Mobility Market Expansion?

Tbay Tel isn't commenting on rumours they may have competition in the local mobility market.  Bell Mobility has said they're looking to expand its retail operations into the Thunder Bay area but an official open date has not yet been set.  T.Bay Tel Spokesperson Barry Streib says they're focusing on their current customers.  A media spokesperson for Virgin Mobile says they haven't made any announcements saying they will be setting up a shop in Thunder Bay this fall.

OPP Find Grow Op In Atikokan

OPP are charging two 54 year old Atikokan men with producing marijuana, possession of pot and morphine and several firearm offences. During a joint forces investigation, police observed two men tending to a grow op of marijuana in the area of Turtle River Road. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained and additional evidence was seized from a residence in Atikokan. Robert Kozar and Kevin Leblanc will be in Fort Frances Provincial Court on September 17th.

Busy July For Border Agents

It was a busy July for Canada Border Service Agents at Pigeon River.  On Canada Day agents noticed a U.S. resident acting nervous. They searched him and found a small bag of marijuana. Another search of his vehicle turned up 16 dosages of magic mushrooms. The drugs were seized, he was arrested for smuggling and the car was released after he paid 660 dollars.  In another incident, a Canadian man told agents he bought a pool cue in the States for just over 75 dollars. After some investigation the man admitted he altered his invoice and he really paid 451 dollars for the cue. The man was fined 211 dollars. Border Services says had he properly declared the pool cue, he would only have paid around sixty dollars in taxes.

Salvation Army Employee Book Launch

A Salvation Army Thrift Store employee who published his own book is launching it Saturday at the store he works at on Red River Road.  Ernest Grundy says his book is about his daily struggle with mental illness.  Grundy says he spent most of his life savings on publishing the book.

Commisso On Flood Relief Fund

City Manager Tim Commisso says fundraising for flood relief is his number one priority for the next couple of months.   He is urging fellow residents to open their giant hearts to raise the 4-million dollars that's needed to help in the wake of the May 28th flood.   Commisso says the Safe Home program alone cost the city nearly 3-million dollars just to clean-up homes flooded in the disaster. To date the flood fund committee has raised almost 900-thousand dollars. 

OPP Long Weekend Blitz

Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.  The Ontario Provincial Police want to remind everyone to be careful this Labour Day long weekend.  OPP will be patrolling this weekend looking for distracted drivers, those not wearing their seat belts and impaired driving.  OPP Sgt. Shelley Garr says unfortunately ten people have died this year on roads in the Northwest, compared to 13 last year.

Post Mortem Exam Friday

A post mortem exam is taking place Friday on the body of a 65 year old man who was found dead in a wooded area off of Field Street.  Police Constable Julie Tilbury says they hope to get the results from the Thunder Bay Coroner sometime Friday.  The scene where the body was found Wednesday will be secured by police until the results of the exam are received.

T.Bay Marathon New Competitor

Thunder Bay's Marathon, Miles with the Giant is quickly approaching.  The Board of Directors are excited elite athlete Thomas Omwenga will be taking part in the marathon on September 23rd.  Directors hope he will be able to set a new speed record for their event.  Omwenga will face 2011 Thunder Bay Marathon champion and fellow Kenyan Gilbert Kiptoo.

No West Nile Cases In N.W.O.

No concerns in Northwestern Ontario, but the West Nile virus is hitting southern Ontario hard. Health officials say 82 people, all in Southern Ontario, have been infected. Public Health Ontario says the virus has been identified in northwestern Ontario, but no one here has contracted the mosquito-born illness.

Accident On Waterloo Street

Everyone walked away with no injuries following a motor vehicle collision Thursday morning.  Police and ambulance were called to North Waterloo and East Vickers Street just in front of the Tim Horton's.  Two vehicles were involved in a collision. A grey Suzuki Twist and a black Chevy truck collided with each other.  There were no injuries, there is no word on any charges.

Bear Sighting Near Grandview

City Police are investigating a bear sighting in the Current River area area early this morning. Police were called to the area near Hudson Avenue by multiple witnesses but the bear had vacated the area by the time police arrived.

Man Arrested For Mac's Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 32 year old man with the robbery of the Balsam Street Mac's Convenience Store on Monday night.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they picked the man up Wednesday night in a Northside residence. The man is charged with Robbery and Breach of Recognizance.

Loonie Days For Flood Fund Kicks Off Friday

A variety of businesses are taking part in loonie days for disaster relief this long weekend.  Flood Fund Program Manager Kari Chiappetta says it's vital people come out and donate a loonie when they're shopping at local businesses.  You can donate a dollar this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at all Metro, Quality Market stores, Walmart, Old Navy, Chatters Salon and a variety of other businesses.

Lac des Illes Mine Strike Vote

Workers at the Lac des Illes mine could go on strike in September.  The United Steel Workers Union held a strike vote recently with 94 percent of employees voting in favour of labour action.  USW Spokesperson Herb Daniher says there have been some stumbling points in negotiations including bringing a work safety advisor back into the company.  A provincial mediator will sit down with the employer and the union for three days of negotiation at the beginning of September.

Body Found Behind Lakehead Motors

Thunder Bay Police have identified the 65 year old man who was found dead this morning in the Intercity area.  Just before 9:00 a.m. people walking in the wooded area at the end of Field Street came across the body and went to a nearby business to alert police.  Detectives are now awaiting the result of a post mortem to determine the cause of the death.

Ornge Air Ambulance Service In T.Bay Back To Normal

Ornge's helicopter air ambulance service is back to running out of its Thunder Bay base.  It was moved to Moosonee and Kenora on a temporary basis due to a pilot shortage but Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro says the organization has been able to rectify the matter.  Mauro says Ornge has struggled in the past with recruiting helicopter pilots and it's an ongoing problem.

Dryden Donates To T.Bay Flood Fund

Dryden Council has responded to an appeal for assistance issued by Thunder Bay. The Lakehead is still reeling from a major flood in May and a group has been formed to raise 5-million dollars to help those affected by the water damage. Dryden Council has agreed to donate 1-thousand dollars to the cause. The province will match that funding.

College Teachers Reach Agreement

Confederation College teachers won't be going on strike this fall. Ontario's 24 colleges today reached a tentative agreement with their faculty. It's a two year deal that starts in September and expires in August 2014. The deal includes no changes to benefits and freezes faculty

Kia Gives Vehicle To Crimestoppers

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers has a new vehicle thanks to Performance Kia.  The business donated the vehicle to the organization this morning.  Crimestoppers Coordinator Jason Disher says he'll be driving the vehicle around for the next three years.  Disher says it will come in handy since he's following up on tips from Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Manitouwadge and Greenstone. 

Neebing Avenue Closed

Neebing Avenue will be closed until early October as city crews work on road and watermain construction. Neebing Avenue has been closed this week between Gore Street and Walsh Street and will remain closed for at least another five weeks. Gore Street and Walsh Street remain open as detour routes. Other access roads including Rosslyn Road and Broadway Avenue remain open. There will be local access to the area from Mary Street, Francis Street and Frederica Street.