Police Probe Armed Robbery

No one is injured after the Shell gas bar on West Arthur Street was robbed late this afternoon.   They say it was an armed holdup and that one person is still at large.   They say a man displayed what appeared to be a handgun and was given an amount of money, police won't say how much.

Trail Users Asked For Input

The city wants your opinion of our trail system. A new survey is underway to help get your thoughts on four city trails according to Park Planning Coordinator Werner Schwar.   He says it will gather data on who uses the system, how often and where the trail  is used. Schwar says the survey information can be found on decals located along all four trails.

Tsekouras Out On Bail

A Thunder Bay man who is charged with being the director of a criminal organization and trafficking in Cocaine and Marijuana, is out on bail. Bail was granted in a city courtroom today to John Tsekouras by Justice Bruce Fitzpatrick. Tsekouras has been in custody ever since a police drug bust in June of last year which police called Project Dolphin. The charges have not been proven in court.

Suspect Vehicle Spotted?

City Police say they are looking into a possible sighting of  the vehicle whose driver is wanted in connection with a disturbing sexual assault case in Nova Scotia.   Police say someone told them they spotted a car matching the description given to the news media being driven on Oliver Road near the city limits in the early afternoon.   However police say that hasn't been confirmed.   The vehicle is believed to be driven by 31 year old Wayne Cunningham, whose partner David Leblanc, was arrested in Greenstone on Sunday night.

Red Cross Honouring Volunteers/Donors

Mayor Keith Hobbs says Red Cross volunteers were crucial to helping victims of the May 28th flood in the city. Hobbs will be on hand tonight to honour those volunteers at the Valhalla Inn.   Hobbs says from last year's forest fire evacuation to this year's flood, the Red Cross always steps to the plate.   The evening is also a chance to thank donors to the flood relief cause.

Police Service Boards Meet In The Fort

Police services boards across Northwestern Ontario are being represented at a zone meeting of the Association of Ontario Police Services Boards in Fort Frances. Chair of the Fort Frances board John McTaggart says about 50 delegates will hear a number of presentations including one on municipal contract policing. The meeting concludes tomorrow.

RCMP Still Haven't Moved David Leblanc

47 year old David Leblanc is still in OPP custody in Greenstone.  He was captured Sunday night in connection with a forceible confinement and sexual assault case in Nova Scotia.  Nova Scotia RCMP Spokesperson Sgt. Alain Leblanc says they still have some things to work out before they transport Leblanc from Northern Ontario to the East Coast.  Leblanc says they haven't decided when they'll move the suspect.

Environmental Issues On The Table

A 3 day conference on environmental issues facing First Nations starts today at the Victoria Inn.  The conference will see delegates present new ideas on how to preserve the environment and traditional lifestyles of aboriginals.  Day 2 and 3 of the conference will be held at the Fort William Historical Park.

City Supports Saving LTC Beds

Thunder Bay Council is throwing its support behind a call to save 93 long term care beds at the Revera Interim LTC Home and the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital.  They made their decision at last night's meeting after concerned stakeholders spoke up against the closures.  Revera's Interim LTC home is set to close at the end of October, and spots at the LPH will be gone by December.

Armed Robbery In Kakabeka Falls

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 39 year old man and a 21 woman with armed robbery after an incident Monday afternoon in Kakabeka Falls.  Police say a woman entered a gas station holding a syringe and demanded money and lottery tickets. When she was turned down she ran to a waiting vehicle.  The duo will be in court later today and police say more charges may be added as the investigation continues.

Groups Ask Council To Save LTC Beds

Thunder Bay's Health Coalition is among several other organizations asking City Council to save 93 long term care beds.  They are concerned about the closure of 65 spots at the Revera Thunder Bay Interim Long Term Care Home and the cutting of another 28 spots at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital.  They claim there's a shortage of beds in the City and want council to ask the Government to step in and stop the closure of the facilities. Council is going to ask the Provincial Government and the Northwest Local Health Integration Network to step in and avoid the closures.

Regen Med Asking For Cash

Regen Med is going to ask City Council to continue to support their operation.  The formal request will come at council's October 15th meeting.  President Judy Sander told council Monday night, that a business sustainability report will be completed at the end of the month which will help them decide how they move forward.  The report was commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health.  Regen Med is a bone and tissue bank.

Council Considering Suzan Labine Park

Thunder Bay City Council is considering naming the new children's playground at Junot Park after the late Suzan Labine.  Her family spoke to council Monday night and also provided a number of letters in support of the name change.  Mayor Keith Hobbs asked administration to look into renaming the entire park after the well known citizen who was a member of the Lakehead School Board and St. Joseph's Care Group.

MNR Forest Fire Update

The Ministry of Natural Resources is lending a helping hand to the State of Minnesota.  They've asked for help fighting a fire that crossed the Canada-United States border into Manitoba on Sunday.  Two CL-415 water bombers and a bird dog aircraft were dispatched from Ontario to a 600-acre fire.  Meanwhile, Thunder Bay's MNR crews responded to a human caused fire on Saturday.

OPP Looking For Wanted Man

OPP are still looking for 31-year-old Wayne Cunningham who they say could be headed to Calgary. The warning comes after police captured a fugitive in Longlac in connection with a forcible confinement and sexual assault case in Nova Scotia. Sgt. Kelly Daniels-Griffis says 47-year-old David Leblanc is still in Greenstone OPP custody. Daniels-Griffis says police are asking you to watch out for the man but not to make contact with him.  Cunningham is believed to be driving a 2003 Hyundai Elantra with a Nova Scotia licence plate.

Campbell On MNR Cuts

The decision to cut jobs and downgrade the designation of Caliper Lake Provincial Park in Nestor Falls isn't sitting well with the area's MPP.  The Liberals cite low visitation as a reason for the decision.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says if the area tourism centre were open, more people might have visited.  Campbell says the changes will have a significant impact on Nestor Falls's economy.

Sioux Lookout Corridor Petition

The Mayor of Sioux Lookout is supporting Pickle Lake in an ongoing petition. The provincial government is considering a North-South transportation corridor from the Ring of Fire to First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. Dennis Leney says an east-west road would promote growth and development to the North. Leney says the north-south corridor would pose a lot of environmental hazards.

Head Of VON Goes Under Cover In T.Bay

The head of the Victorian Order of Nurses is going to be featured on an upcoming episode of Undercover Boss Canada. Judith Shamian went in disguise and worked in Thunder Bay as well as another site in Ontario and Nova Scotia.  Shamian followed two Thunder Bay nurses on their daily rounds.  The show will air on Thursday night. 

Campaign Draws Attention To Child Abuse

It's child abuse prevention month in Thunder Bay.   According to Rob Richardson, the head of the local Children's Aid Society, it's a chance to shine a spotlight on the issue and get more people to report abuses.  He says his organization is taking care of about 900 clients while Dilico Family Services Agency has about 600. 

Habitat Hands Over Keys

Habitat for Humanity in Thunder Bay is celebrating it's 23d house build today.  Rheanna Scott and her 1 year old asthmatic son Aiden are the new residents.  The home provides Aiden with better living conditions because his previous living quarters were not smoke free.  Construction on the house started in May of last year.