Outdoor Rinks Closing

The City is closing all of their outdoor rinks with the exception of the rink at Prince Arthur's Landing.  The closures are due to the recent warm weather.

Acadia Broadcasting Growing

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of this station has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton, New Brunswick radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting. Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year. The purchase increases the number of Acadia stations to 13 spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Drugs Seized

Thunder Bay OPP are charging three Thunder Bay residents with drug related offences.  They searched a Home Avenue home and found 2, 482 grams of Marihuana with a street value of 49-thousand dollars and ten grams of Cocaine with a street value of a thousand dollars.  A 45 year old man, a 23 year old man and a 28 year old woman are charged with possession, trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

14 Million Announced For Health Care Locally

Health Minister Deb Matthews is announcing 14 million dollars to help improve access to emergency care and other healthcare providers in Thunder Bay. The cash will support Thunder Bay’s three largest health care providers: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Care Group and the North West Community Care Access Centre.   The money will also be used to recruit up to 10 full time and 14 temporary emergency room doctors, staff 10 acute care hospital beds that will be able to treat up to 600 more patients every year. The hospital will also use the cash to create 26 new beds to help more people with long-term illnesses receive specialized care.

Driver Charged In Accident Near Kenora

Kenora OPP are charging a 36 year old Manitoba man with failing to yield after a dashboard camera captured a scary incident at the intersection of Highway 17 and the Kenora by-pass. Police say an eastbound vehicle hit a northbound pickup truck that had allegedly failed to stop for the stop sign.  The Manitoba man is also charged with using a handheld device while driving.

Fire At Fort Frances Voyageur Motel

Rainy River OPP are investigating a fire at the Reid's Voyageur Motel in Fort Frances.  A 39 year old man who was staying at the motel remains in hospital and his condition is being monitored.  Police are releasing few details and are looking for anyone who may have seen anything to call Crime Stoppers.

Mayor Disputes Survey Findings

Mayor Keith Hobbs isn't a fan of the Moneysense.ca's best places to live in Canada survey. Hobbs doesn't put much stock in Thunder Bay's 109th ranking out of 200 cities.  Hobbs note one glaring error on the list, the unemployment rate.   The survey has our city with an 8.4 per cent rate while the latest Stats Canada figure is 5.8 per cent.  Hobbs also disagrees with whether the City is walkable and bikable since we have a much longer winter than other Cities in the survey.

City Utility Sponsors Fishing Tourney

Tbaytel is again attempting to raise its profile in the region.   It's now the title sponsor of one of the most popular fishing tournaments in northwestern Ontario.   The company has come on board with a 3-year  commitment for the Dryden Walleye Masters.  This is the 25th anniversary of the popular tournament which features over 40-thousand dollars in cash and prizes.

Powwow Weekend @LU

It will be a weekend of First Nations celebration at Lakehead University.   The LU Native Student Association is hosting its annual powwow today until Sunday.    Activities get underway with the warm up starting at 6 o'clock this evening at the CJ Saunders Fieldhouse.  The Grand Entry takes place tomorrow at 1pm.

Matthews To Make Announcement

Health Minister Deb Matthews is in the city today and is going to make a health related announcement.   The government says it will be about helping health providers in Thunder Bay better service patients in northwestern Ontario.   Many are hoping the news will help to ease the overcrowding problems at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.