Rafferty remembers NDP Leader

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is shocked by the passing of NDP Leader Jack Layton. The 61 year old died this morning after battling a second round of cancer. Rafferty considers Layton a friend and one of the reasons he decided to enter politics. Rafferty is collecting messages from the riding for the Layton family. The MP's offices are closed today out of respect for the family.

Outdoor water ban over

The trunk watermain break at Marina Park is repaired. The ban on outdoor water use that came into effect last week is now over. The water distribution system is back to normal.

Vote for Port Arthur Stadium

With a click of the mouse you can help support Port Arthur Stadium in their quest to become Canada's Favourite Ballpark.  The final round of voting in the Baseball Canada competition starts Tuesday at noon. Voting continues for two weeks and wraps up on September 6th.  To vote click here.

Hobbs takes part in AMO conference

Thunder Bay will be joining discussions Tuesday in London about the heads and bed levy.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says they want to see an increase in the levy by 80 percent.  Municipalities receive the levy in lieu of property taxes for universities, colleges, hospitals and correctional facilities.  The discussion is part of the Association of Municipalities conference being held in London, Ontario this week.

OPP Bouncer Blitz

The OPP are releasing more information about their security guard and bouncer blitz. Detective Sgt. Rick LePage says in Thunder Bay 105 charges were laid. In Kakabeca Falls, nine charges were laid for failing to wear a uniform. LePage says they charged bouncers working at night clubs and businesses that sell the services of security guards.

PC's feel confident in NWO

The Ontario Progressive Conservatives are predicting they will do well in northern Ontario in the next provincial election.  Ken Zeise is president of the party and says they are very optimistic about making in-roads in this region.  Zeise says he's travelling across the north this week, meeting with party faithful, and gearing up for the October 6th election.

10-thousand towards Children's Wish

Thunder Bay's Children's Wish Foundation is 10 thousand dollars richer thanks to local Wendy's restaurants. Director George Badanai says all money raised goes directly towards fulfilling local kids wishes. The 25th  Children's Wish Charity Golf Tournament is on September 9th.

Conservatives nominate McKay

All the major parties in Kenora Rainy River have their candidates in place for the October 6th provincial election. The Conservatives are the latest party to select their candidate. Kenora City Councillor Rod McKay beat out Louis Roussin for the Tory nomination.

Bar owner ready to fight OPP Blitz

A Thunder Bay bar is getting ready to fight the results of an OPP bar blitz.  Co-owner of Shooters Tavern Paul Maybroda says officers charged some bouncers for not being licenced or for not wearing uniforms.  Maybroda says he will be helping his employees who were charged during their October 28th court date. 

No one hurt in fire

No one was hurt in a kitchen fire in an apartment building.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue are investigating the fire that happened yesterday afternoon just after 5 o'clock at 273 Pioneer Drive.  Crews managed to keep the damage to the kitchen of one of the units.

Libyan rebels have entered Tripoli

Rebels have stormed the capital of Libya and according to Lakehead University Political Science expert Laure Paquette its only a matter of time before the civil war ends.  Paquette says rebels are storming Moamar Gadhafi's compound and it'll likely be chaos until he is found and arrested or killed.

Forest fire situation

Seven new fires have been reported in the last 24 hours with approximately 80 active fires burning in the Northwest region. People from across Canada and the United States are in Ontario supporting the fire fighting effort. A total of 433 people are assisting with our current fire situation. Over 600 thousand hectares of forest have burned to date this year.

Fire Ban in Thunder Bay

A fire ban has been put on the city by Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service. All fire permits are cancelled until further notice. Firefighters blame low water pressure and the dry weather the reason for the recent ban.

NWO mining company fined

Premier Gold Mines has been fined 25-thousand dollars for constructing water crossings on Crown land without a permit.  Court heard that last October a company representative spoke with the Ministry of Natural Resources about a planned project in the Fly Lake area, northeast of Ear Falls.  The MNR advised the company that it would need a permit before conducting the work, however officials soon discovered that work had started prior to the permit being issued.  The Company voluntarily conducted remediation work in the areas where the stream crossings were built.

Green Party leader visits T.Bay

The leader of the Provincial Green Party is paying a visit to Thunder Bay Saturday.  Mike Schreiner is speaking with party faithful today and will throw his support behind local candidates Scot Kyle and Russ Aegard.  Schreiner likes his party's chances in the coming election and notes most of today's jobs are green.

AbitibiBowater saves dinero

Thunder Bay's AbitibiBowater pulp and paper mill is reducing its electricity costs.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the company will be able to see cost savings thanks to two government programs.  The local mill will save about 25 to 30 million dollars a year.  Mauro says the programs are already in effect for the local mill.

4 vehicle accident at Simpson and Robertson

No one is hurt after a four vehicle accident Friday afternoon.  The chain reaction crash occurred shortly after 12:30 in the Robertson and Simpson Street area.  A witness at the scene says the accident may have been the result of one or more of the drivers being distracted by a pedestrian in a wheelchair who fell over after hitting a sidewalk pothole.

Conservatives vote in Kenora Rainy River

All the major parties will have their candidates in place in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding after this weekend. The Conservatives will select their candidate tomorrow after a travelling ballot box makes stops in Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora. Two Kenora City Councillors are duking it out for the position.

Watermain break at Marina Park

The City is putting an outdoor water use ban in effect because of a watermain break in Marina Park.  Residents are also being asked to limit all non-essential water use until repairs can be made to the system.  Water is being redirected and it may result in discoloured water in some areas.

Facebook campaign against prescription drugs

A Thunder Bay resident has launched a Facebook page trying to raise money and awareness about prescription drug abuse. Lyle Fox is walking from Sioux Lookout to Thunder Bay starting August 22nd. Fox wants to have an impact on First Nation students who will be attending high school in the City.