Urban Boutique vandalized

Police are investigating an act of vandalism that happened early Saturday morning. A window was smashed at the Urban Boutique on Memorial Avenue. Paint pellets were then fired at the store's merchandise through the broken window.

Pipeline explosion in Northwestern Ontario

A gas pipeline has exploded near Beardmore. No one was hurt in the blast. Staff-Sergeant Carl Pettigrew of the Greenstone Provincial Police says that witnesses saw a huge fireball and felt the heat of the explosion. Pettigrew says the fire is now under control. Beardmore is about 170 kilometers north of Thunder Bay.

Helicopter Contract helps Northwest

A Dryden based company has signed a 1.5 million dollar contract with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Superior Helicopters was awarded the two year forest fire contract and Spokesperson John Curran says they'll transport crews to forest fires and dump water on blazes.  The contract will span two fire seasons.  Curran says the new contract means they're looking to hire more staff.  Superior Helicopters is owned by Discovery Air.

Horwath turns her attention to Pellican Falls road

A Northwestern Ontario road is garnering the attention of the Province's NDP Leader. Andrea Horwath toured the Pellican Falls road after the Northern Anishinabe Education Council raised concerns about it's condition. The road falls under the jurisdiction of both the Federal and Provincial Governments.

No end in sight for Mideast unrest

There appears to be no immediate end to the wave of uprisings in the Middle East. Right now protests have been taking place in Yemen, Bahrain and Libya. Lakehead University's Laure Paquette says it's hard to predict what will happen next in those countries. Paquette says the length of any protests will depend on the diversity of support.

Hillier blames Green Energy Act

The PC party's critic for Northern Development is attacking the McGuinty Government's energy policies. The Premier won't committ to providing the region a seperate electricity price. Randy Hillier puts the blame on the Green Energy Act. Hillier says it's wreaking havoc on the north.

Bisson calls for toxic herbicide disclosure

If it happened in Northeastern Ontario, you can bet it probably occured in the Northwest as well. That's the feeling of Timmins James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson on the revelation that the MNR sprayed toxic herbicide on Crown land from the 1950s to 1970s. Bisson says forestry workers were exposed to the toxins but many others were as well. Bisson is calling for the forestry companies and MNR to release all of the information they have on the spraying program.

AbitibiBowater transactions still need approval

The NDP says it wants to know what the provincial government is going to do about the sale of the AbitibiBowater Hydro dams in Ontario. Abitibi announced the sale to an unnamed buyer last week, but the transaction still needs the approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton doesn't think the provincial government will try to intervene in the sale. The dams up for sale include the hydro assets in Kenora, Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls.

Wabasse search continues

City police are expected to release details about the ongoing search for Jordan Wabasse.  Officials say the Anishinabek Police are conducting a snowmobile search of the wooded area near the THP Gas Bar on City Road.  The 15 year old has been missing since February 7th.  The underwater search on the Kam river has been called off. 

One man hurt in hit and run

Thunder Bay police are looking for the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit and run with a pedestrian. Thunder Bay Traffic Sergeant Glen Porter says the collision happened yesterday morning at around 3 o'clock. Porter says the pedestrian was walking across the intersection at Royal and Pringle Streets.  He was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries and released.

Justice Pelletier takes issue with legal rep

A routine court appearance for Christian Hernandez turned into a slap on the wrist for his former lawyer.  In court today Justice Joyce Pelletier noticed that Hernandez's Toronto Lawyer wasn't present. She also noted that a representative from Chris Watkin's office was there. Pelletier said she had some concern with that after she specifically ruled last month Watkins was to have nothing to do with the case. Pelletier said she would "let it go" for now, but left it clear she wasn't pleased. The 26 year old Hernandez is charged with impaired driving causing death. He is due back in court March 28

Mauro accepts nomination

The Premier attracted protestors to Bill Mauro's nomination meeting.  Members of the Ontario Public Service Employee Union picketed outside of the Da Vinci centre last night.  Spokesperson Sandra Snider says they're taking a stand against the Province's tax cuts.  Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay MPP defended the cuts saying they won't result in service cuts.  Mauro accepted the nomination and will carry the Liberal banner in the provincial election.

Search ends with no sign of missing teen

Police are trying to decide their next step in the search for 15 year old Jordan Wabasse.   Police spokesperson Chris Adams says the underwater search of the Kam River by the OPP dive team is over.  He says the search will continue in some form. Meantime Adams says a ball cap was found in the area of the search...it's similar to the one Jordan had on the night he disappeared.

