Wesway project gets extended

Employees at Wesway services in Thunder Bay are celebrating. The non profit organization provides care to those people who are close to death. It was taking part in a special pilot project that provided those services to seniors living in communities throughout the Thunder Bay district. The provincial funding was to have run out at the end of last month. However officials have received word the funding will be extended another year.

No major controversy expected at City Hall

City councillors should be getting a break from any controversy Monday night. They won't have to deal with wind farms, bus depots or subdivision expansions. Instead they will hear a presentation from the Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium. Thats the group that tries to secure contracts for local businesses from the Alberta oil sands project. Also on the agenda, councillors will be asked to approve a policy on Violence in the Workplace as part of the changes to the provinces Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Snowbirds making a return visit next month

The Snowbirds are coming back to Thunder Bay. The Armed Forces precision flying team will entertain us May 26th. It will be part of Confederation Colleges' Aviation day according to organizer Paul de Oude. He says they'll perform a fly-by and not a full aerobatic show. The fly by will take place over the airport and city during the lunch hour and last about half an hour

Young soldier injured in Afghanistan back home

A bottle of scotch and some Pink Floyd. That's how Master Corporal Chris Drewes wants to relax now that he is back home in Thunder Bay. Drewes was injured in Afghanistan in the same roadside bomb blast that killed fellow soldier Private Tyler William Todd. The 24 year old Drewes doesn't consider himself a hero. He says if anyone should have that tag, it's Private Todd. Right now he is recovering from a shrapnel wound to his shoulder. He says he does have limited use of it. Drewes was welcomed at the airport by family and friends Friday afternoon.

Two hurt in John St. fire

Two people are hurt following a fire this afternoon at 960 John St. The fire is believed to have originated in a top floor bedroom of the semi-detached home. District Fire chief David Grant says one of the injured had smoke inhalation trying to put out the fire the other suffered a cut hand breaking a window.  Four people were in the house at the time the blaze broke out.  The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time

Local MPP's the target of attack ads

MPP Michael Gravelle denies accusations he and fellow MPP Bill Mauro are cutting frontline healthcare. The attack ads are aimed at the McGuinty governments' decision to cut professional allowances to pharmacies. Gravelle says the whole story isn't told, saying its about cutting the cost of generic drugs. He calls it a pretty tough battle that's going on, but believes the decision is in the best interests of Ontarians who are paying more than they should for generic drugs.   Gravelle says government grants to the pharmacies will help offset the losses they incur. Meantime, Mauro says he won't comment on the attack campaign.

Report targets suicide prevention

Youth leaders in the city say they are encouraged by a report on preventing youth suicide. The report was compiled after workshops with local high school students. Spokesperson Debbie Sault says the community should pay attention to this report because youth need support from adults, but many adults are terrified of the topic and they won't talk about youth suicide or don't know how to respond. Some of the recommendations in the report include, having more activities available for youth and having more access to professional help.

Thunder Bay's inflation rate drops

Thunder Bay saw a small drop in the inflation rate last month. Our rate was 0.8 percent in March down from February's 1.1. It was the same story nationally where the rate went from 1.6 to 1.4. The core inflation rate saw an even bigger drop from 2.1 to 1.7 last month.

Replica handgun leads to weapons charges

Police say a 26 year old city man is facing weapons related charges following an incident at the OLG Casino this week. Police say staff noticed a man who appeared to be carrying a handgun. It turns out it was a replica, however a subsequent search of his home turned up pocket knives, a metal pipe and a razor blade.

TBSO names its new conductor

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra now has its new Music Director. Arthur Post becomes the 8th conductor to lead the orchestra in its 50 year history. Post says he's looking forward to his new role saying that in his short time in the city this season he noted the TBSO has a group of magnificant muscians who are also exceptional people.  Post will make his first appearance as conductor October 14th when the orchestra performs at the Community Auditorium.

ATV vote Monday in Oliver-Paipoonge

The Township of Oliver-Paipoonge may be about to allow ATV's on community roads. Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says on Monday council will be voting on the issue. She says it's just a matter of convenience for the rural residents. She says alot of them have ATV's and would like to get from point A to point B in the municipality. Kloosterhuis says the vote will follow a presentation by the Thunder Bay Police on highway traffic laws as they apply to ATV's

LU prof stranded because of volcanic ash

A Lakehead University professor is stranded in London, England because of the ash from that volcano in Iceland. Peter Hollings just happens to be a geology professor and one who specializes in volcanoes, an irony not lost on him. He says he is staying with family and so it hasn't been unpleasant. He says there are some people questioning whether officials reacted in haste in grounding all air traffic. Hollings says he was surprised by the blanket ban but admits officials had to err on the side of safety. Hollings says he hopes to be back in Thunder Bay on the weekend and teaching by Monday.

Restricted fire zone in place

The dry conditions in northwestern Ontario have forced the hand of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Fire information officer Deb MacLean says a restricted fire zone is now in place. It affects the Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Kenora districts as well as parts of the Sioux Lookout and Red Lake districts. Maclean says not to let the cool weather fool you, the conditions are ripe for forest fires.

Minor injuries in accident

There are only minor injuries  following a two car accident during the noon hour on the citys' north side.  The vehicles came into collision at the intersection of Dufferin and Banning.   Police have laid a charge of failing to yield against one of the drivers.

Ignatieff plans return visit to the city

Federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is coming to Thunder Bay on Tuesday, May 4th. He'll begin the day with a party policy announcement affecting northern Ontario. Following that Ignatieff is scheduled for various appearances in the city. That includes a visit to St. Patrick's High School for a talk with students. He will also be pressing the flesh at Tony and Adams Restaurant that evening.

Dry weather to continue

Blame El Nino. Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says that the current dry conditions in northwestern Ontario are the result of that weather phenomenon.  So far in April we have had half the normal precipitation for the month.   He says there's no immediate end in sight,adding that over the next 7 days there is no measurable amount of rain in the forecast.  Coulson says we may see more normal temperatures and precipitation in May.

St Francis celebrates Earth Day with new program

St Francis school marked Earth Day by unveiling a new program. Students took the covers off no idling signs in the schools parking lot as part of a program to reduce air pollution. EcoSuperior's Ashley Priem says ten schools are participating in cutting down air pollution like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides that are especially harmful to children. The signs ask everyone to turn off their vehicles whenever they are parked at the school.

Dry Spring causing water level concerns

This springs extremely dry conditions are forcing the Lakehead region conservation authority to impose a level one low water condition. Chairman Bill Bartley says people should cut back their water consumption by about 10 percent to maintain adequate water levels in the Region. Bartley says there should be about 100 millimetres of precipitation a month but we've seen just under 60 millimetres since last September.

11/17 near Kakabeka to see improvements

The province is planning on improving a stretch of highway 11/17 east from Kakabeka Falls. The 13 kilometres of work will include various intersection improvements, two new passing lanes and pavement resurfacing of the Kam River Bridge on Highway 130. A tender call is out for the project and work is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Longtime friends share in lottery win

Two city residents will be getting a lot of new friends. Alan Laine and Rudolph Cvornjek are sharing the 250 thousand dollars they won playing Lottario. The two have been playing the same lottery numbers for 35 years and finally hit it big in the March 6th draw.