First Nations youth receive important donation

Youth at four area First Nations around Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls are benefiting from a large donation of sports equipment from residents of Ottawa. The U-Haul truck load of equipment was distributed to children at Whitefish Bay, Northwest Angle #33 and #37 and Onigaming yesterday. Former Metis Nation of Ontario president, Tony Belcourt, who lives in Ottawa, helped organize the drive.

OPP prepare for New Years

Arrive alive this holiday season - don't drink and drive. It's a message we've all heard before but OPP constable Dave Cain says some people still aren't getting the hint. OPP will be out in full force over the long weekend enforcing their festive ride campaign.

Outbreak over at Dawson Court

The stomach flu like illness at Dawson Court is officially over.  The Health Unit has lifted all visiting restrictions.

Council 2012 Budget

City Councillor Linda Rydholm says there are problems with the way services are delivered in Thunder Bay.  Rydholm says they need to see what other communities are doing right.  The budget will come before council in mid-January.

Gravelle on auditor general report

MPP Michael Gravelle says the new year will bring an auditor general report into our air ambulance system. Gravelle says they look forward to hearing the findings.  The report is expected sometime in the near future; MPPs don't head back to work until February.

REACH in 2012

Confederation College's Health and Community Dean is looking forward to expanding their programs in 2012.  Kathleen Lynch says their health care programs have a tie to the region.  The REACH building opened in Thunder Bay in September.

Snowfall expected to end tonight

The bulk of snow has already fallen in Thunder Bay.  Our Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says we can expect another 2 centimetres today.  We'll get a break from the snow on Friday but more is expected on New Year's Eve.

Health Sciences Centre battles Enteric Outbreak

The Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre has reduced visiting to its 2A unit due to an outbreak of Enteric.  Officials says patients will be allowed one visitor only and they expect the measures to stay in affect for a minimum of 5 days. 

Gastrointestinal outbreak closes Dawson Court

A gastrointestinal outbreak is forcing a closure at Dawson Court.  Admissions, transfers, discharges and activities have been cancelled at 1 North and 2 South of the facility.  At the same time the Health Unit has declared the outbreak at Pioneer Ridge over. 

Murder Charge handed out

Kelsey Jacob is now facing a 2nd degree murder charge.  The man is charged in connection to the death of a 53 year old man last week.  Barney Beaver was assaulted at the Victoria Inn December 17th and later died in hospital.  Jacob will be in court next Thursday.

Nice weather on Boxing Day

Thunder Bay experienced warmer than normal temperatures during the holiday break.  On Boxing Day we broke a record for warm weather set back in 1994.  Our Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says we had a high of 6 degrees which is .5 degrees warmer than the previous record.

Fire at Boyer Truck Sales

Thunder Bay Police closed a section of Arthur Street last night while a fire was battled at Boyer Truck Sales. There is still smoke in the area and the fire is still smouldering. Arthur Street was closed for four hours last night from 10 until 2 am.

Get your trees chipped

Christmas tree chipping sites are open starting today. City Spokesperson Jason Scherband says there are five locations on both the North and South sides of Thunder Bay. You must take all ornaments, tinsel and plastic tree bags off of the tree to have it chipped.

Christmas Kettle a huge success

The Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle campaign has exceeded all expectations this year. With all the donations, the Salvation Army will be able to continue the mobile feeding program, offer the Red Cap anti-bullying program and keep the food bank running. The campaign ended yesterday raising nearly 175,000 dollars.

Assault victim dies

Police are now confirming that the person who was the victim of last weekend's assault at the Victoria Inn has died. They say he died this morning at the Health Sciences Centre.   The 53 year old man was taken to hospital with critical injuries after the Saturday morning incident. A 33 year old Summer Beaver man was charged. Police say they knew one another.

More to come for cancer care in 2012

2011 was an exceptional year for cancer care in Northwestern Ontario according to Michael Power, the CEO at the Cancer Centre. Power says there are several highlights to point to including funding for a new cyclotron. Power says to expect an announcement in the new year of a multi million dollar investment in new radiation technology

Mauro sees 2011 as a year of growth

Growth and investment in the northwest is how MPP Bill Mauro looks at 2011.  Mauro says he stands by the government's record even though he and fellow MPP Michael Gravelle faced defeat in the October election. 2012 should be an interesting one at Queens Park as the McGuinty government tries to work in a minority situation.  Looking ahead Mauro says the upcoming budget will be one to watch.

2011 an interesting year for Rickford

MP Greg Rickford is all smiles when he talks about 2011.  First he was re-elected in his Kenora Riding and then his Conservative party won a majority government. The year also saw Rickford take some of the national spotlight for the Harper government in the Attawapiskat crisis.

Highs and lows for the NDP in 2011

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says 2011 was a year of mixed emotions for the NDP. In his look back on the year Rafferty says there were huge strides made in the election with the low point being the death of their leader Jack Layton. The year will also go down as an interesting one for Rafferty. He and his fellow NDPRer Bruce Hyer were sanctioned for voting against their party on the Long Gun Registry, but he's doing what he can to be the voice of his constituents. Rafferty predicts 2012 will be a struggle for the NDP since the Harper government has a majority.

FWFN Chief calls 2011 "positive"

As 2011 closes out on the Fort William First Nation, Chief Peter Collins says it was a positive year. He says the reserve made history with the signing of a land claim agreement with the Canadian and Ontario governments. Strategic planning will play a key role for the Fort William First Nation in 2012. Looking to the future, Chief Collins says that planning will be centred around economic development and adds, the community will keep looking for different economic opportunities.