Firefighter hurt in garage fire

A Thunder Bay Firefighter ended up in hospital after battling a garage fire yesterday. Crews responded to the blaze on Toms road just before 7 o'clock and found the garage engulfed in flames. 5 pumper trucks responded and the fire was quickly brought under control. The owner was checked for smoke inhalation and the garage was a complete loss.

Woman robbed at knife point

Thunder Bay police are on the lookout for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery. Police say a woman was robbed at knife point last night just before midnight in the park by Lambton Place. The men made off with her purse and luckily she wasn't hurt.

Here's how councillors voted on e-voting

City councillors voted 8-5 against allowing the internet and phone voting in the next election...here's how the final count went Monday night.
Against-Mark Bentz, Joe Virdiramo, Trevor Giertuga, Linda Rydholm, Larry Hebert, Brian McKinnon, Frank Pullia and Lynn Peterson.
For-Iain Angus, Andrew Foulds, Robert Tuchenhagen, Aldo Ruberto and Rebecca Johnson,

Council turns down e-voting

There will be no internet or phone voting in the upcoming municipal election. Councillors have voted 8-5 against the proposal. Trevor Giertuga was one of the 8 to turn thumbs down to the idea. Giertuga says he's not convinced all the security issues have been answered. For Mayor Lynn Peterson it's a question of security as well saying she is not comfortable with voters names, PIN numbers and other private information being in a data base that would be susceptible to hackers.

Consortium re-brands itself

The Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium is no more.  In its place is a new company called Thunder Bay Metal Fabricators Association.   Speaking to city councillors on Monday evening board member Paul Peterson said the name change is designed to show the firm is doing more than just getting contracts for city firms from the Alberta oil sands. He denies the change had anything to do with the negative environmental publicity the oil sands have received recently.   Peterson says that includes seizing new markets where they can find them including the so called Ring of Fire chromite deposit 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Former trustee eyes City Council

Former Public School trustee is looking to jump into city politics. Beatrice Metzler has declared her intention to run as a canadidate for City Council in the October municipal election. She will be running for councillor-at-large. Metzler says her priorities will be a diversified economy for the city, a safe community and fair taxation.

Shear Heaven to close

After 31 years Shear Heaven is closing its doors. Owner Aldo Ruberto says he is retiring from the hairstyling business. He says it's been quite a ride and has learned a lot from being in business for so long. Ruberto says he considered moving the salon to a new location, but decided to retire instead and focus on being a full time city councillor. The last day of business for Shear Heaven will be Friday. Ruberto says he has found jobs for all his 11 stylists.

Rafferty pension bill could go to committee

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is optimistic about his private members bill. He says the bill is designed to add protection to workers pensions by moving them from unsecured status to secured status. He says 4 million Canadians stand to benefit from the bill if it's passed. Rafferty says after debate on the bill today, it appears all parties, including the Conservatives, are interested taking it to the committee stage.

Thunder Bay police have busy weekend

City police had to deal with a couple of incidents over the weekend. Saturday a man walked into the south downtown salon and assaulted a receptionist before making off with her purse. No has been arrested and police continue to investigate. Then yesterday two people were arrested after the discovery of a grow op. Officers responded to a call on Keith Street early yesterday morning and saw marijuana plants in the residence when they arrived. A search found 40 plants and a man and woman were arrested and charged.

Rural cemetery vandalized

Officials at the Lappe Cemetery are cleaning up the mess after a weekend of vandalism. OPP report that several headstones were overturned , ornaments damaged and garbage thrown around. Also over the weekend, no one was home after fire engulfed a house on Highway 11/17 east of Shabaqua. The cause is under investigation.

Wesway project gets extended

Employees at Wesway services in Thunder Bay are celebrating. The non profit organization provides care to those people who are close to death. It was taking part in a special pilot project that provided those services to seniors living in communities throughout the Thunder Bay district. The provincial funding was to have run out at the end of last month. However officials have received word the funding will be extended another year.

