Feds Announce Funds For S.L.

The Federal Government is helping the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority establish a Child Advocacy Centre.  Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced 115-thousand dollars in funding yesterday and stated the centre will help young victims of violence or sexual abuse.  The money will be used to establish a needs assessment and feasibility study for the centre which will provide culturally sensitive services.

Rydholm Talks Infrastructure Fund

The Federal Funding for Municipal Infrastructure projects is going to expire in 2014. A round table meeting is being held in Kenora on Thursday. Councillor Linda Rydholm will be attending and says she'll be bringing up the issue of new waste water regulations that will tax area communities with extra costs.

Police Respond To John St. Accident

Thunder Bay Police say a three year old boy is in hospital this afternoon after being hit by a vehicle. Police responded to the accident just before 1:30 on John Street.  Officers say the child was playing in the parking lot of the building complex when he was struck by the vehicle that was backing out of a parking spot.

Stats Can Releases Crime Rates

Statistics Canada is ranking Thunder Bay 3rd in the Country for a city of our size for overall crime and violent crime. Police Chief JP Levesque says the stats are alarming but there is a bright side our homocide rate has dropped since 2010.

More Local Lottery Winners

A young Thunder Bay couple are 87 thousand dollar lottery winners.  Dale Pichlyk  and Shana Fillier won on the June 30th 6-49 draw.   They plan to use their windfall towards paying bills and they will bank the rest.  They bought the ticket in Sioux Lookout. 

Thunder Bay Teams Hot To Start Little League Tourney

The Ontario Senior Little League Championship is being played this week at baseball Central and both Thunder Bay teams are off to good starts. The All-Stars crushed Windsor East 23-3 in their opening game, while the Selects edged Orleans 7-6. Action continues today starting at 2:00 p.m. The All-Stars are back in action starting at 6:00 p.m. The winner of the 5team tournament advances to the Canadian Championships in Regina.

Two Border Cats Make All-Star Squad

Pitchers Jordan McCoy and Wes Parsons are the two all-stars representing the Thunder Bay Border Cats in tonight's all-star game in Madison, Wisconsin. The Border Cats remain 4 1/2 games back in the North division and are set to begin a 7 game homestand starting Thursday at Subway field.

Pugh Reaches Out To Algoma Street Businesses

McKellar Ward Councillor Paul Pugh hopes Algoma Street businesses can stick out the remainder of construction season on their roadway.  Several businesses recently complained about the road being closed during construction.  Pugh says it's unfortunate but it needs to happen in order to complete the major construction project that's under way.  

Deer Feeding Exemption Voted Down

It's illegal to feed deer anywhere in the City of Thunder Bay.  Council had been considering allowing it on Mission and McKellar Islands but city law makers voted it down at Monday night's meeting.  Councillor Andrew Foulds was just one of several councillors who felt the amendment to the deer feeding by-law was unfair to other wildlife feeders in the other parts of the City.

Boshcoff Wants Cross Canada Museum

Thunder Bay could one day be home to a museum recognizing the scores of people who travel across Canada on their charity missions.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff introduced the motion and says it would be fitting to house the museum since many people walk and cycle through Thunder Bay on their cross-country tours.  Boshcoff doesn't want their ourneys to be forgotten.  City staff will be looking into the feasibility of the idea.

City Hires Companies To Create Plan

Two companies are being hired to create a joint mining strategy and economic development plan for Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay.  SNC Lavalin and Edward Hoshizaki Development have been tasked with the job to create the plans.  The plans will run from  2012 to 2015. 

City Buys New Buses

City Council is putting almost 1.3 million dollars towards three new transit buses.  Council made the decision last night and awarded the contract to Nova Bus.  The new buses will replace other buses that are 17 years old or more.

Council Puts Extra Cash To Whalen

City Council is going ahead with increasing the amount of money set aside to repair the Whalen Building. Council decided last night to kick in another 300 thousand dollars towards renovating the historical building.

Mission Accompished

Officials at the Salvation Army are overwhelmed by the generosity of people in the city.  Spokesperson Gail Kromm says the organization received more than enough furniture for local flood victims after a call went out to the public recently.  She says for that reason,  they aren't accepting anymore furniture donations for this cause. 

NWO Man Faces Sex Assault Charge

A 25-year-old Cochenour man faces a long list of charges after a 50-year-old woman was sexually assaulted.Red Lake Provincial Police say the two knew each other and the incident occurred at a Cochenour home. OPP say the accused faces counts of break and enter, overcoming resistance to commit and offence, forcible confinement and sexual assault causing bodily harm.The victim was transported to hospital and released. The accused remains in custody and no names have been released.

Search Continues For Fire Bug

The Fire Service is helping city police in trying to catch what they believe is an arsonist.  Fire crews have been called to more than a half-dozen fires in recent months in the Empire Avenue and Christina Street areas. Director of Fire Prevention, Terry Henchar says in each case an accelerant has been used to set either sheds or garages on fire.

Algoma Construction Causes Concerns

The city says it's honouring its pledge to Algoma Street business owners about construction work.  As merchants complain about a loss of business, Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says there was an understanding that Algoma could not always remain open through the lengthy roadwork.  He says that was addressed during the public meetings. Businesses claim that the city said there would be at least one lane of the street open during construction.

Traffic Reduced To One Lane On Golf Links

Traffic on Golf Links Road between the Harbour Expressway and Fanshaw Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction starting this morning. City crews are repairing a watermain and the lane closures could last up to four days. Drivers are requested to take alternative routes during this time and to exercise extra caution if driving through the construction zone.

1 New Fire Reported Sunday

The Ministry of Natural Resources is expecting it to be only a brief help. Weekend rain in some parts of the Northwest Region was a welcome relief with only one new fire reported in the District of Thunder Bay. Information Officer Deb McLean says " it was a quiet day in the region Sunday after rain helped dampen the fire hazard and smoky conditions that had been experienced on Saturday." The reprieve is expected to be short lived though as the weather is forecast to clear and put the fire hazard back into a high level by mid-week.

Border Cats Rally For Win

The Thunder Bay Border Cats rallied for a 9-6 win over the Willmar Stingers yesterday at Subway field. Their record is now 7-11 in the second half and they are 4 1/2 games back in the North division as all teams are off for three days for the all-star break. The game is being played tomorrow in Madison, Wisconsin.