Sudbury has early smelter lead

There is still no final selection made for the chromite smelter for the Ring of Fire development, but so far Sudbury appears to be the favourite location. According to the mining company, Cliff's Natural Resources, Sudbury has the necessary power requirements for the facility, however, Thunder Bay, Greenstone and Timmins are still being considered. The company admits though, that because of the current power prices in Ontario there isn't a place that is economically viable to operate the smelter.

DSSAB new CAO

The organization that takes care of welfare, child care and public housing in the city has a new boss. Melissa Harrison of Kirkland Lake is the new CAO of the District Social Services Administration Board. Harrison says her goal is poverty reduction through government help. Harrison takes over from the recently retired Mary Lucas.

Closson in Thunder Bay

The head of the Ontario Hospital Association is collecting feedback from area hospitals.  Tom Closson was in Thunder Bay yesterday to speak with Hospital Board Chairs and C.E.O.'s.  Closson is calling on the government to freeze hospital union salaries.  Closson will be bringing the region's concerns back to the Provincial Government.

Download caps byte

As the government ponders it's decision on capping Internet downloads, a rural Thunder Bay woman can speak first hand about the issue. Connie Nickelsen lives in Nolalu and gets Internet via satellite. She says her 20 gigabyte limit is very restrictive and even prevents her from taking an online course from Lakehead University. She says the amount of megabytes it would consume would put her over the limit very quickly and would become very expensive. Nickelsen says it's very easy to exceed your monthly limit without knowing it.

Suspicious man offering kids rides

Thunder Bay Police are on the lookout for a middle aged man.  Police say a 13 year old girl was offered a ride by the suspicious man in the area of Regina Avenue and Birch Grove Drive. The vehicle is described as a blue two door pick up.

Fort Frances Man back from Cairo

A Fort Frances father of three is happy to be home after a harrowing trip to Egypt.  Tristan Hutton was visiting his sister in Cairo when the anti-government protests erupted.  Hutton says it was a trying experience, in order to get into the airport corrupt police officials were asking for bribes.  He adds before their flight could take off officials demanded 2-thousand dollars in US funds.  Hutton says the Canadians on board were so frustrated they just delved into their pockets and handed over the cash.  Hutton took advantage of an evacuation to Germany on Monday.

NOSM Dean awarded Order of Australia

The Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is getting a big honour in his home country.  Doctor Roger Strasser is being awarded with the Order of Australia.  Strasser says was given the award for his work in the health care sector through teaching, research and practicing medicine.

Stabbing leaves one man in hospital

One man is in hospital this morning after being stabbed in the chest.  The incident happened on South May Street at around 9:30 last night.  Police arrested a 21 year old man and charged him with aggravated assault.  The 24 year old victim is in stable condition.

Hope Classic happens in two weeks

The 2011 Hope Classic curling bonspiel is all set for the weekend of February 18th.   The event has a history of raising a great deal of money in support of breast cancer services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.   Last year the curlers collected 169 thousand dollars.

Rafferty's Pension Bill suffers a setback

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is disappointed this morning after he had a compromised proposal that was rejected by the conservative government.  Rafferty proposed a compromise to change the bill and still protect workers pensions but it was vetoed by the Harper government.  Rafferty says he's very disappointed.  The Bill will proceed as is for a final vote sometime next month.