No major controversy expected at City Hall

City councillors should be getting a break from any controversy Monday night. They won't have to deal with wind farms, bus depots or subdivision expansions. Instead they will hear a presentation from the Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium. Thats the group that tries to secure contracts for local businesses from the Alberta oil sands project. Also on the agenda, councillors will be asked to approve a policy on Violence in the Workplace as part of the changes to the provinces Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Snowbirds making a return visit next month

The Snowbirds are coming back to Thunder Bay. The Armed Forces precision flying team will entertain us May 26th. It will be part of Confederation Colleges' Aviation day according to organizer Paul de Oude. He says they'll perform a fly-by and not a full aerobatic show. The fly by will take place over the airport and city during the lunch hour and last about half an hour

Young soldier injured in Afghanistan back home

A bottle of scotch and some Pink Floyd. That's how Master Corporal Chris Drewes wants to relax now that he is back home in Thunder Bay. Drewes was injured in Afghanistan in the same roadside bomb blast that killed fellow soldier Private Tyler William Todd. The 24 year old Drewes doesn't consider himself a hero. He says if anyone should have that tag, it's Private Todd. Right now he is recovering from a shrapnel wound to his shoulder. He says he does have limited use of it. Drewes was welcomed at the airport by family and friends Friday afternoon.

Two hurt in John St. fire

Two people are hurt following a fire this afternoon at 960 John St. The fire is believed to have originated in a top floor bedroom of the semi-detached home. District Fire chief David Grant says one of the injured had smoke inhalation trying to put out the fire the other suffered a cut hand breaking a window.  Four people were in the house at the time the blaze broke out.  The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time

Local MPP's the target of attack ads

MPP Michael Gravelle denies accusations he and fellow MPP Bill Mauro are cutting frontline healthcare. The attack ads are aimed at the McGuinty governments' decision to cut professional allowances to pharmacies. Gravelle says the whole story isn't told, saying its about cutting the cost of generic drugs. He calls it a pretty tough battle that's going on, but believes the decision is in the best interests of Ontarians who are paying more than they should for generic drugs.   Gravelle says government grants to the pharmacies will help offset the losses they incur. Meantime, Mauro says he won't comment on the attack campaign.

Report targets suicide prevention

Youth leaders in the city say they are encouraged by a report on preventing youth suicide. The report was compiled after workshops with local high school students. Spokesperson Debbie Sault says the community should pay attention to this report because youth need support from adults, but many adults are terrified of the topic and they won't talk about youth suicide or don't know how to respond. Some of the recommendations in the report include, having more activities available for youth and having more access to professional help.

Thunder Bay's inflation rate drops

Thunder Bay saw a small drop in the inflation rate last month. Our rate was 0.8 percent in March down from February's 1.1. It was the same story nationally where the rate went from 1.6 to 1.4. The core inflation rate saw an even bigger drop from 2.1 to 1.7 last month.

Replica handgun leads to weapons charges

Police say a 26 year old city man is facing weapons related charges following an incident at the OLG Casino this week. Police say staff noticed a man who appeared to be carrying a handgun. It turns out it was a replica, however a subsequent search of his home turned up pocket knives, a metal pipe and a razor blade.

TBSO names its new conductor

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra now has its new Music Director. Arthur Post becomes the 8th conductor to lead the orchestra in its 50 year history. Post says he's looking forward to his new role saying that in his short time in the city this season he noted the TBSO has a group of magnificant muscians who are also exceptional people.  Post will make his first appearance as conductor October 14th when the orchestra performs at the Community Auditorium.

ATV vote Monday in Oliver-Paipoonge

The Township of Oliver-Paipoonge may be about to allow ATV's on community roads. Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says on Monday council will be voting on the issue. She says it's just a matter of convenience for the rural residents. She says alot of them have ATV's and would like to get from point A to point B in the municipality. Kloosterhuis says the vote will follow a presentation by the Thunder Bay Police on highway traffic laws as they apply to ATV's

LU prof stranded because of volcanic ash

A Lakehead University professor is stranded in London, England because of the ash from that volcano in Iceland. Peter Hollings just happens to be a geology professor and one who specializes in volcanoes, an irony not lost on him. He says he is staying with family and so it hasn't been unpleasant. He says there are some people questioning whether officials reacted in haste in grounding all air traffic. Hollings says he was surprised by the blanket ban but admits officials had to err on the side of safety. Hollings says he hopes to be back in Thunder Bay on the weekend and teaching by Monday.

