Greenstone gets funding from FedNor

The Greenstone is getting a helping hand from the Federal Government. FedNor is investing over 400 thousand dollars to support small business development and growth in the region. 335 thousand will go to the Greenstone Economic Development Corporation with the remainder being used to support local projects.

OPP release deceased's name

OPP have released the name of the 56 year old Auburn, Michigan man killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. Richard Harbin lost control on wet pavement east of Thunder Bay and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 56 year old woman who was a passenger on the bike was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre for her injuries.

Mary J L Black will be open in 8 months

In 8 months time, the new Mary J L Black library will be open to the public. A ground breaking ceremony was held on Monday morning, and Chief Librarian Gina La Force says the project went over budget by a million dollars but notes it will be well worth it.  New play structures are being made for the kids in the neighbourhood, and a new parking lot will have to be configured for the site.  Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty was in attendance and vowed to look for extra federal funding for the project.

The Great Canadian Rendezvous is on

There will be plenty of action at Fort William Historical park as it hosts it's annual Great Canadian Rendezvous. The Fort's Chris Ficek says it takes place for ten days with a few key attractions including a classic rock night Wednesday and music by Trooper during the great Canadian Barbeque Thursday. Ficek says there will also be re-enactors from across North America, camping outside the walls of the fort who will be taking part in a number of different events including Sunday's Fort Under Siege.

So far not so good, for the Thunder Bay Port Authority

It could be a tough year for the Thunder Bay Port Authority. Overall the Port has seen a drop of 12 percent so far this year mainly due to a decrease in grain shipments. CEO Tim Heney says wet weather on the prairies have led to a huge decrease in grain shipments. Heney says increases in coal and potash have helped lessen the blow.

Positive Lyme disease Deer Tick found

Another lyme disease positive tick has been turned in to the local health unit. The tick was plucked off of a human who picked up the tick within the city limits.  This is the second positive test for Lyme disease in a tick since the health unit started monitoring and testing in 2005.  It's the first positive tick found on a human in Thunder Bay.

One man is dead after a motorcycle accident

A motorcycle accident has claimed the life one man and left a woman in hospital. Nipigon and Schreiber OPP responded to the accident yesterday just after 3:30 and say it appears the driver lost control on wet pavement. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the passenger was taken to the Health Sciences Centre with undetermined injuries.

Three arrested after seperate assaults

Three people are in police custody after separate assaults yesterday. Thunder Bay Police say at 4:30 in the morning a man was assaulted with a knife on the North side and suffered minor injuries. Then at 11 a man was threatened with a knife on the south side and near noon another man was assaulted with a hockey stick. Two men and one woman are facing charges.

Sharp shares Lord Stanley's Mug

Thunder Bay hockey fans now have their Stanley Cup "fix".   They lined up around the Fort William Gardens to get a chance to get their picture taken with the cup and Patrick Sharp of the champion Chicago Blackhawks.   Sharp brought the cup to his hometown to share with everyone.  He then took hockey's Holy Grail with him for some private time with family and friends.  A city official estimates the crowd at between 2500 to 3000.

Accident sends child to hospital

A young child is not hurt seriously after a traffic accident on Copenhagen Road. Police say the vehicle appeared to have lost control on the road at around 2:30 Friday afternoon. The child was taken to the Health Sciences Centre for treatment.

Looking Sharp, Patrick set to display the cup

It's Stanley Cup madness at the Fort William Gardens Saturday. Patrick Sharp of the champion Chicago Blackhawks is displaying the Cup at the Gardens from 11 to 1 so you can get your picture taken with it.  There will however be no autographs allowed.  That's being down so as many people can get a chance to see the cup.

City takes sky pics of waterfront project

The city now has a birds eye view of the waterfront development. On Thursday city waterfront officials took too the sky on a fire truck's aerial platform to take these photos of the work that's taken place so far at Prince Arthur's Landing.

