Long form census pushed

Use your voice and take part in the 2011 long-form census.  That message is being pushed by the Union of Ontario Indians.  Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.  The data collected by Stats Canada is then later used by the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding allocations.

Daytime robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking into a daytime break and enter in the South Harold Street area.  A man came home at four o'clock on Wednesday and spotted an intruder.  Inspector Scott Smith says police are still looking for the suspect.  Police found property on an adjacent laneway which they hope will provide forensic evidence that can lead to the suspect.

CPC meets in February

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council will be meeting for the second time in February.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson will provide an update on the municipal drug strategy.  Coordinator Amy Siciliano says she'll be speaking about her ongoing interviews with committee members.  City Manager Tim Commisso will propose a housing strategy for people living with substance abuse.

OLG gives city cash

The latest payment to the city of Thunder Bay from the provincial government casino is almost 584 thousand dollars. The cash is the city's third quarter share of cash collected from the slot machines.

Kitchen fire sends kids into the cold

Students at Woodcrest Public School have something to tell their parents.   The school was evacuated around 9:30 this morning because of small kitchen blaze.   Fire officials say it was put out by the time they got there.  While students were taken outside at first, they were later moved into the gym before resuming classes.    No one was hurt

Old fashioned police work credited for arrest

One man has been arrested in connection to the armed robbery of the Alliance Credit Union. Thunder Bay Police arrested the 21 year old man last night and he will be appearing in court this morning. Yesterday morning a man entered the credit union armed with a shot gun. Police say through the use of a police dog they were able to find a shot gun which in turn led to a Blind Line Road address which led to the suspects arrest in Nipigon late in the day.

6 year old helps World Vision

A 6 year old local girl has helped provide clean water to 10 families through World Vision.  Ezra Westerman and a group of kids from Redwood Park Church raised 2-thousand 400 dollars.  Ezra says she thought it would be nice to help others.  The money was raised in three weeks.

Judge frees Hernandez on bail

Thunder Bay's Christian Hernandez is now free on bail.   In bail court on Wednesday Justice Bernard Caron allowed the 26 year old out of jail on several conditions.  They include not drinking any alcohol, staying at his girlfriend's mother's home and he's also prohibited from driving a vehicle.   As well, because he's a Mexican national he was forced to surrender his passport.   Hernandez is charged with impaired driving causing death following a traffic accident just days before Christmas which killed 45 year old  Richard Carmichael.  The case comes to court again in February. 

Airport breaks records

Thunder Bay's Airport continues to set new records for annual passenger traffic.  Over 689 thousand passengers arrived and departed through the local airport.  That's a 5.6 percent increase over 2009 passenger volumes.  President Scott McFadden attributes the continued growth to the strengthened local economy.

Commisso talks law suit

The Horizon Wind lawsuit will be the hot topic at Monday night's City Council meeting.  The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently rejected the City's request to hold off on the 126 million dollar lawsuit in favour of arbitration.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they still hope to find a solution.  Commisso says they're formulating a plan and will take their time before making any final moves.

More drugs seized

Two Attawapiskat First Nation residents face charges following a Nishnawbe-Aski Police investigation.  Police were tipped off about drugs being transported by airplane to the Fort Albany Reserve.  Officers found 33-thousand dollars worth of marijuana and 9-hundred dollars worth of oxycodone pills.  A 29-year-old and a 20-year-old face possession charges.

Ronald Mitchell moved from Thunder Bay

A man charged with second degree murder is no longer in Thunder Bay.   The 26 year old was returned to Sault Ste. Marie last night and will appear in bail court today.  26 year old Ronald Mitchell is charged in connection to a decapitation.  Police still do not have the results of an autopsy exam of the victim.

Federal Government invests in FedNor

Businesses will have more access to capital investment courtesy the Federal Government. Industry Minister Tony Clement announced today the Harper Government will be giving 1.1 million dollars to FedNor. Clement says the money will flow to businesses through Community Futures Programs like Thunder Bay Ventures. He says the funds will help grow business in Thunder Bay and across the northwest by providing easier access to loans. The announcement was made at Thunder Bay Hydraulics because the business has benefited from support from Thunder Bay Ventures.

