Busy Thursday For OPP

Thunder Bay OPP are reporting a busy Thursday for traffic accidents.  They say that between 7 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon they responded to 14 collisions.  There were numerous injuries, but non were a threat to anyones life.  That included a woman who was 7 months pregnant.  She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Save The ELA Is The Message

A scientist from Winnipeg is on a mission to save the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora. During a visit to Thunder Bay, Diane Orihel said she believes there is enough support for her cause to change the Harper government's decision to end the program. She says municipalities across the northwest have been sending formal requests to Ottawa not to shut the ELA down. Orihel says it's frustrating for other scientists like her to make sense of the move.

Youth Action Plan Addition

35 extra youth outreach workers will be added to Thunder Bay and other communities throughout the province as part of the Youth Action Plan. The McGuinty Government formed the plan which sees outreach workers provide one-on-one help for troubled youth and offer valuable mentoring for making better life decions.

Paramedics Kept Busy

Many paramedics in the city are recovering from an eventful day so far.  Superior North Emergency Medical Services says there were so many calls at one point this morning that there was a 10 minute window when there were no paramedics available to respond to 9-1-1 emergency calls. However, there were no calls during that time. 

Medical School Conference Travels The Region

More than 800 conference delegates are learning about healthcare issues facing northern and remote communities specifically as it relates to Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is hosting medical professionals from 45 different countries this week in Thunder Bay. Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser says starting tomorrow, some of the conference delegates will begin travelling to smaller communities such as Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Sault St. Marie and also Sudbury for varying learning opportunities.

First Taste Of Winter Wreaks Havoc

Highway 17 from Terrace Bay East to White River is listed as closed by the Ministry of Transportation due to ice and snow conditions. Thunder Bay OPP issued a road advisory to alert motorists to drive with caution on Highway 17 particularly in the areas of Thunder Bay East to Marathon. Snow is falling heavily resulting in several commercial vehicles becoming stuck on hills along the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition, officers are responding to collisions related to snowfall and resulting black ice conditions. Meanwhile, a special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada for Nipigon, Marathon, Superior North and Wawa saying the first significant snowfall of the season is happening today.

Rafferty Pleased With Boundary Meetings

It looks like the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is changing its tune. John Rafferty, the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River spoke to the commission during a pair of meetings this week in Kenora and Thunder Bay. He says keeping the riding as it stands now makes sense geographically and for his constituents, who also spoke to the commission. Rafferty says the commission will likely unvail the new official boundaries next year.

Dryden Water Fund Short

A water operations financial plan shows the City of Dryden is not setting aside enough money for the future replacement of equipment and other assets. The City is currently contributing 375-thousand dollars toward capital replacement in the water budget compared with the recommended level of 1.05-million. Director of Public Works and Engineering Mike Louttit says the situation isn't dire right now. The financial plan calls for 6.7-million dollars in capital spending over the 2013-2018 period.

New Charter Service In Sioux Lookout

A new business is flying high in Sioux Lookout. Northern Skies celebrated the launch of air charter service at a special ceremony this week. Operations Manager Derrick Flynn explains why he decided to launch the service. Flynn says Northern Skies flies day and night and provides red carpet service with free meals and drink.

No Change To Gov't Diabetes Program

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care says northerners won't see any change in diabetes programs. The Province is no longer directly funding the Northern Diabetes Health Network and has instead transferred funding to the Northwest Local Health Integration Network. Press Secretary Zita Astravas says the diabetes education program in Sioux Lookout will remain in tact, funding will continue to flow and full time staff won't be affected. She says all money saved through the transition of administrative services will be used to enhance or expand diabetes programs in northern Ontario. She is expecting a smooth transition.

Missing Hunter Found

A Windsor man has been found safe and sound in the woods outside of Dryden. Provincial Police received a report on Wednesday of a missing hunter on Passover road off of Century Lake Road. Police say 47-year-old Scott Boorn got separated from his hunting party after walking into a wooded area to chase an animal. The Emergency Response Team was activated to begin a search but the man was located by his party before the team was dispatched.

North Stars Score Big At Home

The Thunder Bay North Stars took over sole possession of second place in the Superior International Junior Hockey League with a 9-4 win at home over the Dryden Ice Dogs. Cody Fraser led the North Stars with a goal and three assists as they improved to 6-2 on the season. Dryden drops to 5-2. Thunder Bay is now a game back of the Minnesota Wilderness for first place.

Riding Commission Change Of Heart

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is having a change of heart.  Public hearings on riding changes in northwestern Ontario were held in Kenora recently, and there was a lot of feedback from residents in Lake of the Woods Township.  George Valin is chairman of the Commission and says they understand their concerns about being moved out of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.  Valin says they will likely recommend that Lake of the Woods Township stay put and not be moved into the Kenora Riding.

Report Picks Waterfront For Multiplex

The feasibility study on the proposed event centre is recommending the waterfront at Prince Arthur's landing as the site for the new multiplex.  Study Coordinator Conrad Boychuk says the report shows the site is leaps and bounds better than the other sites.  Council will hear about the site at it's Monday night council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says the City can afford to build the 106 million dollar facility as long as the Provincial and Federal Government comes to the plate with funds.  Council will decide on whether to proceed with the next phase of the project at it's November 26th meeting. 

Community Impact Success

A former gang clubhouse in the city has been restored to a neighbourhood friendly home. The house on Heron Street has been converted thanks to the United Way and a neighbourhood association. The United Way's Sandra Albertson says the House can be used for many things. The revamp house will be available to the community as resource center and hub.

Hyer To Hold Nuke Meetings

Bruce Hyer is planning a road trip.    The Thunder Bay MP says he wants to hold a series of public meetings. They would be in towns that have the potential to be along the transportation route for nuclear waste which could be shipped to the northwest.  The meetings would start at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ontario on November 9th and work their way north.   Hyer says he's doing it because he has been repeatedly turned down by the Nuclear Waste Management Agency and has issues with the way the government agency is conducting public meetings on  possible nuclear waste burial sites.

New Walmart Set To Open Shortly

The newest Walmart store in Thunder Bay will be opening this month. The company says October is one of the largest month of grand openings for the company. The County Fair location is part of a total of 30 set to open soon.  It's one of two former Zellers stores in the city which are being converted to Walmarts.

Wilson Gives Thumbs Up To Alberta Office

The province of Ontario is opening a trade office in Alberta to help businesses in our province make the best of opportunities in the West. Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says it's a good move that will benefit businesses here by providing a solid presence in that province that looks at how we can tie our suppliers and companies with the demands there. Wilson says the move makes sense.

Police Penalties Hearing Set For Later Date

Two Thunder Bay police detectives will find out their fate at a Police Services Hearing set for October 23rd. The adjudicator in the case hear both sides argue what the penalties for the officers should be ranging from a reprimand to docked pay. Detective William Wowchuck and Detective Constable Brad Bernst were found guilty of Unlawful Use Of Authority in connection with the way they handled a drug arrest a year ago.

Experimental Lakes Area Discussions Hit City

Diane Orihel, the leader of the coalition to save the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario is in Thunder Bay today speaking out against its closure. Orihel will be at Lakehead University and Confederation College for a pair of presentations and open discussions on the topic. Scott Harris with Environment North says the scheduled closure of the E.L.A. in march of next year is disturbing to scientists all over the world. Diane Orihel will be at Lakehead University's ATAC building from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at Confederation College from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tonight.