PEI Man Falls Asleep Driving

A Prince Edward Island man and his friend are lucky to be alive after he fell asleep at the wheel on the Trans Canada Highway near Upsala on Sunday morning.  Police say the 30 year old nodded off around 6:30 and woke up when the vehicle hit the gravel shoulder and it rolled in the ditch.   Police say the driver and passenger were not injured.   The man has been charged with careless driving.

NOSM Inspired TV Show Begins Sunday

A television series with a northern Ontario flare makes its debut on TV Ontario this Sunday. It's called Hard Rock Medical.   Actress Tamara Duarte,  who plays Gina Russo, a first year med student, feels its a good portrayal of the medical challenges facing the north. The show is based on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Tbaytel Examining CRTC Ruling

TBaytel has not yet responded to news Ottawa is making changes to wireless contracts.    The C-R-T-C says as of December, customers will be able to cancel their cellphone contracts after two years without anypenalties, even if they've signed up for longer terms.   Tbaytel's Katie Crowe says the city run wireless company is looking over the decision, but early indications are,  it is in line with what the company is doing already.

Consultant To Review Garbage System

Everything appears to be on the table, including privatization,  now that a consultant has been hired by City Hall to look at garbage collection.    Cathy Smith of Stantec Consulting says we might even get a new system like the one her company recommended for Winnipeg.  That's where everyone is assigned the same garbage containers.  Smith says  automatic collection is considered a best practice for an number of reasons.  As well she says if privatization makes sense in certain areas it will be considered.  The process begins with a public open house Tuesday night.

Domestic Violence Unit In The Works

City police say they are unveiling a new Domestic Violence Unit .   It will be responsible for handling what they say is a major concern for police and people in community.   Details are being revealed on Wednesday morning.

Garbage Meeting Tuesday

The City wants you to have your say on how it collects your garbage. City staff want to hear the public's thoughts on a variety of garbage related topics.  An open house is being held at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Man Turns Himself In

A 32 year old man is charged with theft under 5-thousand dollars in connection to the theft of an Alzheimer's donation box from the North Cumberland Husky gas station last month.  The Thunder Bay man turned himself into Police yesterday and has been released with a July court date.

New Name Takes Time

People are still talking about the merger between the Canadian Autoworkers Union and the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union.  CAW President Ken Lewenza says the new name Unifor might take some time to get used to.  The new mega union now represents over 300-thousand members.

Eye On The Street To Be Discussed

The City is getting a review of its Eye on the Street Program surveillance camera program.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's an annual look at how the program is operating.  The report comes before Council tonight.

New CPR Program In The Region

Local high school students will be trained to save lives.  Over one-thousand-students each year between 3 area schools boards will be receiving CPR and defibrillator training from the ACT Foundation.  Executive Director Sandra Clark says it's very important for everyone to know CPR.  Clark says 10 high schools are receiving CPR mannequins and AED training units.

Two Bodies Recovered

The Ontario Provincial Police have recovered two bodies from a fatal plane crash in Northwestern Ontario. OPP Officials say an Underwater Search and Rescue Team found the bodies of a 58-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man, both from Phoenix, AZ., who died in a float plane crash in Red Lake on Thursday.  The Transportation Safety Board is continuing their investigation of the crash.

Mayor's Hike For Charity Today

Thunder Bay is hoping to start a new annual event today. The Mayor's Hike for Charity is dedicated to supporting local charities. Participants donate half of their pledge to the charity of their choice, while the other half goes to Volunteer Thunder bay for organizing the event. The hike will be taking place at Centennial Park.

The Relay Is On!

The annual Shelter House Relay takes place today at Chippewa Park.   It's the annual fundraiser for the city's homeless shelter and Executive Director Patty Hajdu admits participation is down from previous years, but they expect to  bring in about 140 thousand dollars.   She says next year they hope to breathe some new life into the event on its 20th anniversary.  The relay is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Shelter House.

Martin Receives Honourary Degree

Former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin now has an honourary degree from Lakehead University.   Martin calls it a great honour from a great university.  Martin praises LU for setting a standard for the education of Aboriginal Canadians. Martin received the degree at the morning ceremonies which took place at the Community Auditorium.

Highway 587 Now Open

The Ministry of Transportation is reporting that Highway 587 near the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is open again. The highway was closed due to road washouts from recent heavy rainfall.

Hospital To Enforce Smoking Ban

A smoking ban on the grounds of the Regional Health Sciences Centre will soon be enforced by officials.   Spokesperson Allison McMullen says as of September 30th patients and staff will no longer be able to light up on hospital property.   McMullen  says the long lead time is for everyone time  to prepare.

The Thunder Bay Sets Sail

The Thunder Bay has set sail on its maiden voyage.   The Canada Steamships Lines laker left a port in China this week and is expected in Montreal in late July where it will operate the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.   It's expected to take up to two months to complete the trip.

Rickford Breaks Silence On Senate Scandal

Kenora MP Greg Rickford believes it's time to move forward.  Rickford says the government want to see the latest Senate scandal taken care of, and hopes they can make the Senate a more accountable part of parliament. The Conservative MP says the Senate has had some disappointing expenditures in the past.

Fatal Fire In Fort Frances Area

There has been a fatal house fire in the Fort Frances area.   OPP say that the blaze happened early this morning in the township of Devlin.   Police say that one occupant of the house died, but they have not identified the victim.   The cause of the fire is not known and police remain at the scene.

Police Search For Charity Thief

It's the lowest of the low when someone steals from a local charity.  This time police are asking for your help in locating  the person responsible for  the theft of an Alzheimer's Society donation box from the Cumberland Street Husky gas station last night just before 10.   Police have issued a picture of someone they'd like to question.