Leek Northern Region VP Liberal

A local liberal is looking to the future.  Anthony Leek has been named the Northern Region Vice President of the Ontario Liberal Party.  Leek says he's looking forward to the numerous possibilities.  Leek hopes to fill the gaps between Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario.

Campbell Talks Travel Costs

Be prepared for unexpected health costs outside of Ontario.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says people aren't fully covered if they were to go to Minnesota or Manitoba.  Campbell adds that getting an ambulance in Winnipeg has cost some people 700 dollars, compared with 75 in Ontario.

OPP Distracted Driving

That one text isn't worth losing a life.  The Ontario Provincial Police want to remind the public about the seriousness of using a mobile device while driving.  Acting Sergeant with the Northwest Region Anne Mccoy says drivers already have enough to worry about.  Mccoy adds that using a handheld GPS is just as dangerous, and says to pull over when programming it.

Environmental Commissioner Wind Turbine Report

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is weighing in on the Environmental Commissioner's report on wind turbines.  Gord Miller's report states birds and bats will die if they fly into a wind turbine's propeller. Mauro says the Provincial Government has accommodated the bird and bat populations in their environmental reviews of proposed wind turbine projects.

Thanksgiving Fire Safety

Thunder Bay Firefighters are reminding you to be careful this Thanksgiving long weekend.  Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says a fire could start from basic candles on the dining room table.  Vander Ploeg adds you should also keep an eye on the stove when your cooking and never leave your cooking unattended.

Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday

Thunder Bay's Salvation Army and the Professional Fire Fighters Association are holding a Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people Sunday.  Major Rosena Halvorsen says it's good to give back to the community.  The dinner will be held from noon until 3 and a shuttle service is available from City Hall and the Water Street Terminal at 11:45.

Human Trafficking In NWO?

Human trafficking may not be prominent in our area, but an ex-RCMP officer says don't let that fool you.  Marty Van Doren coordinates a RCMP human trafficking awareness program and says many young people in remote First Nations are becoming victims. Van Doren calls human trafficking the modern day form of slavery.

Moose Hunting Season Underway

Hunters across Northwestern Ontario are heading into the bush this weekend with their scopes set on shooting a moose.  Conservation Officer Ross Johnston is reminding enthusiastic hunters to use common sense.  Johnston also reminds hunters that it's illegal to carry another person's hunting licence.

OPP Long Weekend Tips

Provincial Police will be out in full force this weekend in Northwestern Ontario.  Acting Sergeant Anne  McCoy says especially with this long weekend, people will be travelling up to cabins and using waterways.  McCoy wants to remind the public to watch out for wildlife.

Southcott Hosts Monaco's Prince

Lakehead University Professor has returned from hosting Monaco's Prince Albert the second.  Dr. Chris Southcott spoke with the Prince during his visit to the Iqaluit.  Southcott says Prince Albert and his foundations are amazing to work with.

N.O.S.M. To Host World Conference

A major international conference is about to hit Thunder Bay next week. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is welcoming 850 delegates from 45 countries around the world for its "Rendez-vous" conferences, which is five conferences wrapped-up into one. The conference runs from Tuesday until Saturday with sessions happening at the Victoria Inn and Airlane hotel.

Charitable Basketball Game Set To Go

A charitable and fun basketball game is taking place this afternoon as volunteer Brandon Walker has challenged the youth in the Evergreen neighborhood. Walker has been raising money that will benefit the city's Disaster Relief Committee. It all starts at 4:00 o'clock at Minnesota Park and even Mayor Keith Hobbs is expected to be in attendance.

Thunder Bay Jobless Rate Stays The Same

There is no change to the unemployment rate in Thunder Bay. It remained at 6.3 percent for the month of September, the same as it was for August. Canada's national unemployment rate edged up by one-tenth to 7.4 percent, despite the creation of 52,000 jobs nation-wide.

NOBA Winners

Form Architecture Engineering in Thunder Bay is celebrating a victory at the Northern Ontario Business Awards. They were voted as the winners for company of the year with 16 to 50 employees. The awards were held at a ceremony last night in Timmins. Form is the lone company from Thunder Bay who walked away with an award out of 11 categories.

O.P.P. Re-open Highway 17 Near Kenora

Provincial Police in Kenora are saying that Highway 17 at the Junction and Highway 17 at Redditt Road are back open to traffic. Numerous motor vehicle accidents were reported at those locations overnight thanks to a winter storm moving through the area. Vehicles were re-routed through Kenora but transports were held against travel. O.P.P. have since re-opened the highway to traffic.

Thunderwolves Win Over Wesmen

The Lakehead University men's basketball team will be looking for a better performance in game two of their series tonight against the Winnipeg Wesmen. They managed to pull out an 84-75 win despite a poor shooting performance from the floor and the free-throw line. Forward Ryan Thomson led the team with 27 points. The Thunderwolves tip-off again against the Wesmen tonight at 7:00 o'clock at the L.U. Thunderdome.

RCMP Identify Body

RCMP have confirmed that a body found in the woods of Geraldton is a man who was facing charges of alleged confinement of a 16-year-old Nova Scotia boy. Police say Wayne Cunningham's body was found near Long Lac at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. OPP found the remains of the 31-year-old near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra he was believed to have travelled in. Cunningham had faced charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement after a boy alleged he was held captive by two men at a home last month. Police say the cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

Tina P Gets Cut

A former Thunder Bay resident competing in the Bachelor Canada has got the axe.  The 26 year old trial lawyer known only as Tina P didn't survive the show's first rose ceremony.  Tina says in her blog post on the Bachelor Canada website that she feels she was meant to go on the show, but unfortunately didn't meet her future husband.

Name Change

The City's Facilities and Fleet Department is adding transit to its name so it's now called Facilities, Fleet and Transit Services. Manager Michael Smith says the change is only on paper and doesn't affect jobs or save any money.   Smith says the change was needed to make it clear which department transit falls under.

Di Matteo Part Of The Fraser Institute

Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo is joining the ranks of senior fellows at the Fraser Institute for his research in health care spending and public finance.  This means Di Matteo can participate in research projects with assistance from the Fraser Institute.  Di Matteo is contributing one of three essays to the Institute’s series examining the state of Ontario's debt.