Police Investigate Sexual Assault and Abduction

Thunder Bay police are investigating an abduction and sexual assault. A 36 year old woman was transported to hospital and later released following an incident on Thursday night. It is alleged that two Caucasian males in their mid 30s abducted the woman near Blucher Avenue after 9pm. The woman says she was forced into a green 2 door vehicle, taken to a rural location in the north side of the city where she was sexually assaulted. Police are also investigating this incident as a possible hate crime as the victim reported a number of racially motivated remarks made by the assailants. Anyone with information is asked to call the police or Crime Stoppers.

Thunder Bay MP Hyer Reflects on 2012

2012 was the year Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer left the NDP Party. Independent Hyer says he thought long and hard over his decision to leave the party in April. Hyer says there were many reasons for his decision, but a move by leader Thomas Mulcair on the gun registry sealed the deal because it would have forced him to vote against the party line again. Hyer hopes for some parliamentary change in 2013 so MPs can better reflect their constituents' wishes.

OSSTF Considers One Day Protest

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation is considering a one day protest of the Provincial Government's bill 115. The union recently voted in favour of conducting a one day strike but no date has been selected as of yet. Lakehead Public School Board Director of Education Cathi Siemieniuk says she hopes the labour issues will be resolved soon. Earlier this month the Elementary Teachers Federation took part in rotating one day strikes across the province.

Fort William NYE Family Frolic

Fort William Historical Park is once again hosting it's New Years Eve "Family Frolic" tonight. Spokesperson Marty Mascarin says they'll have entertainment for young and old. The new observatory won't be open on New Years Eve but there will be telescopes set up for star gazers taking part in the family frolic.

Know Your Limit

The Coordinator of the City's Drug Strategy says the holiday season can often bring with it binge drinking. Cynthia Olson says beyond regular festive party drinking, there are financial pressures around Christmas and New Years and that often leads to unhealthy drinking. Olson says its important to know your limit.

Police Investigate 6th Homicide

City police continue to investigate Thunder Bay's 6th homicide of 2012. Police were called to a Villa Street home on Saturday night to find a 25 year old with no vital signs and a 23 year old unconcious.
Both were rushed to hospital where the 25 year old was pronounced dead, while the 23 year remains in critical condition. Police say the two men were known to eachother but not related and that alcohol was a factor. No names have been released.

Aggravated Assault Charge

A man who was allegedly assaulted by his girlfriend remains in critical condition at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Police were called to the Brant Street area on Saturday night and arrested the woman. She will next appear in court on January 2nd facing three charges including aggravated assault.

Marathon O.P.P. Make 3 Drug Seizures

Marathon O.P.P. are doing their part in keeping drugs off the street. Three traffic stops in three consecutive days dating back to last Thursday have resulted in the seizure of various amounts of cannabis marijuana. The first was for 8 grams. A Toronto Man faces charges of possession of a controlled susbstance. The second saw police seize 2.2 kilograms of marijuana worth an estimated street value of $44,000. Two men from Yorkton, Saskatchewan are now facing trafficking charges. The third stop saw police arrest a man and a woman from Quebec after they spotted marijuana and 186 ecstacy pills worth an estimated $4,600.

Thunderwolves Capture Tournament Title

The Lakehead University men's basketball team are tournament champions. They captured the 46th annual Winnipeg Wesmen Classic with an 84-67 win over the host team in the final. Ryan Thomson led the way with 22 points. Centre Yoosrie Salhia scored 12 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the final to be named tournament M.V.P. Menawhile the L.U. women's team closed out the Thunder Selects tournament in Halifax losing 82-55 to the #4 ranked St. Mary's Huskies. Conference play for both teams resumes this weekend on the road with a pair against the Waterloo Warriors.

Crime Of The Week

Thunder Bay and District Crimestoppers are looking for your help in solving an arson investigation. Fires were set in the laneway between Empire Avenue and Piper Avenue. Sometime between May 14th and June 12th, a series of fires were set, usually after 3:00 a.m. and before 6:00 a.m. Sheds and garages suffered structural damage and in one instance a vehicle suffered severe damage. Police say in these fires, an aerosol can along with flammable materials were used as an accellerant. Crimestoppers is looking for any information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for these arsons. Call Crimestoppers at 623-TIPS or 623-8477.