Special Olympics fundraising continues

The call is going out for financial help for the upcoming Special Olympics. They are about 200 thousand dollars short of their fundraising objective. Chair J-P Levesque says they are reaching out to the community by trying to get more corporate sponsors and to get more people to adopt an athlete.   He says they're hopeful.   The games take place in January.  Meantime the Athletes Village will be at two local hotels.  RBC provided the 40 thousand dollars towards the costs. 

Man marks major milestone with the Canadian Blood Services

A Thunder Bay man is celebrating 2 major milestones.  John Burns turned 80 years old today and marked it by making his 534th plasma donation at the Canadian Blood Services centre.  Burns says he's proud to still be able to give after all these years.  If you want to donate call 1-888-2-donate.

Two wanted in connection with early morning fire

Thunder Bay police are looking for two girls after an early morning fire.  No one was hurt in the blaze at a line of row housing on Georgina Bay that police are investigating as an arson.  6 firetrucks and 22 firefighters were called in to deal with the 2 alarm blaze just after midnight.  Two girls in their late teens were pulled from the building by a care taker, but when he called 911 they fled the scene.

Festive RIDE program set to begin

The police will be starting their Festive Ride program soon. Scott Smith of the city police says there will be scores of officers who will be out stopping vehicles starting December first.   It will be dedicated staff from  the city police, OPP, RCMP and the Anishinabek Police. New drunk driving laws mean the vehicle you are driving could be impounded.

Creative writing award for Thunder Bay youth

Several Northwestern Ontario first nation youth are being honoured for their writing.  Vanessa Trimble from Bearskin Lake, Erik Fiddler from Sandy Lake, and Thunder Bay's Nakita Guillet all received the James Barleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing award.

Mauro wants snow tire rebate

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro wants more Northerners to use snow tires.  He's calling on insurance companies to offer a rebate for those motorists who pay extra for the heavy duty tires.  Mauro says a snow tire rebate is win win for both drivers and insurance companies since people will be safer on the road and there will be less claims.  Mauro introduced a motion in the Ontario Legislature on Thursday.

Wildlands league likes new route

The Wildlands League is happy with a transmission line route in Northwestern Ontario. The route will be ran along side exsisting roads in the Dryden and Ignace area. Spokesperson Anna Baggio says the new route won't hurt the boreal forest habitat, caribou, or waterways.  The re-routing of the transmission line to Pickel Lake was part of the McGuinty Government's "long term energy plan." The transmission line will provide electricity connections north of Pickle Lake.

Bell Canada Under Attack

Bell Canada is being accused of failing its First Nation customers.  The Union of Ontario Indians says its members have had a hard time getting their PST refunds.  Spokesperson Maurice Switzer says some people have had to wait on the phone for over 4 hours.  Others have reported that the customer service agents knew nothing about the pst exemption situation.  All phone, cable and satelite bills were expected to be PST free as of two months ago.

Students help the needy for Christmas

The students at St. Bernard's elementary school are helping needy children and their families. They're donating items for Dilico Family Services. This is the second year of the program.

A flash freeze is coming our way

Its going to go from bad to worse for road conditions today.  Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says a flash freeze warning is in effect.  He says temperatures will drop to minus 10 this afternoon which will freeze the wet slushy conditions we have right now. Coulson says the cloudy wet weather will move out of the area tomorrow but return again for the beginning of next week.

Student Transportation Services explains bus cancellations

Slippery conditions gave many students in the area another day off of school today.  Dave Carroll of Student Transportation Services says he and a collection of bus operators decided conditions were too dangerous this morning.  Carroll says wet weather and below zero temperatures often make driving difficult this time of year.

ONWA explores violence issues

Aboriginal women remain vulnerable to violence according to a local activist. Lorene Rego has organized a day of information to educate people on the issue. She wants to keep it top of mind adding that violence against Aboriginal is pervasive and in most cases it ends tragically.  They are also the most at risk group in Canada on issues relating to violence.  The day of information is being put on by the Ontario Native Women's Association

Another Snow day for Rural Students

For the second time this week rural students will have a snow day.  Kakabeka Falls, Gorham and Ware, Valley Central, Nor'Westerview, Whitefish Valley, McKenzie, Five Mile and Crestview schools along with Thunder Bay Christian School are all closed today.  As well all city and rural school buses have been canceled.

