Horizon Wind Still Bogged Down In Red Tape

The proposed Big Thunder Wind Park is still bogged down in government red tape waiting to be approved by the Ministry of Environment.  Horizon Wind spokesperson Kathleen MacKenzie says the next step is for the government to allow for online public comments.  MacKenzie doesn't believe a spring election call will affect the approval process.

Icebreaker Expected In Harbour Tonight

Watch for the icebreaker Samuel Risley in the harbour starting today. Port Manager Tim Heney says they expect the Canadian Coast Guard vessel sometime tonight. It will be plowing through the ice to get the port ready for the new shipping season.

Red Lake Looking For New Logo

You could be the artist behind Red Lake's new logo and tag line.  The public is invited to submit their design, which will help with branding the municipality.  Economic Development Officer Bill Greenway says it could mean more opportunities for the community.  Submissions are being accepted till April 2nd.

Contact North Registration Increases

Ontario's distance education and training network is pleased to announce an increase in their number of registrations.  Contact North has seen at 14-percent increase in this fall, compared with last year.  Vice President of Recruitment Services Debby Sefton says as a whole, the numbers have skyrocketed.  Sefton says that Dryden saw a 49-percent increase.

S.L. Hospital Sues Over Leaky Roof

Issues of a leaky roof has forced the Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre to move ahead with legal action.  The hospital is seeking compensation through the courts against designer Stanteck Consulting and contractor Ellis Dawn.  Engineering Consultant Doug Lawrence says the problem started in 2010 and has forced disruptions at the hospital.  None of the accusations have been proven in court.

NWO Bridges Scheduled To Be Fixed

Eleven bridges in Northwestern Ontario are getting a fix up thanks to 61 million federal and provincial tax dollars.  The projects include one in the Rainy River District to one at Rossport.  The closest project to Thunder Bay is a 3.4 million dollar renovation of the Pine River bridge on Highway 61.

3 Men Charged With Trafficking

Three Quebec men are charged with trafficking cocaine and crack out of an apartment in the 100 block of South Algoma.  A search of the residence resulted in a seizure of 100 grams of crack cocaine, 220 grams of powder cocaine, 6 grams of marijuana and over 76-thousand dollars in cash.   The total street value of the drug seized is 53-thousand.Police say there three have ties to Montreal Street gangs.

Gravelle Announces Forestry Corporation

The province's Ministry of Natural Resources is creating a Local Forest Management Corporation.   Thunder-Bay Superior North M.P.P. Michael Gravelle made the announcement today on behalf of M.N.R. Minister David Orazietti.  Gravelle named six members to the board, which will oversee all areas of the forestry sector in Northwestern Ontario starting in the Spring of 2014.  Gravelle says they've been working on developing this project since 2008.

Dryden Turned Down For Casino

Looks like there will be no casino for the Dryden area.  The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation set today as the deadline to apply for casino bids in Northwestern Ontario.  OLG Spokesperson Tony Bitonti says Kenora made the list, and now a number of factors must be determined.  Wabigoon had been pressuring Dryden for a gaming facility in the city.

Poverty Free T.Bay Wants Change

Poverty Free Thunder Bay wants the Ontario Government to increase funding for poverty programs in the next Ontario budget.  Chair Terri Carter says increase in Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Program would greatly help local residents.  The group is urging Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to raise the issue at Queen's Park.

Kings Fall In Overtime At O.H.L. Cup

The Thunder Bay Minor Midget Kings are finished at the O.H.L. Cup in Missassauga. The Kings fell 5-4 in overtime to the Central Ontario Wolves this morning, dropping their record to 1-2-0-1. Only two teams in each division will advance to the quarter-finals of the 20 team tournament.

Police Rule Out Foul Play

Police are clearing the scene on Leith Street where a 34 year old man was found dead last night.  Foul play is not suspected in the incident and a post-mortem is being conducted on Monday to determine the exact cause of death.

5 Youth Injured Near Dryden

Highway 17 West of Thunder Lake Road near Dryden is re-open this morning. O.P.P. had to shut the highway down for about an hour after a mini-van spun out and rolled several times. 5 young people were taken to hospital with what police are calling minor injuries.

Body Found On Leith Street

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of death and the identity of a man whose body was found in the backyard of a Leith Street residence. City Police were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon when a passerby noticed the body. Further information is expected to be released later today.

Kings Get Crowned At O.H.L. Cup

The Thunder Bay Minor Midget Kings are all but finished at the O.H.L. Cup in Missassauga. They were trounced 8-0 in their lone game of the day yesterday against Oakville and now play the Central Ontario Wolves this morning. The Kings are now 1-2 in the 20 team tournament are are unlikely to advance to the quarter-finals.

Bond Scoffs At Survey Results

The head of a group protesting the Big Thunder Wind Park is skeptical of a new survey which says 2 out of 3 residents is in favour of the project.   Irene Bond says from her experience many people aren't familiar with the details of the plan to put wind turbines on the Nor'wester Escarpment and don't have all the facts.  Bond also claims the support for the project is down since the first survey Horizon took almost 3 years ago.

Hunters Fined

A hefty fine for 5-hunters from southern Ontario.  The Ministry of Natural Resources says the charges stem from an incident near Lily Lake, West of Thunder Bay, where a bull moose was illegally killed.  Conservations officers were tipped off about the incident and found the hunters less than a kilometer from the moose.  Ballistic evidence was needed to prove the hunters involvement as they denied responsibility.  The MNR fined the men for possession of an illegally killed bull moose, abandoning the flesh and allowing it to spoil, and obstructing an MNR officer.

Foulds NDP T.Bay Superior North Candidate

City Councillor Andrew Foulds is going to represent the NDP in Thunder Bay Superior North.  If an election is called they will face Liberal Incumbent Michael Gravelle.  Foulds says they're proud to represent the party and looks forward to raising the riding's issues when an election is called.  NDP Leader Andrea Horwath spoke at the nomination meeting last night and says she thinks her party can win this riding.

NAN Holding Women's Conference

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women's Council is meeting for three days at the Nor'Wester Best Western. They're holding a conference they hope will empower the region's women.  Topics up for discussion include coping with stress, self defense and gender equality.

Foulds Thunder Bay Superior North Candidate

City Councillor Andrew Foulds is going to represent the NDP in Thunder Bay Superior North.  If an election is called they will face Liberal Incumbent Michael Gravelle.  Foulds says they're proud to represent the party and looks forward to raising the riding's issues when an election is called.  NDP Leader Andrea Horwath spoke at the nomination meeting last night and says she thinks her party can win this riding.