Restricted fire zone in place

The dry conditions in northwestern Ontario have forced the hand of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Fire information officer Deb MacLean says a restricted fire zone is now in place. It affects the Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Kenora districts as well as parts of the Sioux Lookout and Red Lake districts. Maclean says not to let the cool weather fool you, the conditions are ripe for forest fires.

Minor injuries in accident

There are only minor injuries  following a two car accident during the noon hour on the citys' north side.  The vehicles came into collision at the intersection of Dufferin and Banning.   Police have laid a charge of failing to yield against one of the drivers.

Ignatieff plans return visit to the city

Federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is coming to Thunder Bay on Tuesday, May 4th. He'll begin the day with a party policy announcement affecting northern Ontario. Following that Ignatieff is scheduled for various appearances in the city. That includes a visit to St. Patrick's High School for a talk with students. He will also be pressing the flesh at Tony and Adams Restaurant that evening.

Dry weather to continue

Blame El Nino. Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says that the current dry conditions in northwestern Ontario are the result of that weather phenomenon.  So far in April we have had half the normal precipitation for the month.   He says there's no immediate end in sight,adding that over the next 7 days there is no measurable amount of rain in the forecast.  Coulson says we may see more normal temperatures and precipitation in May.

St Francis celebrates Earth Day with new program

St Francis school marked Earth Day by unveiling a new program. Students took the covers off no idling signs in the schools parking lot as part of a program to reduce air pollution. EcoSuperior's Ashley Priem says ten schools are participating in cutting down air pollution like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides that are especially harmful to children. The signs ask everyone to turn off their vehicles whenever they are parked at the school.

Dry Spring causing water level concerns

This springs extremely dry conditions are forcing the Lakehead region conservation authority to impose a level one low water condition. Chairman Bill Bartley says people should cut back their water consumption by about 10 percent to maintain adequate water levels in the Region. Bartley says there should be about 100 millimetres of precipitation a month but we've seen just under 60 millimetres since last September.

11/17 near Kakabeka to see improvements

The province is planning on improving a stretch of highway 11/17 east from Kakabeka Falls. The 13 kilometres of work will include various intersection improvements, two new passing lanes and pavement resurfacing of the Kam River Bridge on Highway 130. A tender call is out for the project and work is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Longtime friends share in lottery win

Two city residents will be getting a lot of new friends. Alan Laine and Rudolph Cvornjek are sharing the 250 thousand dollars they won playing Lottario. The two have been playing the same lottery numbers for 35 years and finally hit it big in the March 6th draw.

Easy way to dump your e-waste

Officials at the OLG Casino and Pack Pros Plus don't want you to gamble with the environment. They are teaming up this Saturday to provide a waste disposal site for your outdated electronics. Organizer Allan Forbes says it's a 5 hour event that starts at 10 in the morning in the casino parking lot. Forbes says it can be anything from old computers, tv's or other home electronics.

Library offers language learning

The Thunder Bay Public Library is making it possible to learn a new language through your computer. It's providing a program called Powerspeak Languages. The Librarys' Joanna Aegard says it's being tested for a year thanks to the Ontario taxpayer. She says if it's popular officials will make it available for longer.  Right now four languages are available: French, Spanish, German and Chinese.  A library card is required to access the service.  Simply go to the library website, choose Virtual Collection click on the sleeping giant logo and then log in.

City approves new clinic and apartments

The vacant land at John and Secord will soon be vacant no more. City councillors have approved the rezoning of the area for a community clinic. Developer Jason Logozzo says it will be a multi use building. He says market studies will determine client interest and then he'll develop a plan after that. Logozzo envisions a variety of health care services. Those might include dental, chiropratic and even medical offices along with apartment units.

NOMA convention underway this week

The annual Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association convention is on in Marathon starting Thursday. The organization acts as a voice for area municipalities at Queens Park. Mayor Lynn Peterson says this year local lawmakers will be dealing with about 20 issues. She says the resolutions include the number of federal seats in northern Ontario and moving the Northern Growth Plan forward. She says it's also an opportunity for municipal leaders to discuss regional issues with the provincial cabinet ministers who'll be attending on Friday. The conference runs until Saturday.

