Resolute Forest Products

Some help today for workers impacted by the idling of the kraft mill and paper machine at Resolute Forest Products mill in Fort Frances.  The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union has set up information sessions at the Legion in Fort Frances to provide workers with advice on employment, training and education opportunities.  Representatives from Service Canada, N-C-D-S and the provincial Ministry of Training ,Colleges and Universities will be on hand first this afternoon and again tonight.

Soccer Club Donates Food

The Lakehead Express Soccer Club is presenting over 900 pounds of food to the Regional Food Distribution Association.  Players collected the canned goods throughout the year.

Thunderwolves Announce New Recruits

Head Coach Jon Kreiner and the Lakehead University women's basketball team are announcing two more players are committing to their program for next year. Point Guard Abeer Farhat will join the team from Algonquin College after averaging more than 15 points and 4 assists per game last season. Meanwhile, Gillian Lavoie, a 6'0 Forward who averaged 11 points and 13 rebounds last season, will join the team from Hammarskjold.

Letowski Remembers World Juniors

Thunder Bay's Trevor Letowski is back in Thunder Bay celebrating Christmas with Family and friends. 15 years ago Letowski was representing Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships where he won a gold medal. The former N.H.L.'er is now an Associate Coach with the Sarnia Sting of the O.H.L. and reflected on his time spent wearing the red and white.

    

  

   

Stuff A Cruiser A Success

The first annual police officer stuff a cruiser is a resounding success.  Police collected over 4 thousand kg of non perishable food items as well as over 3-thousand dollars in cash.  Money and food raised is going towards the Regional Food Distribution Association.

T.Bay 10K Winner

A Thunder Bay woman is one step closer to claiming her 10 thousand dollar lottery win.  Shari Perrault's sister is employed at a retail location and therefor the prize falls within OLG's definition of a Related Party/Insider Win.  The prize has completed the first two steps of a three-step verification process.

Maltese Grocery Catering Linked To Food Poisoning

Maltese Grocery is stepping forward after a number of food borne illnesses were recently reported to the Health Unit.  As a precaution, the store has decided to voluntarily suspend its catering operation pending the result of the Health Unit’s investigation.  Food poisoning caused 67 people to become ill from consuming food late last week from a number of catered social events.

O.P.P. Investigate Fatal Big Rig Fire

OPP in Geraldton are confirming one person is dead after a transport caught fire at approximately 8 o'clock last night on Highway 11. Provincial police say a big rig lost control and went into a ditch when the cab caught fire. Geraldton fire and ambulance crews attended the scene and police say someone was caught inside the cab of the transport and died as a result of the fire. No name has been released.

Tenant Fined For Smoke Alarm Infraction

A city tenant got more than she bargained for when firefighters arrived to battle blaze on Prince Arthur Boulevard....a 235 dollar fine for removing a main floor smoke alarm. Anthony Stokaluk of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says they're hoping to send a message by publicizing the incident that you must have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your residence.

Christmas Cheer Still Needs Help

Thunder Bay's Christmas Cheer is facing another deficit if more money doesn't come in today.  Over 45 hundred people took home Christmas Hampers yesterday from the charity organization.  Spokesperson Linda Gambee says they desperatly need your help. 

Christmas Kettles Update

The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign needs your continued support.  So far they have raised over 117-thousand dollars towards their 160-thousand dollar goal.  The Walmart matching donation day will be held at the Memorial Street location Thursday. 

Highway 71 Protest

Motorists travelling along Highway 71 may encounter a brief delay this morning.  Members of Onigaming First Nation near Nestor Falls intend to protest measures contained in the federal government's omnibus bill they say effects the environment and First Nation Treaties.  Chief Norman Copenance says the protest will be peaceful.

NAN Wants Residential School Documents

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is pressuring the Federal Government to release files on the residential schools. Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is appalled that the federal government's refusal to release millions of documents currently held by 23 federal departments is making it impossible for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to do its job. NAN feels without the documents the Commission can't carry out its mandate.

Shipping Season To Close Mid January

The shipping season on the Lakehead  will be winding down next month.   Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says the locks in Sault Ste. Marie will be closing on January 15th as long as the weather cooperates. Heney says the season looks to be one of the best in over a decade with total cargo shipments expected to be up 3 per cent.

O.P.P. Officer Cleared In Red Lake Incident

The Province's police watchdog is clearing a Red Lake O.P.P. officer of any wrong-doing in the death of a 35 year old man last month. Ian Scott of the province's Special Investigations Unit said “There are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the death. The S.I.U.’s investigation leads to only one reasonable conclusion: the decedent took his own life by means of a single bullet discharged from a rifle at close range. There was no police involvement in his unfortunate death.” The S.I.U. also concluded that at no time did police have any contact with the man who perished sometime between November 4th and 5th.

Possible Food Poisoning

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is looking into a suspected food poisoning incident.   A number of people have reported being sick after taking part in a number of catered events in the City this past week.  Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. If you are experiencing these symptoms, and believe they may be connected to something you ate at a catered event, please contact the health unit.

Loonie Days Raises Almost 21 Thousand

The Disaster Relief Committee is pleased with its "Loonie Days" fundraiser.  Chair Wayne Fletcher says the final total for the Labour Day weekend fundraiser has come in at almost 21 thousand dollars.  The money raised came from a variety of stores who collected a dollar from customers who wanted to top off their bills.  The Committee is in charge of raising money for the May 28th flood victims who are not covered or have inadequate insurance.

Boshcoff On CNIB Board

A former MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River will be lending his expertise to a group that helps Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.  City Councillor Ken Boshcoff has been appointed the CNIB's Ontario-Nunavut Board of Directors.  Boschoff has commemorated the appointment by using Braille on his business cards.

No Double Jeopardy

There is no double jeopardy for former Confederation College Student Adam Leon. Thunder Bay judge threw out his lawyer's attempt today to say he could not be tried twice in connection with an incident in April 2009. That's when a Cessna was taken from the College's flight school and flown into the United States.  Leon spent two years in jail in the States in connection with the case.

Mac's Robber Sentenced

A 35 year old Thunder Bay man is going to prison for 3 years in connection wiith a 2010 Macs store robbery.   Court heard this morning that Gregory Esquiga held a knife to the throat of the clerk when he got away with 75 dollars 8 lottery tickets and cigarettes. His female companion was sentenced earlier to 2 years.