Contraband booze seized

Almost 6 thousand dollars worth of alcohol bound for a northern First Nations community, is out of circulation.  Police along with security at the Deer Lake Airport seized numerous bottles of vodka this week. Alcohol is not allowed in the community located about 700 km northwest of Thunder Bay. 

Evans to discuss curfew proposal with colleagues

The idea of a youth curfew in Thunder Bay is getting the attention of city Lawyer Rosalie Evans. Mayor-elect Keith Hobbs is floating the proposal. Evans says she plans to find out how other municipalities handle the issue when she meets with municipal lawyers in Toronto.  That gathering takes place a week from this Friday.

LU Prof awarded Research Chair

Lakehead University's research efforts continue to rewarded.  This time it's through a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Education for Dr. David Greenwood.  Greenwood is one of 8 LU Professors to be awarded a Canada Research Chair.

Johnson says curfew idea has merit

Mayor-elect Keith Hobbs may have at least one councillor on his side that's in favour of a youth curfew. Hobbs says he'd like to see a midnight curfew for those under 16. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the idea has merit and is worth discussing.   Johnson says in the past police have said curfew would be too hard to enforce

TRC hearings underway

The healing is starting for those taking part in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing in the city. About 20 native residential school survivors are expected to tell their story according Sam Achneepineskum of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.   He says it takes about 2 or 3 hours for one person to give their statement,  meaning that about 7 people are heard in a day.  All statements are videotaped.  The Commission is here until Friday.

More snow to fall

Thunder Bay could see anywhere from 10 to 20 centimeters of snow in the next two days.  Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says it's a slow moving low pressure system.  Laidlaw adds the snow falling will be wet and heavy.  The snow is expected to stop by Friday.

Bill Mauro weighs in on opposition

Everybody's a critic.  That's the thought of the Liberal Government when it comes to their long term energy plan.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's time to put up or shut up.  Mauro says it's easy to knock a party's plan without providing your own ideas.

Angus cool on curfew idea

If our mayor-elect is looking for support for a curfew for city youth,  he won't get it from Councillor Iain Angus. Keith Hobbs says he supports a midnight curfew for kids under 16. Councillor Angus says the new Crime Prevention Council should be allowed to get it's work done.   He calls the idea premature and that it's not right to do an "end around " on the process.

The future is now at the Health Sciences Centre

A ground breaking medical procedure is now available in Thunder Bay. The Health Science Centre is partnering with Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto to offer ultrasound surgery. Vice President Michael Power says the clinical trial doesn't require any cutting.  Power says eventually he hopes the procedure can be used to remove tumors in hard to reach areas like the brain or liver.

Jimi the dog's court date postponed

 Jimi the dog will get to have Christmas with his family.  His fate will be decided in court in two months time on January 26th.  Lawyer Francis Thatcher says Jimi's owners purchased him from the Thunder Bay Humane Society in 2007 and are now facing accusations that he's a pitbull. Fletcher adds the court will look into whether or not an attack took place between the two dogs and if Jimi's DNA shows he's a pitbull. Jimi supporters gathered outside the court house this morning.  Lawrence Hurd says they're pleased with today's decision.  Jimi's owners have been ordered to keep him muzzled.

Thunder Bay police deal with two early morning incidents

Thunder Bay police were kept busy this morning.  Just before 3 o'clock officers responded to a break and enter on Victoria Avenue and managed to arrest one man.  Then shortly after 4:30 police responded to a Mental Health Act call, when a man was spotted with a knife on Simpson street.  Officers managed to subdue the man and apprehend him. 

Murder suspect will stand trial

Micheal Earl Kelly will stand trial for murder. The Alberta man is charged with first degree murder in the November 2000 death of 57 year old Judith Thibault.  Thibault's body wasn't found until 2004.  Kelly will have a pre-trial hearing sometime in the new year.

