There are still several hundred Thunder Bay Hydro customers without power on the south side.
It follows a lightning strike around quarter to one this afternoon. Hydro's Eileen Dias says the outage was substantial. Customers affected are in the Arthur, Piper, Selkirk and Marks street areas and should have all power restored by 5:30 this afternoon
City crews were busy Tuesday afternoon cleaning up damaged caused by a storm during the lunch hour. A city worker says evidence shows that tree limbs were downed by lightning. Top: Tree destroyed at Vickers and Donald Streets. Middle: Tree limb knocked down at Miles Street at Paterson Park. Bottom: Tree hit on Arthur Street
It's not something that happens everyday in Northwestern Ontario. Kenora OPP Constable Dave Cain says they used a stun gun on two people following the Friday night Harbourfest Concert. Police tasered two crowd members who they believe were preventing officers from breaking up a fight on the harbourfront. Cain says charges will be laid against the two people.
Power was out to a large area of the south downtown core this afternoon. Thunder Bay Hydro says it was due to a lightning strike at around quarter to one. Hydro spokesperson Eileen Dias says at the height of the outage there were 3 thousand customers without power. That number was reduced to 500 by 1:35. They expect all power will be back by 5:30 pm.
Brian Stevenson is getting used to his new surroundings. Stevenson is the new president of Lakehead University and today was his first day on the job. Stevenson says he has 5 major goals including keeping costs in check, improving connections between LU and the community, achieving academic excellence in teaching and research, developing a strategy to promote the institution to more students from other countries and connecting to the community. As for wireless internet access at the university, Stevenson says he will consult with the community starting next month and make a decision from there.
Thunder Bay area youth will learn life skills thanks to 120 thousand dollars in provincial funding. Nishinawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they'll be using the money to offer lifeskills to the Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior Program. Beardy adds the program helps increase self-esteem, foster healthy relationships, and promotes healthier lifestyle choices.
Six Thunder Bay area community groups will be sharing over 474 thousand dollars in provincial funding. Ontario's Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best was in Thunder Bay for the last three days and announced the funding this morning. The Nishinawbe Aski Nation will be utilizing 120 thousand dollars for its "Girl Power Wolf Spirit" program.
There's nothing like a spaghetti eating contest at an event that celebrates Italian culture. In this case it's the Festa Italia which was held at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma Street over the weekend. Hundreds showed up to have some food along with enjoying music and entertainment.
Thunder Bay police say a robbery took place in the area of Dease and Mackienze this morning.
A 50 year old man—who suffered a bloody nose from the incident— told police he was approached by two young males. They starting punching him and then took his wallet.
Police searched the area but no suspects were found.
The Medals were handed out and the final speeches were said and as the dust settled, Thunder Bay can stand proud after a very successful tournament. Organizer Warren Philp says ticket sales went well beyond what was expected and all the teams and International officials had nothing but good things to say about the tournament and Thunder Bay. Philp says the volunteers did a tremendous job and all the fans should give themselves a pat on the back for showing the world how great Thunder Bay is. Jeff Halverson says he was hoping to sell between 20 to 25 thousand tickets and ended up selling over 45 thousand which was a very pleasant surprise.
It was a story book ending for Chinese Taipei at the World Junior Baseball Championships. They managed to literally weather the storm in rain delayed 8-4 win over Australia to take their country's second Gold medal. Rain forced the start of the game to be pushed back by an hour and a half and Australia came out of the gates scoring 4 runs, including a 3 run homer after 4 innings to take a 4-2 lead but then mother nature stopped the game again for over an hour. When play resumed Taipei regrouped and scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th and never looked back capturing the gold.
Australia takes the Silver, which is their country's best ever showing at this event. Prior to this year, they had won 5 Bronze medals. Team Manager Tony Harris says they wanted the Gold but he's very proud of his team.
