MV Thunder Bay On The Job

The MV Thunder Bay is officially on the job.   Canada Steamship Lines has unveiled its newest ship named after our city.  It was given a special maiden voyage celebration  in Port Colborne today.  However,  there are no immediate plans for the new vessel to visit our port.  It's currently travelling from Escanaba, Michigan where it loaded up with iron ore pellets which are being delivered to the Port of Quebec for shipment overseas.

Bacteria Outbreak Over

A three week bacterial outbreak at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is over.   It  involved C-difficile  a mainly hospital born super bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.  Officials say no new cases have developed on 3A, the centre of the outbreak.

Police Tout First Possible Meth Seizure

Police say they have two men in custody following the latest drug bust.  Officers seized about 5 thousand dollars worth of cocaine, marijuana and what's believed to be the first seizure of methamphetamine in the city.  Also seized was a loaded 22 caliber handgun and 19 thousand dollars in cash.   The busts centred around homes on Strand Avenue and Piccadilly Street.

Brown Cool With Osisko Decision

The Mayor of Atikokan isn't panicking over Osisko's plans to delay a gold mining project near the community. Dennis Brown says the Hammond Reef project would have meant new jobs, but stresses there's still plenty of other economic activity in Atikokan including the Rentech and Resolute mills.. Brown says Osisko still has a presence in the town and hopes their project can proceed when gold prices get better.

Lyceum Building Causing City Headaches

The city is facing a decision on what to do with the derelict Lyceum building on Cumberland Street.   City Manager Tim Commisso says the ever elusive owner needs to fix it up or else it may have to be demolished.   He says the problems include a leaking roof and the accumulation of water.  Commisso says a decision on the structure could come in less than a month.

Doug Murray Heads The CEDC

The new CEO of the city's Economic Development Corporation is Doug Murray.  He comes from the private sector as a manager in the pulp and paper industry.   Murray hopes to use his skills to bring new industry and jobs to Thunder Bay and to diversify the local economy and points to the ever expanding health care industry   Murray officially takes over on Monday

City Man Recounts Bear Attack

Thunder Bay's Trevor Miller will never look at bears the same.  It follows an attack this week in Sandbar Provincial Park near Ignace. Miller tells our newsroom that it was a harrowing experience that seemed like it would never end as the whole ordeal lasted about 2 hours as he tried to dodge the bear by going in the water.  He says at one point he smacked the bear on the nose with a stick as it swam towards him,  but that only stopped the stalking for a short period as the bear regrouped itself.   Miller says it all ended when his dog went after the bear and was killed in the process.

Police Arrest Robbery Suspect

A 28-year old Thunder Bay man is being held in custody following his arrest for the armed robbery of the Simpson Street Mac's Store on August 2nd.  Police made the arrest yesterday without incident on East Victoria Avenue.  The man entered the store armed with a syringe and escaped with a small amount of money. His court date has yet to be determined.  No one was injured during the incident.  

Murray Visiting NWO

Ontario's transportation minister is visiting Northwestern Ontario this week.   Glen Murray will be in Murillo this morning. The minister will consult with Northern and rural municipal leaders on the new 100 million dollars in provincial funding for infrastructure in their communities.  He will be in Kenora tomorrow.

Minor Injuries In Expressway Mishap

There were no injuries following a three-vehicle collision on the Thunder Bay Expressway and Balsam Street late yesterday morning.  The accident involved a car and two tractor trailer units.  The driver of the car, a 27-year old Calgary woman has been charged with a lane change violation.