Seven Seek Grand Chief Post

The candidates are now in place for Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief.  There are seven people vying for NAN's top spot.  They are; current Deputy Grand Chiefs Terry Waboose and Mike Meta-tawabin, former Sioux Lookout Mayor Lawrence Martin along with the head of of Wawatay David Neegan.  Rounding out the list are  Harvey Yesno, Doug Semple and Brian Davey

More Flood Damage

The City says it's uncovered more damage to public property from the May 28th flood. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says there are two areas that were hit which they weren't aware of until recently.  The first is a trail system by the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway which has not been repaired yet.  He adds the boat launch and parking area on the Kam River at the end of Mountdale Avenue suffered significant damage. Matson says they don't have any damage estimates.

Health Unit Wants Licence Face Lift

The District Health Unit's war on tobacco is taking a new twist. Spokesperson Klaus Larsen says as a way to discourage the sale of tobacco to underage teens, they want the Ontario government to redesign driver's licences to easily identify people under the age of 19.  Larsen says other provinces already use the licence system they are proposing.

Terrace Bay Pulp Fate Up In The Air

It's going to be several days before we know the fate of Terrace Bay Pulp. The judge overseeing the sale of the mill is taking some time to decide whether he will support the sale to a company from India or a late second offer from a Chinese company. Terrace Bay Mayor Mike King says his community just wants to see the sale go through as soon as possible. King says it's disappointing to see an offer for the mill come in so late and last minute.

Salvation Army Looking For Furniture

The Salvation Army is collecting used furniture for victims of Thunder Bay's flood. The group recently acquired a location to store donations and will accept any furniture in good condition. Items in high demand include bedroom, living room, and dining room furniture. To donate call 345-6492.

M.N.R. Responds to 113 Forest Fires

Despite a day of rain, the Ministry of Natural Resources continues to have its hands full with new forest fires in Northwestern Ontario. Yesterday alone there were 11 new fires reported across the District. Information Officer Debbie MacLean says they expect to see more activity in the days ahead as warm weather returns. MacLean says over the past five days, the M.N.R. have responded to 113 forest fires in the Northwest region.

Dryden Budget Approved

The 2012 Dryden budget has survived its final vote. Council approved the financial document and accompanying 10 percent tax increase last night. However, the vote didn't come without plenty of opposition.

Twin City Crossroads Closed For Railway Repairs

Twin City Crossrods is closed today between Arthur Street and Highway 11-17. Repairs are being done to the CP railway crossing. Officials in Oliver-Paipoonge say the section of road will be closed until Thursday. Detour routes are posted in the area.

Tsekouras Back In Court In August

The man police arrested after a massive drug sweep in the City is going to be in court for a bail hearing August 1st. John Tsekouras is charged with running a criminal organization, trafficking cocaine and marijuana. The 38 year old was already denied bail in May and has retained one of Canada's leading criminal lawyers Edward Greenspan.

T.Bay Tel's Cambell Retiring

T.Bay Tel's CEO is retiring.  Don Campbell's retirement is set to take place in five months time, but if a replacement isn't found he'll stay on longer.  Campbell says he's extremely proud of his time with the company. The company's board has hired a firm to conduct a search for a replacement and will be looking at candidates in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Tomeck Sentenced To 5 Years In Jail

A 22 year old Thunder Bay man will be spending the next five years in prison. Bradley Tomeck was sentenced yesterday after being convicted of armed robbery and weapons charges following the robbery of a credit union on Highway 130 in January of last year. Tomeck was convicted of making off with $3,000.

Border Cats To Play "Twi-Night" Double-Header

The Thunder Bay Border Cats had their game against Duluth cancelled last night because of wet field conditions. The two teams will try and make-up the game as part of a "twi-night" double-header. The first of two 7 inning games begins at Subway field tonight at 6:05 p.m.

Porter Signs Deal To Stay With Blues

The St. Louis Blue have re-signed Chris Porter to a two-way contract for next season. The 28 year old who grew up in Thunder Bay had 7 points in 47 games with the club last season.

Border Cats Game Cancelled Today

Thunder Bay's Border Cats are playing a double header tomorrow.  Today's game was cancelled because the field was too wet.  They'll play two games against Duluth at 6:05 Tuesday. 

Court Documents Reveal Government Role

The provincial government is not standing in the way of the sale of a north shore mill to a company from India. Court documents show that the McGuinty government is forgiving a nearly 25 million dollar loan to Terrace Bay Pulp, something Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says will help with the sale of the mill, and will help creditors get paid more money. The new company plans to convert the mill to make rayon.

Arson Update

Thunder Bay Police continue to investigate a rash of arsons from over the weekend.  The first incident on Saturday saw a travel trailer and car burned in the 100 block of Bethune Street.  On Sunday, Police responded to a suspicious fire at the intersection of Alice Avenue and Paquette Road. A front end loader was damaged as a result of the blaze.  Police are looking for a vehicle they spotted in the area, a yellow Nissan Frontier pickup truck.  Anyone with information on these incidents should contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Cargo North Buys New Aircraft

Cargo North is buying a new Basler Turbo 67 aircraft. The investment group is teaming up with Nakina Air Service and North Star Air to provide the new transport craft that will be able to hold 11-thousand pounds of cargo. It will be in service by November.

Police Warn Of Winners Scam

Put your wallets away, you aren't winning 10 thousand dollars.  That's what residents in the area have been told by a phone-scam artist.  The person claims to be from Winners and is doing customer appreciation calls, saying they will send you 10 grand. But in order to do so, they need your credit card information. Police want to remind people that if they get this call, hang up, and to never give your credit card information if you have won a prize.

South Side Crash Hurts One

Police have now cleared up the scene of a  two vehicle collision at the corner of Franklin and Ridgeway just before 1 o'clock this afternoon.  Police can't immediately confirm that one woman was sent to hospital, but based on an early report, they didn't believe any injuries were serious.

NOSM Researcher Studying First Nation Disease

A Northern Ontario School of Medicine researcher is looking into what's causing a deadly new infection to hit area native communities.  Dr. Marina Ulanova says the new strain of the disease is impacting mostly First Nations.  Ulanova and her team are taking blood samples looking for antibodies to create a vaccine to eradicate the disease.