It was a disappointing end for team Canada at the World Junior Baseball Championships. Canada fell 8-2 to Cuba in the Bronze medal game at Port Arthur stadium this afternoon. Canadian starting pitcher Rob Thomas kept Cuba off the board for the first 4 innings before giving up a three run homer in the 5th inning which proved to be the winning runs. Canadian designated hitter Philip Diedrick had another strong day at the plate going 3 for 4 and score one of the Canadian runs. Diedrick says Cuba is a great team and he's proud how his teamates performed. Diedrick hit over 500 for the tournament.
Canadian Manager Greg Hamilton says they had a chance to play for Gold but just couldn't come up with timely hitting. Hamilton says they finished ahead of some very good teams so you can't be too disapointed with finishing 4th.
Elsewhere today Korea beat Italy in the 7th place game 3-1 and the US crushed the Netherlands 18-2 for 5th place. Australia takes on Chinese Taipei for the Gold.
Thunder Bay Police say a man was assaulted by three men asking for money around 3:30 Sunday morning on West Arthur street.
According to police the man says he was pushed to the ground and beaten after telling the three men that he didn't have any money.
He says he got to his feet and ran to a phone after one of the men pulled out a knife and demanded money again. The three men then fled the scene. The man who was assaulted was treated at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and released. He says his attackers had their face covered by bandanas and were all around 5'8 and 180 pounds.
Team Canada's quest for Gold at the World Junior Baseball Championship has ended. They fell 3-1 at the hands of Chinese Taipei infront of a packed house at Port Arthur Stadium. The story of the game was the Chinese Pitcher, Lo Kuo Hua, who pitched a complete game three hitter and struck out ten. Canada's designated hitter Philip Diedrick says they had a chance in the 8th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out but couldn't capitalize. Canada's Manager says its disappointing not to be playing for gold but bronze is still worth playing for.
Chinese Taipei will now take on Australia in tomorrow's gold medal game at 4:30 at Port Arthur Stadium while Canada takes on Cuba in the Bronze Medal game. Game time for Canada is noon at Port Arthur Stadium. Australia punched their ticket to the final by beating Cuba 2-1.
Elsewhere France beat the Czech Republic 8-5 in the 11th place game, Venezuela got past Panama 7-5 in the 9th place game, The Netherlands advanced to the 5th place game with a 8-5 win over Italy and the US is also in the 5th place game after doubling up South Korea 4-2.
The long weekend has begun, and so has the holiday safety blitz by the Ontario Provincial Police. Officers are on the lookout for impaired and aggressive drivers, unfastened seat belts and drivers talking on cell phones that aren't hands-free.
According to the OPP 16 people died on Ontario highways, trails and waterways over Canada day weekend.
Canada bucked the trend of losing to the underdog in the quarter finals. They beat team Italy 11-1 in 7 innings to advance to the semi finals on the shoulders of a homer night from right fielder Rowan Wick. Canada also got a solid outing from starting pitcher Jonathan Paquet who allowed one run in 6 innings of work and struck out 9. Canada will now take on Chinese Taipei in tomorrow's second semi final. The opening pitch will go at 7:00 at Port Arthur Stadium. Team Canada Manager Greg Hamilton says they got solid pitching and a strong night at the plate and says the added confidence is important moving forward.
In other action today, Cuba knocked off the US 3-2, Australia managed to upend Korea 5-4, Chinese Taipei advanced to the semi finals with a 4-2 win over The Netherlands, France lost to Panama 5-3 and Venezuela topped the Czech Republic 9-6.
One of the heavy favourites at the World Junior Baseball Championships will be going home without a medal. Cuba downed the US 3-2 on the shoulders of a complete game 9 hitter from their starting pitcher Luis Omar. The US managed to come back and tie the game twice but an RBI single by Cuban third baseman Lazaro Hernandez brought home the winning run. The States managed to get runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning but to no avail. Cuba will now move on to face the winner of tonight's game between Korea and Australia, while the US will take on the loser. Both of those games will go tomorrow.
