KPDSB On Labour Talks

The fate of extracurricular activities could be decided early this week.  School boards are expecting an update from the Ministry of Education before school starts up again.  Jack McMaster is the Director of Education of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and remains optimistic that a solution can be had.  The cancellation of extracurricular activities has also put NorWOSSA sports Leagues on hold. 

Mauro Talks 2013

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro has big plans for 2013.  He hopes to make several major infrastructure announcements in the New Year but is keeping mum.  Mauro says he will also continue to work towards ensuring the Mission Island Power Plant stays open.

Rafferty Talks New Years Resolutions

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is setting some New Years Resolutions.  Rafferty says his goal for 2013 is to get support for his private members bills.  Meanwhile, Rafferty calls 2012 frustrating and hopes the parties will be able to better work with eachother in the New Year.

OPP Satisfaction Survey

The Ontario Provincial Police have released their annual community satisfaction survey.  The survey revealed that over 95.8 percent of Ontarians feel 'safe' or 'very safe' in their communities.  Staff Sergeant Hazel O'Brien says that there is a common issue throughout the province, including Northwestern Ontario.  O'Brien adds that a major issue in the region is the use of alcohol and drugs.

Illness Declared Over

A gostrointestinal illness at a local retirement home is now being declared over. Officials with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit have lifted restrictions on visitors to Chartwell Select Retirement Home on Arundel Street.

Thunderwolves In Action

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team is back on home ice tonight. They play the defending national champion McGill Redmen in the first of two non-conference games tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. The men's basketball team begins play at the Winnipeg Wesmen tournament today at 1:00 o'clock against the Northern B.C. Timberwolves. Meanwhile the women's basketball team is in Halifax for the Thunder Selects tournament. They'll take on the Dalhousie Tigers at 5:00 o'clock Eastern to open the tournament.

Floodway Project In 2013

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority wants to finish dredging the McIntyre Neebing floodway in 2013. Chair Bill Bartley says the million dollar project depends on getting funding from the Province and the City. Bartley says it's one of their biggest projects.

Law School Big Achievement For 2012

Lakehead University is most proud of getting the Northern Law School off the ground. President Dr. Brian Stevenson says it was one of the big achievements of 2012. Stevenson says in the New Year he hopes to complete their 5 year strategic plan.

Assault With A Weapon

A 51 year old man is facing charges of assault with a weapon after an early morning incident Christmas Day. Police say a noise complaint turned violent on the 400 block of Prince Arthur Boulevard. A man refused to answer his door and became uncooperative and began waiving a knife at police. Police were able to arrest the man at gunpoint after pepper spray was used to get the man to relinquish the knife.

Break & Enter Boxing Day

A 28 year old man is charged with break and enter, and aggravated assault after a Boxing Day incident on Rankin Street. Police were called to the home to deal with a man that had just broken in and assaulted a person with an axe. A 35 year old man was struck in the back with the axe and was sent to the hospital. Police say the accused was found a short time later at his home on Kensington Drive and was sent to the hospital with injuries that he received during the altercation on Rankin Street. Both men are in hospital in good condition and the investigation is continuing.

2 From N.B. Arrested On Canada Wide Warrants

A man and a woman from Saint John are in trouble with the law in Northern Ontario. A 42 year old Woman and a 54 year old man were spotted speeding on a highway East of Thunder Bay on Christmas Eve. The black SUV sped away from police only to be stopped by a spike belt later after Ontario Provincial Police say they stole gas from a regional station. Police learned the vehicle was stolen and the occupants were wanted on Canada Wide arrest warrants stemming from an incident in Fredericton where the occupants allegedly tried to abduct a female at knife point and then stole her vehicle. The woman driver from Saint John, New Brunswick is now facing six charges including fleeing from police, being unlawfully at large and two counts of possession of stolen property. The 54 man, also from Saint John, New Brunswick is charged with possession of stolen property, theft under $5,000 and being unlawfully at large. Both were remanded into custody.

Weldon Gets Votes For Athlete Of The Year

Thunder Bay's Robbi Weldon is among Canada's top women athletes for 2012. Weldon earned 1 first place vote and 2 second place votes for the title of Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year after winning gold in a Paralympics road cycling race. Soccer player Christine Sinclair is a runaway winner of the 2012 Canadian Press Female athlete of the year. Sinclair won the golden boot award at this year's Summer Olympics after scoring a record 6 goals, including a hat trick in a 4-3 extra-time loss to the United States.

Ammonia Leak

City fire crews will be back at Nor'West Rec Centre today to help re-open the facility. 2 trucks and a Hazmat crew were called in to help Oliver-Paipoonge Fire Services yesterday after an ammonia leak was discovered. Fire officials had to help with the shut down of the refrigerating unit and conduct a walk through. Crews will be back at the recreation centre later today to ensure a replacement part is properly installed and that it is safe for the public to re-enter the building.

Boxing Day Shopping

Stores are open for boxing day and shoppers are out in full force.  Many, including Travis Setala, are just out to see if the shopping really is better. Setala was hoping to get a good deal on a camera but couldn't find the deal he was looking for. He says the crowds don't bother him: "I don't mind coming out. It's something to do after Christmas."  The post-Christmas shopping is attracting lots of people despite the cold weather.

Man Dies In Hwy 17 Accident

A 32 year old man is dead and his 2 year old daughter is in Winnipeg Hospital after a fatal motor vehicle collision, 10 kilometers east of Ignace on Highway 17.  Police say a westbound pick up truck crossed into the eastbound lane hitting a Pontiac.  The 69 year old driver of the westbound pickup and 17 year old passenger both from Hawkestone Ontario were taken to Dryden Hospital.  The name of the deceased has been held until notification of next of kin.

Pedestrian Vehicle Accident Near Arthur

Thunder Bay Police are continuing to investigate a pedestrian vehicle accident last night at the intersection of Arthur and Edward Street.  The incident happened around 7:00 last night and the 63 year old woman was sent to hospital with minor injuries.

OPP Nab Drunk Driver

Someone is going to be on Santa's naughty list.  OPP are charging a 55 year old woman with drinking and driving.  Police say the incident stemmed from a call yesterday at around 1 o'clock from a concerned motorist reporting a vehicle seriously out of control.  Officers say she was driving with four times the legal limit of alcohol in her system on the Thunder Bay Expressway.

Highway 17 Open

Highway 17 east of Ignace is open to both lanes of traffic after a fatal motor vehicle collision last night.  The highway was closed for most of the evening while Police investigated.  No other details are available at this time.

Missing Teen Found

14 year old Abigail Olafson is safe and sound.  Thunder Bay Police are reporting that she returned home safely.  Olafson was reported missing December 20th and police say tips from the public assisted in bringing Olafson home.

Crimestoppers Crime Of The Week



Thunder Bay District Crimestoppers and Thunder Bay Police are asking the public to assist with locating several firearms that were stolen from a local residence. Sometime between October 18th and 24th of this year, someone broke into a David Street home. The suspect gained entry through a basement window. Once inside, the lock on a gun locker was cut and 4 firearms and ammunition were taken. 2 rifles and 2 shotguns were taken along with ammunition and cash from the gun locker. Crimestoppers is asking anyone with information about who may have taken these firearms or where they may be located to call Crimestoppers at 623-8477 or 623-TIPS.