Foreign Affairs Minister responds to Mexico rape allegations

The Foreign Affairs Department is looking for an inquiry after a Lakehead University student claimed she was raped by Mexican police. Lawrence Cannon says Ottawa wants to get to the bottom of the issue quickly and is taking the allegations very seriously.  Rebecca Rutland, says she was raped New Year's Eve after her Fiance got into an argument with officers.

Gravelle runs again

MPP Michael is officially running in this year's election.  He accepted the nomination at a meeting last night.  He will be seeking his 5th term as MPP for Thunder Bay Superior North.

Another armed robbery

Another armed robbery has Thunder Bay Police looking for a suspect.  Just after 5 yesterday afternoon a man armed with what police say was either a knife or a syringe robbed the Victoria Park Variety.  No one was injured and the suspect fled in a baby blue car.

Horizon lawsuit back on track

The 126 million dollar Horizon Wind lawsuit against the city can now proceed unhindered.   The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has rejected the City of Thunder Bay's attempt to put Horizon’s legal action on hold in favour of an arbitration.   As a result of its failed effort, The City of Thunder Bay has been ordered to pay 15-thousand dollars in legal costs to Horizon. Horizon's suit came after city council voted to move 4 of the company's planned wind turbines for the Nor'wester Escarpment.

Harding back as Chair

Maria Harding is back as the Health Unit's board chair.  Superior North EMS Chief Norm Gale is also back as vice chair.  The elections took place at a board meeting recently.

"Baby Doc's" return puzzles poli-sci prof

The return of Jean-Claude Duvalier to Haiti is stumping a lot of people including a Lakehead University political science professor. Lore Paquette says it was a surprise to her. She adds that his arrest by the Haitian government is also interesting. She advises to watch for how long he stays in custody and if there will be restrictions on his movement if he is released. Paquette suspects if that happens, Duvalier will go to his country home and keep a low profile.

Snowmobile Safety Week

Five people have died in Ontario this winter in snowmobile related collisions. This is Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week. OPP Sergeant Michael Price says most fatalities and injuries are preventable. Price says don't drink or drive, wear the proper safety equipment and don't drive aggressively.

AbitibiBowater still looking to sell hydro assets

AbitibiBowater is still considering a sale of its hydro assets in Ontario.  The hydro dam at Fort Frances, is among those that have long been targeted for sale.  Executive vice-president William Harvey says proceeds from any sale will go towards reducing the companies debt.  Harvey says any sale, though, will be done without impacting mill operations.

NAN ready's for summit

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is preparing for its first economic summit. Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit says a variety of government officials will be taking part. The summitt runs for three days in February with one day set aside specifically for the Ring of Fire.

Hyer wants you to think about summer jobs

It may seem like summer is in the distant future, but the Federal Government is already preparing for the season.  Applications for the summer jobs program are available from February 1st to 26th.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says last year the riding received over 290 thousand dollars in funding for student jobs.

Fednor Minister coming to Thunder Bay

Fednor Minister Tony Clement is paying a visit to Thunder Bay on Wednesday.  Clement will be making an announcement at Thunder Bay Hydraulics.

Board launches Apple iPad/Laptop project

The Catholic school board is trying out laptops and iPads in three of it's elementary schools. Spokesperson Joan Powell says 50 students in each of the schools will be given the portable computers. Powell says she wants to duplicate a program she saw in Maine recently where every student in grade 7 to 12 has their own laptop.  Apple Canada is partnering in the project.

LU prof predicts Tunisia will settle

A political science professor at Lakehead University predicts the political strife in Tunisia will settle down. Residents there forced the prime minister out of office. Lore Paquette believes the unrest in the North African country is temporary and that a national unity government will be created.   She says the problems began soon after WikiLeaks exposed government corruption in Tunisia.

