Tbaytel Sponsors Golf Tournament

Tbaytel is presenting the upcoming PGA Thunder Bay Classic golf tournament.  The company is providing 150 thousand dollars over the next three years.  Organizer Scott Smith says it's win-win for both parties involved. The tournament will be held for the first time this summer.

Dryden Worries About MPAC

The provincial Government has alerted local leaders of a plan to implement 26-recommendations to improve the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.  The move will change the way MPAC does business and will allow for more transparency, Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says recent mill assessments have handcuffed several communities including Thunder Bay.  A letter released by the government states they are confident that implementing the recommendations and working with area communities will result in a fair, accurate and predictable system.

Northern Look At Wireless Auction

Tbaytel was shut out in the recent sell-off of wireless services in Canada. The regional company participated in the auction but failed to win any bids. Bell, Rogers, Telus and Bragg Communications received the winning bids for licenses in northern Ontario. A total of 97-licenses were awarded to 8 companies. The auction netted the federal government more than 5.2-billion dollars.

Osisko Ramps Up Attack On Goldcorp

Opposition to an unsolicited take-over bid from Goldcorp continues from Osisko Mining. Chief Executive Officer Sean Roosen says the bid is preventing shareholders from getting a dividend on their investment. Roosen says Osisko planned for a significant dividend policy, but claims that some of the money is now being spent on lawyers and bankers dealing with the legal challenge against Goldcorp. A Quebec court is to hear the matter March 3rd. Roosen is again urging shareholders to reject the bid.

OPP Warn Drivers

OPP are cautioning motorists to drive with extra care in preparation for a winter storm that is expected to hit our city. Police are asking people to postpone all non-essential travel until conditions improve, and asks for motorists to slow down.

Hospital Addresses Fire Code Violations

Hospital CEO Andree Robichaud admits they violated the fire code by treating patients in alcoves. Staff had to treat patients in the alcoves during times when the facility was overcrowded. At a news conference Thursday, Robichaud says while they were looking for alternatives to the alcoves they were fined. Robichaud says they did the best they could with the decisions they had to make.

1.1 Million For Events Centre

The Provincial Government and FedNor are giving the City 1.1 million dollars for the proposed Event and Convention Centre. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the funding will help take the heat off the City. Both levels will pony up their share of the funding which will allow Thunder Bay to complete a detailed design of the centre.

College Gives Out Cash

Confederation College President Jim Madder says its a chance to recognize top students and local donors. Over 250 students were given a total of 120 thousand dollars yesterday to help them continue learning at the college. Madder says the donors are made up of former students and others in the community who believe in what the college is doing

Winter Storm Warning For Tbay

Old man winter just won't go away as a winter storm warning is in effect.  Environment Canada Meteorologist Marie-Eve Giguere says two systems one from Alberta and one coming up from the Southern U.S. will hook up and dump 25-30 centimetres of snow on us. The heavy snow will likely start tonight and last well into Friday night.

More Vandalism At Silver City

Another night of vandalism at Silver City.  Two more vehicles were spray painted in the parking lot between 7:00 and 9:30 last night.  The vandals are also going through vehicles, stealing valuables and then spray painting them.  Police have adjusted the total and are now saying that is seven incidents in the past two nights.  Anyone with any information is asked to call Thunder Bay Police or Crimestoppers at 623-TIPS.

Hospital Faces Code Violation

The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is facing a fire code violation.   Chief John Hay says it's because patients are being placed in alcoves not designated  for their care.    The hospital is currently facing an overcrowding problem, but Hay says that doesn't matter,  and that officials should maintain safety standards at all times.

Positive Job Growth Predicted

A report from BuildForce Canada is predicting big times ahead for northern Ontario. The report states that a number of large resource and infrastructure projects will boost the construction sector in the north. It sites projects such as the Ring of Fire, the Energy East pipeline and ongoing transmission work. BuildForce Canada says that will bring new workers to the region over the next five years and will force the area to concentrate on recruitment efforts.

Nurses Hold Info Picket

Public health nurses in the city are sending a message to their employer.  They held an information picket at the District Health Unit on Barton Street today.   Michelle McColl of the Ontario Nurses Association says it's to draw attention to their contract talks with the Health Unit which recently broke off over the issue of wages.  The close to 60 nurses  have been without a new contract since the since end of 2012.

Taxpayers Group Wants Events Centre Vote

A local citizen activist is determined to force the city into having a question on this falls election ballot on the proposed events centre.  Ray Smith says his group, Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay, is holding a meeting next month to press their case for a plebiscite.  He believes it should come in two parts, first asking if voters support a new events centre and if so, where?   The meeting takes place at the Mary J. L. Black Library March 11th at 6:45

Dryden Treasurer Resigns

Another member of Dryden's senior management team is leaving. Treasurer Adrienne Bodnarchuk has announced her resignation effective April 30th. Officials with the financially crippled community are searching for her replacement.

Gravelle Defends ROF Progress

At  Queens Park the NDP are accusing the province of dragging its feet on the Ring of Fire mining project pointing to a lack of progress with establishing the development corporation.   However Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle fired back by saying there is plenty going on behind the scenes to come up with a transportation route.Gravelle says the hiring of the consulting firm Deloitte is an important part of the equation

Conmee Councillor Dies

The community of Conmee is in mourning today following the death of councillor Robert Rydholm after a brief illness...he was 93.   Mayor Kevin Holland says Rydholm has a long history in township politics having served as councillor and reeve for over 3 decades.    No arrangements have been made for his funeral.  

Hunter Fined

The hammer is coming down on more illegal hunting in the region.  This time it's a southern Ontario man who has been fined a total of 37 hundred dollars for illegally hunting two cow moose and for shooting across a road.   He has also been banned from hunting for a year.   The Ministry of Natural Resources says that the incidents happened at a resort in the Lac des Mille Lacs area, west of Thunder Bay last fall.

Police Investigate Mischief

City police are investigating several cases of mischief from last night. They say someone spray painted around a half a dozen vehicles parked at Silver City. Police feel more vehicles may have been targeted and the owners have yet to report the incident.

Alberta Clipper Coming

Environment Canada is now calling for ten to twenty centimeters of snow for the Thunder Bay area. Meteorologist Ria Alsen says the snow is on its way Thursday afternoon.  Alsen adds the snow should end sometime Friday afternoon.