There's a Comuzzi getting back into politics. This time it's Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann , the niece of former Conservative MP Joe Comuzzi. Comuzzi-Stehmann is seeking the federal Tory nomination for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding. She says that the election of Greg Rickford in the Kenora riding provided the incentive for her to get into politics. No date has been set for the nomination.
Today is Fred Gilbert's last day as president of Lakehead University. Brian Stevenson officially takes over Sunday. Gilbert says he has no real regrets to speak of and adds he's had a wonderful 12 years in Thunder Bay. Gilbert says his proudest accomplishment is improving LU's reputation. Where once the school was considered as a last chance university, he turned it into an institition that now attracts top scholars from Thunder Bay and the rest of the province. Vic Krasowski's interview with Dr. Fred Gilbert can be heard on the link below
A fake cheque scam has made it's way to the community of Geralton. OPP say it's an old con game that sees you get a cheque in the mail which you are asked to cash. Police say through a series of bank transactions it usually ends up that the person cashing the cheque is left with no money and a hefty bank loan.
It appears getting city councillors to cut down on their questions at meetings could be a challenge. As part of a trial phase they must only ask 3 questions of presenters or administration per round of questioning. It's designed to help shorten meetings, but last Mondays meeting went passed 1 o'clock the next morning.
Keep a close eye on the harbour Tuesday because you'll get a chance to see the HMS Bounty's arrival. Coordinator Kerry Berlinquette says it should arrive Tuesday afternoon and you can get up to the hour updates on when it will arrive at http://www.bountyarrival.webs.com/. The public will be able to tour the ship Wednesday from noon to 8pm for three dollars per person.
The Regional Health Sciences Centre is getting 1.9 million dollars from the provincial government to make emergency room improvements. Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott says the hospital must use the money to help reduce ER wait times. The provincial standard is 8 hours for complicated cases and 4 hours for less serious ones. Crocker-Ellacott says they manage to hit the targets over 90 per cent of the time. She says where the hospital has a challenge is getting ER patients admitted to the hospital within the 8 hour goal.
A Thunder Bay OPP officer will be sentenced in September after harrassing a woman on the internet. Constable Claude Montfort pled guilty in March after a two year investigation. Both the crown and the defense are calling for a sentance without incarceration. Montfort received a medal for bravery after he helped rescue people trapped in a burning vehicle near Marathon.
The SIU has cleared a Kenora police officer who shot a knife wielding woman last month. The officer shot the woman after she started walking towards her with the knife pointed in the officers direction. The SIU says the officers didn't use excessive force in the situation.
A panel of experts is offering recommendations on how you can take some of the salt out of your diet.The Health Canada report says cutting back on salt can save thousands of lives by reducing heart attack and stroke. Janice Piper, a nutrionist at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it's welcome news. She's happy to see how comprehensive the report is by targeting the foods with the most sodium. The report wants Canadians to reduce their salt intake by a third by 2016
The first ever Thunder Bay Marathon is going to come with cash awards for the winners. President Barry Streib says it's all thanks to a donation from RBC. He says there are12 thousand dollars in cash awards. It will include 2 thousand dollars for the first male and female finishers and 1 thousand for the first male and female finishers of the half marathon. There will also be cash awards for the top finishers from Northwestern Ontario. The marathon takes place September 19th
The annual Festa Italiana takes place this weekend. It's a chance to experience that country's culture and food. Organizer Benny Melchiorre says the popularity of the event is evidenced by the number of people who attend. He says the first year attracted about 4 thousand people and now they're expecting close to 20 thousand to attend. Festa Italiana happens Sunday and Monday at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma.
