Save On Hydro Rates

Hydro One is releasing some gift ideas to help homeowner save money. Some of the gifts include cold water laundry detergents, LED and CFL light bulbs and window insulating kits.

Support For The Regional Food Distribution Centre

The Regional Food Distribution Centre is getting some help from Safeway. Customers are being asked to purchase a five or ten dollar care package that are filled with the food banks most needed non-perishable goods. RFDA Spokesperson Brendan Carlin says the partnership with Safeway is vital when stocking shelves.

Christmas Light Recall

Loblaw is issuing a voluntary recall of three kinds of outdoor Christmas lights. The company says lights may have loose or exposed wires which could provide shocks, electrocution or fire. The lights being recalled are Life at Home 70 C6 LED Outdoor White, Life at Home 70 LED Outdoor Blue and Life at Home 70 C6 Outdoor Multicolour. The lights have since been taken off the shelves, and were sold at Real Canadian Superstore locations and No Frills. No injuries have yet been reported.

Mulcair Upset With Hyer

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is upset with his parties former MP Bruce Hyer. According to reports Mulcair described Hyer's switch to the Green Party as a betrayal those who voted for him in Thunder Bay Superior-North. Mulcair then added that it would only be reasonable for Hyer to resign and re-run for his seat in a by-election.

New Equipment For First Nations High School

The Long Lake First Nation is receiving just over two-thousand dollars from Union Gas to put towards two welders that will be used by high school students. The school is encouraging students to work in the skilled trades sector.

Help Stuff A Cruiser

Todays 'Stuff a Cruiser' event will get a lot of support from local police services. The OPP, City Police, RCMP and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service will have cars parked at the Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway on Arthur and Metro's also on Arthur and River street. OPP Constable Diana Cole says that the food collected will be used for the Regional Food Distribution Association. Donations can be made at any of these locations from 10-4 today.

City Wants Ideas On Gardens

The City wants you to imagine the future of the Fort William Gardens. The request is part of a future use assessment that will look at a full range of options to use the Gardens as a non-spectator facility.  All ideas are being encouraged event removing some or all of the seats.  Two open house events are scheduled for the coming months including January 8th at the Gardens and another on February 4th.  The assessment is to be completed by March 4th.

Hyer Goes Green

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is joining the Green Party.  The one-time member of the NDP made the announcement this morning during a news conference at the Finlandia Club in Thunder Bay. Hyer says becoming a Green Party MP will allow him to maintain independence and stand up for the interest of his constituents. He adds being a part of a party will also help him better represent the North.  Hyer broke ranks with the NDP in April of 2012 over the vote to scrap the gun registry.

72 Year Old Woman Still In Critical Condition

Police are continuing to investigate a collision that saw a City bus strike a woman at the intersection of south Algoma Street and Waverly Thursday night.  Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says 72 year old Audrey Kahkonen is still in critical condition and asks the community to pray for her recovery. Porter says good progress is being made in the investigation but notes there's some additional areas that need to be explored.  Meanwhile, Transit Manager Brad Loroff says their thoughts are with the woman. Loroff notes the driver of the bus is not operating any city equipment today.

Spring Bear Hunt Takes Step Forward

The return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario is one step closer to reality.  Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro brought forward his Private Members Bill and it passed its second reading at Queen's Park.  Bill 114 was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy which would see an open season from April 15th to June 15th. The purpose of the bill includes reducing the number of aggressive bear attacks while also boosting the Province's moose population by lowering the number of calves killed by bears.

Tbaytel Gives Out Cash

Tbaytel is giving 5-thousand dollars to Nipigon-Red Rock High School. The money is through the company's "For Good" community giving campaign. The school will use the cash to help its food and nutrition classes that host weekly lunches in its school cafeteria. Another 5 organizations from the region will be receiving 2-thousand dollars each to help with their education projects.

T.Bay Writer Up For National Award

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize.  The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Charges Laid Against Beendigen

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is laying 8 more fire code charges against Beendigen Incorporated for failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The new charges come from a search of several properties operated by the company.

DSSAB Budget Passes

The Social Services Board's proposed budget for the new year has passed.  The seventy-three million dollar budget will also include some financial relief for area municipalities according to CAO Bill Bradica. Bradica adds that the reduction comes because of a lowering case load for Ontario Works.

Mauro's Bill Bear Being Debated

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill is still waiting to be voted on today.  It was debated this afternoon in the Ontario Legislature. Mauro called on members of the opposition to support his bill.  NDP Timmins James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson called Mauro's bill nothing but a re-election ploy.  Mauro says he won't comment on Bisson's statement in the legislature.

Minor Damage At Silver City

City fire officials believe the cold weather could be responsible for a water problem at the Silver City theatre complex this afternoon.  Kelly Patterson of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says the problem is minor though,  and involved the sprinkler system malfunctioning and sending water pouring onto the floor.  The problem occured at the south exit of the building.  The damage not enough to effect business operations.

Local Author Gets Recognition

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize. The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Director Set To Retire

The Catholic School Board's Director of Education Joan Powell is retiring. She made the announcement at Monday night's school board meeting. Powell will be retiring at the end of April.

Cold Weather Equals Collisions

City Police are being kept busy with the cold weather we're experiencing.  Over the last four days officers attended 119 collisions on area roads.  One of the accidents involved an ambulance enroute to a call, thankfully no one was injured and the crew was able to proceed to their call.  Police are again reminding drivers roads are icy and tires are rock hard because of the cold temperatures.

Vacancy Rate Up

The vacancy rate in Thunder Bay is up. According to the latest government figures, the rate in October was about 2 and a half per cent. A year ago at the same time it was about 1 per cent. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says it reverses a long downward slide.  Philp says the increase can be attributed to, among other things, more people moving from renting to owning their homes.