Kennel cough forces restrictions at the Humane Society

The Thunder Bay Humane Society has suspended all dog adoptions, and implimented other strict controls. It follows the discovery of the kennel cough virus among some of the dogs. Director Deb Cooper says it may take some time to get it under control as they treat the affected animals. She predicts anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. Cooper says that local vets are even asking dog owners to keep their pets out of the dog parks under the virus goes away.

First ever local food conference planned

For the first time ever Thunder Bay will be hosting a food conference. It will be headed up by local public health nutritionist Catherine Schwartz Mendez. She says the purpose is to strenghten the local food system. The conference will take place March 3rd and 4th at Lakehead University

City probing voting by internet and phone

Don't be surprised to see internet voting in time for this years municipal election in Thunder Bay. City Clerk John Hannam says a formal request is being issued this week for companies to come back to the city with proposals for all types of remote voting. He says that could including voting by internet, phone and even mail. Hannam says the deadline for submissions will be the end of March and he hopes to present councillors with some proposals shortly after that. Hannam says the purpose is to increase voter turnout.

Rural man charged with assaulting a police officer

A Marks Township man is charged after a city OPP officer was assaulted on the weekend. Police say the 24 year old was trying to stop the officer from arresting a man for impaired operation of a snowmachine. The incident orginated when police responded to complaints of a loud party in Conmee Township early Sunday morning at around 1 o'clock. The officer was not hurt.

Thunder Bay left out of northern hospital hearings

Thunder Bay is not included in a series of 12 public hearings on the future of rural and northern hospitals being put on by the Ontario Health Coalition.  The Coalition says those hospitals are under threat by the governing Liberals. The group says small hospitals are closing across the province and the work of a government panel set up to review health care in rural and northern communities has been shrouded in mystery.

Weekend hydro outage lasts about 2 1/2 hours

About 10 thousand Thunder Bay Hydro customers have something to talk about today. They were left in the dark for a period on Saturday night. Spokesperson Eileen Dias says a line problem from Hydro One caused the outage. She says about 6 thousand customers were back on service within an hour, the rest were back about an hour and a half later.

A new research lab is coming to Thunder Bay

Lakehead University is getting over half a million dollars to build a new research lab. It's being done in partnership with a private company. Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the lab will study LED lights and ways to improve the technology.  The money comes from the provinces Northern Heritage Fund

Money for off reserve native housing

The Matawa First Nations are getting over 3 million dollars for off reserve housing units. The funding will allow Matawa to either build new houses or to buy exisiting homes. It's part of a 7 million dollar pool of taxpayers dollars that is being spread among native non profit housing agencies in Thunder Bay, Red Lake and Kenora.

City gets funds for green transportation study

The province is giving the city of Thunder Bay almost 40 thousand dollars towards a transportation study. MPP Bill Mauro says the study will help to improve on green transportation choices for citizens. Its to support municipalities who are encouraging the public to use public transportation more than they do now. Mauro says it will be up to the city to decide which direction they would like to take the study

More cash for health research

Around 250 thousand dollars is going to the Health Sciences Centre and the District Health Unit for two new research studies. Doctor Rhonda Crocker Ellacot says the study at the regional will focus on patient falls.
The regional is getting 220 thousand dollars for the two

Honorary Indian released

A local author is hoping people will get a better understanding of themselves from her first book. Sandi Boucher wrote Honorary Indian as an autobiography to tell of the trials she has overcome and pass on a few life lessons she has learned.  Boucher also wants to share the gifts and traditions of First Nations people.  It tells of her struggles after the early death of her first child and how that profoundly changed her life and how she thinks.

Wind turbine debate rages on

Tonight the group that is against the wind farm on the Nor' Wester Mountains is holding a meeting at the ATAC building at Lakehead University. They'll present two speakers who will back their health fears about the wind turbines. Meantime, the public relations firm that represents the wind turbine developers, Firedog Communications, is allowing local media to interview a British scientist. Geoff Leventhall has written a book that debunks the so called "Wind Turbine Syndrome"

Keith Hobbs on the verge of mayoral announcement

It appears that Lynn Peterson may have a challenger for the mayors chair. Keith Hobbs of the city police has indicated on his Facebook page that he will be retiring next month. Once that's made official he says he'll be in a position to make his intentions on running for mayor known. There is already a Facebook site dedicated to the cause and the website draftamayor.com has been tracking his support.

Students will be rocking the Gardens at the Cavendish Cup

Were just over a month away from Cavendish Cup and the city is already gearing up. The Thunderwolves announced a new program aimed at getting more students into the stands. LUSU president Dave Grad says LUSU has partnered with SUCCI, the Thunderwolves, RBC and the Keg to provide affordable tickets to students.  Thunderwolves Executive Director Jason Mallon says having more students at the games will bring the atmosphere in the Gardens over the top.

Neebing Fire Station saga continues

The Neebing Fire Station is now in a new temporary home. The Thunder Bay Fire Service has moved the crews, equipment and trucks into the MNR Fire Centre on West Arthur Street. The Neebing Station on the 20th Side Road was closed February 10th for health and safety reasons when mould was found. Officials have no idea how long it may take to fix the problem

Injured girl flown to Winnipeg

A three year old child, who has serious injuries police deem suspicious in nature, has been moved to a Winnipeg hospital. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says she was taken there for further treatment. Meantime Adams says interviews are still being conducted to find out what happened to the youngster.  Police say the incident took place at a home on Candy Mountain Road in Oliver-Paipoonge on Tuesday

Summer festival highlights centennial

The building that is home to the Hoito Restaurant, the Finlandia Club, is celebrating it's 100th anniversary. The Bay and Agoma Business Association wants to recognize the occasion. President Norm Sponchia says they will begin with decorating the area. As well there will be a summer festival where Bay street will be closed to showcase the Finnish culture.

T-Dot man fined for illegal hunting

A Toronto man is 35 hundred dollars lighter after he was convicted of illegal hunting. He was with a hunting party north of Thunder Bay in October when the incident occurred. The Ministry of Natural Resources says the man shot two deer without a hunting licence and then left them in the bush. In addition to the fine he is not allowed to hunt in Ontario for one year.

Geraldton couple victims of fatal crash

Two Geraldton residents have been identified as the victims of Wednesday's fatal accident on the Trans Canada Highway between Vermillion Bay and Kenora.
64 year old Raymond Buhr and 62 year old Joanne Buhr were in a vehicle that collided with a transport truck.
Highway 17 was closed for most of the afternoon and was reopened four hours later after debris had been removed from the roadway.

Salvation Army kicks off tents for Haiti

The Salvation Army is launching a new fundraising program for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Thunder Bays' Major Mervyn Halvorson says when you donate, the money will go towards the purchase of tents to help shelter homeless families. You can make your donations at either of the Thrift Stores in the city.