Train accident claims victim

A  Fort Frances area man has been identified as the victim of a collision involving a vehicle and a train Friday night. 92-year-old Donald Robert Bolen,  of Morley Township, was killed in the accident that occurred at a CN Rail crossing on Highway 617 in Stratton. Both OPP and CN Rail Police have determined the red lights at the crossing were flashing and operating property at the time.

Multi-plex to be discussed next week

A report on how the City will run a proposed multi-plex will be released Wednesday.  The report compares different business models for the proposed multi-plex and shows the financial impact on the City.  City Manager Tim Commisso held a press conference on the Multi-Plex on Tuesday at the Fort William Gardens. Two public information sessions are taking place next week at the DaVinci Centre and the Italian Cultural Centre.

Expressway blasting alert

The roadwork on the Thunder Bay Expressway will come with some blasting this week.  The Ministry of Transportation says there will be blasting taking place starting Wednesday morning and will last about 3 weeks.

Fire in Wabakimi Provincial Park

A large forest fire is burning in Wabakimi Provincial Park, about 38-kilometres east of Savant Lake. The fire is burning near fly-in-lodges and a railroad and at one point forced the evacuation of 11-residents from a subdivision. The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire had grown to over 14-hundred hectares in size but notes thanks to the combined efforts of firefighters and air attack, no property was lost.  Evacuees have returned to their residence and operations on the CN main line have resumed. There are 21-fire crews and 5-helicopters still committed to the blaze. The cause is not known.

MNR send additional equipment to Alberta

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending more equipment to Alberta.  100-pumping units, 3-thousand lengths of hose and portable water tanks are scheduled to leave Thunder Bay.  110-personnel remain in the fire-ravaged Western Province.

Fire Fighters respond to house fire

A Banning Street family wasn't in their house when it caught fire over the long weekend.  Fire crews were able to bring the fire under control and says the basement suffered heavy smoke damage.  The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Road race repeat

The Kenyan sensation has done it again. Gilbert Kiptoo won the Firefighter Roadrace today for the second year in a row. Kiptoo says he was heavily supported by the city. Kiptoo plans to bring the prize money he won back to Kenya to help support his community.

Fire at Superior Fine Paper

The wet weather we have been experiencing in Thunder Bay does not mean our firefighters aren't busy. Firefighters responded to a structural fire that had occurred yesterday afternoon at Superior Fine Paper on 550 Shipyard Road. The cause of the fire was electrical and no one was hurt but firefighters say there had been severe damage to the electrical system.

Kenyan sensations back to compete

Two familiar faces will be running in the Firefighter Road race tomorrow. Kenyan runners Gilbert Kiptoo and Philip Kipchumba are back in Thunder Bay again to compete in the 10 mile marathon. The two say that the prize money they earn will be brought back to their villages to help make life easier.

Two charged in undercover bust

Two people are in custody after an undercover drug bust by Drug Enforcement Officers in Thunder Bay. Police say the two arrested are 48 year old Jesse Rita Magiskan of Aroland First Nation and 48 year old Andrew Clarence Williams of Gull Bay First Nation. A number of oxycodone and morphine pills were seized and police also seized a high powered rifle. The two were in court yesterday.

1.32 million dollar investment for Global Sticks

The Provincial Government is providing 1.32 million dollars towards the Global Sticks plant.  Oliver Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Klusterhuis says it's a big deal for her community.  The manufacturing plant will be home to 130 new jobs and make sticks for ice creme bars, corn dogs, and paint paddles.

Gravelle talks First Nation inquiry

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is kicking off his long weekend with a meeting with protesters and First Nation leaders.  A protest demanding an inquiry into missing First Nation teens took place outside Gravelle's office today. Gravelle says they are working on getting an inquiry off the ground.  Gravelle is also speaking with Ginoogaming First Nation today about their wood allocation application.

Thunder Bay Inflation rate rises

Thunder Bay now has the 2nd highest inflation rate in Canada. Our rate rose to 3.7 percent up from last month's 3.4. The National rate stayed steady at 3.3 percent.

AbitibiBow challenges Fort Frances taxes

Concern is being expressed by the town of Fort Frances over AbitibiBowater's decision to appeal its property assessment back to 2009.  Mayor Roy Avis says if the company is successful, the loss in tax revenue would equate to an 8-point-4 per tax increase.  There is no word yet when the Assessment Review Board will discuss the appeal.

Attawapiskat gets new school

Ottawa has set aside funds to accelerate the construction of a new elementary school for a remote Northern First Nation.  Elementary classes have been held in portables on Attawapiskat First Nation since 2000, when the original school was condemned.  Area MP Charlie Angus says it's good news. The Federal Government says it hopes to have the new school open in 2013.

Talk of the Manitoba Moose relocating here premature

Ice Edge Holdings is staying out of the speculation surrounding a possible NHL team in Winnipeg.  Rumours suggest Thunder Bay could be a destination for the Manitoba Moose who would likely be forced to relocate if Winnipeg gets an NHL franchise.  Ice Edge CEO Anthony Leblanc says if an opportunity arises to bring a team to Thunder Bay they will explore it.

Teens awarded bursaries

Two Thunder Bay teens will be given five thousand dollars each today for their post secondary education. Elyssia Adamo of St. Ignatius and Matthew DeGagnes of St. Patrick's are this year's bursary winners from the Justice Ronald B Lester foundation.

Red Cross collecting donations for Alberta

Thunder Bay's Red Cross is looking for help for Slave Lake residents. Spokesperson Ken Widdifield says they're collecting money for relief efforts in Alberta. Money will go towards shelters, food, and emergency clothing. To make a donation call the local Red Cross or stop by their office.

Mom recounts her child's bike accident

It's a scary moment in a parent's life when your child is involved in an accident. That's no different for Sarah Rommell-Gray whose son, Josh, was hit by a car on Redwood Avenue while on his bike.  It turns out that Josh was wearing his helmet which resulted in only minor injuries.  Police presented Josh with a new helmet to help promote their use.

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Former PM stands up for Dennis Franklin Cromarty

A former Prime Minister is calling on the Federal Government to fund a residence for the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. Paul Martin says a residence for young remote first nation teens attending high school in Thunder Bay is critical.  Martin is making the comments after the school requested funding for a residence from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.  Martin says INAC has turned them down.