World AIDS Day

Thunder Bay's local AIDS group is marking World AIDS day Friday. The actual awareness day is December 1st, but the local group will be holding their public event Friday morning at the Victoria Inn. Spokesperson Bob Manson says they want to keep spreading the word in Northwestern Ontario that AIDS is a preventable disease. Manson adds a huge number of Thunder Bay residents are involved with fighting AIDS and HIV in Africa.

Shelter House Kicks Off Fundraising Season

Thunder Bay's Shelter House is looking to raise 200-thousand dollars in the month of December for it's Christmas fundraising campaign.  Executive Director Patty Hajdu says that's a slight increase from the previous year's fundraising goal.  To donate to Shelter House phone them, drop off money in person or by mail or stop by any TD Canada Trust location.

Three Hurt In Accident

Police say charges are pending after three people were sent to hospital following a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Secord Street and Dufferin just after 10:00 o'clock this morning.It's alleged that a car on Dufferin drove into the intersection before it was safe to do so and struck a van that was southbound on Secord Street. The two female occupants of the van were taken by ambulance to hospital with minor injuries. The male driver of the car was also taken to hospital by a friend to be checked out.

Back To Square One

Public high school teachers and the Lakehead District School Board are being forced back into bargaining by the provincial government. It comes after the Ministry of Education rejected the tentative settlement reached last week between the two sides. Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says teachers jobs actions are back on. She calls it part of the negotiating process and they will manage things as they can.

Accident Slows Traffic On Water Street

A three vehicle accident is forcing traffic southbound on Water Street to be closed. The accident occurred at around 7:00 o'clock this morning. Water Street is closed between Park Avenue and Pearl Street as fire trucks have it blocked off while they tend to the occupants. An ambulance was also called to the scene as was city police. More details are expected later in the day.

High School Teachers Set To Resume Job Action

Any talk of labour peace by local high school teachers could be pre-mature. Public high school teachers may be about to continue with their job action. This after a Lakehead District Public School Board release stated the Ontario Secondary Teachers Federation was re-instating job sanctions immediately.

New Westfort Fire Station Seeks Approval

City Council is being asked to approve the fire department's suggestion for a new Westfort Fire Station on West Frederica Street. The new site if approved would replace the old Brown Street Fire Station that can no longer accommodate the fire fighters and their equipment.

Missing 15 Year Old Girl

Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 15 year old girl.  Orlanda Chickekoo was last seen leaving her guardians Lansdowne Court residence just after noon today. She is described as 5 feet five inches tall and weighing 125 lbs with long dark hair. She was wearing an army green t-shirt, a black hoodie, a black jacket, dark jeans and white sneakers with a pink design. There is a ongoing concern regarding her health and welfare, therefore investigators are urging anyone who has seen her to contact the Thunder Bay Police.

WSIB Head Pays TBay A Visit

The head of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board says it's an ongoing process to fix the WSIB.  Elizabeth Witmer spoke at the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday and says they continue to modernize their programs.  Witmer says they will continue to keep in contact with Northern communities about ongoing changes to the WSIB.

Arthur Street Accident Update

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 66 year old man with careless driving, driving while suspended and failing to wear a seat belt after a 3 car pile up on Arthur Street Saturday night.  Police say the collision took place when a blue Ford Focus crossed the center line of Arthur Street and hit an approaching grey Mazda sedan. Another approaching vehicle then struck the Mazda a second time in the curb lane.  Had the 66 year old's vehicle been salvageable, it would have been

impounded for seven days as a consequence of driving while under suspension.

Sudden Death Fort Frances

Fort Frances OPP are investigating the sudden death of a man inside the Elizabeth Street Manor on Tuesday. The OPP Forensic Identification Unit is helping the Regional Coroner confirm the identity of the man and determine the cause of death. A post mortem exam will take place today at the Kenora Hospital.

Not Many People Disobeying Calendar Parking

The City's Parking Authority says most people have been following the calendar parking rules since last Friday's snowfall. Manager James Coady says there are a few that park on the wrong side of the road and they get ticketed. Coady says they'll be paying extra attention to parking areas in congested residential neighbourhoods and school areas. Calendar parking is used to allow snow plows to clear the road and snow banks.

Habib Happy With Lower Taxes

The President of Habib Architects is pleased the City has decided to lower the taxes on his Victoria Avenue property. Ahsanul Habib says it was one of the conditions that was required before a low income housing project could move forward. Habib notes the next step is to formalize an agreement for the 21 unit building with the local Social Services Board. Construction should start sometime in February or March.

Ontario Provides $ For Mental Health Workers

The Provincial Government is investing 375 thousand dollars annually for mental health and addictions workers in Ring of Fire communities. These workers will provide counselling, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and other health services. Over 80 new workers have been hired, which will help almost four thousand aboriginal children and young people.

Fort Chamber On Resolute

The president of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is trying to reassure his members the community will make it through the idling of operations at Resolute Forest Products. At the Chamber's annual meeting Tuesday night Mark Caron aknowleged the move will have a huge impact but tried to remain positive repeating several times...we will get through this. 

Have You Seen This Yellow Jeep?

Thunder Bay Police are looking for more information about what lead to a collision at the intersection of River and Algoma Street. A yellow jeep was going westbound on River Street when it suddenly went out of control and struck a pole. A witness then saw the vehicle back up, and then hit the pole a second time. Traffic Sergeant Glenn Porter says they just want to know what went wrong. The law requires you to file a report with the police in any accident that results in injury, or damage over a thousand dollars. If anyone witnessed the event, or know the vehicle in question they are asked to call the police.

Fort Frances Budget Draft Delayed

The town of Fort Frances is delaying bringing forward a draft budget for council to review. C.A.O. Mark McCaig says the idling announcement at Resolute Forest Products have to be taken into account in next years budget. A draft budget is usually presented in early January. It will now come to council at the end of February.

Warmer Weather Coming

Arctic air coming across from the prairies are to blame for this morning's cold temperatures. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says normal temperatures for this time of year are highs of -3 and lows of -12 but it feels a lot cooler than that around the region. Coulson says there is good news in the forecast as a developing storm system across the prairies will bring a warm front to the region producing highs of 5 and 6 for Saturday and Sunday.

Horse Put Down After Collision With Car

Provincial Police are reporting a car accident this morning on Highway 11-17 in the area of Wing Road and McFarland Road. Police say the car hit a horse that was on the highway. A 44 year old woman was taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. Police say the horse did suffer injuries and officers had to put it down. O.P.P. had to close the highway for a short time while they investigated and removed the car from a ditch.

Councillors Wiser On Infrastructure Needs

City councillors are now prepared for some big decisions they'll have to make going into the new budget process. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they were briefed yesterday by the city manager on what the needs will be when it comes to sewers, roads and other infrastructure. Now it's in the hands of his colleagues to set priorities. Boshcoff says his priorities are taking care of some long standing issues and staying ahead of any crisis.