Anti Wind Turbine Rally Tonight

The Nor'Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection group is rallying in protest of Horizon Wind's project on the Loch Lomond Watershed.   The fundraising event will be held at the Neebing Road house tonight from 5 until 7:30.  Spokesperson Irene Bond says they need to raise anywhere from 5 to 10 thousand dollars to hire an expert.  The expert will be hired to review the company's Renewable Energy Approval document.

Korkola Back In The System

A Thunder Bay man facing child pornography charges is back in the court system.  43 year old George Korkoka failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance earlier this year and had a bench warrant issued for his arrest   Police say that Korkola was finally picked up,  appeared in court this week and is scheduled to be back again on Monday.

Hyer Calls For End Of Confidence Motions

Independent MP Bruce Hyer is calling for an end to motions of confidence in Parliament.  Hyer has introduced a private members bill aimed at restricting the Prime Minister's ability to trigger an election over confidence votes.  Hyer hopes to get support from the opposition parties.

3 F.N.'s Sign Deal With Wisk Air

Three First Nation communities are signing multi-year agreements with Wisk Air Helicopters. The agreements will enable the First Nations communities to participate in helicopter services within their traditional territories, focusing on the Ring of Fire. Marten Falls, Fort Hope and Webequie First Nations all signed agreements with their helicopter company recently.

Campbell Calls For More In Budget

The provincial budget has some room for improvement.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is also urging the government to develop a better relationship with first nation communities in the region so that major projects such as the Ring of Fire and the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora, can move forward without delay.

Hudak Calls Out Province On MNR

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is against possible increases in Ministry of Natural Resources service fees.  In an interview with our newsroom, Hudak says it doesn't surprise him the Liberals have polled anglers and hunters in the northwest about what service fee increases they might accept.  Hudak says the Ministry of Natural Resources is becoming more and more like the Ministry of Environment.

Mauro Private Member's Bill

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is calling on the Government to improve access to testing for Celiac Disease.  Mauro introduced a private member's bill yesterday to expand Ontario's health coverage for the tests.  He introduced a similar bill several years ago.

New Student Trustee At LPSB

The Lakehead Public School Board is welcoming a new student trustee.  Sir Winston Churchill Grade 11 student Logan Turner is the latest teen to step into the gig.  Turner starts his duties on August 1st.

NW LHIN New Board Member

The local health authority is welcoming a new board member.  The North West LHIN's Board of Directors now has nine members with the addition of Cathy Farrell.  Farrell filled the last remaining vacancy on the LHIN board and her three year term started last month.  She's worked in a variety of settings in the child welfare realm.

MNR Fire Hazard Update

The forest fire hazard remains high across the Northwest Region.  A storm system is expected to move into the region bringing the potential for lightning strike caused fires.  Meanwhile, on Monday a fire in Gorham Township required joint fire crews from Lappe Fire and the MNR.  It's been declared out and an investigation is underway by Conservation Officers.

Chamber On Tax Increases

The Chamber of Commerce is worried that business tax ratios are on the rise after City Council made changes to tax rates.  On Monday, Council decided to lower the residential tax rate and increase the business tax.  President Charla Robinson says they understand that the circumstances were special this year and that it had to be done.  Robinson hopes this won't become an ongoing trend.

HNO Supports Hockey Canada

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is making some rule changes after Hockey Canada decided to eliminate body checking from Peewee hockey. HNO General Manager Trevor Hosanna  says it was the right decision, allowing kids to be safer on the ice. Hosanna says the rule change is effective for the 2013-2014 season.

Flood Relief Cheque Changes

Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief Committee is making headway on negotiations with the Provincial Government over flood claims.  Today's update on the process coincides with the one year anniversary of the flood.  Chair Wayne Fletcher says originally the Province was using the cost of rebuild services in Toronto rather than in Thunder Bay.  Fletcher says residents will now notice an increase on their reimbursement cheques.

Collision At Oliver & Hill Streets

A two vehicle collision at the intersection of Oliver and Hill Street resulted in one woman being sent to the hospital.  District Fire Chief Jerry Olga says both drivers seemed fine after the crash.  A photo of the incident can be seen on our news website.

Fire Hazard Extreme

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting the fire hazard across northwestern Ontario is high with pockets of extreme found in the Thunder Bay area.  Rain is expected later this week but the amount of rain and where it will fall is questionable.

Oliver Paipoonge Road Closure

There's a rural road closure today in the community Oliver Paipoonge.  Monteith Road between McCluskey and Boundary Drive is off limits from 8 am this morning until 5 tonight.  Crews are replacing a culvert during the closure.

Residential Tax Rate Going Down

The city's tax policy is changing in favour of residential property owners.   The new rate for the average city ratepayer is going down from 3 and a half per cent to and even 3 per cent much to the delight of Councillor Andrew Foulds who says residential taxpayers deserve a break. Under the new policy, the rate for business owners will go up just by point one per cent.

Whelan Building Renos Approved

The second phase of renovations to the Whelan Building are going ahead, but not all city councilors  like it.   Mark Bentz and Rebecca Johnson say spending the million dollars for renovations  will unfairly benefit a private business.  But the city's Mark Smith says  administration believes it's worth supporting and has the potential to create 240 new jobs.  In the end only Councillor Johnson voted against the renovations.

Virdiramo Opposes Site For Explanded Program

Expanding the alcohol management program by the city's homeless shelter is not sitting well with all city councillors.   Joe Virdiramo says allowing the program to expand to the old EMS building on George Street is only going to make problems in that area of the city worse.   He says it's because there's an overabundance of social services in the area the city may be creating a ghetto.  Shelter House officials made their case for expanding the program to the new facility, but Councillor Virdiramo says another location would be better 

Study Will Prove Program's Success

The head of the city's homeless shelter is claiming a new managed alcohol program is a success...and she plans to prove it. Speaking to city councilors last night  Patty Hajdu of Shelter House says a new  study will show how many emergency services are used by those on the street and how the program is helping to ease the problem.  Hajdu pleaded her case for additional space to help expand the program for destitute alcoholics.