OPP investigate industrial accident

OPP are responding to a second industrial accident in the Thunder Bay area this week. A 23 year old man was operating a scissor lift on the McKenzie River Bridge in Shuniah when it tipped over. He fell over 50 feet, and was transported to the Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Cancer Care Northwest launches plan

Cancer Care Northwest is launching its four year cancer plan.  Vice President Michael Power says they'll be putting money towards advancing their IT department.  Cancer Care Northwest also plans to start a new Palliative Care Program.

Lab gets 1.3 million dollars

Over 1.3 million dollars in public funds is going to a bio energy lab at Thunder Bay's Abitibi Bowater mill.  The lab will use federal and provincial tax dollars to extract lignin from black liquor a by-product of the paper making process.

Cheques must be picked up

The postal dispute is forcing the city to ensure that welfare cheques are delivered to those in need.    The Social Services Administration board  and the District Housing Corporation  say all social assistance cheques for July will not be mailed and must be picked up next week at the CLE's Coliseum building.

Hawks may extend Sharp's Contract: LeBrun

It looks like Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp could be about to get a contract extension with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.   ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is Tweeting that Sharp's agent met with GM Stan Bowman and they agreed to talk again in a few weeks.  LeBrun adds that the Hawks are confident they can hammer out an extension.  Sharp is a year away from unrestricted free agency. 

Donations needed to help abused puppy

A 2 and a half month old puppy is at a vet clinic after being rescued from an owner who allegedly beat her with a golf club.  New Hope Dog Rescue Owner Valerie Mackett says she's looking for donations to pay for 35 hundred dollars worth of surgeries.  Donations can be made online or by calling New Hope.

Changes at the Canadian Wheat Board could affect Port

The Thunder Bay Port Authority is cautiously optimistic about the future of grain shipments if the Canadian Wheat Board loses its monopoly. CEO Tim Heney says he believes Thunder Bay will still be a competitive option for shipping overseas but business could be lost to the states.  At this point there has been no changes to the CWB but gutting the board has long been a priority of the government.

NOSM Grad Tracking Study

The Provincial Government is earmarking 1.14 million dollars for a tracking study of Northern Ontario Medical Students.  The five year study will examine graduates feelings about the program.  It will also look at factors that influenced students' choice of specialty, residency program and practice location.

Stop the Emerald Ash Borer

The City of Thunder Bay is worried about a bad bug that could kill all of the ash trees within the city. Urban Forester Shelly Veccio says the Emerald Ash Borer isn't in Northwestern Ontario yet and we should keep it that way.  Veccio says the bug will hitchike on firewood so always use local wood.  Studies have shown that the invasive pest will be in Thunder Bay within the next five years.

Wilson takes in Ring of Fire talks

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the work being done to advance the Ring of Fire. President Harold Wilson took part in a two day conference and says the next step is to help first nation businesses.  The Chamber of Commerce is lobbying the Provincial Government for business development for First Nations.

Full evacuation called for Mishkeegogaming

The First Nation community of Mishkeegogaming is being completely evacuated.  The community is being overcome with heavy smoke from a forest fire that has moved to within 15 kilometres of the First Nation community.  The MNR says the community isn't threatened at this time but the fire is not under control. 

Manslaughter plea in 2010 death

Guilty is the plea as two Thunder Bay women avoided a trial in the death of a Big Trout Lake woman in September of 2010. The woman's body was found in a room at the Arthur Street Travelodge Hotel. Joanna Vivier and Michelle Morris have pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will now be sentenced November 16th when more details of the case are expected to come out

Arson charge laid in weekend fire

The resident of a Pruden Street apartment is charged with setting a fire to his own place. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says it follows an investigation into the blaze which took place over the weekend.  The 53 year old is out of custody and is scheduled for a court appearance next month.

Thunder Bay aims to become "Walkable"

A new active transportation group is aiming to make Thunder Bay more walkable.  The Thunder Bay Health Unit held a one day conference aimed at finding ways to make the city more pedestrian and bike friendly.  Spokesperson Stasha Star says they'll eventually bring their findings to City Council. Star says they're goal is to encourage people to walk to the grocery store or work instead of reaching for car keys.

Gravelle closes Ring of Fire conference

A two day conference on the Ring of Fire has come to a close.  Minister Michael Gravelle says they'll take what they've learned and move towards implementing infrastructure in the far north. Gravelle adds they still need to find consensus on transportation methods and routes.  Each mining company prefers a different route but Gravelle feels they can come to a happy conclusion.  Gravelle says they'll continue to meet with Ring of Fire stakeholders.

4.2 million goes to Bio Energy project

The Provincial Government is putting another 4.2 million dollars towards Confederation College's Bio Energy Centre.  Outgoing President Pat Lang says the cash will mean she'll leave the school in a good financial position.  Lang says this final funding announcement means the project is completely paid for before it's even been built.  The biomass project uses wood waste to heat the college.

Squirrel causes brief blackout

Just blame this on the squirrel.  About 25 Thunder Bay Hydro customers  on the south side were affected by a brief power outage this morning.   The utility says the outage was caused after a squirrel was zapped on a transformer in the Marks and Harold Street area. 

New chair at St. Joe's

There's a new person chairing the board at St. Joseph's Care Group. Ray Halverson was elected at the Annual General Meeting and says he looks forward to the challenge of helping to oversee an important period at the hospital as it goes through the strategic planning process. Halverson comes to the board from a background in education

More residents leave Mishkeegogamang

Smoke from Sioux Lookout 35 continues to bear down on the community of Mishkeegogamang forcing the evacuation of more residents.    The forest fire is now reported to be about 10 kilometres away with smoke causing most of the problem.  About 150 residents have been taken to Sioux Lookout with 100 more heading for Ignace.

Hudak cancels visit to T.Bay

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak's  next visit to Thunder Bay is going to have to wait.   For the second time in the last month the party has postponed a planned stop in the city.  He was due here next week to talk to the business community.    Hudak has been operating under a limited schedule since his 3 year old daughter had to enter the Children's Hospital for an undisclosed illness.