Rotary Exchange Underway

The Rotary Clubs of Thunder Bay are hosting a group of young professionals from Finland.   The Rotary's Jill Zachary says it's part of a yearly exercise where teams from one country stay with Rotary families in another.   The group will be visiting the district for the next five weeks.

New Policing Model Coming Soon

The local police force will be moving towards a new policing model in the fall.  Inspector Sylvie Hauth says they've divided up the City and Oliver Paipoonge into six zones.  Hauth says it means officers will go to work each day in the same part of the City and one side won't be more busy than another.  The new zone policing model starts in September and includes a 6 officer domestic violence unit.

Zone Watch Accepting Applications

Police are starting to accept applications for their new community based policing program called "Zone Watch".  The neighbourhood watch style program is internet based and is similar to Facebook but more secure.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says you can apply through their new website at www.thunderbaypolice.ca

Police Now On Twitter

Thunder Bay Police are going to start tweeting today.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says there will be plenty of information to be found on their three twitter feeds.  They will soon launch a traffic information twitter account, the Chief will have his own feed and they'll also tweet news releases from @tbpsmedia.

Earthwise Is Now EarthCare

EarthWise Thunder Bay is now EarthCare.   City councillors have voted to accept the name change because the city environment group ran into a copyright issue with the original name.   Another group in southern Ontario already had rights to the moniker.

Philp Says Thunder Bay Runners OK

It appears there are no Thunder Bay casualties in yesterday's explosion at the Boston Marathon.  Around 8 local residents were taking part in the run including Warren Philp.  Philp says the Thunder Bay contingent is safe and they hope to be able to catch their flights sometime today which might be hard given the heightened security.

Committee Hits Funding Snag

If the funding rules stay the same the city may not get the 2 for 1 funding from the province for disaster relief.   Chair Wayne Fletcher says the way the eligibility rules stand now we will only be getting 20 cents for every dollar raised, but he hopes that will change after talks with the province. Fletcher says as it stands now we will only be getting 300 thousand dollars from the province instead of 3 million

One Injured In Dump Truck Crash

At least one person is injured following an accident on Chippewa Road this afternoon.  An emergency official says that a dump truck went off the road and crash into a mobile home trailer at the Totem Trailer Park.  Fire Platoon Chief Larry Warner  says that one woman inside the mobile home had to be extracated.  Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Shell Robbery On Red River Road

A 19 year old man is charged with robbery in relation to an incident at the Shell Gas Bar on Red River Road March 17th. Just before 9:00 a.m. on April 13th detectives took a man into custody from a north side residence. He recently appeared in court.

Police Seek Hit And Run Driver

Thunder Bay Police are looking for an early 2000's dark Ford pick up truck with a white topper. They believe that vehicle was involved in a hit and run over the weekend. Around 10 o'clock Saturday night a car was westbound on Southern Avenue and began to turn left onto Brodie Street when it was struck on the drivers side by a truck also traveling westbound on Southern Avenue. The wanted truck will have front end damage most likely to the passenger side. The driver of the car was sent to the hospital and later released.

Mirabelli Pumped About Trudeau Victory

Fresh off an election, Justin Trudeau will be in the House today for his first Question Period as the head of the Liberals. President of the Liberal Thunder Bay Superior North Riding Association Vince Mirabelli says its refreshing to hear Trudeau say he won't focus on the negative aspects of politics. Mirabelli took in the election in Ottawa this weekend and says Trudeau will bring the youth vote to his party.

13 Collisions In 48 Hours

Thunder Bay police are being kept busy today, as there have been 13 collisions in the past 48 hours. Drivers are cautioned to be careful at intersections and watch for pedestrians. The snow plows will be out in full force today, trying to keep the roads safe and clean.

Local Red Cross Gets Cash

A local business is donating 2-thousand dollars to the Red Cross. Spokesperson Marge Buhler says they think highly of every donation they receive. Slightly Off Broadway Studio held a fundraising event for the organization earlier this year.

Boshcoff Says Trudeau Election Exciting

Former Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff says Justin Trudeau will re-energize the party.  Boshcoff was in Ottawa this weekend for the Federal Liberal Leadership Convention and says Trudeau's star power will help bring his party back.  Boshcoff says Trudeau has visited the Northwest several times and thinks his election as leader will bode well for the region.

Rural School Bus Routes Cancelled

The wicked weather has forced some schools to close down today.  Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham and Ware, Kakabeka Falls, McKenzie, Norwester View, Valley Central and Whitefish Valley are all closed today.  Lakehead Public Schools are cancelling the rural portions of school bus routes serving urban schools.  Thunder Bay Catholic and French Catholic rural school bus routes are cancelled for the day.

Transferring Patients Becoming An Issue

Transferring non-emergency patients from one location to another is becoming more and more of an issue for local paramedics.Their boss Norm Gale is going before city councillors tonight asking for direction on how to handle a problem that stretches their ability to handle real emergencies. Galehopes his visit to City Hall will be the beginning of finding an answer.

EMS Looking To Donate Ambulance

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the local branch of St. John Ambulance could receive a retired ambulance from Superior North EMS. EMS would like to give them an ambulance each but first Council must approve the donation at tonight's meeting.

Possible Earthwise Name Change

A name change could be in store for Earthwise Thunder Bay tonight. City Council will vote on whether or not to rebrand the group to EarthCare Thunder Bay. Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't foresee anyone having a problem with the new name and logo.The name Earthwise was already being used by a company in Southern Ontario and Council decided last year to look for a different name rather than pay to use the existing one.

Final Mining Strategy Meeting Tonight

One more chance for you to comment on the City and Fort William First Nation's Mining Readiness Strategy. A public information session similar to last week's at the Community Auditorium will be held tonight at the Fort William First Nation's Community Hall. The joint plan is meant to get the two communities ready for the upcoming mining boom.

Safe Homes Program Looking For Help

The City is asking the Provincial Government to help pay for their 4 million dollar "Safe Homes Program". The program was put in place in June to help clean up and repair homes impacted by the May 28th flood. General Manager of Facilities, Fleet and Transit Michael Smith says they're hoping the Province will dole out some cash. During that time the City helped fix up 472 properties.