Coaster inquest set

A coroner's inquest will be held February 7th in Thunder Bay into the death of Christopher Coaster.   The 29 year old died in August of 2008 while in custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail.   It's expected to last five days and hear from about 12 witnesses.

Violence against aboriginal women to be discussed

Thunder Bay's Community Health Centre will be taking part in a meeting on violence against aboriginal women. The Status of Women committee will be in Thunder Bay this Friday, and Chair Dr. Hedy Fry says they want to speak to aboriginal communities. Fry says she wants to see what they tell her about the root causes and the nature of violence being inflicted on first nation women. Fry says any solutions that come from this cross-Canada tour will be created for aboriginals by aboriginals.

Provincial Funding for North Shore Communities

A number of North Shore communities are receving funds from the Provincial Government.  Over 315 thousand dollars is being dolled out to eight projects in the region.  Terrace Bay will be using its share to install a slow sand filtration system.

Police publish robbery pics

Thunder Bay police are releasing surveillance photos of a robbery last week.  They are hoping to keep the case in the public eye by publishing the images of a masked and seemingly armed man.  He is seen entering the Northern Lights Credit Union Friday afternoon.  He got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Watermain break causes road closure

A watermain break at the corner of Algoma and Dufferin is now fixed.   City crews worked on the problem after it was reported Sunday night.   A number of residents in the area were without water while it was repaired.   It also forced the closure of Algoma between Dufferin and Bay for a number of hours.

Inquest postponed

An inquest into the death of a 27 year old man is being postponed.  Bruce Moonias died on December 11th, 2006 at the Thuner Bay hospital after being involved with the Nishnawbe Aski Police and OPP.  The inquest was to take place on January 17th, but has yet to rescheduled.

Frank Pullia returns to City Hall tonight

Former City Councillor Frank Pullia is making a return to council chambers. Pullia is presenting a report tonight on the city's strategic planning process. Tonight's council meeting is solely dedicated to the strategic planning process. Pullia's presentation is part of his Lakehead University MBA Group Study.

Cancer Centre needs more $

Millions of dollars will be going into the Regional Cancer Centre over the next 4 years. It's to help the facility comply with Ontario Cancer Care's strategic plan.  Thunder Bay CEO Michael Power says the funding will require an extra 15 million dollars  for new equipment to fight cancer.

Brentwood Mall broken into

Thunder Bay police are still looking for someone or some people who broke into two stores in the Brentwood Mall.   Officer say just before 4 o'clock yesterday morning officers discovered two glass doors smashed open.  Police haven't made any arrests at this time.

Gravelle on Wood Allocation Process

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says he understands Atikokan Renewable Fuel's disappointment.  The company had hoped to receive it's wood allocation rights already, but instead had to lay off employees because of a lack of wood.  Gravelle says he's working towards getting word out soon.  Gravelle says he met with Forestry officials in Toronto and he hopes to make more wood allocation announcements in the near future.

Credit Union Robbed

The Northern Lights Credit Union on Red River Road was robbed Friday afternoon.  Just after 1:30 a man armed with a gun demanded money from a teller.  He made off with an unknown amount of cash and fled in a tan coloured SUV.  The suspect is described as a six foot tall man with dark hair and facial hair.

Status of Women Committee coming to TBAY

Violence against aboriginal women will be discussed in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay this week. The Status of Women committee is traveling across Canada, and B.C. MP Cathy McLeod says they want to hear from community members.  McLeod says they realize that the issue is prevelant across the country and they want to hear about community based solutions.  McLeod says they will be releasing a report with recommendations to the Federal Government in the Spring.

No playing favourites

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is clearing the air.  The Thunder Bay Superior North MPP says he's not playing favourites when it comes to the future site of a Ring of Fire processing plant.  Gravelle is reacting to the Mayor's recent comments saying the MPP should heavily promote Thunder Bay.  Keith Hobbs stated recently that Gravelle should push for his riding rather than the entire North.

Two charged with robbery

Two people are facing charges after the Memorial Avenue Shoppers Drug Mart was robbed on January 4th. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says officers arrested a 24 year old woman last night and a 26 year old man this morning.  A large quantity of pills was seized as well.  The two are charged with a variety of offences including robbery with threats and possession of a controlled substance.  Adams says officers are still investigating the robberies of Jansen's Pharmacy and the Red River Shopper's Drug Mart and have released a picture of the suspect of the Red River Suspect.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels waits

A partner in the company Atikokan Renewable Fuels says they were forced to lay off most of their employees.  The company is still waiting for a wood allocation from the Province so they can make pellets for the OPG plant.  Ed Fukishima says the process is flawed and he's disappointed.  Fukishima says time is working against them and they continue to wait to hear word on the allocation.

Meetings streamed online well received

75 people have tuned into the first four City Council meetings broadcast online.  City Clerk John Hannam says they're tracking unique visits to the live streaming site.  Hannam says the next step will be to narrow down where the viewers are from.

TBAY Medical Hostel proposed

A member of the Atikokan General Hospital board feels there's a need for an affordable place to stay in Thunder Bay for regional patients and their families traveling for medical purposes. Marlene Davidson says a medical hostel could be an alternative to those who can't afford the 75 to 100 dollar a night hotels. Davidson envisions the hostel being similar to one in Thunder Bay set up for aboriginal patients.

Horwath makes election promise

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continues to attack the McGuinty Government's failure to remove the HST from hydro, and home heating bills. Horwath says Northerners are struggling and need a break. Horvath says if her party is elected she would remove the HST from home heating oil and natural gas.

Air Bravo deal falls through

A deal between Air Bravo to purchase Thunder Airlines has fallen through.  President Ken Bittle says Air Bravo was unable to meet the deadlines and stipulations set out in the contract.  The two companies announced the deal in November. Bittle says it will be business as usual.

Accused teens in court

The two teenage girls who are accused of second degree murder will be back in court next month.  The 14 and 15 year old were lead into court in hand cuffs Thursday morning.  The accused were remanded into custody until their next court date.  The charges stem from the death of a 16 year old Sachigo Lake First Nation girl