warmest it's been in 10 years. Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says unfortunately the New Year isn't going to be warm. The wind chill will make temperatures around minus 30.

Busy RIDE Program

It was a busy holiday season for Thunder Bay police.  Over 17-thousand vehicles were checked with 10 people being charged with impaired driving.  6 people received 3 day licence suspensions and one person was nabbed for driving under the influence of a drug.  More people were checked and charged in 2010 than the previous year.

RCMP charge Dryden men

The RCMP have charged 2-Dryden men in relation to last month's weapons seizure.  RCMP say 71-year-old Robert McGillivray faces a total of 66-charges including unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and possessing a prohibited weapon for the purpose of trafficking.  70-year-old Roger Nordlund faces 1-count of possessing a prohibited weapon for the purpose of trafficking.  The two were arrested at a gun show in Brandon, Manitoba, where police seized several illegal and improperly registered knives and guns.  Dryden Police laid 11-charges against McGillivray in an investigation and search of a Park Crescent home.  A total of 150-weapons were seized in Dryden and Brandon.

Baby Boomers at risk of getting Alzheimers

Baby boomers turn 65 this year, and according to the Alzheimer Society they're not ready to fight against the disease. Alzheimer's Society Spokesperson Jason Rasevych says over half of Thunder Bay's population is at risk. Rasevych encourages people to visit their office or website for information on the early warning signs of the disease.  January is Alzheimer Awareness Month.

Ring of Fire update on the way

We'll know more about a local office for the Ring of Fire later today.  Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is in town today to provide an update on the mining project.  In early December it was announced that an office was to be opened and staffed starting this month.

Stolen vehicle lands 4 in jail

Thunder Bay police arrested 4 people this morning after a short car chase.  Officers spotted a car just before 3 o'clock and found that it had been reported stolen.  Officers signaled the car to pull over but the driver kept driving.  After following the car for a few blocks the car stopped and the driver fled on foot.  Officers managed to arrest the 36 year old Thunder Bay man and also arrested 3 women who were in the vehicle.  The driver is charged with possession of stolen property and driving while disqualified.  

School Bus Accident

There was a traffic accident this morning at 8 am involving a school bus. The school bus struck another vehicle at the intersection of Algoma and River. Thankfully no injuries were reported. The school bus had to be towed off the scene, and police are advising motorists to stay clear of the scene until cleanup is completed. The Magic news room will have more on this story as it develops.