AbitibiBowater clears major hurdle

AbitibiBowater could be on the verge of exiting bankruptcy protection.  The company has been given the green light by an American court to go ahead with a restructuring plan that will shed 5 and a half billion dollars in unsecured debt.  Part of the deal ensures the company will meet all pension obligations in Canada.

Hospital staff use donor dollars

The Thunder Bay Health Sciences Foundation is spreading 30 thousand donor dollars to various hospital departments.Chair Brian McKinnon says the money is used to purchase items that staff chose.   McKinnon says its the Foundation's way of giving back to the staff at the hospital.

CEDC outlines goals

The city's Economic Development Commission is out with it's goals for the next two years. Commission boss Steve Demmings says they hope to build on past successes such as stemming the flow of young people out of the city.   The plan outlines about 10 areas to focus on.  Meantime mayor-election Keith Hobbs say the organization has his backing.  As mayor, Hobbs will have a seat on the board. He says he plans to support the Commission at the budget table.   Hobbs says the Commission has to be aggressive in it's approach to getting businesses.

No Book Banning in T BAY

It appears two Timothy Findley books will not be banned by the Lakehead Public School Board. Trustees are being asked to keep the books by the Canadian author, in the system. Board vice-chair Karen Wilson, says the issue came up after one parent complained about the content. A special board committee concluded the books reflect real life.

Survivors have "historic opportunity"

The heartbreaking stories of abuse are being told in Thunder Bay starting Wednesday. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is here to listen to the stories from residential school survivors. Commission spokesperson Alvin Fiddler says it's part of the healing for First Nations people. He says many have waited a long time for what he calls this "historic opportunity" to tell their story. The Commission was invited here by officials of the Nishawbe Aski Nation.

Natural Gas Conversion announced

Thunder Bay's generating station will have a new manager and power source. Chris Fralick takes over the job on December 1st, and in 2011 the facility will convert to natural gas.  Union Spokesperson Gary Shchepanik says it's nice to know what the future holds. The project is expected to be complete by 2014. MPP Bill Mauro and Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement Tuesday morning. 

Thunderwolves hockey back in CIS top ten

A 5 game winning streak has vaulted the Thunderwolves Men's Hockey team back into the top ten in the CIS.  The wolves completed a weekend sweep over Nipissing Saturday and are now 9th in the country.

Mac's Mart robbed again

City police are looking for a man after a Mac's Mart was robbed.  Police say a man in his late teens robbed the Waterloo Street store just after 5 o'clock yesterday.  Officials say the suspect fled on foot with some cash.

Weekend collision turns fatal

A 23 year old man has died as a result of Sunday's two car collision on Dawson Road.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says Justin Enge was the driver of one of the vehicles and succumbed to his injuries early yesterday morning.  Adams says Enge lost control of his vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic and was hit by a mini van.  The other four people involved received non life threatening injuries.

Charges laid in Loch Lomond death

The owner of the Loch Lomond Ski Resort has been charged in connection to a fatal accident.  Last year a father and son were shocked when their ladder came into contact with a live power line while they were working on a roof.  The son died of his injuries and Ward Bond has been charged with failing to ensure the workers didn't use a metal ladder and with not providing proper safety information.

Council bids farewell

Mayor Lynn Peterson hasn't decided if she will pursue politics again. She says it's been an honour to have been involved in municipal government and she's proud of her track record.  Peterson says the new city council will continue to do good work.  It was Councillor Robert Tuchenhagen's last meeting as well.

Council supports Special Olympics

Thunder Bay will support the 2011 Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games. Council decided Monday night to waive the charter fees for three buses to transport athletes and coaches within the city.  Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he's happy to support the games.  The cost to provide the buses to the athletes for free is just over 9 thousand dollars.

Whelan Building Contract Awarded

The Whalen Building will undergo improvements.  Thunder Bay City Council awarded a contract to Manshield Construction for interior upgrades to the sixth floor. Council approved the five hundred sixty-three thousand dollar project Monday night.

