Bisson In T.Bay Today

NDP Critic Gilles Bisson is taking up the cause of the Thunder Bay's generating station.  Bisson is calling on the Provincial Government to get to work on converting the coal generating station to natural gas.  Bisson says he intends to bring up the coal plant conversion as soon as the Legislature resumes in September.  Bisson is in Thunder Bay today to talk about the Province's failure to convert the local plant.  

Ontario Creates Fund For Energy Plans

The Provincial Government is out with a new funding program for small and medium-sized municipalities and Aboriginal communities.  The money will be used to create Municipal Energy Plans.  Eligable plans must focus on increasing conservation and identify the best energy options for that specific community.

Law School Almost Ready

Thunder Bay's Northern Ontario Law School is set to open its doors for the first time this September.  Dean Lee Steusser says the class of sixty will one day offer a free legal aid clinic and they're in discussions with Legal Aid Ontario. Steusser says the building is still under construction but they'll be ready by September 3rd.

Northern Mayors Speak Up To Ministers

Northern Ontario Mayors are giving the Provincial Government a piece of their mind.  They presented seven Ministers a document called Northern Priorities.  The Mayors hope the document will provide a more strategic relationship between Ontario and the five largest Northern Ontario cities. 

Unionized Workers Make More Dough

A report by the Canadian Labour Congress is touting the economic benefits of having unionized jobs in Thunder Bay.  CLC President Ken Georgetti says the average unionized worker in the City earns six dollars and five cents an hour more than non unionized employees.  Georgetti is calling for more unionized positions in the City.   He adds money made in Thunder Bay is spent within the City and will help local business.

Hydro Gets Safety Award

Thunder Bay Hydro is being recognized for its safety record.  A Health and Safety Association is giving them an award for achieving 250-thousand hours of work without an injury.  135 employees worked for over a year to set the record.

NOMA Back From AMO

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are back from Ottawa.  They took in two days of meetings with Provincial Cabinet Ministers.  They spoke with reps from the Ministry of Energy, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Finance.

Rickford Says Prorogation Is Good Idea

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is calling it a smart move.  His comment is in regards to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking the Governor General to prorogue the legislature until October. Rickford says he feels confident that their best interests will be right there as the government transitions into a new parliamentary agenda.

Swimming Advisory Lifted

Swimmers take note...The Health Unit is lifting the swimming advisory at Boulevard Lake's Sandy Cove Beach.  However, the advisory is remaining in place for Sunny Side Beach and Chippewa Park's Main Beach.  Swimming advisories do not close the beach or stop people from swimming. 

George Creek Rehab

The City and a local trout group are teaming up to work on restoring fish habitat at George Creek in Centennial Park.  Parks Spokesperson Werner Schwar says as work moves ahead the main trail to the logging camp will be temporarily closed from time to time.  The bridge over the Current River may be temporarily closed for a few minutes at a time to safely allow machinery and material to cross over to the work site.  Work in the park is expected to take a couple of weeks.

Superior Youth Festival Back

Poor Young Things and Scientists of Sound will be co-headlining the City's Superior Youth Festival tonight.  Organizer Jean Paul DeRoover says the free event is designed to create something strictly for young people that relates to them.   The concerts take place tonight at Marina Park from 6 until 10:30.

Hot Hot Heat

It might be the hottest day of the year, or at least its going to feel like it.  A humidex advisory has been issued for Thunder Bay.  Environment Canada Meterologist Trudy McCormack says you should avoid doing heavy exercising in the hot weather and stay indoors where it's cooler.  Today's high is expected to hit 32 degrees, but with the humidity it could feel like 37.

Missing Man Kenora

Provincial Police in Kenora are searching Lake of the Woods for a 52-year-old man.  OPP say the man was paddle boarding on the lake when he fell off the board and did not resurface.  The OPP Marine Unit and Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is combing the Pine Portage Bay area.  The identity of the man is not being released at this time pending the results of the search.

Train Death In Hudson

A 47 year old Sioux Lookout man is dead after being run over by a train in the community of Hudson.  The OPP say the incident took place last night around 10:00.  The deceased has been identified as Arnold Derouin.

Paxton Facing More Charges

A former bible camp counsellor and babysitter in the city is facing some more serious sex charges that involve minors. Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says Jeff Paxton is charged with an additional 13 charges bringing the total to 23.  Police say the charges against Paxton date back to between 1983 and 2004 and 11 victims have been identified.  Paxton is back in court Wednesday.

New Agreement In Place

A collaboration agreement has been signed between the Lac Seul First Nation and Goldcorp.  Chief Clifford Bull says there are a lot of things in the agreement with respect to revenue sharing, job opportunities and contracting provisions.  Bull says the agreement will define the long-term benefits for the First Nation, as well as the future of mining developments in the Red Lake area.

Cyclotron Public Meeting Tonight

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute wants you to have your say when it comes to their new cyclotron facility.  A public information session is being held tonight at 4:30 at the Hospital's Auditorium A.  Spokesperson Michael Campbell says so far they haven't heard too many concerns.  Another open house on the medical machinery will be held at Lakehead University in September.

Deadly Weekend On Area Waters

It was a deadly weekend on the water in Thunder Bay.  Two people are dead after a cliff diving accident in Shuniah Township near the Silver Harbour boat launch.  OPP divers recovered the body of 32-year old Sioux Lookout resident Kevin Spade yesterday in Lake Superior.  26-year old Marlene Fox of K-I First Nation, who had been rescued from the waters, died Sunday night at the Health Sciences Centre from the injuries she sustained in the accident.  Meantime, OPP divers have also found the body of a man they believe to be Jordan DesFosses, who went missing after the canoe he was in capsized on Saturday in the Kam River.  The 31-year old, who had just moved to Thunder Bay from Peace River, AB, had been canoeing with another man and two children when it tipped over.  The three others made it to shore safely.  Police say DesFosses was not wearing a life jacket.

Missing Truck Found

Habitat For Humanity Thunder Bay is rolling once again.  A truck that was stolen from their Restore on Friday night was found yesterday in a parking lot in the East End.  The groups primary work vehicle is in good shape with no apparent damage.

New Job Training Program

A unique employment service is now up and running in northwestern Ontario.  Shooniya Job Connect has been matching up aboriginal job seekers with employment opportunities for a couple of months now.  Dana Bridgeman-Cross says the web-site offers a wide range of services.  Bridgeman-Cross says they also work with employers across the region to help place aboriginal employees.