Police Looking Into Viral Video

OPP are looking into a viral video that shows a near head on collision on a winter road.   Sgt. Shelley Garr says they're following up on the chilling dash board footage.  Garr says they're trying to identify the driver of the offending truck and charges could be laid.  The video posted on youtube says the incident happened on Highway 11 past Nipigon.  Warning the video contains strong language.

Cause Of Weekend Fire Undetermined

The cause of a weekend house fire on Jean Street is in the books as undetermined.   City fire inspector Eric Nordlund says their investigation of the blaze has been hampered by conditions inside the vacant house. He says besides being damaged by the fire,  the house is covered by a tremendous amount of  ice inside and out. Nordlund says it appears someone may have been entering the house without the owners permission, but they can't say if anyone was inside prior to the blaze.

Humane Society Hires New ED

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is getting a new Executive Director.  They've hired Melanie Blanchette.  She has a law enforcement background and has volunteered at the local humane society in the past and another in Ottawa.

Minimum Wage Up To 11 Dollars

The Provincial Government is increasing the minimum wage from 10.25 to 11 dollars per hour. Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro says it's going to improve people's lives. Ontario is increasing the minimum wage from $10.25 to $11 per hour on June 1, 2014. The new rate reflects the rise in the Consumer Price Index since the last minimum wage increase in 2010.  The government will also introduce legislation that would tie future minimum wage increases to inflation and will see increases come into effect on October 1st.

Hull's Book Store Closing

Thunder Bay's Hull's Family Book Store is going to close it's doors on February 15th. It's part of a larger closure that will see it's parent store in Winnipeg close its doors as well. The owners say they can't sell enough books to stay open.

Sears Layoffs

Sears Canada won't comment on specifics about recent layoffs across the Country but does say Thunder Bay is included.  They say on average five positions were eliminated from each store including the one at the Intercity Mall. The eliminated spots were department heads.

OPP Take Stance Against Reckless Drivers

As Ontario suffers through one of the worst winters in recent history, the OPP are taking a hard stance with reckless drivers who are jeopardizing the safety of officers and other emergency personnel responding to collision scenes.  Three OPP cruisers have been struck by passing motorists since Monday, two of which happened on provincial highways. One OPP officer was taken to hospital after his cruiser was struck from behind while stopped behind a transport truck.  This past weekend, eight OPP cruisers were struck by passing motorists and two police officers received minor injuries.

Rickford Reacts To Trudeau

A move to change the political landscape in Canada has caught the attention of Kenora MP Greg Rickford.  The Minister of State is reacting to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's decision to turf his senators from the Liberal Caucus.  Rickford says the move only means that the Liberal leader and his party continue to support an unelected and unaccountable Senate.

Paquette Shocked By Trudeau Decision

Lakehead University's Political Science Professor is adding her name to the list of political veterans who were shocked by Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's decision to order his party's senators to sit as independents.  Laure Paquette says it worries her that some of the senators reportedly didn't know about Trudeau's decision before the announcement.  Paquette says it's good that the Liberal senators are freed from partisanship but that means nothing if the others don't break ties from the other parties.

Hobbs Proud Of City Finances

Mayor Keith Hobbs is ready to get the budget process going.  On Tuesday night, Council heard how the City will spend its money over the next five years.  Hobbs says he's proud of their finances.  On Tuesday next week the public will get their chance to speak to Council about their thoughts on the proposed 2014 budget.

Dryden Further In The Red

Its news that the taxpayers of Dryden did not want to hear.  The city  is now sitting with a 4-million dollar deficit in the 2014 budget year,  twice the amount first projected. Chief Administrative Officer Andre Larabie warns there will have to be cuts across the board.   Larabie adds a recovery plan is now in place and staff will be working with council for the next 5-weeks to find ways to cut without impacting the safety of residents and workers.

Osisko Taking Goldcorp To Court

Osisko Mining is taking legal action against Goldcorp.  Osisko alleges that Goldcorp misused confidential information prior to making a hostile take-over bid for the company. None of the allegations have been proven in court.  Goldcorp's offer is about 2-point-6 billion dollars, but Osisko calls it "opportunistic and financially inadequate." Osisko is also in the process of mailing its recommendation to shareholders, urging them to reject the offer.

Charities Get Money

Two local charities are getting money.  The Linda Buchan Centre is getting 15-thousand dollars from the local Shoppers Drug Mart. The money raised through the 12th annual Tree of Life campaign will be used to help purchase a digital mammography machine. Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is on the receiving end of money from Autism Ontario.  The group presented the symphony with a thousand dollar cheque for their family concert series.

Vets Fuming Mad At Fantino

Thunder Bay's Roy Lamore is joining other military veterans in calling for the resignation of Veterans Affairs minister Julian Fantino.   They're upset  Fantino didn't hold a serious discussion with them about the closure of Veterans Affairs offices across the country...Fantino admits he handled the meeting badly and apologized in the House of Commons.  The offices, including the one in Thunder Bay,  are slated to close on Friday

"Lazylegz" Speaks At Con College

Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli is spreading his message of "No Excuses, No Limits" with students at Confederation College. Patuelli has a rare disorder called arthrogryposis that affects joint movement and muscle growth and through break dancing has been able to encourage others in achieving their goals. Patuelli has really appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show and will be touring the UK soon with his break-dancing crew ILL-Abilities.

Hyer Praises Trudeau Senate Move

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's surprising move to remove all Liberal senators from his caucus  is getting the thumbs up from Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer.   The senators will now sit as independants.  Hyer calls Trudeau's move intelligent and progressive adding, it's a step in the right direction.   He's calling on the Harper Conservatives to do the same thing in the interests of Senate reform.

Trudeau Flip Flopper

Thunder Bay's MP John Rafferty says Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is a flip-flopper.  Rafferty is reacting to Trudeau's decision to order Liberal senators to sit as independents, even though Trudeau didn't vote in support of the NDP's anti-partisan senate motion.  Rafferty feels the Liberal leader is trying to distance himself from an upcoming report on senator expenses from the Auditor General.  In a news conference on Wednesday, Trudeau feels his decision will cut down on partisanship in the upper house.

Health Unit Looking At Options

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is going to take some time to come up with a new way of informing the public about local restaurant inspections. Right now if you want to know your favourite restaurant is doing you have to call the health inspector. Health Unit Spokesperson Lee Sieswerda says one option is to offer the results online but before they do that they'll undergo a feasibility study.

Director Retiring

The Lakehead Public School Board will be looking for a new Director of Education.  Cathi Siemieniuk has announced her intentions to retire effective this summer on August 31st.  Siemieniuk has been Director of Education since July of 2009 and has been an employee of the organization since 1978.

Bridge Gets Upgrades

The Swamp River Bridge just outside of the community of Shebandowan will be replaced in the Spring. The project is part of the province's Growth Plan for Northern Ontario and will create thirty-two new jobs.  The 3.2-million dollar contract has been awarded to LH North.