New Hotel Near Superstore To Be Built Soon

The developer of the new Marriott Town Place Suites near the Real Canadian Superstore says the project is on schedule.  Lou Meandro is with Thompson Centres Inc and says the hotel will start to be built at the end of September or start of October.  In the spring, the developer said construction would start this summer.

Another Bear in the City

 The MNR is hoping there won't be too many more bears wandering the busy streets of the city. Thunder Bay police received several calls yesterday about a large black bear walking in the Simspon Street and May Street area. This was the second bear that MNR officials tranquilized this Long Weekend. Police are reminding the public that these bears can be dangerous and aggressive when provoked.

Navy Veterans Day

Thunder Bay's City Hall is going to raise the Merchant Navy Veterans Flag today. Local Veterans Association Spokesperson and Second World War Vet Thornley Christiansen says it's important to remember what they did during the war. The ceremony will start at 10 today at City Hall with Mayor Keith Hobbs and representatives from the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association.

Homicide Update

A 33 year old Thunder Bay man remains in custody after yesterday's court appearance. Joseph Wesley was arrested and accused of 2nd Degree Murder in the death of Adam Yellowhead last week. Wesley made his first court appearance yesterday and was further charged with Assault Causing Bodily Harm for an unrelated incident which happened before the murder. His next court appearance will be on September 6th.

Stabbing at East Victoria Avenue

Thunder Bay Police were called to the 500 block of East Victoria Avenue last night. A 20 year old man was stabbed shortly before 11 last night. He was taken to the Regional Health Sciences Centre where he is listed in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.

Weekly Claim Form Clinics for Disaster Relief

Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief Committee is offering claim form clinics every Tuesday night during September and October. The deadline to fill out an application for assistance for losses and damages through the Ontario Disaster Relief Program is October 31st. Chair Wayne Fletcher says they want to make sure everyone who is eligible can fill out a form.

Ignace MNR Office Faces Possible Closure

A valuable service in Ignace may face closure. The Ministry of Natural Resources is closing a number of area offices due to a deficit. Mayor Lee Kennard says the township is growing, and the office is much needed. Kennard says that if the office does close, 11 jobs will be lost. The final decision will be revealed sometime in the fall.

Thunder Bay Man Arrested for Homicide

Police have arrested a 33 year old Thunder Bay man in connection with the death of 65 year old Adam Yellowhead. Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the arrest was made without incident before midnight last night in Kenora. Adams says the man is being transported back to Thunder Bay where he will appear in court tomorrow to face a charge of 2nd Degree Murder. Adam Yellowhead's body was found at the end of Field Street on Wednesday night.

Fire Crews Prepare for Long Weekend Fires

Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews are preparing for a possibly busy Labor Day long weekend. The fire hazard is starting to inch up across the region into the high to extreme range. Fire information officer Heather Pridham says they've responded to 22 new fires over the past three days. Pridham says most of the new fires have been caused by lightning, but adds that they are also seeing an increase in the number of human-caused fires as the long weekend approaches.

Bow and Arrow Deer Hunt

Thunder Bay's controlled bow and arrow deer hunt starts today. The controlled hunt is in the regulated rural and semi-rural areas of the City and will run until December 15th. Spokesperson Ron Bourret Says they've been fielding a number of inquiries about the hunt and more information will be available online. Bow hunters require the written consent from property owners before being able to hunt on private property.

Autopsy Reveals Death As Homocide

Thunder Bay Police say the death of 65 year old Adam Yellowhead is a homicide. His body was found on Wednesday in a wooded area on Field Street. Police are seeking the assistance of the public in solving this crime.People can contact the Criminal Investigation Branch or Crimestoppers. The investigation is continuing. 

Peter Mrowiec Passes Away In Plane Crash

The Juab County Sheriff's Office confirm 58 year old Thunder Bay Lawyer Peter Mrowiec died in a plane crash Thursday in central Utah. Sheriff Aldon Orme says bad weather was a factor in the crash that killed Mrowiec and his instructor. Mrowiec had purchased the plane and hired an instructor to log some flight hours on the aircraft. Orme says it's unclear if Mrowiec was the one flying the plane at the time of the accident.

LU Baseball Team Recruits

Lakehead University has it's latest recruit for the baseball team.  They've picked a local player and graduate of Superior College.  Taylor MacAski will be studying Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism at LU and plays outfield and pitcher.

MNR Reports More Fires

While four new fires have been confirmed in the Northwest region, there's some good news to report.  Currently there are no fires posing a threat to people or property.  The new fires are small in size and are being managed.  The warmer weather forecast for this weekend will likely reduce the number of lightning caused fires.

Local Police Don't Get Bankable Sick Days

The President of the Thunder Bay Police Association is clearing the air over claims City Police are allowed to bank their sick days for future use.  Greg Stephenson says that's not the case and local police haven't been able to do that since the late 80's.  Stephenson is reacting to the Premier asking area municipalities to remove bankable sick time from future contracts.  Stephenson says if Dalton McGuinty wants to find savings he can look to his own back yard and claw back MPP pensions.

Bortuzzo Signs 2 way Deal With Pens

Thunder Bay's Robert Bortuzzo has re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The defenceman signed a 1 year, 2 way deal with the club for $525,000 U.S.

Port's Crane First Lift

Thunder Bay's Port Authority is full of pride today as it watches it's new mobile harbour crane lift cargo off a boat from the Netherlands.  CEO Tim Heney says the crane is lifting heavy wind turbines that are destined for a wind farm in the Western United States.  It's the crane's inaugral lift.

Presiding Coroner Revealed

Ontario's Chief Coroner is making moves leading up to the beginning of a joint inquest into the deaths of seven Aboriginal Youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay.  The inquest is scheduled to begin in the Spring of next year.  Dr. Andrew McCallum appointed Thunder Bay and Hamilton's Assistant Crown Attorney's as the coroner's counsel. Dr. David Eden will be the Presiding Coroner.

Northern Policy Institute Launched

The Provincial Government is launching the Northern Policy Institute.  NPI Special Advisor, Lakehead University's President Dr. Brian Stevenson says they're looking to set up their office and hire staff within the next six to eight months.  Stevenson adds they're hiring a search consultant to look for the organizations first CEO.  One of the guiding principles of the institute is to provide Northern Ontario input on Provincial Government policies.

6'4" Forward Added To Women's basketball Team

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves women's basketball team have added some much needed size up front. They announced 6-foot-4 forward, Sarah Barclay will be joining the team from Brandon, Manitoba. The engineering student will join six recruits to L.U.'s club this season.