Bells for peace

The bond with Thunder Bay's Japanese sister city of Gifu is a bit stronger now. Both communities rang their bells at the same time Friday to symbolize peace. The bell ringing took place at 11 a.m. Pictured: Local students Eiji Moller and Emma-Lee Taniwa join Councillor Joe Virdiramo in ringing the bell in front of City Hall.

Remote areas to get high speed internet

More homes in the remote northwest will be getting high speed internet. Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews made the announcement in Thunder Bay. He says the project will be completed by the end of next year by three companies. TBay Tel, Spectrum Telecom Group, and Galaxy Broadband Communications. There are about 45 hundred households that will benefit. The over 8 million dollar cost is being split between the federal and provincial governments, the feds spending 5 and a half million and the province the other 2.8 million.

More HST bashing by Horwath

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath was in Thunder Bay again today to talk about the negative effects of the HST. Horwath delivered a speech at the Roach's Taxi Stand to discuss the impact of the harmonized sales tax on the community's small businesses and families.

Blues Festival set to go

One of the city's biggest crowd draws takes place this weekend. The annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival is on at Marina Park. Organizer Bob Halverson says there will be no issues with the waterfront construction thats taking place. He's encouraging people to take the free shuttle bus from the Community Auditorium. It will be leaving every 15 minutes while the festival gates are open. Gates open on Friday at 4:30 and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.

Tick program working

The District Health Unit says it's pleased with the response to it's tick and lyme disease program. Spokesperson Anita LaPointe says only one tick has been found to have the disease out of the hundreds the public have left for testing. She says in all of last year 218 ticks were submitted and so far this year 465 have been dropped off. LaPointe expects those numbers to increase in the fall.

Stamp this loan: PAID IN FULL

You the city taxpayer have finally paid off the loan the city took out in 2000 to support the Regional Health Science's Centre.  That 35 million dollar debenture will be officially paid off on Saturday. City Manager Tim Commisso says what this will do for next years tax increase is not known.  He says the 3 and a half million dollars amounts to 1 per cent of the current operating budget.  He says it's too early to talk about any tax reduction.
The interest over the life of the loan was 10 million dollars

FedNor comes through for the Worlds

Organizers of the World Junior Baseball Championships can breath a bit easier now. The Harper government has come through with some support for the event. The FedNor grant amounts to 75 thousand dollars and will be used towards marketing efforts. The championships are being held from July 23rd until August 3.

Gilbert gives GG choice a thumbs up

Lakehead University President Fred Gilbert calls it an interesting choice. Gilbert is reacting to the appointment of David Johnston as the next Governor General. Gilbert says he knows Johnston,  which makes the choice personal for him.  Gilbert says Johnson has a background in law along with a great inquiring mind and will serve us well as Governor General.  Johnston begins his new job in the fall

Robichaud defends herself

The new president of the Regional Health Sciences Centre insists the controversy surrounding her will not cause a distraction for her new job. Andree Robichaud is leaving her health executive position in New Brunswick under a political storm. She's even been accused of poor management.  She calls that interesting since it was only brought up when she announced her resignation.  Robichaud hopes people will judge her on her own merits when she get here in October.

Another fire update

The forest fire hazard is still low to moderate in the region. One new fire was reported yesterday. It is in th Sioux lookout district about 120 kilometers north of Pickle Lake. Sixty Ontario staff as well as two waterbombers, and one birddog are assisting with escalated fire activity in Manitoba. Crew training and audits continue in the region.

Sioux Lookout Drug Bust

Sioux Lookout OPP are charging two people after a major drug bust in the community. Police executed a search warrant at the residence earlier this week. Two people were arrested and police seized a large quantity of marijuana worth over five thousand dollars. Arrested were 31 year old Quirino Agustin and twenty-four year old Aaron Saville, both from Sioux Lookout. The two were released from custody and have September court dates.

