Random acts of poetry week

It's Random Acts of Poetry week here in the City of Thunder Bay. The group stopped by city hall last night to tell them about this year's event. Songs, poetry, and other forms of art will be taking place across the city. You'll know a random act of poetry performance by the people in their orange construction jumpsuits. It's the sixth year for the event that is sponsored by the Definitely Superior Art Gallery.

Transit talks back on

The amalgamated transit union and the city are back at the bargaining table tomorrow. They'll meet at the Whitefox Inn at 10 on Tuesday. Union boss Charlie Brown says they're prepared to bargain all this week. Brown adds there won't be any strike action as long as talks continue to progress.

Terrace Bay Pulp is back!

It's a monumental day in Terrace Bay. The community's main employer is back in business. Terrace Bay Pulp is making pulp again putting 300 people back to work. It came after it's parent company, Buchanan Forest Products of Thunder Bay, managed to bring it out of creditor protection. The provincial government kicked in a 25 million dollar loan to help refinance the start up

Research ca$h for LU

Lakehead University officials are pumped about their latest research grants. These grants total over 700 thousand dollars. The money is being shared by various LU faculty members and graduate students. It is funded by your federal taxes through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

City compiles historical council info

More of Thunder Bay's history can be found on the Internet. This time it's on the City of Thunder Bay website. City Archivist Matt Szybalski  says it's a listing of past mayors and councils. He says the need was there.  He explains that a lot of people, especially students, were asking for the information and there wasn't any one place this basic information was easily available.  You can see the site by following this link

Vigil held to remember missing and murdered

The memories of missing or murder native women are being kept alive. The Ontario Native Women's Association held it's annual Spirit Vigil for those women. The Association's Lorene Rego  says the event helps to draw the spotlight on to a very critical issue.  The vigil took place at Patterson Park Monday afternoon.

Health officials scramble to fix hospital gridlock

The behind the scenes work continues to ease the pressure on the Regional Health Sciences Centre.   An official at the Local Health Integration Network  says the organization is doing what it can to co-ordinate an end to the hospitals gridlock crisis. Susan Pilatzke says  says all groups are meeting constantly help find solutions.  That group involves, the LHIN, the Health Sciences Centre , St. Joseph's Care Group and the North West Community Care Access Centre.

Hearing Society has new home

The Canadian Hearing Society is operating out of it's new digs. The office is now located in the Victoriaville Mall.  The Society has operated in Thunder Bay for 35 years.

September a decent month for Port

Numbers at the Port saw a small jump in September but its still been a slower year in Thunder Bay.  The port saw over 541 thousand tonnes of good pass through the city last month up from 525 thousand tonnes in the same month last year.  Year to date numbers have declined however.  This year the port has seen 4.4 million tonnes pass through down over 300 thousand tonnes from last year.

Its a hot start to October

Don't put away your golf clubs just yet, its going to be beautiful this week. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says a high pressure system will be bringing in some nice weather this week, with temperatures pushing close to the 20 degree mark for most of the week. Coulson says the rest of October should be closer to seasonal temperatures and we could even see some snow before the end of this month.

NOSM and OPSEU reach tentative deal

The Northern Ontario School of medicine strike could be over.  NOSM and OPSEU have reached a tentative contract after another round of negotiations over the weekend.  Support staff have been on strike since August 16th.  The deal still has to be ratified by union members and the NOSM board of Directors.

Run for a Cure a huge success

The Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer Research was a complete success yesterday.  The annual event saw over 900 people take part and 133 thousand dollars was raised.  Organizers say it was an increase of almost 10 thousand dollars from last year. 

Fatal crash near Nipigon

A late afternoon crash near Nipigon claimed the life of a man when his tractor trailer left Highway 17 yesterday around 4 p.m. 

It's been reported the man was a 33 year old from Toronto.

Police are still working to notify next of kin.

Mission Terminal expansion

Grain silos at Mission Terminal are currently at capacity but there's relief on the way with the help of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.


The terminal will be getting three new storage bins within the next couple of weeks.

The provincial government is contributing a million dollars towards the expansion through the fund.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro was on hand for the announcement yesterday and says that Mission Terminal is an asset to the area and the expansion will help provide jobs.

