Stats Can Out With Jobs Report

Statistics Canada is out with its latest jobs report.  They say in August the number of jobs created rose by 59-thousand which is almost three times more than analysts expected.  Locally, the unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent a slight bump from 6 percent in July.  The report also shows that the national unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 7.1 per cent.

CLE Stays Mum

Rita Stoger

It appears the cone of silence is on with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   Following a noon hour meeting board president Reta Stoger says there will be no further comment on this week's events that saw one director, Linda Gambee, removed from the board.  Meantime, the board is coming out in full support of the Christmas Cheer campaign after Gambee announced her intention to resign as campaign chair.

Province Announces Rehab Money

The Provincial Government is vowing to spend 5 million dollars annually to improve the lives of kids with special needs in the region.  The investment will expand the family-centred Children's Rehab Information System to five treatment centres in Northern Ontario.  The move will mean kids will receive improved access to physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Fatal Plane Mishap Near Red Lake

A 67-year-old man from Minnesota is dead as a result of a float plane mishap just south of Red Lake.  Ontario Provincial Police say the incident took place on Dee Dee Lake yesterday morning around 10:30. Police says the operator of an amphibious plane was standing on the floats as he was coming into shore. When the plane came into contact with the shore, the pilot was thrown into the  propeller.  He was was transported to hospital in Red Lake where he died of his injuries.

Oshki & Cambrian Renew Deal

A First Nations education organization and Cambrian College are teaming up.  They renewed their working agreement for another five years.  The deal means the two will work together to enhance education and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Former Child Prostitute Speaking Out

A former child prostitute in Thunder Bay is speaking about her experiences in the sex trade industry in the City.  Bridget Perrier says she was shocked that the story she told an American researcher about being sold on a ship in Lake Superior got so much attention.  Perrier says Thunder Bay has a dirty secret and she hopes her story helps women in the local sex industry get out.

Nipigon Bridge Construction Underway

Construction is underway on the new Nipigon River Bridge.  The work on the stretch of Highway 11-17 east of Nipigon includes building two additional lanes.  The move will improve traffic flow on the Trans-Canada Highway.  A construction kickoff was held today with Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle.

New Management At ELA 2014

The International Institute for Sutainable Development says it won't actually be taking over the Experimental Lakes Area until next spring. Matt McCandless is the project manager and says there's still lots of work to do before they can assume responsibility for the ELA.  McCandless says the 2-million dollars announced by the Province of Ontario for the ELA will only cover about half of their annual operating costs, so they are still looking for more partners.

Numerous Groups Interested

The City is happy with the number of applications they've received from interested potential Event Centre partners.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they received responses from several quality organizations. Finding a tenant for the proposed facility is one of the steps towards making the project a reality.

Gambee Resigning Christmas Cheer

The Christmas Cheer campaign will have to find another chair.   Linda Gambee says she is resigning from the position following her removal from the board of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.  Both the CLE and Christmas Cheer work together during festive season.

Drug Bust In Nipigon

A 53-year old Thunder Bay man has a court date in December following a drug bust in Nipigon.  OPP seized 579 grams of marijuana, 31 percocet pills and $27,000 in cash after searching a home.  The man has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of property obtained in a crime.  Two other males were also charged.  The investigation continues and police say more charges could be laid.