Nolalu Man Charged In Sexual Assault Case

A 42 year old Nolalu man is due in court tomorrow to answer to a charge of sexual assault.   Police aren't saying much about the circumstances of the case, but say he is being charged with, among other things, 2 counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement and one count of sexual assault with a weapon.  His name is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.

IJC Sides With Shoal Lake FN

The International Joint Commission has sided with the Shoal Lake First Nations. The IJC has ruled against the City of Winnipeg's plan to sell water to surrounding communities.The Kenora area first nations argued that the city would break the agreement in place by making a profit off the water. In a letter, the Commission supported the argument and informed Winnipeg that it could not sell the water. The decision will put a dent into the city's CentrePort project.

Public Board Budget Talk Continue

The public school board's budget talks continue tonight with presentations from various delegations.  That includes Paul Caccamo of the high school teachers union who will be fighting to keep some special needs program off the chopping block. The union will also plead for support in  early childhood education and educational assistants.

Police Asking For Info

Marathon OPP are looking into a bizarre incident that happened on Highway 17 Saturday. Constable Dave Shaw says the driver of a dark blue pickup truck was attempting to run other drivers off the road before crashing into a ditch and being arrested. The driver's name is not being released at this time.

Golf Links Road Closed Starting Tomorrow

Golf Links road is going to be closed starting Wednesday.  City Spokesperson Pat Mauro says Golf Links Road from the Harbour Expressway to Central Avenue will be closed to traffic in both directions.  The major construction project will see road widening to four lanes and new sidewalks.  The major construction project is expected to last up to 12 weeks.

Man Charged With Weapons Related Offences

Thunder Bay Police have a 44 year old man in custody after they charged him yesterday with weapons related offences.   They were called to May Street to deal with a report of a man brandishing a firearm.  Officers took him into custody and recovered a previously reported stolen shotgun.  He faces multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, weapons dangerous to the public, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.

New Ways Of Detecting Colon Cancer

A Thunder Bay researcher is on the receiving end of nearly 200-thousand dollars in Canadian Cancer Society grant money.  Society CEO Martin Kabat says the money will be used to look at new ways of detecting colon cancer.  Kabat says this is the single largest research grant awarded by the Canadian Cancer Society in the Northwest Region.  The funding announcement is being made today at a special 75th anniversary commemoration event.

Construction Work Approved

More construction work is now approved for the city. Councillors have given the green light to 2 and a half million dollars of work  on Frederica and Waterloo Streets. The contract has been awarded to Makkinga Contracting who submitted the lowest bid.

Canoe Not Likely To Move

It doesn't appear Atikokan will be getting the Centennial Canoe which is currently being stored at Fort William Historical Park. The Neebing Voyageur Brigade is in control of it and its spokesperson Bob Slusar doesn't believe his fellow members will agree to letting it go but says he will ask. Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown made an impassioned plea to councillors last night to have the canoe released to them so it could be put on display in their community.

Friedman Lectures Councillors

The city is being warned not to allow businesses in the city to fail. Canadian housing and style guru Avi Friedman told city councillors that it's important to offer incentives for new businesses to arrive or we will continue to have streets with boarded up businesses saying Simpson Street will multiply. Friedman praised the new waterfront calling it an ATM machine for the city.

Global Sticks Up For Sale

The Global Sticks story is not over yet. During last nights presentation at City Hall, Paul Inksetter, of the city's Economic Development Corporation told councillors the area popsicle stick manufacturer is up for sale, but wouldn't speculate on whether it may reopen someday or not.  Inksetter says there have been 2 or 3 offers for the business, but none have panned out.

PSAC Launching Aboriginal Circle

It's a historic day for the labour movement in Thunder Bay. Judith Monteith-Farrell of the Public Service Alliance says the union is launching it's new Aboriginal Circle this afternoon.  She says the Circle will work on important issues dealing with PSAC's  Aboriginal members. The ceremony takes place at the Metis Nation of Ontario building on May Street at 5 o'clock.

Pet Police On The Prowl

The city is going door to door to make sure your pet is licenced.  Animal Service officers will be visiting homes of owners with expired pet licences.  It will allow them to buy a licence on the spot without being hit with any retroactive fees or added fines.

Murillo Man Behind Bars

A 32 year old Murillo man is in police custody  after they say he disobeyed court orders not to be in the company of young children. Police say last week he was seen taking care of two boys at the Games Complex. They say the case against Tony Barnes is connected to child pornography charges in Manitoba. Police are asking the public to contact them if they have concerns about possible contact he's had with young people.

22 Year Old Charged With Mischief

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 22 year old man with mischief after a troubling incident over the weekend at Boulevard Lake.  Police say someone strung up fishing line on the pathways at Boulevard.  The young man was spoken to in regards to the incident and Police say he was remorseful about his actions that was meant to be a prank.

Human Remains Found

Thunder Bay Police are looking into human remains that were found in a wooded area between the Health Sciences Center and the Riverside cemetery on Oliver Road.  Police say a man called them after finding the remains just before 3 in the afternoon Saturday.  Investigators are trying to identify the deceased and a post mortem is scheduled.

Safe Cycling Group Gives Tips

Safe Cycling Thunder Bay is giving tips on how to safely ride bicycles around town. Spokesperson Doug Diaczuk says he wants cyclists to know everything they need to know about road rules and safety. Diaczuk also wants to remind cyclists that, since bicycles are technically vehicles, riding on sidewalks is illegal.

Out Of Darkness Walk Set For Sunday

The Out Of The Darkness Memorial Walk is happening Sunday. This event is a three kilometer walk starting at Confederation College. Spokesperson Margaret Hajdinjak created the event as a way for people to celebrate the lives of people they've lost to suicide. The event will go from 6-8 pm.

NOACC New President

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce has a new president.  At it's spring Annual General Meeting held this past weekend in Dryden, Michael Nitz was announced to the position and says he's excited for what's to come.  Nitz has served as past president of the Nipigon Chamber of Commerce and Thunder Bay's NOACC representative.

MNR Minister Coy About User Fees

The provinces natural resources minister isn't giving anything away before the budget.   In an interview with our newsroom David Orazetti says any news of possible service fee increases will have to wait for the budget or soon after.  The ministry has been polling anglers and hunters in the northwest about what service fee increases they might accept.