Wind Park Review Update on Monday night

The city expert reviewing the wind park project will provide an update to city council Monday night. Dillon Consulting will be speaking about the status of its review of the proposed Big Thunder Wind Farm on city lands.  Council wants to know how much it would cost to move the turbines to a new location.

New Chair for LU Board of Governors

Newspaper publisher Colin Bruce is the new Chair of the Lakehead University Board of Governors. Bruce says the board has several challenges facing it in the next year. He says on the top of that list will be meeting and delivering a balanced budget.   Bruce calls the appointment one of the greatest honours he's ever had

LU students to vote on bottled water

Lakehead University Students will be asked to take an environmental stand on bottled water. Student Union President Mike Snodden says a referendum will ask students to recommend that bottled water not be sold on campus.   He says there are two reasons for the move, one is that water is a basic need and we shouldn't have to pay for it, and secondly, we need to break our addiction to plastic.   The referendum will take place next month.

LU President plans activites for swearing-in

The new President of Lakehead University is making sure his installation day next month is an event. Brian Stevenson says it will include a series of activities surrounding his swearing in. One is a conference on the role of the University in the economic development of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. The second is a breakfast meeting with Lloyd Axeworthy who will discuss First Nations, Metis and Inuit in higher education. The so called "24 hours of activities" takes place November 4th and 5th.

NOMA conference wraps up

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has wrapped up its fall conference in Thunder Bay. President Anne Krassilowski says she was pleased with the Premier's attendance, and feels he heard their concerns about the Far North Act and future economic opportunities in the area.  Krassilowski feels the conference was a success and delegates left with new economic development ideas.

NOMA hears from panelists

How does Northwestern Ontario get their voices heard at Queen's Park?  That was the topic of a panel discussion at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference. Director of Ontario Chambers of Commerce Ian McCormick, Columnist Christina Blizzard and Past President of the Ontario Associated Community Futures Development Corporation Bill Spinney were panelists.  All three of them said NOMA needs to focus on one or two issues, solve them and then move on. The 2 day fall conference wrapped up on Friday afternoon.

McGuinty leaves hospital crisis to locals to solve

Premier McGuinty isn't making any promises to help dig the Regional Hospital out of it's gridlock crisis. Speaking in Thunder Bay on the issue, McGuinty is satisfied the situation is under control, with the Local Health Integration Network being "all over this".  McGuinty says the government is providing all local agencies with the policies and funding to see the problem through.

Howarth brings HST fight back to the Lakehead

The Provincial government is getting more heat about the HST. NDP leader Andrea Horwath was in Thunder Bay today visiting with a local family who is worried about the HST's impact on their living expenses. Horwath met with Fred and Carol St Jean and says its a similar story for many across the province.  Horwath says removing the HST from Hydro will save Ontarians hundreds of dollars each year.

Organizations join to help prevent child abuse

It's Child Abuse Prevention month. The Children's Aid Society is one organization which sees a lot of abused kids. Executive Director Rob Richardson hopes people will be on the watch for children who may be victims.  Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is also taking part in this months campaign. Director Susan Verill says its a problem

New hospital prez takes over during crisis

The new president of the Regional Health Sciences Centre has her work cut out for her. Andre Robichaud is dealing with a hospital in gridlock because it can't free up needed beds. She notes most of the work to try to solve the problem is already underway. She says all she can do now is to support the partners and make sure there is a long term plan to address the crisis.   Robichaud says she dealt with similar problems while working in New Brunswick.

NAPS seizes more Oxy

Nishnawbe-Aski Police continue to intercept illegal shipments of OxyContin. They say recent seizures took place in 3 northern First Nations communities. They confiscated over 46 thousand dollars worth of the highly addictive opiate. In total, 3 people are facing charges.

Rafferty introduces FASD bill

MP John Rafferty has introduced his second Private Members' Bill on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Thunder Bay Rainy River MP is calling on the Federal Government to develop a national strategy on the issue.  The bill, C-569 will not be debated before the next election.

Kaszicky named Ring of Fire Coordinator

The new Ring of Fire Coordinator feels she has a good working relationship with area first nations.  Dr. Christine Kaszicky was the assistant deputy minister of Northern Development and Mines; during the time members of KI First Nation were sent to jail over a mining dispute.  Kaszicky says she's learned from that incident.  Kaszicky starts her new job on October 25th and will spend her time between Toronto and the North.  An office with a director and some staff will be set up in Thunder Bay.

