Morrisson Happy With LU Win

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team beat Cape Breton today in a national tournament game 74 to 61. The Thunderwolves will play Ottawa tomorrow at 5:30 pm ET. Coach Scott Morrisson says it feels great to move onto the next round of play and notes normally at this time of year he'd be drowning his sorrows.

Revera Employees Join CEP

25 Revera employees are joining the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union.  CEP Spokesperson Marvin Pupeza says in a vote today, 60 percent of the staff from Thunder Bay and Kenora voted in favour of joining the union.  Revera home health care provides service across Northwestern Ontario and the CEP already represents 40 personal support workers in the Dryden area.

NDP Nomination Race Now Has 2

City Councillor Andrew Foulds will have some competition for the N.D.P. nomination in Thunder Bay Superior North.  Lise Vaugeois is throwing her hat in the ring.  The Lakehead University educator and musician says she has great respect for Foulds and looks forward to discussing issues with him at the nomination meeting.  The nomination meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 14th.

CMHC Looks Ahead To Spring

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation feels housing starts will pick up again once the weather gets warmer.  In February there were no new starts reported in Thunder Bay.  Analyst Warren Philp expects the Spring to bring more single family starts.  Philp says people are using the colder months to plan their future builds.

Stats Can Releases New Job Numbers

The jobless rate in Thunder Bay is on the rise.   Statistics Canada released new information today indicating the city's jobless rate rose by almost a full percentage point, up to 5-point-9 percent from 5 percent last month. Canada's unemployment rate is unchanged at 7 percent.

Wynne Vows To Work With First Nations

Premier Kathleen Wynne is keeping to her promise of working with First Nations on developing the Ring of Fire.  Wynne met with Matawa Chiefs in Toronto alongside Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer.   Wynne feels the meeting was productive and says she wants to work with First Nations to ensure future economic growth and job creation for generations to come.

Thunderwolves Begin National Tourney At Noon

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's basketball team takes on Cape Breton today at noon to begin the national tournament. Head Coach Scott Morrison says there is a bit of history between the two teams as they played against each other at nationals in 2010. The Thunderwolves are ranked 7th at the tournament in Ottawa while the Capers are ranked 2nd. You can watch the game starting at noon by clicking here: http://www.cis-sic.tv/

New MNR Minister Says All Ministries Face Financial Pressures

The new Minister of Natural Resources is weighing in on jobs cuts within his Ministry.  The Province talked in September of 2012 of possibly closing the Ignace MNR office, as well as cutting positions at several area Provincial Parks.  In an exclusive interview with our newsroom, David Orazietti says he'll try to balance providing first line MNR service with cost efficiencies.  Orazietti says all Ministries are facing financial pressures.

Body Found In Kenora Dam

Kenora OPP are investigating a body being found floating in the Norman Dam.  Police say workers located the body Thursday at the intake to the dam.  The recovered body will undergo a postmortem exam Friday at the Lake of the Woods Hospital.

Fire Marshall's Office Called In

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office is being called in to investigate the cause of a Wednesday night blaze to a home on Machar Avenue.  The FMO investigator is expected to determine the origin of the fire and cause.  19 firefighters battled the blaze for an hour before it was declared out.  Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Fire Department or Police.

Sit-In To Continue At LU

The Lakehead University students camping outside the President's office will continue their sit-in until March 22nd.  Yesterday, the University offered the students an olive branch by introducing a new aboriginal course in the first year law program.  Spokesperson Sebastian Murdoch-Gibson says they want the old aboriginal program back.  The group wants the Senate to rescind the decision to cancel their program at the March 22nd meeting.

Downtown Is Going Uptown

It looks like the north side downtown is going to get a facelift with the construction of new luxury residential and commercial condominium units. They will be located in the  building at 37 South Cumberland that used to house Kilroy's bar.    The units will feature private roof top patios and green roof space. Toronto developer Mike Kuipers and his partners, including one from Thunder Bay, hope to have the building completed by the fall with occupancy by November first. 

Murder Suspect Back In Newmarket Court

It's back to court later this month for the man charged with the second degree murder of a Thunder Bay woman in Richmond Hill last month.  Thirty six year old  Jonathon Ross appeared in a court in Newmarket today on the charge and was ordered to appear again March 25th.   The body of his sister, 38 year old Jeannine Ross was found in a condominium complex February 2nd.   The cause of her death is not known.

E.C. Warns T.Bay About Snow

Environment Canada says Thunder Bay won't be spared from 10 to 15 centimeters of snow this weekend.  A Colorado low is moving into the region from the States.  Spokesperson Peter Kimbell says motorists will want to take heed.  On Sunday, anyone travelling to the east will want to drive carefully as the storm moves past the City.

Stompin Tom Remembered

Country music legend Stompin' Tom Connors is fondly being remembered as much for his love of Canada as for his music. Connors passed away yesterday at the age of 77 of natural causes. The staunchly patriotic Connors did his best to promote the nation with songs like ``Bud the Spud,'' ``The Hockey Song,''  ``Sudbury Saturday Night'' and "Road To Thunder Bay." 

College Dental Program Gets Accredited

Good news for Confederation College's dental programs.  They've received accreditation for seven years. Health and Community Services Dean Kathleen Lynch says it's a big deal and legitimizes their program.  The accreditation is from the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Border Guard Fired

Mario Dion

A border guard at Pigeon River is without a job after being found in violation of a Public Service Ethics Code and the Border Service Agency's Code of Conduct.  In a report,  Public Sector Integrity commissioner Mario Dion says the officer maintained a relationship with known organized crime figures in Thunder Bay and didn't inspect their vehicles as required by his job. Dion says the issue may not be over as it still could be under active investigation by police.  The officers identity and even gender are being kept from the public.

Firefighters Battle Machar Ave. Fire

Fire personnel will be back at a 2-storey Machar Avenue residence today to try and determine the cause of a fire. Firefighters arrived just after 9:30 p.m. last night to find smoke billowing from the living room and front door. Heavy fire damage is being reported on the main floor with considerable smoke damage upstairs. Crews determined there was no one inside and quickly brought the fire under control.

Bob Rae Asked To Negotiate Ring Of Fire

Bob Rae could have a job waiting for him after he gives up his role of Interim Federal Liberal Leader. He's been asked to be the lead negotiator by Chiefs in northwestern Ontario for the Ring of Fire. Chiefs involved with the project want to make sure the province is fair with how the project is handled and how the money is shared.

Carter Named Defensive Player Of The Year

L.U. Thunderwolves Point Guard Greg Carter is a repeat winner of a national trophy. He was named the C.I.S. Defensive Player of the year by his opposing coaches in Ottawa. Carter averaged more than 2 steals and 4 rebounds per game and is considered the best shut-down guard in the country. Carter and the Thunderwolves take on Cape Breton on Friday at noon to begin the national men's basketball tournament.