Delta Airlines is giving up on Thunder Bay. As of October 10th the company will stop its daily flights to Minneapolis. Airport Manger Scott McFadden says he's not surprised by the move. McFadden feels Delta didn't publicize the service well enough. McFadden hopes to find another airline to pick up the service
The rules governing Taxi companies in Thunder Bay are going under the microscope. The Police Services Board is going to hire a consultant to do a study on the taxi by-laws. Board Chair Wayne Bahlieda says its to find out if cab companies are charging too much. He says the board believes that cab fares in the city are "extremely high" and "out of whack" with fares in the rest of Canada. The study is expected to take about half a year to complete.
Canada got a scare from the Czech republic but mananged to earn the win and first place in Pool B at the World Junior Championships. Canada won 8-7 thanks to a two run walk off double from Dalton Pompey.
The win improved Canada to 4-1 which gave them the head to head edge with Korea who finished the round robin in second in pool B after beating Panama 12-2 yesterday.
Elsewhere yesterday Netherlands shocked Cuba winning 9-8 and with the win earning 3rd in Pool B and moving Cuba to 4th. The US crushed France winning 16-0, Australia pounded Italy 14-4 and Chinese Taipei downed Venezuela 9-0. Tomorrow Panama battles France, Venezuela takes on the Czech Republic, Korea meets Australia, Chinese Taipei faces the Netherlands, Cuba battles the US and Canada takes on Italy at 7:00 at Port Arthur Stadium.
In the Northwoods League the Border Cats split a double header with St Cloud yesterday winning game one 4-3 before dropping the second game 3-2.
Thunder Bay Police are again looking for a missing person. Missing is 34 year old Darren Sabbe who was last seen Tuesday in the Ontario street area. Sabbe is described as 5'10", Caucasian thin and balding and was last seen riding a red mountain bike.
The local head of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is loving a new provincial law. There's high praise coming from the president of MADD in Thunder Bay for the new anti drinking and driving law for young drivers in Ontario. It forbids drivers under 21 from having any alcohol in their system. Carole Sawchuk calls the law "marvelous" adding, the organization has been pushing for this for a number of years. Sawchuk says it looks like the message is getting through and its a good step in the right direction.
A 16 year old boy from the Fort Hope First Nation north of Sioux Lookout, is facing a second degree murder charge. Ontario Provincial Police say it follows the stabbing death of a 17 year old boy in that community last week. The accused will be appearing in a Thunder Bay court on August the 3rd.
Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst, has declared a state of emergency. 900 residents have been without water for over a week. Officials say a layer of algae has formed over the lake thick enough to block accesss to the main water supply for the community. Chief Arthur Moore and the band council are demanding action from the federal government.
A local business is sporting a new look. Quality Market is going up against the big boys with its new store on Golf Links Road near Oliver. Manager Dan Stezenko says unfortunatly the store at County Fair Mall had to close after they couldn't negotiate a contract with the landlord. It will be opening it's doors at 7 o'clock Thursday morning.
Marc Staal and the New York Rangers continue to sit apart in contract negotiations. The big blueliner is a restricted free agent and says he can't say to much about how talks are going but says he wants to stay in New York. Staal says he loves the city and thinks his team looks good moving forward. Marc says the recent addition of Alexander Frolov is another good move that will help the solve the teams scoring woes.
Thunder Bay Police are on the lookout for a missing 12 year old girl. Shae-Lynn Masik was last seen yesterday evening when she left her house on Rupert Street. Anyone who has information on her where abouts are asked to call the police.
The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit has laid charges in a massive 2 year drug investigation in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Officers with the help of Toronto OPP arrested and charged Jabir Khan of North York after seizing 360 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone over the course of the investigation. Police believe Khan is a major figure in the Northwestern Drug trade. Also facing charges is Twenty year old Clinton Netemegestic of Thunder Bay, 36 year old Bazil McIntosh of Toronto and 32 year old Brandie Mosher of Toronto.
The Thunder Bay International Baseball Federation is encouraging people to Bike down to Port Arthur Stadium instead of driving. Organizers have converted the off leash dog park into a bike corral and the Staal brothers are helping out. The four were on hand yesterday to bike around and encourage people to use a more active mode of transportation to get down to the ball park. Eric Staal says anything that gets people active and outside is a great idea.