TBayTel gravy train unloads 15 million

TBayTel executives are boasting of a 15 and a half million dollar dividend to the city. Board chair Michael Power says this is over and above the current 17 million dollar bonus the city gets annually. Power says it will be spread over 3 years, 10 million dollars for this year and 2 and half million dollars for 2011 and 2012. The money will be going into a city fund which could be used to pay for projects like the new area.

Zwig promises no delays on study release

The environmental study on the Nor'Wester wind farm will be released next month. City council says it will not approve the location of the turbines until that study is made public. Horizon Wind president Anthony Zwig says he has no intention of delaying the release, adding the company is working to finish up the provincial process and will release the study as soon as they can.   Zwig stopped short of saying he was surprised by councils decision

Local mill appears destined for scrap heap

A local union boss is disappointed with the latest developments involving the former Abitibi Mission Mill. The company has found a scrap dealer in the States to buy the mill. Marvin Pupeza of the Canadian Paperworkers Union says its a sad day.  He says it wasn't long ago they were working with a potential buyer, but it fell apart.  Pupeza adds that a new collective agreement was even worked out with the members, but now it appears the mill will be bulldozed.  When it closed there were 430 employees.

OLG announces latest slots cash

The latest payment to the city of Thunder Bay from the provincial government gambling casino is 572 thousand dollars. The money represents 5 per cent of the slot machine revenue from the facility. It was the cash collected during January, February and March.

Backhoe accident sends man to hospital

One man is injured following an accident involving a backhoe. City police spokesperson Chris Adams says it took place at a private residence on Koivu Road Tuesday around noon and sent a 30 year old man to hospital after the machine rolled on him.   Police, fire and paramedics responded.  While the mans injury is reported as serious it isn't considered life threatening.

Five local nominees in film awards

Thunder Bay is fairing well for the 2010 Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards. Organizer Dennis Landry says 5 of the 24 nominees are from Thunder Bay. He says its no surprise to him because we have an interesting diverse film community. The local nominees are: Dave Clement is up for two awards for his work on the film “The Healing Lens” in the Best Film Editor and Best Cinematography categories. Heather K. Dahlstrom is nominee in the Best Film category for “The Healing Lens”. Two local finalists are nominated in the Best Screenwriter category. Kris Ketonen who collaborated with Lee Chambers on the script “The Sum of Random Chance” and Ryan La Via for his script titled “Psyche”.
Thunder Bay also has a local finalist in a music category. Chris Dorota is nominated in the Best Engineer category for his work on Jean-Paul De Roover’s album “Windows and Doors”. The awards will be handed out May first in Sudbury.

Westgate students form living green ribbon

High school students in the city are promoting organ and tissue donations. At Westgate Collegiate students formed a human green ribbon. Lisa Cashin of the local Kidney Foundation says the campaign in Thunder Bay appears to be working.  She says 38 per cent of the population here has consented to donate their organs at the time of death.    Cashin says while that rate is high for the province, she believes it could be better.

O'Conner woman hurt in ATV accident

One woman is in hospital with undetermined injuries after flipping her ATV. The accident happened yesterday night when the 37 year old was towing a log up a hill. The ATV rolled on top of her and the woman was taken to the Health Sciences Centre by Air Ambulance with non life threatening injuries.

Wind farm location decision now in limbo

Horizon Wind is now in the drivers seat. City councillors have voted to postpone a final decision on a location for the proposed Nor'Western wind farm. It will not come until Horizon releases an environmental assessment report. City Planning Manager Mark Smith doesn't expect the process to drag on. He believes the company will release the report "sooner rather than later". Horizons' Anthony Zwig has said he will make it public in his own time.

Subdivision expansion gets preliminary approval

The River Terrace subdivision extension is one step away from being a done deal. After over 4 and a half hours of discussions councillors approved the plans by Art Lannon to add the 71 lots. It came in spite of the pleas of environmentalists like Christy Radbourne who were concerned about the trees that were to be cut down to make way for the new lots. Radbourne believes councillors had their minds made up prior to the vote.

