Rash Of Break, Enter and Thefts

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a rash of break, enter and thefts to commercial businesses.  In four separate incidents officers found glass had been broken to gain entry and cigarettes had been stolen by a lone male suspect.  The suspect is described as wearing dark clothing, white shoes, and work gloves.  A dark toque and a black balaclava have been worn in some of the thefts.   In one incident the suspect was seen getting into a dark coloured pick up truck.

Arrest Made In Villa Street Murder

A 20 year old Thunder Bay man is charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of 25 year old Desmond Mathews.  Mitchell Suganaqueb was picked up by police at a bus stop on Academy Drive yesterday afternoon around 4:20.  The second injured male from the Villa Street incident remains in critical condition at the hospital.

Hobbs Hopes Wynne Wins

With Glen Murray gone from the Ontario Liberal leadership race, Mayor Keith Hobbs is putting his hopes behind Kathleen Wynne.  The Mayor says next to Murray, she has the best understanding of our needs here in northwestern Ontario.  He says that includes being to Thunder Bay on a number of occasions especially after the May 28th flood.  Hobbs believes Wynne has the pulse of the city.  

Counseling Centre Likes Proposed Legislation

Thunder Bay's Counseling Centre is supporting proposed Provincial Government legislation that aims to regulate debt settlement companies to protect consumers from exaggerated claims and abusive practices.  Spokesperson Sheri Fata says often consumers don't fully understand the contracts they're signing with the company.  Ontario's proposed regulations would ban debt settlement companies from charging up-front fees, and require better more transparent contracts.

Crown Presents Case In Kenora

The Crown will begin presenting its case in the second degree murder trial of 42 year old Kenneth Ivall and 24 year old Angela Duchesne.  Yesterday, the jury was selected and opening arguments were presented by the prosecution.  Ivall and Duchesne have been charged in connection to the death of 43 year old Ed Wilson in March of 2009.  The trial is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete at the Kenora Court House.

Early Morning Accident On Highway 17

An early morning crash on Highway 17 between Ignace and Upsala has sent one person to hospital in Dryden with minor injuries.  Provincial Police say an eastbound transport went into the ditch around 12:30 this morning.  Police say the 48-year-old driver from Manitoba lost control when his trailer got caught in some snow on the shoulder of the road.  Police say the driver was trying to avoid a westbound transport who was passing another tractor trailer unit.

Rickford Looking Forward To Friday's Meeting

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is looking forward to tomorrow's meeting with the Prime Minister and aboriginal leaders.  Rickford will be in attendance at the meeting.  He says open dialogue continues to be key for the Federal Government.  Rickford doesn't believe the recent release of a government appointment audit of Attawapiskat's finances will impact discussions.

Bad Weather On The Way

Environment Canada is issuing a special weather statement for the city of Thunder Bay and areas across Northwestern Ontario from Kenora to Wawa in advance of a pair of storm systems moving in from Texas and Colorado. Meteorologist Peter Kimbell says Thunder Bay will likely be saved from large snowfall amounts because of the mild weather but he does have a warning for anyone headed West over the next couple of days. Kimbell says 10 to 30 centimeters of snow could fall West of here on Friday into Saturday.

LHIN Continues To Meet With Hosptial

Talks are continuing behind closed doors between local health officials and the regional health authority to try to solve the continuing overcrowding problem at the Regional Hospital.  MPP Bill Mauro says its the root of the  problem, not enough bed space for ailing seniors, is not likely going to be resolved soon. The Local Health Integration Network is expected to make a statement on the issue Friday. 

OSSTF To Hold One Day Protest Wednesday

High school teachers will be hitting the pavement on Wednesday to protest the Provincial Government's decision to impose contracts on Ontario's teachers.  Paul Caccamo is with the local chapter of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and says this labour action is because of the Province's Bill 115.  Caccamo adds they haven't decided where they will be rallying just yet but suggests it will be at several sites in the City.

St. Martin's School Gets $$$

St. Martin's school is getting a 3.6 million dollar face lift thanks to the Ontario government.   Catholic School Board spokesperson Tom Mustapic says the money will be used to expand the gym and to build extra kindergarten space.   Construction is expected to start in August with completion by the summer of 2014.

Good Year For Airport

Thunder Bay's Airport is reporting record breaking passenger volumes in 2012.  Manager Scott McFadden says last year over 761-thousand passengers flew in and out of the City.  McFadden attributes the 5.8 percent increase in passengers to a number of things like a good winter charter program, and excellent service from Porter, WestJet and Air Canada. McFadden adds Wasaya expanded some of its regional flights and that too helped boost passenger numbers.

ETFO Will Rally At Mini QP

Over 300 elementary school teachers will be rallying at the Provincial Government buildings on James Street tomorrow.  Local Union President Ellen Chambers says the protest is aimed squarely at the Province and that's why they chose to picket Mini Queen's Park and not local schools.  Chambers is disappointed the Province views their one day protest as illegal strike activity.  The ETFO considers the labour action as their democratic right.

Child Porn Charges Laid

Schreiber O.P.P. are charging a 19 year old man with possessing, publishing and distributing child pornography. The charges stem from an incident on January 6th at a Schreiber hotel, when the 16 year old victim was video recorded and that recording was subsequently uploaded to a social media website. The name of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim. The individual is scheduled to appear in court on April 25th. Police say they've done everything they can to ensure the material has been taken off the internet but are warning anyone that criminal charges can result from anyone viewing sexually explicit images and video of a young person who is under the age of 18.

Robin's Tournament Begins Today

Minor hockey players from around northwestern Ontario are gathering in Thunder Bay this weekend for the annual Robin's Donuts Minor Hockey Tournament. Chair Joe Rizzuto says this tournament has been around for 37 years with Robins Donuts the sponsor for 22.  Round robin play begins today with 146 teams taking part ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old. Championship games will be played on Sunday at various rinks around the city.

Highway 11 Traffic Disruptions

OPP are letting motorists know that there are some traffic disruptions on highway 11 near Long Lake 58 First Nation.  An Idle No More protest is slowing the normal flow on traffic near Longlac.  The OPP has one lane of traffic open and they are allowing vehicles to pass through the demonstration slowly.

Flu Cause Of Illness At St. Joseph's Hospital

Influenza A is the cause of the respiratory outbreak declared last week at St. Joseph's Hospital.  As the Health Unit continues to receive reports of laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu in the community, public health officials advise the public to protect themselves and their families from the flu by getting a flu shot.

Inside Win Cleared...Lottario Prize Claimed

A Thunder Bay man is a quarter million dollars richer thanks to a lottery win.  Darren Smith is finally able to claim his prize after the Ontario Lottery Corporation completed its insider win investigation.  Smith works at an OLG retail location in the city and had to wait until the win was cleared.   

ETFO To Protest Friday

Ontario's elementary teachers's union says their members will stage a one-day political protest on Friday aimed at the Liberal government for imposing two-year contracts.  Local Union President Ellen Chambers says you can expect to see rallies at local schools.  Chambers will be advising her members tomorrow on which schools they'll rally at Friday.  Lakehead Public Schools elementary schools will be closed on Friday, however daycares located in elementary schools will remain open.  Secondary schools will be open for regular classes.

FWFN Chief Reacts To Court Ruling

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins is pleased with the Federal Court's ruling in favour of off-reserve non-status Indians and Metis.  The court ruled Tuesday that they are "Indians" under the Constitution Act and they fall under federal jurisdiction.  Collins says the move will impact many former Fort William residents.  Tuesday's ruling impacts more than 600-thousand Metis and non-status Indians.