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers 2010 Stats

Thunder Bay's Crimestoppers program is on the right track for 2010. To date 406 calls have been made to Crimestoppers around the district. Co-ordinator Constable Wendell Brown says they're pretty much on par with the 2009's stats.  Brown adds they've paid out over 9 thousand dollars.

It's a Thunderfest weekend

There's a taste of Italian culture on the south side this weekend. Thunderfest is taking place at the Da Vinci Centre. Organizers say there will be entertainment. For the first time only local musicians will be taking to the outdoor stage. There will also be Italian food.

Nelson stands by new hospital prez

Ron Nelson calls it pure politics. Nelson headed the committee that chose New Brunswick's Andree Robichaud as the new president of the Health Sciences Centre. Robichaud's departure has caused a stir in that province, with some politicians saying she was forced out of her job as CEO of a health network. Nelson says Robichaud has what it takes for the job adding she knows what it takes to make tough but necessary decisions. He says that Robichaud is being accused of things that simply aren't true and doesn't believe it will bring a distraction to her job here.

The water rescue that wasn't

A false alarm on the waterfront. Thunder Bay rescue crews weren't needed for a water rescue at the Marina on Wednesday afternoon. The call came in as a sailboat overturned on Lake Superior. However it turns out it was a sailing school practicing capsizing

Robichaud's departure causes stir

Controversy is surrounding the incoming president of the Regional Health Sciences Centre. A news report indicates Andree Robichaud is in the middle of a political storm in New Brunswick where she is leaving her post as a health corporation CEO to come to Thunder Bay. The story says that the province's opposition Conservatives believe Robichaud was forced out of her job there. They claim she is taking the heat over allegations of poor management. However, Robichaud is quoted as saying that the New Brunswick Health Authority wanted her to stay as CEO.

Police nab suspect

City police are investigating a reported south side assault. They say they were called to an incident on May Street near Miles at around 11 a.m. One person was handcuffed and arrested while pedestrians and passing motorists looked on. The alleged victim had apparently left the scene.

Humidity keeping fire hazard under control

Our hot muggy weather may actually be helping to keep the forest fire hazard in check. Jeff Antoszek of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's because the humidity is helping out.  He says  moist heat waves don't affect the hazard as much because the humidity helps to keep wood and other fuels from drying out.  The fire hazard for most of the Northwest Region is low to moderate.

FTC Canada to feed our hungry

 A Canadian charity organization is going to be active in Thunder Bay Thursday. Feed the Children is partnering with An Eagles Cry Life Centre on Simpson Street to help the poor according to FTC's Darrell Mills. The Centre will be helping to distribute food and health boxes to the needy. FTCs Darrell Mills says that in total 350 families will benefit.The distribution takes place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Thunder Bay athlete at 2011 Pan Am Games

A Thunder Bay athlete has been asked to be the assistant to the 2011 Canadian Pan American Team.  Curt Harnett says his position will be a mentor to the members of the Canadian team.  Harnett says he's honored to be given the opportunity.

Firefighters need to keep cool too

Responding to a fire in the hot weather can be a challenge for city firefighers. They have to wear their heavy coats when it's 30 degrees. Fire Chief John Hay says there's a plan in place for such an event. He says precautions are taken to ensure their health and safety. He says that includes rotating the crews and keeping them hydrated at all times. Hay says it's similar to the precautions they take when fighting a fire in minus 30 degree temperatures.

Fire hazard is low

The fire hazard is still low to moderate for the region. No new fires were reported in the region yesterday. The Ministry of Natural resources says rainfall and high relative humidity have affected the fire hazard. High relative humidity prevents wet vegetation from drying. There are currently 12 active fires in the region.

India's Mining Minister set to vist Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is going to host India's Mining Minister.  Bijoy Krishna Handique will tour Ontario starting tomorrow and will be making the rounds of the province until Tuesday.  Handique will be visiting mines in an effort to attract some of those companies to India.

