PSA Hearing Over

The Police Services Hearing for 3 local police officers has concluded.  The hearing officer will return to the City on September 12th to render a decision in the misconduct hearing.  The hearing comes after a 44-year old city resident alleged that the three officers assaulted and stole money from him during the course of a drug investigation back in September of last year.  Detective William Wowchuck, Detective Constable Ron Popowich and Detective Constable Brad Bernst are each facing one count of Misconduct and one count of Discreditable Conduct under the Police Services Act.

Kam River Rescue

Thunder Bay Police helped rescue a man from the Kam River today.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says the incident happened just before the noon hour.  Fire crews, ambulance and police were called to the riverfront near the rowing club and worked together to pull the man out.  The man suffered serious injuries and is in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

Drunk Driving & Failing To Give Officers A Breath Sample

Thunder Bay Police have nabbed another three people suspected of drinking and driving.  This time around all three are charged with failing to provide a breath sample.  The first incident saw a 53 year old woman come to an abrupt stop at a red light at Victoria Avenue and Edward Street.   In the second incident, Officers saw a vehicle driving in an erratic way on Frederica Street. The 23 year old woman driver wouldn't provide a breath sample and was charged for it.  The final situation involved a 38 year old man on Rupert Street. Police were called to the scene where they found him arguing with his girlfriend and having a hard time starting the vehicle.  He's charged with failing to give a breath sample, drunk driving and possession of cocaine.

City Warns About Permits

The City is reminding property owners that a building permit is required for their flood renovations and repairs.  Building Department Spokesperson Allan Bygate says permits are required for substantial work. Permits are required for replacing structural elements, adding or removing large areas of drywall and replacing plumbing drain, waste and vent systems.  Replacing finishing, plumbing fixtures or minor maintenance doesn't require a new building permit.  The permits are being fast tracked and can be ready within 2 days.

AFN Leader Debate

Candidates seeking to become the top Native Chief in Canada debated the issues last night.  Diane Kelly, the Grand Chief of Treaty Three, believes her experience can be beneficial to the Assembly of First Nations in dealing with senior levels of governments.  More than 600 First Nations chiefs will cast ballots at the Assembly's conference next week.

CEP Domtar Reach Deal

Possible labour peace between the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Domtar.  A tentative contract impacting roughly 500 CEP members at the Dryden and Ear Falls Mill's has been reached.

The agreement follows almost 40-days of fairly challenging negotiations over the last 9-months.  CEP Spokesperson Stephen Boon says they won't be releasing any further information until details are presented to their members.  Boon is recommending ratification.  Meetings are being held in Dryden July 15th and 19th and in Ear Falls this Sunday.  Final voting is scheduled for July 26th.

Target Set To Open Summer 2013

Target is finalizing some plans for its grand opening of a Target store in Thunder Bay's Intercity Mall. The company purchased the mall's Zeller's store and will spend around 10 million dollars remodeling it. The store is expected to close for a period of six to nine months for extensive renovations.

Skypower Sues Province

The company that built a solar park at the Thunder Bay airport is taking the Provincial Government to court.  SkyPower is launching a court challenge against the Province over changes to the Green Energy Act.  They're seeking damages of over 100 million dollars.  The company doesn't like the Minister of Environment's decision to change parts of the Feed In Tariff program.  They claim it effects their existing FIT contracts that had previously been deemed complete.

35 Forest Fires Now Burning In Northwest Region

The forests in Northwestern Ontario are like a dried up box of kindling. The Ministry of Natural Resources reported fifteen new fires alone yesterday and ten new fires the day before. 6 fires are burning in the Thunder Bay district. 10 fires are burning in the Sioux Lookout district, 8 are burning in the Red Lake district, 7 are burning in the Nipigon district, 3 are burning in the Dryden district, 1 fire is burning in the Kenora district. There are currently 35 active fires in the northwest district, bringing the total number of fires for this season up to 295, which have destroyed nearly 2700 hectares of land. M.N.R. officials say they were able to declare 9 fires out on Wednesday.

A map of the fires is available by following this link: http://forest.lrc.gov.on.ca/AFFM/fire/interactivemap/firemap_English.htm

Harbour Crane Is Coming Today

A ship carrying a huge crane destined for the port of Thunder Bay arrives today at 5:00 O'clock at Kiefer terminal. C.E.O. of the Port Authority, Tim Heney says the crane will be used to off-load cargo from vessels and the unit itself has the ability to lift 104 metric tonnes up to 18 metres off the ground. Heney says the crane will be off-loaded on Saturday and an Austrian crew will spend the next couple of weeks assembling the unit. A special unveiling ceremony will be held prior to its launch of operation.

Highway 17 Back Open

Highway 17 west of Vermillion Bay is back open following a closure overnight. O.P.P. say a tractor-trailor unit jackknifed blocking both lanes at about 2:00 O'clock this morning. The incident occurred about 45 kilometres west of Vermillion Bay and shut down Highway 17 for about an hour.

Cats Crush Bucks

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are back at .500. They pasted the Waterloo Bucks on the road last night 15-1 to win their third in a row away from Subway field. Game 4 of that 5 game series goes tonight in Iowa.

Chill Host Brass At Home Tonight

The Thunder Bay Chill are desperate for a pair of wins at home starting tonight at Chapples Park. The Chill put their 11-2-1 record on the line against the Kansas City Brass, needing 2 wins and a pair of losses by the Michigan Bucks in order to host the Conference tournament. The Chill have already sewn up first place in the P.D.L.'s Heartland division.