Please water your trees

The hot weather this summer has prompted the City to ask residents to water trees in their yard and along the street. They're reminding the public to only water on days of the month that are associated with your house number.

Hospital thankful to Bombardier

Officials at the Regional Hospital are thankful to the Bombardier Foundation. Hospital foundation CEO Glenn Craig says it's because of a half million dollar contribution to the hospital's second catherization lab.  He says that's in addition to the 3 quarter million dollar grant made when the campaign first began. The second lab is named after the Bombardier Foundation

Next on the list....heart surgery

No sooner has the Regional Hospital cut the ribbon on it's second catherization lab, now the talk is about making heart surgery available here. One of the hospital's senior administrators, Lori Marshall, calls it a work in progress.  She says they are working on a proposal right now which will be submitted to the Ministry of Health in the fall. Marshall adds having 2 cath labs here gives the hospital credibility when applying for the surgery unit.

Health Unit expands vaccine program

Starting this week the health unit is offering two new vaccines to kids. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says they'll be available during their Wednesday immunization clinics. The two new vaccines include rotavirus and a combined measles-mumps-rubella program. The health unit is also expanding two other vaccine programs.

Clement in Thunder Bay Thursday

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is in Thunder Bay this morning to make a funding announcement in support of the region's economic development.  He'll be at the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund at 11, and later at Marina Park for a tour of the waterfront.

Roofer involved in accident

A Thunder Bay worker is in hospital with unknown injuries after a roofing accident today in the city. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says an investigation is underway into the incident on Willow Park Drive.

City sets up bug traps

Thunder Bay continues to take action against the Emerald Ash Borer.  The bug was recently found in Ottawa and Urban Forester Rena Viehbeck says it's just a matter of time before it arrives on our door step.  The city is setting up traps in ash trees to detect when the pest first arrives. The bug is being spread by the transportation of firewood.

Collision in construction zone

No serious injuries to report from a traffic accident at the highway construction zone near the Terry Fox Lookout at about 8 o'clock this morning.  OPP say a pick up truck and a dump truck collided on a closed section of the new highway.  Two of the people in the pick up were taken to hospital to be checked over.

Economic turmoil should boost Thunder Bay housing market

The real estate market in Thunder Bay will remain hot thanks in part to the current economic turmoil south of the border.  LU economics Professor Livio Di Matteo says the US Federal Reserve Bank vowing to keep interest rates low, will likely mean the Bank of Canada will follow suit.  He says lower interest rates will make it easier for people to get a mortgage and will keep our housing market rocking for the foreseeable future. 

Bombardier contract talks continue

Efforts are underway to end the strike by 700 Bombardier employees. Contract talks resumed at the Best Western Norwester this morning. At issue are pensions, wages, and benefits. 

More fire fighters on the way

Two days of showers has brought some relief to firefighters battling 110-wildfires across Northwestern Ontario. 100-new fire rangers from B.C. will be arriving Friday while 200-out of province staff will be released by the end of the week. Yesterday was the first day since June 10th that no new fires were reported.

New Hepatitis C Treatment

Northwestern Ontario Hepatitis C patients will soon be able to access a new treatment. Health Canada recently green lighted a new drug program.  It targets a specific type of Hepatitis C that's the hardest to treat.  The treatment will be available in Thunder Bay by the new year.

Kenora sues Province

The City of Kenora is talking legal action to get the provincial government  to help pay for much needed repairs to a couple of local bridges.  The price tag to fix up the Keewatin Channel and the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridges is into the millions. Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says a lawsuit is one way of forcing the government's hand.  The bridges were downloaded onto the municipality 14 years ago, and Canfield suggests some of the problems predate the transfer.  He plans to bring the issue up as his number one priority at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention in London later this month.