Smith is Shuniah Police Board Chair

Don Smith is back as the Shuniah Police Service Board's Chair.  Smith says his goal for 2011 is presenting the budget. The budget is expected to be ready by their next monthly meeting. Smith adds the community received over 39 thousand dollars in funding for six months of policing from the OPP.

Police Board approves budget

The Police Services budget is now ready for city council scrutiny. It shows an increase of just over 1 per cent from last year. Board Chair Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he'll recommend his fellow councillors approve it. He calls it appropriate. The total budget for Police Services stands at about 32 million dollars.

RAP speaks to council

Councillor Andrew Foulds would like to see the City become more involved with the community's "remedial action plan".  City Manager Tim Commisso says putting RAP into the strategic planning process would mean there would be target completion dates.  He adds it would be good for Thunder Bay to work with RAP to chase down Federal and Provincial funding.  The environmental group provided council with an update on their work at Monday night's meeting.

EMS building contract approved

The cost of building the new Superior North EMS station is not sitting well with one City Councillor.  Rebecca Johnson had a back handed compliment for Chief Norm Gale Monday night.  She congratulated the Chief for bringing a league leading building to the community and for coming under budget.  Johnson says because the project was moved and it's being debentured the project will cost almost 1.4 million dollars more than the previous location.   The project will cost 10.6 million dollars.

Toronto woman's death tragic

Thunder Bay's Alzheimer's Society calls the death of a 66 year old Toronto woman tragic.  The elderly woman suffered from Alzheimer's and left her home shortly after 2 am in minus twenty degree temperatures.  Executive Director Alison Denton says the society has a wandering registry that is connected to the RCMP.  The registry helps track where the missing person might have travelled to.   Denton wants local residents if they see a distressed senior to lend them a helping hand.

20 accidents so far

It's been a busy day for Thunder Bay police.   They've been taking care of numerous traffic accidents which have been caused due to the snowfall.   According to police since 9 this morning there have been almost 20 accidents reported to them.   There are no serious injuries to report.

Arson not suspected in fatal fire

A six month old child from Summer Beaver remains in critical but stable condition following last weeks fatal house fire in that community.   Police say that the fire was likely accidental but the exact cause isn't known.   The blaze killed two boys aged 2 and 3 years old.   The 6 month old is now at the Children's Hospital in London with breathing problems. 

Barrick doles out big bucks to LU

Barrick Gold says it's giving back. The mineral giant is giving Lakehead University 150 thousand dollars. For company Executive Vice-President Jamie Sokalsky it's a chance to give back to the city he was born in and the school he went to. The money will be going towards a graduate scholarship and to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Local police arrest man wanted in Soo beheading

Thunder Bay OPP have a man in custody wanted in connection to a decapitation in Sault Ste Marie. The man appeared in court this morning on separate charges  and will be sent back to Sault Ste Marie sometime this week.  The body was found Tuesday and police had been looking for a suspect since.  The man has been in police custody since Thursday.

Hernandez needs a new lawyer

Christian Hernandez will remain in custody at least until his bail hearing.  Hernandez is looking for a new lawyer after Justice Pelletier ruled that his current lawyer Chris Watkins was in a conflict of interest.  Hernandez is in jail in connection  to a fatal collision that happened just before Christmas.

More snow is on the way

It looks like what you see, is what you'll get for the rest of the day. Our meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says a low pressure system is hanging over the Northwest and will drop as much as 20 centimetres when all is said and done. Tonight expect it to clear up and cool off with temperatures pushing close to the minus 30 mark. Laidlaw says more snow could fall Thursday and there is a chance for an even bigger winter storm next week.

Arthur Street pile up

There was a jumble of an accident early Saturday morning that involved a car, a pick up truck, a grader owned by the city and an ambulance.


The pile up at the intersection of Arthur Street and Selkirk Street was actually the result of two separate collisions that happened minutes apart.

It all began with an initial collision between a car and the grader. The noise from the crash happened to be overheard by paramedics at a nearby EMS station who then responded to the scene. A few minutes later, a pick up truck collided with the wrecked car and an ambulance.

