Another Child Porn Bust

City police are continuing their efforts to discourage the possession and distribution of child porn on the Internet.  They say  23 year old Roger Constantin is due back in court on April 22nd to answer to charges related to kiddie porn after they started a peer to peer file sharing investigation.   It ended last week with a raid on a home on the 500 block of Hodder Avenue.

Shannon Takes A Message To Ottawa

Thunder Bay disabled rights lawyer Dave Shannon is taking his message to Ottawa.   Shannon is making a presentation to a committee in the nation's capital about expanding election access for disabled people beyond the ballot box and to the campaign level to meetings and debates and even campaign offices.  Shannon says a lot of these places and events have too many barriers to allow disabled voters in.

No Cause For Strand Ave. Fire

The cause of last week's fire at 514 Strand Avenue remains up in the air.   A city fire investigator says what they know for sure is that the blaze began in the kitchen area, close to the stove and fridge late Friday afternoon.   The occupant of the house is in a Toronto hospital burn unit recovering.

The NDP Walk Out Of Q-P

Andrea Horwath

The provincial NDP is showing its passive aggressive side.   Leader Andrea Horwath and her members walked out of the legislature during question period this morning because Premier Kathleen Wynne was not there to answer questions about the growing gas plant scandal.   Premier Wynne is in Sault Ste. Marie to make an announcement.  Meantime, There's no backing down for opposition leader Tim Hudak who says he will not be withdrawing his comments linking the premier to deleted emails in the gas plant scandal.  Hudak says Premier Wynne is making the wrong choice by threatening legal action against him over focusing on creating jobs in the province.

LUSU Will Not Protest Tuition Hikes

The president of the Lakehead University Student Union says not to expect a student protest over increased tuition fees.  The board of governors has increased fees an average of 3 per cent, but LUSU President Ian Kaufman says they decided against any uprising even though it's the 8th increase in a row.  Instead the university has agreed to consider 5 proposals and requests from LUSU.  The top recommendation is an independent review of the university's books

Freezing Rain Warning For T.Bay

Environment Canada says we're not going to get as much snow as they first thought.  Meteorologist Ria Alsen says we'll still have 2 to 4 centimetres of snowfall which will then turn into freezing rain.  Alsen adds the freezing rain should stop sometime Tuesday.  Colder temperatures are also being called for Tuesday night and into the rest of the work week.

LU Tuition Fee Increase

Lakehead University's student union is expected to meet with some of the school's higher ups about an approval of increased tuition costs. L-U Board of Governor's President Cameron Clark says it's important to be in communications with the group.  The board of governor's approved a tuition increase averaging out to 3-percent.

Unifor Local Leader Concerned

There is some concern that, what was a soon to be private members bill that would have Canadian content rulings placed on public transit vehicle purchases, will fall through.  Union President of the local Bombardier Plant Dominic Pasqualino says he is optimistic however fears that some jobs could head south.

Walking Distances Pondered

More High school students in Thunder Bay may be walking to school as the Lakehead District School Board considers expanding its allowable walking distance. David Wright is the board's Superintendent of Business and says the details have yet to be mapped out. Currently students living within a 1.6 kilometre radius of their school have to walk.

MNR Fire Season Starts Tuesday

Believe it or not forest fire season officially starts this week. Fire information officer Deb McLean with the ministry of natural resources says says it might be awhile before fire activity picks up in the Northwest. McLean says the MNR will prepare for the season as normal, noting activity picked up quickly after a slow start back in 2012. The forest fire season officially begins on Tuesday.

LU Employees Top Sunshine List

The annual sunshine list is out and it's shining brightly over Lakehead University.   There are about 275 employees at LU who are on the list of those provincial public servants who made more than 100 thousand dollars last year.   A close second is the city of Thunder Bay with about 250 on that list including firefighters and city police constables.   Over at the hospital the number is about 80 in including CEO Andree Robichaud who made 385 thousand dollars.   The highest paid person on that list in Thunder Bay is Dr. Lois Hutchinson at St. Joseph's Care Group at 405 thousand dollars.  The list can be found at this LINK

Polar Plunge

Yesterdays Polar Plunge saw over 200 participants take part to support the Special Olympics community. It even featured Acadia Broadcasting's Damian and AJ.

Added Duties For Valhalla GM

Valhalla Inn General Manager Mary McLellan will have some added responsibilities. Airline Hotels has purchased an Ambassador Hotel and Conference Centre in Kingston. McLellan will operate both locations while living in Thunder Bay.

Lakehead University Increases Tuition

The Lakehead University Board of Governors is approving a 3-percent tuition hike. Board President Cameron Clark says the increase is in line with a provincial framework. The province doesn't allow an increase of more than 3-percent per year over a 4 year term. Clark says it shouldn't come as a surprise if other schools across Ontario increase their tuition rates as well. The 3-percent jump will come in to affect in the Fall. It is an average however, students in Graduate Professional Programs could see an increase of up to 5-percent.

TBSO Season Launch

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is announcing its 2014-2015 season. Music Director Arthur Post will lead the orchestra. The season is called Trade the Ordinary for Fantasy: A Season of Music Inspired by Timeless Tales.

Winter Storm On The Way

Thunder Bay could be facing at least one more winter storm before the spring weather kicks in. Meteorologist Rob Kuhn says a nasty storm could roll in overnight tonight. Kuhn says the mix of incoming cold air and the current mild air will cause for lots of snow, ice pellets and possibly rain for Monday. He adds that there is the potential for up to 30cm's of snow to fall depending on the conditions.

Kitchen Fire Being Investigated

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office is coming to Thunder Bay to investigate a Friday afternoon fire. It took place at a Strand Avenue home in a kitchen. Although damages were not severe burns sustained from a lone male occupant inside the home were serious. His condition is being listed as good to fair.

Comedy Tour Hits Thunder Bay

The Rank & Vile comedy tour is making a stop in Thunder Bay tonight. Darren Frost and Kenny Robinson are performing two shows at the Dragon's Den. Frost says he thinks Thunder Bay comedy goers will be able to handle a more mature show. Frost calls it Canada's dirtiest stand up tour.

L-U Recognizes Athletes

Lakehead University is hosting its annual athletics awards gala this afternoon. Sports Director Hugh Mullally says they want to shine a spotlight on the university's great competitors. The gala is being held at the Port Arthur Collegiate Institute auditorium. It will include honours for rookie's of the year, athletes of the year and volunteer recognition.

More Rocket Cars From Bombardier Plant

The Thunder Bay Bombardier plant is receiving a contract for 60 more Rocket Cars for the TTC. Union President Dominic Pasqualino says that the contract serves a dual purpose, both providing work for employees while buying some time until the next contract. Pasqualino says he hopes this is one of many more between Bombardier and the TTC in what has been a long working relationship.