Bright future at new Mary J.L. Black library

It's all smiles at the new Mary J.L. Black Library. The newly built library received $1.4 million dollars each from the Provincial and Federal Government. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro and Councilor Joe Virdiramo were in attendance and say they are very proud of the new location. Talks are already beginning about the possibility of a new library opening in the County Park area.

Garage fire on McLaughlin St.

Thunder Bay firefighters made short work of a garage fire that erupted around 2:30 AM, Sunday morning on McLaughlin St. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No severe damage was done and no injuries were reported. This marks the second garage fire in Thunder Bay in the past 2 weeks.

Police catch car thief

A 21 year old Thunder Bay man will appear in video court Sunday morning after being charged with attempted theft, mischief and possession of break in instruments. Police caught the man at 199 Academy Drive in a van which he was attempting to steal. Officers say there were several other damaged vehicles of which he was trying to take.

Announcement at Mary J.L Black library

The Provincial Government is expected to make an important infrastructure announcement at the Mary J L Black Library today. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro will be joined at the event by Councillor Joe Virdiramo.

Police search for missing teen

Thunder Bay police are looking for assistance finding missing 15 year old Frankie Lachinette. Lachinette is described as 5'4'', 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with further information is asked to contact police.

A meeting to end long meetings

City Councillors will be meeting soon to talk about how to shorten up their long meetings.   Last Monday's Council meeting ended around midnight which is unacceptable according to Councillor Rebecca Johnson. She hopes some sort of solution can be found to an issue which has been a pet peeve of hers. Johnson says the City Clerks office is trying to arrange for a special council meeting to address the problem.

T BAY man wins 75 grand

Thunder Bay's Keith MacMillan is 75 thousand dollars richer after playing THE OLG's Instant Pac Man game.  The 76 year old grandfather of 11 says he'll use the money to buy a new car.

Hiker unhurt after being lost

A 23 year old Thunder Bay woman is safe after being lost in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park overnight. OPP Sgt. Dan Peters says she was reported missing by her hiking companion around 9 o'clock Thursday night.  Police then called the Emergency Response Team into action and within several hours the woman was found on one of the hiking trails, cold but otherwise not hurt.

Chamber hands out scholarships

Three Thunder Bay teens will be sharing 500 dollars from the Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber awarded the scholarships to Brooke Barritt, Kaitlyn Hindman and Kailey Trodd.

No AHL team for Thunder Bay...yet

Thunder Bay is out of the running to becoming the new home of the Manitoba Moose, at least for now.  True North Sports and Entertainment is announcing today that St Johns Newfoundland will be the new home of the AHL team for a 3 year trial period.  Officials with True North say after the three years the team will be re-evaluated.

Provincial Government doles out cash

The provincial government is doling out 431 thousand dollars to Northwestern Ontario community groups. The Big Thunder Nordic Ski Club is getting a share of the funds, as is Lakehead University and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Thunder Pride this weekend

CUPE Ontario's President is in Thunder Bay this weekend to celebrate the city's first ever "Thunder Pride" event.  Fred Hahn is showing his support for the gay and alternative lifestyle.  A variety of events are taking place across the City this weekend.

MEAGlow lab open at LU

Lakehead University's research reputation is getting another shot in the arm with the official opening of a new lab which will develop LED lights.  It's being made possible through a partnership with a company called MEAGlow.   Your federal and provincial tax dollars contributed almost 800 thousand dollars to make the lab a reality..

Unions Protest Hobbs' Comments

The National President of the Canadian Autoworkers Union is calling out Mayor Keith Hobbs.  Ken Lewenza took part in a protest in Thunder Bay Friday and says they're trying to remind the Mayor who helped get him elected.  The union is upset that the Mayor has said in the past the city could save money through job attrition.  CUPE also took part in the multi-union protest at the Valhalla Inn.

MNR continues to help Alberta

Ontario is playing an active role in the forest fire fight in Alberta.  The Province now has over 350 fire staff in the western Province, with about half representing Northwestern Ontario.  The Ministry of Natural Resources says there have been roughly 53-hundred person days of support provided, just over half the total support provided to B.C. for all of last year.  An Incident Management Team is slated to take over a 44-hundred square kilometre wildfire shortly, the largest wildfire Alberta has seen in 60-years.  The forest fire hazard locally is high in the Far North and in the Fort Frances District and moderate across the rest of the Region.

Jobless rate drops again

We aren't bucking the trend in job numbers.  Thunder Bay saw a drop in numbers last month going from 7.3 to 7.2 in May.  Thats puts us just under the national rate which fell to 7.4 percent.

Break in at Hillcrest

Thunder Bay police have arrested 2 people after an early morning break and enter.  Police say a 21 year old man and a 20 year old woman were arrested after a break in at the old Hillcrest High School just after 1 o'clock.

CAW holding conference in Thunder Bay

Delegates from the Canadian Autoworkers Union are calling for political mobilization at a weekend conference in the City.  Union members are learning how to become effective lobbyists during the lead up to the provincial election.  National CAW President Ken Lewenza will be speaking Friday.

Eric Brown excited about being drafted

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown is still pinching himself. The 22 year old pitcher is now a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization after being drafted this week.  Brown expects to be playing for the Vancouver Canadians this year.

Confederation College goes "green"

Confederation College is trying to be more green.  Sustainability Intern Courtney Korbyck says they're going to start small with a student campaign.  Korbyck says they'll encourage students to recycle, use public transit and cut back on using paper products. The college launched its five year environmental action plan Thursday.