Constable demoted for Discreditable Conduct

City police say the Police Service Act proceedings against a city constable have ended.   Constable Jamie Maijala has pleaded guilty to two counts of Discreditable Conduct in  connection to an incident in May of last year.    The Constable has been demoted from a First Class to Fourth Class Constable.   Meantime, in an unrelated case, hearing dates have been set for Sgt. Jim Mauro.  He is facing two charges of misconduct.  The hearing will take place starting October 4th.

Rickford cool with moonlighting

No complaints from Greg Rickford. The Kenora Conservative MP thinks there's nothing wrong with some MPs having an extra income. He says the only rules should be that elected duties come first and that there are no conflicts. The names of about 150 MPs who had outside income were named recently, that included Thunder Bay NDP MPs Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty.

Grand Chief meets Queen

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is feeling good after his meeting with the Queen today. Stan Beardy says it was important that she met with him because it means she respects First Nation treaty rights. Chief Beardy says he told the Queen that it was the 100th anniversity of the signing of Tready 5. He said she just responded with a nod of her head. He says in total he spent about 2 minutes with Her Majesty.

Bike lanes added in Westfort

There are now more bike lanes in the city. Lane markings have been painted on Walsh Street and Syndicate Avenue. City Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says it's the last of the lanes for this year. He says plans are already in the works for 2011. Kupper says so far there has been some good response to the bike lanes.

LU hosts digital conference

About 80 researchers from 33 countries are attending a digital information conference at Lakehead University. The 3 day event is being organized by LU professor Rachid Benlamri who believes bringing the conference here is a significant accomplishment. Speakers have come from Nova Scotia and Florida for the conference.

OFIA against proposed forest tenure reform

A coalition of northern businesses, municipal leaders, unions and forestry groups are against the province's forest tenure proposal. The coalition includes the Ontario Forest Industry Association and President Jamie Lim says they're dead set against the initiative. Lim adds its going to have a negative impact on the industry driving up costs and creating uncertainty. The forest tenure proposal is expected to be approved by the government sometime this year.

Thunder Bay Police Chief likes new legislation

Police officers from Ontario and other provinces can now better collaborate to target crime. The McGuinty Government recently passed the Interprovincial Policing act. Thunder Bay Police Chief and President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Bob Herman says the act makes it easier to investigate crime that occurs across Canada.  Herman adds the Chiefs of Police Association has been calling for this legislation for some time.

MNR Fire Hazard is low

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire hazard is still low in the region.  Despite the rain, two new fires were confirmed in the Red Lake district.  One fire is northwest of Sandy Lake and the other is west of Keewaywin.  There are 9 other fires being monitored in the Sioux Lookout and Nipigon districts.

Abitibi close to getting out of bankruptcy

AbitibiBowater could end nearly eighteen months of creditor and bankruptcy protection on October 1 if its restructuring plan wins creditor support next month. A meeting on the plan takes place August 26th. The plan would see unsecured creditors receiving between nothing and 48 per cent when their debt is converted to equity, depending on their class. Current shareholders will walk away empty-handed. Others fall somewhere in between, including workers who received no severance when their mills were shut over the past year.

Shelter House volunteer turns 93

A Shelter House volunteer is celebrating her 93rd birthday today by helping prepare and serve a meal for Thunder Bay's less fortunate. Marie Tracz has been volunteering at Shelter House since it first opened in Thunder Bay in 1984.  Tracz is also a long time volunteer of the First Church United.

NAN Grand Chief meets Queen

The leader of the Nishinawbe Aski Nation will be meeting the Queen today. The visit with Queen Elizabeth comes as area first nations mark the 100 year signing of Treaty number 5 with the British Crown. The Queen will wrap up the Canadian tour with a stop at the Ontario Legislature.

124 million dollar school board budget

The Lakehead Public School Board has passed a balanced 126 million dollar budget.  School officials feel their budget will lead to the success of all students.  The 2010-2011 budget will maintain current Educational Assistants, Early Childhood Educators and Social Workers.  The board also found some efficiencies in transportation costs due to the second year of blended routing and shared transportation costs with partner boards.