LCRA re-opens the Cascades

The cleanup is complete. The Cascades Conservation area is now re-opened to the public.  The recreation area at the end of Balsam Street was closed last month to allow the for the clean up of damage caused by a windstorm last September.

Police uncover city grow op

Three city residents are facing charges after a marijuana grow op bust. Police say they executed a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of Rowand Street this week. 20 pot plants were seized with an estimated street value of 20 thousand dollars. Two women were arrested at the scene and a man surrendered to police later.

Chamber prez has concerns about EI premiums

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce says he has some concerns about the federal budget. Harold Wilson notes there is expected to be an increase in Employment Insurance premiums. He believes it can have a negative effect on job growth. Wilson says he is pleased the feds will be looking at government spending practices

Water issues pass the budget test

There is relief coming for Current River residents who have had trouble with their water pressure. Councillor Andrew Foulds says money have been set aside in the budget to take care of their problem.   Foulds says then in 2011 and 2012 there will be a new watermain to improve fire safety for Claude Garton School and the Current River Rec Centre.

Handicapped group upset over accessible taxis

The handicapped community in Thunder Bay has had enough. They say there aren't enough accessible taxis in the city and went to the Police Services Board to get some satisfaction. Ron Ross is the head of the handicapped lobby group PUSH. He says the current situation is unacceptable especially for wait times.   The Board has agreed to look into the problem, but in the meantime, Ron Bourett of the city will be meeting with PUSH officials to try to find some immediate solutions.

Herman says Community Police model outdated

Community policing in the city is undergoing changes. Police Chief Bob Herman presented an update on his three year business plan to the Police Services Board. Chief Herman says his forces' priorities have changed dramatically and the old neighbourhood model isn't effective anymore and is being modified.  He says it's been replaced by the community response team, and that the beat officer program may be expanded because the public response to it has been tremendous.  Chief Herman says the force is always looking at ways to make the best use of it's police officers and resources.

Long term care beds announced

The provincial government is redeveloping over 100 long term care beds in Thunder Bay. MPP Bill Mauro says its part of a larger plan that will see 35 thousand beds redeveloped across Ontario. He says the location of the beds hasn't been decided.    Some of the redeveloped beds could be in the Bethammi Nursing home.

Taj Mahal headlines this years Blues Fest

The line-up is all set for this years Blues Festival. Organizer Trevor Hurtig says the headliner this year is Taj Mahal. In addition there will be Blues Traveler and Robert Randolph. Hurtig calls it incredible,exciting and the best line-up in the history of the event.  This years festival takes place July 9th, 10th and 11th.

Award winning author visits city

An award winning Canadian author is calling his trip to Thunder Bay a rewarding experience. Nino Ricci  is to give a reading and speak at the University tonight.  He says it's his first time in the city adding he enjoys meeting those who read Canadian literature and make it meaningful for him to write his books.   Ricci received the Governor Generals fiction award for his book The Origin of Species

Thunder Bay's Tai Chi Chef faces the Dragons

Peng You's hopes of getting the backing of the Dragons was ended last night. Thunder Bay's Tai Chi Chef was on last night's episode of CBC's the Dragons Den and had his business idea of teaching chinese cooking with tai chi turned down. You says although its too bad his idea wasn't accepted it was a good experience all the same.

Alex Dupuis leads Thunderwolves to a 4-1 win over Western

The chants of Doooooo! were filling the Fort William Gardens last night as the home town crowd really got behind Thunderwolves rookie goalie sensation. Dupuis made 34 saves in the 4-1 win over the Western Mustangs to lead the Wolves to 1-0 series lead in the OUA western final. Head Coach Joel Scherban says Dupuis has really given the team the goaltending the team needs in the playoffs. Game two goes Saturday night in London with game three if necessary going Sunday again in London.

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.