Fire season comes to a merciful end

The Ministry of Natural Resources is happy this forest fire season is finally over.   Spokesperson Debbie McLean says it was one of the busiest they've seen in years. She says there were 13 hundred and 30 fires which cost the government 230 million dollars to put out.  In addition a modern day record 600 thousand hectares of forest were destroyed.

Police bust grow op

Police are charging a 54 year old man with a number of offences after busting up a grow op.  Officers searched a home on Saari Road in Oliver Paipoonge Friday and found almost a hundred thousand dollars worth of marijuana.

Poppy time again

It's that time of year again. Time to remember those who gave their lives in battle by wearing a poppy. George Kearney of the Fort William Branch 6 Legion says veterans will be selling them until November 11th, and like aways, it's for a donation.  The money raised is used to help local veterans.

Local teen victim of weekend mugging

A 17 year old boy is now out of hospital after being mugged on the weekend.  Police say he was walking home from a party early Saturday morning and went through a construction zone on Junot Avenue. They say he was jumped by 5 people and was beaten and robbed.  He was left unconscious and woke up about 5 hours later and walked the rest of the way home. From there he was taken to hospital for treatment.

CAW fighting proposed EMS changes

The union representing paramedics says it's not sitting down and taking it. Kari Jefford of the Canadian Auto Workers says plans by Superior North EMS to transfer jobs from communities in the region to Thunder Bay is not acceptable.   Jefford says the union is meeting with local politicians this week to discuss the issue with them.

A deal for senior's home workers

Over 600 workers at the city's seniors homes have something to cheer about.  Union spokesperson Kari Jefford says they have a new contract.   She says it's the result of the arbitrator's award.  She says workers will find out about it on Wednesday and the public will be given the details on Thursday.

Confederation College passes on condolences

With word that 21 year old Jimmy Robert Monias has passed away, Confederation College is passing on their condolences.  He was taken off life support Sunday night.  Monias was a student at the school, and student services has made counselling services available.  Flags at Confederation College will be at half-staff.

Limbrick Street assault victim dies

The 21 year old victim of an assault over the weekend has died as a result of his head injuries.  Jimmy Robert Monias passed away last night, and Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the fight broke out at 22 year old Kyle Ivan Rae's Limbrick apartment.  The two were known to each other and alcohol played a factor in the fight. Rae remains in custody and is charged with Aggravated Assault.  Adams says the charge will be upgraded in the next day or two.  A postmortem exam will take place in Toronto this week.

27 year old cold case revisited

Thunder Bay Police are rehashing a 27 year old murder. Back in 1984, 17 year old Scott Dove went missing in his north end neighbourhood. He was later found in December in a rock quarry off of Copenhagen Road. The number of tips have been limited in recent year and Police are hoping new information will come forward.

More artwork unveilled at waterfront

More artwork has been installed at Prince Arthur's Landing. This time its a series of artistic panels at the Spirit Garden. The panels were designed by Thunder Bay artist Randy Thomas.

Be Safe Be Seen

Thunder Bay's Health Unit wants pedestrians and cyclists to be seen on area roadways.  Spokesperson Marita Campbell says it's often hard to see people on the side of roads.  The Health Unit is handing out free reflective strips as part of their "Be Safe, Be Seen" campaign.

Halloween weather warm

Thunder Bay's weather for Halloween will be warmer than normal. Our Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the nice temperatures will stay with us the rest of the week.  Our low for tonight is plus 2.

Quiet gate night

Thunder Bay Police are reporting very few incidents from Gate night yesterday.  Police say there were no major incidents of mischief.  Gate night typically brings house egging, toilet paper in trees, and smashed pumpkins.

Cariou talking tourism

Not a lot of growth in the tourism industry this past summer.  That's the feeling of the Executive Director of the Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association.  Gerry Cariou says the sluggish American economy continues to be a drag on the local tourist industry.  Cariou does say they did see some improvement with border crossing issues, with fewer complaints this summer.

Rafferty reintroduces Private Members bill

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants to again protect the severance of workers when their companies face creditor or bankruptcy protection. Rafferty has reintroduced a private members bill he brought forward last year. Rafferty says his bill acts on a promise made to forestry workers in Northwestern Ontario who lost their jobs with the closing of their mills in recent years.

HST Confusion

Confusion remains over the Harmonized Sales Tax. An Ontario Real Estate Association survey finds that 66-percent of Northern Ontario residents wrongly believe that the HST applies to the purchase price of resale homes. The Association stresses that the HST doesn't apply to the purchase price of a resale home.

MNR study

A Ministry of Natural Resources study gives anglers some credit in keeping walleye stocks healthy in Northwestern Ontario. The habits of anglers in 157 walleye lakes were received. Researcher Len Hunt says they did prove that lakes close to anglers do face fishing pressures. The study also disproved a theory that anglers target the best lakes until fish populations go in decline.