Vienna Bakery Closing Today

It's the end of an era .   After over 50 years at the same Cumberland Street location. Vienna Bakery is closing up shop at the end of today.   Co-owner Betty Krebbs says there there have been a lot of tears shed today by customers who are coming in for the last time.   She says it's possible the bakery will reopen under new ownership, but that won't be known for several weeks.

Half A Million Goes To Oliver Paipoonge

Half a million dollars is going towards Oliver Paipoonge's industrial park.  The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund made the announcement this morning.  Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says the money will be put to good use building roads, installing utilities and lighting.  Kloosterhuis says they've already sold one lot in the expanded park.

4 Dead In Ornge Air Crash

Four people are dead following an Ornge air ambulance helicopter crash near Moosonee.  CFB Trenton Search and Rescuers say the crash site was located this morning and all four people on board are confirmed dead.    
The Ornge air ambulance service says two pilots and two paramedics were on board the aircraft, but no patients.  The helicopter crashed shortly after taking off for Attawapiskat.  The Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be investigating.

Float Plane Crash In Red Lake

Provincial Police say they are searching for 2-people following a float plane crash in Red Lake.  OPP says the plane took off from the waterway of Red Lake last night.  The aircraft was en route to a tourist camp north of the community when it went down 200-metres from shore in the Bruce Channel around 5:30.  OPP believe a man and a woman from the United States were the only two people on board.  The identity of those on board hasn't been confirmed at this time.

It's Graduation Day

Derek Burney

Graduation is taking place for Lakehead University students.    Ceremonies are being held today and tomorrow at the Community Auditorium.   LU President Brian Stevenson says one of the highlights will be the installation of Derek Burney as the new chancellor.   As the ceremonial head of the university he is allowed to confer degrees. Also attending the ceremonies will be former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Sod Turned On New Senior's Facility

Work is set to begin next month on phase two of a huge St. Joseph's Care Group senior's housing project.   The sod was turned on the future long term care facility on Lillie Street this morning.   Executive Director Tracey Buckler is just happy the wait is over.   It will compliment a nearby 130 bed seniors project which is still getting finishing touches put on it.  While the latest building will house over 400 patients, it will not be adding extra beds to the system when it's completed since it will replace three current senior homes in the city.

Police Get Sneaky

City police now have a new way to catch cell phone and seat belt violations by local drivers.   Sgt. Glenn Porter says on Wednesday they put  a plain clothes cop on the sidewalk on Arthur Street relaying violations with a hand held radio to an officer further down who pulled over the vehicles.  About 40 tickets were issued.  Porter says it's a tactic they hope to use on a regular basis.

Woman Recovering After Fire

One person is recovering from suspected smoke inhalation after a fire at a house at 261 South Algoma Street this afternoon .   Fire Platoon Chief Dan Hyvarinen says when they arrived smoke was coming from the upper floor of the home.   He says a woman who was in the house at the time of the fire was taken to hospital as a precaution.  Hyvarinen says there is some smoke and fire damage inside the house.   He says the blaze was started by a kitchen grease fire.

Unifor New Super Union

The super union created by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union and the Canadian Auto Workers has a new name.  The new name and logo was unveiled this morning.  They'll go by the name Unifor.  The new union will represent over 6-thousand in Thunder Bay and the region.

OPP Report Two Area MVC's

Police are investigating a two vehicle collision at the Chippewa Road/Highway 61 intersection. The mishap occurred yesterday at 3:30 pm. Both drivers were transported to hospital with  injuries which  OPP say are not life threatening.  A 75 year old city resident is charged.   Also yesterday afternoon a 52 year old Thunder Bay man was flown to the Regional Health Sciences Centre as a precaution after the fuel truck he was driving left the road and hit a rock cut 100 kilometres up Highway 527.  Police say a small fuel spill was also cleaned up.

Lighthouse Negotiations Continue

The Friends of Trowbridge Lighthouse are continuing talks with the Federal Government to acquire 10 area lighthouses. The Feds deemed the Thunder Bay Main lighthouse as well as 9 others in the region surplus. Lighthouse Spokesperson Paul Moralee says they've formulated a business plan to operate the lighthouses in one form or another. Moralee says they're going into their second meeting with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans next week.

Fundraiser Saves Dryden Fireworks

There will be Canada Day fireworks this year in Dryden after all.   The city was forced to cancel the event because of budget cutbacks, however a fundraising campaign, lead by Acadia Broadcasting,  helped raised 11 thousand dollars from the community to hold the event.

Child Porn Charges Face Local Man

A Thunder Bay man is due back in court June 7th after appearing this week on kiddie porn charges.   46 year old Michael Payne was charged in January of this year after police say they conducted an online investigation.  They say computer data was seized at the time of the arrest.   Payne faces two charges, possession and distribution of child pornography.

MNR Forest Fire Hazard

The forest fire hazard in Northwestern Ontario remains high.  Heather Pridham with the Ministry of Natural Resources says the wet weather should help a bit.  There are currently two active fires, one in the Dryden District and the other in the Nipigon area.

Proposed New Rules May Impact Tourism

A Ministry of Natural Resources proposal to reduce daily catch limits from four walleye to two for non-resident anglers will hurt camp owners.  So says Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.  Speaking in the Legislature, Campbell stated the MNR is designed to prevent fish stocks from diminishing.  Campbell is urging the government to review their decision.

Family Memorials Wants To Buy Remco

Thunder Bay's Family Memorials wants to purchase western headstone company Remco.  The two businesses signed a letter of intent recently.  The proposed sale is subject to regulatory approvals.

Local Gallery Up For Premier's Award

The Definitely Superior Art Gallery is getting some recognition again.   The government has selected the local gallery as a finalist for a Premier's Arts Award.    Gallery director David Karasiewicz says this nomination is good for the city because, not only does it raise the profile of the gallery, but of Thunder Bay as well. The ceremony will take place on June 27th in Toronto.

Morgentaler Called A True Canadian Hero

A Thunder Bay feminist says pro-choice people all across Canada are saddened by the death of Henry Morgentaler on Wednesday at the age of 90.  Sara Williamson says he will always be remembered for his strong stand for abortion rights and calls him a true Canadian hero because he saved the lives of many women at great personal sacrifice to himself.  Williamson says the free access to abortions  has benefited women and society.

South Side NDP Still Wait For Candidate

The provincial NDP on the city's south side is still not ready to select a candidate to take on Bill Mauro in the next election.  Robin Rickards of the Thunder Bay-Atikokan Riding Association says there are currently two candidates in the running, school board trustee George Saarinen and Mary Kozorys.  Rickards says two are waiting to be vetted by provincial party officials. Until that happens, no date can be set for a nomination meeting.  

Bishop Reacts Carfeully To Morgentaler's Death

The death of Dr. Henry Morgentaler is being treated with mixed reaction .  He died yesterday at the age of 90. While Morgentaler is lauded by supporters as a hero for the right of women to have abortion on demand,  on the other side of the debate is the Catholic Church.  When asked for his reaction to the news of Mortgentaler's death, local local Bishop Fred Coli searched carefully for words.   Coli says he could never agree with  the doctor's attitude and approach to abortion , but agrees he was definitely a newsmaker in his time.