McGuinty says Far North Act a good balance

Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending his government's Far North Act. Numerous groups including business and First Nations organizations are condemning it. However McGuinty believes there will be ways to work around any concerns.  McGuinty says the act is the way to balance development and conservation in the north.

McGuinty defends choice of co-ordinator

Premier McGuinty's choice for Ring of Fire co-ordinator is getting some heat. There is concern that as Assistant Deputy Minister at the Mines Ministry, Christine Kaszycki, was there when KI First Nations protesters were jailed. McGuinty calls it a learning experience for her. McGuinty says Kaszycki has the qualifications for the position.

McGuinty speaks at NOMA Conferece

Premier Dalton McGuinty spent his time in Thunder Bay promoting the Ring of Fire. McGuinty says there's great potential in the region's far north. The Premier also announced that Dr. Christine Kaszycki is the new Coordinator for the chromite deposit initiative. Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Critic Randy Hillier is surprised by the appointment saying he thought they were going to hire someone from the outside and fresh. Hillier is critical of the fact that Kaszycki was an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministery of Northern Development and Mines.

Accused killers make second court appearance

Two teenage girls charged with second degree murder are due back in court in one month. It's in connection with the city's 4th homicide of the year, the beating death of a 16 year old girl from Sachigo Lake. Her body was found in a wooded area behind Wentworth Crescent on September 24th..   The accused 14 and 15 year olds, made a brief appearance in Youth Court in Thunder Bay Thursday. Their case was put over until October 28th.

Northern Communities need to re think economic development

Northwestern Ontario communities need to rethink the way they carry out economic development.  Brock Dickinson is an economic development consultant and spoke at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.  Dickinson says Northern communities need to revamp their economic development skills since most of their tools and programs are decades old. The fall NOMA conference wraps up Friday afternoon.

NOMA fall conference underway

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association's fall conference is underway in Thunder Bay.  Premier Dalton McGuinty will be speaking to the crowd in a few hours.  NOMA President Anne Krassilowski says they've asked McGuinty to attend their meetings two times in the last four terms of government.  Krassilowski adds his visit today is a sign of his committment to hearing their concerns.  McGuinty will be the lunch hour speaker at the NOMA conference today, he'll also be speaking to residents this afternoon applying for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

Bishop agrees with government appeal

The Harper government says it will appeal a court ruling that struck down Canada's prostitution laws.   An Ontario judge ruled the laws unconstitutional.  Thunder Bay Bishop Fred Colli says he is in favour of the appeal saying prostitution is unacceptable.

Health official calls for bedbug standard

There's a call for a province wide standard to deal with bedbugs. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit isn't legally required to keep track of the problem. Spokesperson Chris Bevridge says he'd like all health units to work off the same page on the issue. He says as an example,  Toronto Public Health is actively involved in the problem there. While we're not seeing that kind of infestation here, Bevridge says it shows there is a need for uniform guidelines. He hopes that's one of the outcomes of a so called "bedbug summit" being held in Toronto.

McGuinty visits Thunder Bay

Premier Dalton McGuinty will be touching down in Northwestern Ontario Thursday. McGuinty will be making a speech at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.  His talk is scheduled for noon on Thursday at the Airlane Travelodge Hotel.

City not immune to bedbugs

A local pest control expert says Thunder Bay isn't escaping the bedbug problem in North America. Robert Hamlin of Nor West Pest Control says the critters returned in just the last five years and the numbers have increase 100 per cent. Hamlin says hotels in the city are in good shape, but says bedbugs are part of the industry. Overall, he says the problem is not bad at all.

She's a hunter and a hero

A 448 pound black bear had no chance against a 17 year old girl armed with a bow. Jessica Olmstead of Battle Creek Michigan killed the massive Bruin recently while hunting with her dad near Hornepayne. Olmstead spoke with our newsroom and says it was a special moment for her to be able to come to such a beautiful place with her dad.  Olmstead says just before dark she spotted a bear club playing nearby her tree stand, when out of no where he big bear chased the cub.  The high school student says the cub was chased up the tree when her kill shot saved it from becoming the big bears dinner.   It was Olmstead's first big game kill.

