LU Scavenger Hunt Starts Today

Lakehead, along with twenty other Ontario universities are launching an online scavenger hunt today. Student Ambassador Erica Sawula says students can really benefit from taking part.   Each university will submit one clue throughout the month that has to do with research currently happening at the school.

Hobbs Wants Cuts To Budget

Mayor Keith Hobbs would like to make some cuts to the 2014 budget.  Hobbs says he has his eye on sustainable grants that are given to community groups.  Hobbs would like to see a lower tax levy than the proposed 2.1 percent.

NOSM Vacancies

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is looking to fill a couple of openings on their Aboriginal Reference Group.  They are looking for an aboriginal youth and an aboriginal health-care professional. Volunteers provide insight, direction and guidance to the Dean over a three year term.

Sportsdome Evacuation

Fans and players alike were given more excitement than they bargained for today at the Thunder Bay Sportsdome. A ball struck a light and caught fire, it was put out by two volunteers one of which is being treated for smoke inhalation. Roughly three-hundred evacuated the dome. When fire fighters arrived it was just a matter of ventilating the complex.

Walk For Memories

The 20th Annual Walk for Memories fundraiser is taking place throughout the day at the Inter-City Mall. The walk began at ten this morning and will include events held throughout the day. It is being hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay, today's goal is to raise fifty-thousand dollars.

Black History Month Gala

The Third Annual Black History Month Dinner and Awards Gala is being hosted this evening by the Caribbean and African Multicultural Association of Thunder Bay. Spokesperson Jessica Walker says this years theme is 'Umoja' meaning unity. Over Three-hundred are expected to attend.

Lyceum Theatre Up For Sale

The City is selling the old Lyceum Theatre on Cumberland, and for a cool 113-thousand dollars it can be yours. Councillor Larry Hebert says he hasn't seen any solid interest from a buyer but notes there have been some groups looking at it. There is work that needs to be done to the buildings roof also, mould in the interior needs to be removed. The city is selling the building after seizing it from the previous owner for not paying taxes.

Ogden Street House Fire

A mother and her two children are shaken up but safe following a fire at an Ogden Street home this morning. There were three pets inside the home at the time of the fire, two of which have died. The blaze was contained to a single bedroom and believed to of started from a candle.

Mill Gas Release Not Toxic

Officials are confirming this morning that a strong smell of gas that covered much of the city's south side Friday evening was not harmful. Thunder Bay Fire traced the smell to the Resolute Mill on Neebing Avenue. The Mill released the gas which was non-combustible and contacted the Ministry of the Environment before doing so. The weather is being blamed for how quickly it spread.

Mill Settlement Reached In Terrace Bay

The town of Terrace Bay and the AV Birla Group are now at peace. They've come to a negotiated settlement on tax payments.  Mayor Jody Davis says the deal is prefered to appealing a government tax assessment  on the company's mill property which could have cost the town much more.  Davis says under the deal the company will pay just over 15 million dollars a year in taxes from 2013 until 2016.

Pepe Disappointed In United Airlines

City tourism manager Paul Pepe says he's disappointed that United Airlines will end its daily direct flights from Thunder Bay to Chicago.   The U.S. company has announced that the service will end April 24th.   Pepe says it's not the end of the world. Pepe says the city will explore new marketing channels

Thunder Bay Above Provincial Average

The city of Thunder Bay is well above the provincial average when it comes to tissue donors with 44% of the population registered. Other communities across the region are patting themselves on the back as well with registration numbers above the provincial mark set at 24%.

Winter Roads Open

It's that time of year again the northern winter roads network is open. The provincial and federal government funded the ice road network that connects 28 First Nations.  Cold weather in December and January meant an early start to this year's winter roads season.

Murray Keeping Eye On Roads

The provincial government says its closely monitoring winter road maintenance of the province's highways this winter. Transportation Minister Glenn Murray acknowledges some contractors have been fined for not meeting snow plowing standards, and stronger action will be taken if his Ministry don't see significant improvements. Murray also inviting resident to call contractors and the Ministry if they have complaints about the roads.

Veterans Protest Office Closure



Frank Fox places
black wreath at VA office

The Veteran's Affairs office in Thunder Bay is closing today.  This morning there was extreme emotion at the office on Red River Road as veterans held a mock Remembrance Day ceremony complete with a wreath and poppies to commemorate the closure.   Also on hand was local veteran Roy Lamore who went to Ottawa and pleaded in vain with the minister Julian Fantino to keep this office, another others in the country, open.

United Airlines Pulls Out

Shocking news out of the Thunder Bay Airport.  United Airlines is ceasing its service between Thunder Bay and Chicago. They'll pull out of the local airport on April 24th of this year.  Airport Manager Ed Schmidtke says the City will still be connected to the US via Winnipeg or Toronto by Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines. Meanwhile, WestJet's new Encore flights will depart from Thunder Bay four times daily to Toronto and twice to Winnipeg starting June 27th.

Uli Walthers Sworn In As 2014 Chair

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is announcing Uli Walther as the 2014 Chair of the Board. Speaking at the Chamber's Annual General Meeting Thursday evening, Walther says one of the board's goals will be to see more of an impact from Aboriginal workers. Also at the meeting was First Nations Negotiator Bob Rae. Walther says having Rae speak at the event was a significant move in pushing the boards goal forward.

Vets Speak With Rafferty Over Office Closure

A memorial service is being held today over the loss of the city's Veteran's Affairs Office. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says after speaking with local veterans it is clear that they are not impressed with Minister Julian Fanitno's handling of the situation. Vets will now have to travel over twelve hours to the North Bay office where half of their case files are being sent. The other half will be sent to Winnipeg.

Rae Says Talks Ongoing

Talks between the Province and First Nations Communities in the Northwest are continuing to move forward.  Speaking in Thunder Bay Thursday evening, First Nations Negotiator Bob Rae says both parties have been focused on the needs of communities involved.  Rae adds that talks have been mainly kept out of the public eye out of respect for all groups involved.

New Garbage Plan

The City is going to get their first look at the draft solid waste management plan Monday night.  Coordinator Jason Sherband says one of their ideas include allowing co-mingled materials in the bins at the recycling depot. Another idea in the plan includes moving to a clear garbage bag program.