More Sex Charges Laid Against Rowe

O.P.P. have laid further sex related charges against a man who once worked in four area First Nations communities. 72 year old Ralph Rowe, who now lives in Surrey, B.C. has been charged with 2 new counts of indecent assault and five counts of sexual assault. The charges stem from incidents which are alleged to have occurred between 1973 and 1986. Rowe is now scheduled to appear in a Kenora court on May 31st.

Arson Caused Picton Fire

Arson is the cause of a Picton Avenue fire which occurred on Sunday night. That's according to city police who are saying the blaze was deliberately set. No one was injured in the fire which is believed to have started on the second floor of a semi-detached home in the 100 block of Picton Avenue. Police are seeking the public's assistance for further information.

Gangs Not Involved In A.M. Stabbing

City police are saying a morning stabbing incident is not related to gang activity. A 21-year old man was stabbed just before 5 o'clock this morning in the area of May St. and Cumming St. . The man was stabbed in the leg but the injury isn't considered serious. He was found on the 600 block of McKenzie St.  and taken to the hospital. Police continue to investigate.

Housing Starts Are Up For April

It continues to be a good year for new housing construction in Thunder Bay. According to Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing, we are up 60 per cent from this time last year and says it's all because of demand. There were twenty new houses which started in the city last month which is up from seven in April of last year. Philp credits the increase to it being a "sellers" market in the city.

Transit Vision 2040 Approved

City transit is on board with a nationwide vision to improve service. Transit Manager Brad Loroff feels the long term plan, as outlined in Transit Vision 2040, is designed to put transit at the heart of the community. The plan coincides with current suggestions and ideas being implemented by transit. Council will hear back from transit officials on June 4th about their master plan recommendations.

RegenMed Gets A Loan

City Council is loaning a Thunder Bay bone and tissue bank a quarter of a million dollars and is putting RegenMed on a short leash because of it.    Under terms of the loan the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine,  will get the money in installments and have to provide regular financial statements.

Labour Council Opposes Trade Deal

The labour movement in Thunder Bay wants the city to oppose a proposed free trade deal between Canada and the European Union.   Labour Council president Elaine Kerr says Canadian content could be in danger if the deal goes through,  which could have a negative impact on the local Bombardier plant

Kitchen Fire In Current River

No one is hurt following a fire in Current River home last night. Officials says that no one was home when a pot of oil left unattended on a stove caused a kitchen fire. The incident happened at around 8 o'clock. They say damage is extensive.

Missing Woman Found

Police say that a 57 year old woman who was reported missing has now been found. They say that Margaret Scott-Beatty was found safe in Kakabeka Falls yesterday. Prior to that she hadn't been seen since last week.

Stabbing Sends Man To Hospital

City police are looking for four people in connection with a stabbing on the city's south side this morning.   They say that a 21 year old man was stabbed in the leg in the vicinity of May and Cumming.   They say the victim was located by a passerby just before 5 o'clock this morning on the 600 block of McKenzie bleeding heavily.  He is now recovering in hospital.

Marathon Organizers Ask For Help

Organizers of the Thunder Bay Marathon are asking the city for some help. Barry Strieb asked councillors last night to allow city staff to help set up and remove wooden barricades before and after the event.  He says he witnessed it happening in Winnipeg, where municipal workers there had a hand in helping out with such chores. Councillors are expected to deal with the issue next week.

CEDC Pegs Mining

Mining, mining, mining. That's the focus of the city's Economic Development Corporation as it makes its way forward. CEO Steve Demmings' report to city councillors indicates that the organization is hoping to attract more mining related industries here through a three year strategy. Demmings cited examples of the mining labs that are now located in the city which the CEDC had a hand in bringing here.