Three people were taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries. Two paramedics and a paramedic student were also examined and released.









The drivers of both the car and pick up truck are facing impaired driving charges.

Bruce Hyer responds to receivership

Thunder-Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says he's disappointed by the news that Buchanan Northern Hardwoods and Great West Timber have been placed under a bankruptcy trustee at the same time Northern Sawmills and Atikokan Forest Products are being placed in receivership. Hyer says affected workers are welcome to contact his office for help accessing whatever assistance that may be available.

Vincent not guilty

Not guilty is the verdict in a city assault case.  Judge Helen Pierce has dismissed an aggravated assault charge against 27 year old Michael Vincent.  It's in connection with a fight outside a Wesfort bar in 2009 that left another man with a serious head injury.   Judge Pierce said that Vincent was not the aggressor in the case and did not start the fight. 

Drugs seized at airport

Another person is charged with possession of a Controlled Substance following a raid at the Thunder Bay Airport.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime unit charged the 39 year old woman after seizing Oxycodone and Hydro-Morphine pills.  Police believe the drugs were headed to Cat Lake First Nation.

Two kids dead in house fire

Two kids under the age of five are dead after a house fire in Summer Beaver First Nation.  Another child is being treated for injuries.  Nishnawbe Aski Police Sgt. Jackie George says not much information is known at this point.  Officers were called to the house fire late Thursday afternoon. 

Horizon lawsuit awaits judge's ruling

It's now a waiting game. A judge in Toronto will decide which direction the Horizon Wind farm case will be taking. The company wants to sue the city over the changes council made to a contract. City Manager Tim Commisso says the city's position is solid.   He says they want the case to go to arbitration.  If the judge rules against the city the 126 million dollar lawsuit will continue.

Nelson heads NOMA...for now

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has a new interim president today. Ron Nelson has been chosen to lead the lobby organization until April's annual meeting. He's no stranger to the position having held it ten years ago, so he'd like to have it back again. Nelson adds, that he's ready to mobilize the group in this election year to make sure Northwestern Ontario is looked after.   Dave Canfield of Kenora is the interim executive vice-president.

Towns take up police costing with Gov't

Kenora City Council is endorsing a resolution drafted by Fort Frances about the cost of policing. The resolution says the cost of policing has increased dramatically over the past decade, exceeding the cost of living. They want the Provincial Government to cover all the increased costs of the recently negotiated OPP contract. That includes a 5-percent increase for this year.

New technology at Con College

Confederation College is putting the final touches on its new high tech REACH centre. Nursing Professor Barb Morrison says the skills labs for paramedics and other health related fields will have EMS technology.  The EMS technology will allow students to watch themselves performing tasks, and will help grade them.  The REACH centre is expected to be open in the Spring.

RAP at council Monday night

Thunder Bay's Remedial Action Plan Coordinator will be speaking to City Council Monday night.  The group was formed in the 80s and helps clean up sites that are contaminated such as the harbour.   Aaron Nicholson says they'll be pointing out future locations that need help.  Nicholson says they want to introduce the program to the new councillors and Mayor.

EMS contract on council agenda

The contract for the new Emergency Medical Services station has come in at a million dollars under budget. Administration is recommending council award the contract to Tom Jones Construction.  Chief Norm Gale says they're happy the contract came in lower than expected.  The contract came in at 10.6 million dollars.

Mixed emotions about Zellers takeover

Shoppers in Thunder Bay have mixed reaction to this weeks big news that Target is buying Zellers stores in Canada. Our newsroom spoke to a few of them.

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Thunder Bay is a good fit for Target

A Target in Thunder Bay makes a lot of sense, that from Lakehead University Professor Livio Di Matteo. He says Thunder Bay should be an attractive location for the US retailer because it is a fair size city and a hub in the Northwest.  Di Matteo also believes Target would be great for the consumer by providing more competition for Walmart and Superstore.