Special Visit Next Week

Thunder Bay is getting a visit from a federal cabinet minister next week.   Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt is the guest speaker at a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Tuesday.   He will be here to promote the Harper government's new budget as well as the proposed changes to First Nations education.  

Collision Leads To Mischief Charge

City police say that thanks to the publicity surrounding a collision last week they've come in contact with the driver of a pick up truck involved in the traffic mishap at Clarkson and Windsor Streets.   They say his version of events differs substantially from that of the driver of a mini van involved.  As a result,  they say the van driver has been charged with mischief after police allege he misled them about exactly what happened.

Secret Shopper Scam

OPP are warning area residents about a secret shopper scam. A local victim was the successful candidate for a secret shopper position and was forwarded a fraudulent cheque.  They were told they were investigating Western Union security procedures by choosing two friends to receive money transfers in the US. The victim transferred 2 thousand dollars and was later told two men claiming to be friends picked up the money.  Police are reminding the public if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Macs Robberies Video Released

City Police are looking for the person they believe is behind two Macs Convenience Store robberies Wednesday night.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they think the suspect is a 25 to 35 year old man.

Truck Driver Charged

Provincial Police have released the name of the transport driver who narrowly missed an oncoming tractor-trailer unit on Highway 11 in Greenstone last month. The incident generated over a million hits on Youtube. Police allege 31-year-old Akmal Hayat of Milton, Ontario tried to pass a snow plough and confronted a north bound transport. The driver of that vehicle was forced to the side and struck several guard posts. Police say Hayat drove off without stopping. OPP were able to identify the driver through the Youtube video. No one was injured. Hayat faces 3-charges.   View video HERE

Party Reserves Comment On Posting

The Progressive Conservative party says it's not in a position to comment yet on a news report regarding a social media posting by Tamara Johnson, the PC Candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North.   It indicated her views on businesses on the Fort William First Nation having advantages over those in the city.   While the original posting has been removed, Johnson continues to defend her opinion on her Facebook page. Meantime a spokesperson for the PC's tells our newsroom that they may not be able to comment today because of the provincial byelections in Thornhill and Niagara Falls. .

More Charges Against Lamont

A Thunder Bay manwho is already facing charges related to historic sexual assaults in the city and Warnica Lake, is now facing additional charges.   OPP say that after further investigation, 52 year old Gary Lamont is charged with two counts each of Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm, and Sexual Assault.  There is also a charge of Sexual Assault With a Weapon.   Police say, as with the previous charges, there are a number of male victims connected to the case who were between the ages of 17 and 24 at the time.

Gun Involved In Three Arrests

Thunder Bay Police made three arrests in connection with a bizarre incident Wednesday afternoon.  Officers responded to a report of a man being chased on foot by three other males in the vicinity of Ravenwood Avenue. It was believed that one of the males may have been armed with a gun.  One of the suspects was taken into custody when he was located behind a residence on Trillium Way.  That suspect had to be taken to hospital when he went into medical distress at the Balmoral Street Police Station.  City officers along with the OPP K-9 unit then located the other two suspects at an apartment on Academy Drive where a gun and ammunition were found.  The Special Investigations Unit continues to investigate the incident.      

Pair Of Overnight Robberies

Another night and another pair of robberies at Mac's Stores in the City. The first took place just after 2:30 this morning at the Balsam and River Street location, where a man entered the store brandishing a knife and got away with cash and lottery tickets.  The thief drove off in a blue vehicle.  The second heist occurred around 4:20 at the Mac's Store on Arthur Street West.  Again, a lone male was armed with a knife, and ran off with money and lottery tickets.  There were no injuries in either robberies.  

City Solicitor Budget Jumps 20%

The City Solicitor's budget is seeing an increase of twenty percent from the year before.  Solicitor Nadia Koltun says they decided to maximize her time by hiring more legal staff who can handle smaller court matters. The 2014 budget for city lawyers came in at 989-thousand dollars.

First Nations Northern Housing Conference

Lisa McCormick

Two First Nations communities are being recognized at tonight's twelfth annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference at the Valhalla Inn. Batchewana and Constance Lake First Nation are receiving the 2014 Innovation Awards. Lisa McCormick is Tenant Liaison for the Batchewana First Nation and says that their community has involved residents when designing their homes. She adds that the goal is to have them feel an attachment to the home and treat it with care. Corrina Cheechoo is an assistant with the Housing Program Coordinator and says her community has taken a long term approach to create safe and affordable living.

Companies Fined For Illegal Camps

The Ministry of Natural Resources is fining two companies 27-thousand dollars for illegally building a mining camp in the Ring of Fire. Vancouver based Fancamp Explorations and Thunder Bay's Webequie Logistics were found guilty of carrying out construction work without the authority of a work permit. The cases were heard in the Ontario Court of Justice recently.

Police Search For South Side Scoundrel

Police are looking for your help in stopping a string of business break ins they believe are being committed by one person.   They say there have been 30 south side break in reports since the beginning of the year.   Police believe the person responsible travels on foot and will be carrying a back pack, shopping bag or messenger bag.  

Weldon Is Sochi Bound

Thunder Bay's Robbi Weldon is going to Sochi.    The athlete who has been called a paralympic powerhouse, is heading to the Paralympic Games next month.    She has been named to the Canadian team and will be heading to Sochi with the para-nordic squad. Weldon competed in London, England 4 years ago and won gold in tandem biking.

Hospital Grants Handed Out

The Thunder Bay Hospital is putting 65-thousand dollars in grants towards some home grown ideas from front line staff that they say will make patients more comfortable during their stay. Glenn Craig is President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and says the Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees ) Grant focuses on small steps the hospital can take in improving visits. Over 70 applications were made for the grant but funds will be spread among 43. Some initiatives chosen include bedside safety mats to prevent falls, specialized wheel chairs, improved vital sign monitors, translated consultation forms for aboriginal patients, and bedside exercise therapy.

Habitat For Humanity Doubles Store Size

Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay is opening the doors to its newly expanded ReStore on Squier Street. Store Manager Tyson Neill says the store is now 6000 square feet which is double its old size. Neill adds that previous to the expansion donations were at times turned away because of a lack of space. Mayor Keith Hobbs was also at the opening and presented Neill with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city.

TBCC Unsatisfied With City Budget

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce isn't giving the city's budget full support.  President Charla Robinson commends council and the work its done in reviewing the  fiscal document line by line, but says it still falls short.  Robinson says even though the tax increase is below 2 per cent,  the chamber is disappointed not enough was done to control costs and that the operating budget continues to rise.  She believes councillors missed a number of opportunities to make cuts.

Auction Won't Cover Debt

Global Stick's debt won't be paid anytime soon.  Infinity Asset Solutions says Tuesday's auction of the company's assets won't cover its 15 million dollar debt.  VP Jason Hayne can't say how much was raised but notes most times an auction doesn't provide nearly enough to cover a company's debts.

Chamber Likes Fed's Budget

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is taking a liking to the Harper government's budget.   President Charla Robinson says that there are numerous programs that the chamber is keen to support like money for an expanded apprenticeship program and the Canada Jobs Grant.  Robinson also points to expanded broadband internet service to remote communities and a new Building Canada fund.

Heart Of The Continent

A tourism partnership between Northwestern Ontario, Northern Minnesota and the National Geographic Society is now official. Together they will create an online regional geo-tourism initiative highlighting the region. The Heart of the Continent partnership means a new in-depth website and smartphone app that will be linked with existing National Geographic sites.