New hockey franchise for the city still not a sure thing

The former Thunder Bay resident who is trying to bring an AHL or OHL hockey franchise to the city isn't having any early success. Anthony LeBlanc wants to make the local franchise a farm team for the Phoenix Coyotes when his group Ice Edge Holdings buys them. He says however, it's slow going so far. He says they're looking for franchises that are for sale or able to relocate, but nothing is available right now. Meantime LeBlanc is hopeful that his group will be able to have a deal in place soon to lease the Jobbing.com Arena in Glendale Arizona.

Local MPs largely critical of Throne Speech

Thunder Bays' two NDP Members of Parliament have few good words to say about the Harper governments' Speech from the Throne.  Bruce Hyer believes the speech lacks the vision of the average Canadian.   Hyer says the speech also highlights the governments' willingness to favour big business. Meantime, John Raffery says out of the 6 thousand words in the speech, there are 26 recycled words on forestry with no clear direction.    Both MPs agree, however, on a salary freeze for elected members, even though it is mostly symbolic.

Nor' Wester View School on Alert after wolf siting

Parents of students at Nor' Wester View School are being assured their children are safe. A school bus driver spotted a wolf on his route this week. Vice-Principal Laurel Moir says the school has now taken extra precautions as a result of the siting.   She says staff are outside at 8:15 in the morning equiped with  whistles and staff are also carrying walkie-talkies.   Moir says a note was sent home with the students as part of the protocol.

TBSO appoints Clint Kuschak interim GM

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra has a new General Manager, but it's only for a short time. Clint Kuschak is taking over on an interim basis. He's replacing Leanne Atkinson who is on a 10 month maternity leave. His duties will begin March 17th.

International Ice Boat Races on now

Thunder Bay is playing host to a the North American Ice Boating Championship Regatta this week. All the action is taking place on Lake Superior at Silver Harbour. There are about 50 racers here from as far away as San Diego, Germany and Poland. Richard Potkova from Detroit Michigan is one of the organizers and says conditions this week are ideal.   He calls the sport an addiction.  The races are taking place until Saturday.

More home care the goal for Community Living Thunder Bay

Community Living Thunder Bay is asking you to consider opening up your home. They're trying to expand a program that sees developmentally challenged people living in a family home environment. Melda Ponton and her husband take care of Cecily Ignace. She says they find it a rewarding experience because they're making a difference.  The organization says there is a need for 20 to 25 more homes to help these individuals.

Chris Whitley wins his first AHL start

Former Thunderwolves goalie Chris Whitley won his first career AHL start last night. Whitley backstopped the Lake Erie Monsters to a 6-5 shootout Victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins. Whitley spent over 150 games for the Wolves and has the career mark for wins.

Two college students hoping to win Dorito's contest

Two northwestern Ontario college students could be the new face of Dorito's. Adam Armit of Fort Frances and Joel Popoff of Schreiber want people to view their video produced for a Dorito's contest to help them win up to 250-thousand dollars. Popoff says they're sitting number one with a couple of weeks to go. The two are business marketing students at London's Fanshaw College.

Mustangs visit Thunderwolves for OUA West final

It'll be a packed house at the Fort William Gardens tonight.  The Thunderwolves are hosting their arch rivals the Western Mustangs for game one of the Western Final.  The Wolves split there season series with Western this year going 2-2 and winning both home games.  Head Coach Joel Scherban says playing in front of a home crowd against Western adds a lot of energy to his players.  Puck drop is at 7:30 PM.

Ice racing delayed

Organizers of an international iceboat racing competition on Lake Superior now hope to get things underway Wednesday morning. The race was supposed to start Tuesday at Silver Harbour, but weather conditions caused the postponement. There are competitors from Canada, the United States and Europe.

Probe continues into death of jogger

The full story waits to be told following the death of a jogger in the city Monday afternoon. OPP say 50 year old Katherine Chezick was killed after being struck by a transport truck when she tried to cross the Thunder Bay Expressway at the John Street intersection. Constable Diana Cole says they're still trying to piece together exactly what happened.   She says they're speaking with witnesses and anyone that was at the scene of the collision or in the area at the time.  No charges have been laid.

Tap water wins taste test

Thunder Bay's tap water has come out on top again. It follows a blind taste test pitting city water against bottled water. It was conducted by Eco-Superior over the weekend at the Chamber of Commerce Outdoors Show.  Eco-Superiors' Ellen Mortfield says that 80 per cent chose tap water, 50 per cent the filtered tap water and less than 20 per cent the bottled water.

A mother and two young children escape fire

No one is injured following a fire in the city Tuesday afternoon. It happened at 302 Sequoia Drive at around 2:30. The deck and stairs at the rear of the semi detached unit caught fire. The resident of the home says she made it out safely with her two young children thanks to a passer-by who honked his car horn to alert them. One fire official says it's believed that someone lit garbage on fire at the rear of the home. He says a couple of kids were seen running from the backyard

Three local nominees for film awards

Three Thunder Bay residents will be competing against each other in the upcoming Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards. All three are up against each other in the same category, Best Screenwriter. Kris Ketonen for The Sum Of Random Choice, Ryan La Via for Psyche and Eric Boissonneault for Sophie and Sarah. The awards will be presented May first in Sudbury.

LU names its' athletes of the month

Lakehead Athletics says there are six Athletes of the Month for February. Honoured are:  women’s Nordic skier Anna Crawford, men’s Nordic skier Greg Kilroy, women’s runner Hilary Quirion, men’s runner Alastair Brown, women’s basketball player Lisa Styles, men’s basketball player Greg Carter, women’s volleyball player Karla Brayshaw, women’s wrestler Katelyn Proulx, men’s wrestler Dustin Helwig, and men’s hockey player Scott Dobben.

Local woman pumped about Vancouver experience

A Thunder Bay resident says her month in Vancouver during the Olympics is an experience that will stay a lifetime. Kathy Bukovy worked as a hospitality representative for McDonalds restaurants. She says it's hard to hold back the excitement, adding, it was like winning a gold medal or a lottery. Bukovy says that the one thing that will always stick with her, was the pride Canadians showed in our country during the games.

Pedestrian killed in Expressway Collision

OPP have released the name of the victim in yesterday's collision at the John Street and Expressway intersection. Katherine Chezick was killed after being struck by a transport truck when she tried to cross the street. OPP officers say the 50 year old was jogging at the time. Police continue to investigate, so far no charges have been laid.

New York Rangers claim Alex Auld

Alex Auld didn't have to wait long to find out where he will be playing the remainder of the NHL season. Auld was waived by the Dallas Stars last week and was claimed by the New York Rangers Saturday. Auld joins fellow Thunder Bay boy Marc Staal and will be backing up Henrik Lundqvist.

OPP probing fatal accident

One person is dead following a traffic accident in the city Monday afternoon. OPP are saying very little at this time, but one report identified the victim as being a pedestrian. The accident took place at the interesection of John Street and the Expressway just after 4 o'clock. A section of the highway had to be closed for several hours as police investigated.

The Regional Research Institute gets its' city funding

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institutes' funding request has been approved by city councillors. They voted that the city set up a capital account of 1 and a half million dollars to help fund two major initiatives over the next three years. City Manager Tim Commisso says the benefits from this investment will be huge. He says it will help put the pieces together to make the city a centre of excellence in medical research. Commisso also says it positions the city to move forward in the delivery of health care to the region.