Crime Prevention Council started

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is starting to recruit members.  The City held a launch for the council today and Dr. Irvin Waller was the key speaker. Waller addressed the recent murders in the city and says the council needs to review the incidents and look for specific areas where the City could have done a better job.  Waller notes the audit will show areas where there could have been intervention by police, schools, family, or other service provider.  A program coordinator will be hired this fall, and the council's first meeting will be held in mid-December.  Mayor Lynn Peterson says they've set a goal of reducing the City's crime rate by fifty percent over the next ten years. Peterson adds they'll most likely need 100 thousand dollars in funding for crime prevention programs and the council.

Mauro on seniors tax credit

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is defending his government's decision to implement the HST. The NDP have launched a campaign calling on the Provincial Government to exempt energy from the HST.  Mauro says the NDP's numbers weren't accurate and only told half of the story.  The government announced a tax exemption today for Seniors for their energy costs.

OPP investigate murder in Fort Hope

OPP are investigating a murder in Fort Hope First Nation.  Police were called out to the community north of Sioux Lookout on Monday.  The deceased is 38 year old James Wasawa. 27 year old William Oskineegish is in custody, and has been charged with second degree murder, and breach of probation.  He'll be in Thunder Bay court on October 4th.

Breast screening program tests thousands

The Regional Cancer Centre is celebrating a milestone.  It's operated the Breast Screening Program in Northwestern Ontario for 20 years.    Cancer Care Director Alison McMullen says over 32 thousand women have been given mammograms, but more needs to be done.McMullen says the goal is to have 90 per cent of women screened by 2020.

OPP honor local police officers

Several Thunder Bay Police Officers are being honored by the Ontario Provincial Police.  Det. Sgt. Ken Davis and Det. Constable Justin Dubuc won the Officer of the Year Award.  Constable James Laton of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau also was honored as an officer of the year.

NOSM back to bargaining table Thursday

 The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is going back to the bargaining table with its OPSEU union employees.  Another round of talks are scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Sudbury.  Meanwhile, a Lakehead University Student is holding her own protest because she's frustrated with NOSM picketers at the school's entrances.  The rally is being held at the campus' Balmoral Street entrance at 1 on Friday.

Hotel and Condominiums start in June

The City of Thunder Bay is just weeks away from signing the waterfront development agreement for the proposed Hotel and Condominiums. Developer Gisele Mac Donald says they're on track.  Meanwhile, Councillor Larry Hebert says they'll be starting the project much earlier than expected.  The start date for the construction is June 30th, 2011.  Council approved the changes to the development agreement at their meeting Monday night.

ER is at a gridlock

Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Center is experiencing patient gridlock.  The emergency department is overwhelmed with in patients waiting for care in another part of the hospital. Alternate level care patients; those who are too sick to stay at home but don't need to be in the hospital are taking up beds that are needed for other patients.  Hospital CEO Ron Saddington says this crisis will mean an increase in wait times in the ER.

Tony Villeneuve Memorial Auto Rally is a success

The Auto Rally brought in just over 61 thousand dollars for lung cancer research at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Thirty one teams took in the 380 rally organizers are very happy with the results.  Terri Hrkac says they passed last years total by over a thousand dollars.

More details about Mofia in Thunder Bay have surfaced

More details surrounding the mafia cell reportedly operating in Thunder Bay has come out. The National Post says information from investigations in Italy say the Ndrangheta has ramped up recruitment in Thunder Bay and is planning on becoming active again. The probe says members from Thunder Bay met with the organizations top boss Giuseppe Commisso recently in Siderno Italy. The reports say prosecutors have named several members in Thunder Bay ranging from 53 to 73 years old. All were born in Siderno and at this point are not facing charges. Recorded discussion with Commisso say the Thunder Bay Chapter has done nothing for decades but want to become active in the community again.  Thunder Bay police are investigating the reports and spokesperson Chris Adams says considering the secretive nature of the Ndrangheta it isn't surprising they have been able to keep a low profile.  Adams also says this is the first large scale overseas crime organization to be found operating in Thunder Bay.