At the World Junior Baseball Championships Team Canada cruised to a huge 9-2 win over Panama. Korea came up with a huge 5-3 win over Cuba to join Canada and Cuba in a three way tie for top spot in Pool B. Elsewhere the US downed Venezuela 14-7, Chinese Taipei beat Italy 13-4, Australia beat France 16-1 and the Netherlands made short work of the Czech Republic winning 13-4. Tonight Canada finishes off the round robin against the Czech Republic.
In the Northwoods League the Border Cats had their game with St Cloud postponed due to rain. and in the Majors Toronto hammered Baltimore 8-2.
It appears arson is being ruled out as the cause of a McDonalds Restaurant fire in the city. The blaze started in a garbage bin at the Memorial Avenue location on Monday afternoon. Fire inspectors say that there is no indication that the fire was deliberatly set. The exact cause remains a mystery though
A date has now been set for the re-opening of Terrace Bay Pulp. Thunder Bay's Buchanan Forest Products owns the facility and company lawyer Yves Fricot says the latest court decision means the plant can open August 16th.
There's a sickness outbreak at a north side seniors home. The Health Unit says that only the Primrose Wing at Roseview Manor is affected. Admissions, transfrers and discharges have been cancelled until further notice.
The NDP are criss-crossing the country getting information on health care. Halifax MP Megan Leslie says as the party health critic she is trying to find out ways to change the system, and getting advice from people in Thunder Bay. On Tuesday, Leslie spent time with seniors and aboriginals.
A Lancaster bomber from World War Two is in Thunder Bay this week. The public will be allowed to see it at the Confederation College School of Aviation from noon until 5 Wednesday . Pilot Leon Evans says the aircraft always creates a buzz where ever it goes. He says it's because it's the only Lancaster left in the world that is still flying. Evans says the plane is an important part of this country's war history.
One of the many veterans on hand to greet the Lancaster when it arrived in Thunder Bay was 92 year old Jack Lourie. He says he flew 30 bombing missions over Germany in the Lancaster in 1944. Lourie calls the plane very reliable and a joy to fly.
Thunderstorms could cause a delay for tonight's Team Canada game against Panama tonight. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says right now intense Thunderstorm activity is passes south of town but it could move north. Coulson says if they do develop into severe storms they will bring heavy rain and potential damaging winds. On the positive side Coulson says by the weekend we should be back to the sunshine and warm temperatures.
Employees of the Thunder Bay Real Canadian Superstore voted to accept a new 5 year contract with Westfair Foods. The union representing the workers says 98 percent of employees voted in favour of the new deal. The contract covers over 300 full time and part time employees.
Four teens have been arrested by the Thunder Bay police after breaking into a house this morning. Officers say the group broke into a house on the 500 block of Piccadilly Ave and were scared off when the home owner woke up. 3 boys and a girl were arrested with the help of the K-9 Unit and will appear in court today.
There was three games at the World Junior Baseball Championships yesterday. The US pounded Chinese Taipei 10-0 after seven innings to improve to 3 and 0 at the tournament. Italy downed France 14-8 and Korea just got past the Czech Republic 4-0. Korea was coming off a tough loss against Canada on Sunday. Tonight Canada battles Panama at Port Arthur Stadium.
In the Northwoods League the Border Cats fell to St Cloud 6-0. The Cats are in St. Cloud again tonight for the second of a three game sereis.
The city of Thunder Bay is taking the next step in the Horizon Wind Farm project. Following yet another post midnight meeting, councillors have approved a submission to Horizon Wind on the proposed turbines for the Nor' Wester Mountains. The submission is part of the provinces evironmental process. There are several areas that are being questioned, from input by the Fort William First Nations to the affects on the Loch Lomond ski area. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says Horizon's proposal is incomplete in those areas and more.
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