Council hears River Terrace plans from Art Lannon

The developer of the River Terrace area says he is willing to address residents concerns.   Art Lannon laid out his plan for a proposed expansion of the subdivision.   He says he wants to add 71 lots to what he has right now.   Lannon has an agreement to purchase the 13 and a half hectare property from Lakehead University.  He says that in order to ease the concerns residents have about the loss of trees, he would plant a six metre buffer of trees to make up for what will be lost.

River Terrace residents state their case

The residents of the River Terrace area of the city don't want an expansion of their subdivision .  One by one opponents pleaded with city councillors not to approve the proposal.   As part of the plan, the developer will be removing the trees that separate the area from the Health Sciences Centre.  They think the trees that are removed will do away with the buffer they have against the hospital noise.  In addition Lakehead University students and faculty voiced disapproval since the land in question is in the process of being purchased from the institution.

OPP constable resigns, avoids hearing

There will be no police act hearing for a Nipigon OPP officer. Constable Lynn MacKay was to have had the disciplinary hearing this week in connection with a marijuana seizure in 2007. Sgt. Shelley Garr says MacKay faced a charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. Garr says the hearing was cancelled on April 16th when MacKay officially resigned from the OPP. MacKay was a 17 year veteran of the force.

Locals take part in the Boston Marathon

Michael Wood of Dryden is the top northwestern Ontario finisher in this years Boston Marathon. Wood is one of at least 18 runners from the northwest who ran in the famous event. Wood ended with a time of 2 hours 45 minutes and 23 seconds. Wood says it was his best time ever.  Jim Keyes is the top Thunder Bay finisher. He clocked in with a time of 2 hours 57 minutes and 33 seconds. Drydens' Christine Smith was the top female finisher from the northwest with a time of  3 hours, 25 minutes and 3 seconds.  Sixteen people from Thunder Bay were entered this year.  Here are the results for the regional competitors:
Men: Michael Wood-2:45:23, Jim Keyes-2:57:33, Scott Douglas-3:07:11, Michael Tassotto-3:05:37, Peter Lovis-3:13:57, Rory Cava-3:25:19, Dan Tipple-3:32:35, Claudio Pietrobelli-3:34:06.  Women:  Christine Smith-3:25:03,  Isabel Pacheco-3:25:30, Betty Annela-3:34:00, Christine Bociurko-3:40:33, Donna Ostrom-3:43:59, Monique Welbourne-3:51:38.

Council chamber access restricted

The public is being restricted on when they can enter the city council chamber before an evening meeting. City spokesperson Sheelagh Hendrick says the doors to the meeting room will be closed between 4:30 and 5:45. She says there isn't any staff available to monitor the room during that time. Hendrick wouldn't say if the decision is related to the wind farm debate last week when opponents occupied the chamber.

No injury in bus incident

A pedestrian isn't hurt after what was originally a report of a person being hit by a city transit bus.   The incident took place this afternoon just before 1pm on Red River Road at Regent Street.   Police, fire and paramedic crews responded but police say the victim did not require treatment.   

Union official delivers hospital closure warning

Major hospital health issues are being discussed in Thunder Bay this week. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is meeting for three days. President Michael Hurley says one major topic is the provinces plan to tender some services like knee replacements. He says smaller northern hospitals will be defenseless because of it and could close because they won't be able to compete with bigger hospitals like the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to deliver services. About 200 delegates are attending the gathering.

Mayors race is getting crowded

The race for Mayor is now a three headed battle. Jeff Irwin has thrown his name into the ring along with incumbent Lynn Peterson and former police association president Keith Hobbs. Irwin says seeing the massive amount of opposition to the proposed Horizon Wind farm led him to run for the position. He says council is clearly failing to listen to the people and a change is needed.

New Tanning Legislation could impact local business

Tanning Salons in Thunder Bay could soon be facing new regulations. A Bill outlawing tanning services for people under 19 years old passed first reading in Queens park last week to protect teens from UV exposure. Owner of Ozone Terry Gallant says he thinks profiling skin types is a safer way to approach tanning instead of age. Gallant says people under the age of 19 make up about 5 percent of his clientele.