LU official to retire

Lakehead University is looking for a new Director of Communications.  President Brian Stevenson says that Eleanor Abaya has decided to retire.  Her last day will be June 17th. 

Manley speaking in Thunder Bay

The Alzheimer's Society is bringing in a Silver medal figure skater. Elizabeth Manley will be speaking at their fundraiser on Thursday night at the Valhalla Inn.

Mailing changes on the way

Shuniah and Oliver Paipoonge residents will soon bid farewell to the Rural Route mailing system.  Canada Post is scrapping site numbers and will use street names.  Spokesperson Tom Creech says the changes will take effect in October.  Pass Lake is also impacted by the changes.

Blank paper draws more attention to story

Lakehead University's newspaper isn't taking their censorship lying down. The Student Union pulled a story from the paper that was about the alleged rigging of their elections.  Argus Editor Ian Kaufman says before this happened they didn't know LUSU could have final say over their stories.  The paper has written an amendment to LUSU's laws that if passed will guarantee them editorial autonomy.  Kaufman says the blank page on their current newspaper has actually garnered the story more attention.

Counselling Centre receives cash

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is giving a local counselling centre 98 thousand dollars.  The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre will use the money to hire a co-ordinator and develop online counselling services.

Irwin named to Team Canada

Thunder Bay's Haley Irwin will be pulling on the team Canada sweater again. She's been named to the roster for the upcoming World Championships. Irwin helped Canada win a silver medal at the last World Championships, where she chipped in with 2 goals and 3 assists. Irwin was also part of last year's Gold Medal winning team at the Vancouver Olympics.

Recruit recovering from gunshot wound

A Thunder Bay Police recruit is still recovering after an shooting accident in February. Jason Firth was hurt when his gun went off unintentionally at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer. Deputy Chief J-P Levesque says Firth's injury was quite serious and says the road to recovery will be lengthy. Levesque says once Firth heals, he will continue his training.

Foundation grants money for cancer care

Almost 900 thousand donor dollars are being used for cancer care in Thunder Bay and the region. Regional Health Sciences Foundation CEO Glenn Craig says some of the money is being used for a new breast MRI program which he says is huge help for patients.   As well, half a million dollars will help support cancer research at the hospital. 

Boshcoff takes leave

It's official, City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is taking a leave of absence from council.  The Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay Rainy River will miss one meeting while campaigning in the Federal election.  Boshcoff's leave takes effect Tuesday, April 12th.

Combined Guns and Gang unit arrests 3

The Regional Combined forces guns and gangs unit has 3 people in custody in Sioux Lookout.  Officers made the arrest Monday after finding a military grade rifle and another prohibited device for the gun.  The 3 are facing a number of charges including guns trafficking.

70-thousand dollars in Marijuana seized

The Combined Forces Crime unit has seized over 70 thousand dollars in marijuana after searching a Hester Street home.  A 23 year old man is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, and proceeds of crime.

ONA weighs on new report

The Ontario Nurses' Association is urging the Provincial Government to act on a list of 13-recommendations on improving Health Care in Northern Ontario. First Vice-President Vicki McKenna says a new ONA report on health services can't sit on the shelf and collect dust. The ONA is demanding that socio-economic and environmental issues in Northern Ontario be examined in order to address the root causes of lower life expectancy.

Hearings controversy heats up...NOMA joins

There's more pressure on the McGuinty Liberals over the Forest Tenure hearings.  This time it's the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association throwing it's weight behind the push to bring the committee hearings to Northern Communities.   NOMA says that holding the hearings only in Toronto will do nothing to the people whose lives depend on the forest. 

Forest Tenure Reform

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is jumping on the anti-forest tenure bill band wagon. The Ontario Forest Industry has come out opposed to the legislation and is upset the Province has refused to hold hearings on the legislation in the North. Chamber President Harold Wilson says wood tenure reform is a very important issue for the North; yet the region is being excluded from the hearings. Meanwhile, Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says he wants to ensure its a good piece of legislation for the region. The province will provide video conferencing for those who can't attend in Toronto. Hearings will take place in Toronto on April 11th and 13th.

Wood Allocations Welcome

Two Nipigon-Greenstone area First Nations are accepting wood supply offers from the province. The province is investing one million dollars into the contruction of a new pellet plant and over 30-thousand dollars into the modernization of a sawmill. Spokesperson JP Gladu says the announcment is welcome news. The wood allocation creates around 20 new jobs for the communities.

Returning offices now up and running

The Elections Canada returning offices in both Thunder Bay ridings are now open  The office for the Thunder Bay Rainy River riding is located in the Northwood Mall on Redwood Avenue. The Returning Officer is Tom McCuaig.  The Thunder Bay Superior North office is located at 106 North Cumberland Street, being headed by Returning Officer Bill Everitt.   Both are preparing voter information cards which will be sent to homes in the riding starting this week.   Advance polling dates are set for April 25th, 26th and 28th.

Cops for Cancer

The 15th annual Cops for Cancer event is looking for another successful turn out. Event Chair Constable Greg Stephenson encourages everyone to show their support by shaving their heads for cancer research.You can take part Saturday, May 7th at Intercity Mall.

Thunder Bay farmers grow chickpeas

Chickpeas and lentils can be grown in Thunder Bay.  Thunder Bay's Agricultural Research Station has tested out the crops and President Bruce Forrest says it helps them be more environmentally friendly.
The new crops minimize environmental impact on the land.

Rainbow Trout Spawning

The Spring spawning season for rainbow trout will soon be underway. The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to collect information on the trout they catch. Spokesperson Davis Viehbeck says they'll teach you how to handle the fish. The information will be used to manage rainbow trout populations.

T.Bay Ball player honored

A Thunder Bay ball player is the Minnesota College Athletic Conference's co-winner of its player of the week honours.  Kurtis McCallum, who plays for Virginia's Mesabi Range Community College, batted five-hundred and had two homers and 14 RBI's in the Norse's six wins last week.