Gas Line Leak Stopped Quickly

A gas line leak on the 300 block of Lark Street caused a bit of commotion this afternoon.   It appears that someone hit a gas line while doing some work just before 2 o'clock.  A Fire and Rescue official says there was no real danger but homes in the immediate area of the leak were evacuated as a precaution.

Funding Benefits Six Businesses

The province's northern development fund is granting money to local six businesses.   The six are sharing in over 200 thousand dollars of funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.   Dental Hygiene Smiles of Thunder Bay is receiving 125 thousand dollars of that to help it open a dental clinic.   The rest will be split up among Kuhl  Lighting, The Dog Classroom, Confederation College, Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and a Chiropractic Clinic.

George Jeffrey Gets Added $

The George Jeffrey Children's Centre is once again on the receiving end of a government cheque.   This time it's almost 140 thousand provincial tax dollars.    MPP Bill Mauro says the money is going to be used to provide children and youth with improved access to treatment services.

Movie Nights Are Back

It's movie night again at Marina Park.  The city is presenting a series of outdoor movies starting tonight at dusk with "Back To The Future 2".   There will be four more weeks of movies shown including a Bay Street Film Festival night where a local flick will be screened.

City Delegation Heads To China

A delegation from Thunder Bay is heading to China as part of the sister cities program.   Councillor Aldo Ruberto says the trip is designed to cement a friendship pact with the city of Jiaozuo  which started when the Chinese delegation came here.   The group includes Ruberto along with City Clerk John Hannam , Development Services Manager Mark Smith and city mining guru John Mason.  They left today and are due back home August 26th.  

Fire Hazard Increases

As anticipated the forest fire hazard is on the rise across northwestern Ontario. Warmer and dryer conditions sparked 4 new fires yesterday. One fire, 25-kilometres northeast of Dryden, was set by forest industry equipment according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The other fires were reported in the Hudson, Sioux Lookout and Kenora districts.
Two of the fires aren't under control but pose no threats.

Car Lands In Churchyard After Mishap

No one is hurt following a two vehicle collision at Van Norman Street and Rockwood Avenue this morning.   The two cars collided just after 9 o'clock sending one of them careening through a metal fence and it narrowly missed striking the New Apostolic Church.  There's no word on any charges.

A Suspicious Blaze

There were no injuries following a fire in the 500 block of Pacific Avenue late Thursday evening.  Crews responded to a report of furniture on fire outside of a building and when they arrived the flames had spread to the siding of the structure.  The fire was contained to the exterior wall of the building, although some heat and smoke damage was caused inside.  The fire is considered suspicious.