Children's Charter reflects

Thunder Bay's Children's Charter is celebrating seven years of operation.  The group presented a review of their work over the last five years to City Council Monday night.  The report shows a number of trends including food bank use going up.  The 2010 report shows that 36 percent of people served by food banks are 16 or younger.

Business conference set for TBay in 2012

The head of the Ontario Business Improvement Association is touring Thunder Bay.  John Kiru announced to city council Monday night that Thunder Bay will be the site of their 2012 conference.  Kiru adds if the City wants to foster their downtown areas they need to work on safety.  Kiru says Thunder Bay's business improvement groups have done a lot of good work.

Busy night for protests

It was a popular night for protests at Thunder Bay's City Hall.  The local OPSEU union rallied against the McGuinty government's proposed wage freezes for public employees.  Meanwhile, friends of Jimi, the dog who killed another dog, assembled before the council meeting.  The group hopes council will pardon Jimi.  His fate will be decided on Wednesday morning at a Thunder Bay court.

Thunder Bay man charged with kiddie porn

A 33 year old Thunder Bay man is charged with a variety of sexually related charges with one involving kiddie porn. Marathon OPP started investigating the man over the past few months and charged him with sexual interference, exploitation, and possessing child pornography. The man is being held in custody and is awaiting his next court appearance on Thursday.

Leak leads to charges

A couple of Thunder Bay men landed themselves in trouble on the weekend in Dryden after exposing themselves in public.  Police say it started with a man relieving himself outside of a local restaurant, and ended with a car chase and a capture on highway 17.  The duo were charged with liquor related offences.

McKinnon Hospital Foundation Chair

City Councillor Brian McKinnon has been elected as the Chair of the Regional Health Scieces Foundation Board.  McKinnon says he plans to put his previous hospital board experience towards his new position.  McKinnon says they will continue support for cancer research and a second cardiac suite.

Chief to INAC...not good enough!

The Chief of the Constance Lake First Nation calls it an excuse. Arthur Moore says he's not satisfied with an Indian Affairs response to his complaint about reducing the amount of bottled water his community is getting. INAC says it's being replaced with trucked-in water, but Chief Moore says that water is too cloudy.  He claims it's a high risk for people in the community.  The bottled water is needed until the upgrades are completed to the water treatment plant.

Jimi supporters to rally

There will be a rally in front of City Hall prior to Monday evening's council meeting . The Facebook group set up to support Jimi the Pit Bull cross, says it's starting at 5 o'clock. They're upset that the animal may be put down after the death of Gus the chihuahua at a city run off leash dog park

Calendar parking takes effect

Keep an eye on where you park because calendar parking is in effect.  Depending on your area you won't be able to park on certain sides of the street on odd or even days.  Calendar parking will be in effect until the end of March.

LU to host National Wrestling Championships

Lakehead University will host a national championship for the 3rd consecutive year.  The Wrestling team will host both the OUA and the CIS championships this spring.  Athletic Director Tom Warden says this shows LU is among the top schools in the country.  Coach Brock Curtis says having home court attention will give his wrestlers a huge advantage.

Thunder Bay CA amoung finalists

Lakehead University's Richard Jagielowicz is among 6 finalists in the Right to Rule campaign.  People can vote for his video CA Rockstar until November 26th.  The videos are aimed at drumming up interest in accounting, the winner will win 15 hundred dollars.

Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek dead at 52

The Bambi Bembenek saga is over.  The 52 year old former Milwaukee, Wisconsin police officer is dead.  She put Thunder Bay on the map in early 90's when hiding out in the city.  She escaped captivity in the US after being convicted of murder.  She lived in Thunder Bay with her boyfriend under an assumed name and even worked as a waitress at the Columbia Grill and Tavern.  Laurie Bembenek died of Kidney Failure Saturday.

Two vehicle accident leaves 5 people in hospital

One person was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a car accident.  Two vehicles collided on Dawson Road near Mapleward yesterday at around 5:30.  Four others were taken to hospital with minor injuries and police say road conditions were definitely a factor.