Agent Orange revelations concern premier

Premier Dalton McGuinty is trying to reassure retired government forestry workers.  It comes after a report that says they may have been exposed to the cancer causing chemical Agent Orange during their work years.  McGuinty says the government is interested in getting information. He says if they feel their health has been affected they should contact the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Speaking in Thunder Bay Premier McGuinty says he was only recently made aware of the issue

McGuinty says talking is the answer

The Ring of Fire mining development is still causing a rift between First Nations and the Ontario government.  Natives want  guarantees they'll benefit from the proposed chromite mine. Premier Dalton McGuinty says his government won't stop talking until an agreement is reached.  He says it's important to find the goodwill to conduct what he calls a positive and constructive dialogue.

No one hurt in school fire

It's back to school as usual tomorrow for Churchill High School students as someone lit a fire in the boys washroom on the second floor over the noon hour. The school was evacuated as a result. Nobody was hurt and damage was confined to the washroom itself. Fire officials say they'll let the school deal with whomever was responsible.

Rafferty's bill to head back to House of Commons

An altered version of John Rafferty's pension bill is facing its final hurdle. The Thunder Bay Rainy River MP will see his bill head back to the House of Commons for a final vote sometime this Spring. A different version of the private members bill was already voted down once before.

Pikangikum stand off ends peacefully

OPP are reporting a peaceful ending to a stand off in Pikangikum. A man had fired his gun in his home after arguing with his partner. No one was injured. Police officials surrounded the building. After 10 hours the man came out of the house and was taken into police custody.

N-D-P calling for more Ontario food

The N-D-P is calling for more Ontario produced food to be purchased by government departments and agencies. Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says his party has put forward a private members bill that would require any government funded facilities be required to purchase at least 20 per cent of their food from local growers. The bill was given first reading last September, but has yet to be scheduled for further debate in the Legislature.

NOMA discusses important issues

The region's municipal lobbying group plans to bring up a host of issues during upcoming meetings with provincial cabinet ministers. NOMA will attend the Ontario Good Roads Conference next week in Toronto. President Ron Nelson says they've set up a meeting with the Social Services Minister. Nelson says they also plan to speak with the MNR about the caribou habitat legislation.

Hampton not happy

The McGuinty Liberals are keeping tight lipped on which forestry companies recieved part of the governments promised $500 million, and it's not sitting well with NDP Natural Resources critic Howard Hampton. In 2006, the government committed $500 million in grant and loan guarantees for the struggling forestry sector, but according to documents recently obtained through a freedom-of-information request $270 million dollars of it remains unused.

Fender Bender on Wednesday

A 23 year old Thunder Bay driver is charged with following too close after a fender bender on Wednesday. OPP investigated a two vehicle collision on Highway 61, just south of Boundary Drive. Police say an east bound vehicle was stopped behind a school bus that was stopped, when an east bound Chevrolet cavalier collided with the rear of the Ford Edge.

Regional curlers come to Thunder Bay

The Shoppers Home Health Care Wheelchair Curling Provincials will be taking place in Thunder Bay from February 25th-27th. Teams from across the region will be competing for a birth in the National Championships in March of this year. All of the curling action will take place at the Fort William Curling Club.

Crowe to seek NDP nod

An unsuccessful candidate in the civic election is now trying to get into provincial politics. Cindy Crowe says she is seeking the NDP nomination in the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding.  Crowe says she would like to voice the concerns of the average person.  The nomination meeting takes place April 2nd.

Police release details of Taddeo case

There is a link between two city police officers who are facing charges in connection with the way they did their jobs.  A hearing at the Balmoral Police station has heard that Inspector Dan Taddeo is facing Police Service Act charges in connection with the way he supervised Constable Toni Grann.  The 43 year old Grann is facing 12 charges which police say involved falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry.

McGuinty visits Thunder Bay

We'll be getting a visit from the Premier today.  Dalton McGuinty is in town to speak at a chamber of commerce luncheon and will also be attending MPP Bill Mauro's nomination meeting.

OPP divers are back to work this morning

There will be another day of searching today by the OPP dive team.  Searchers were unable to locate Jordan Wabasse yesterday and again were forced to suspend the search last night due to a lack of light.

Police make small drug bust

The Thunder Bay Drug Unit has taken over 13 thousand dollars worth of drugs off the streets.  Officers searched a house on Piccadilly Avenue Tuesday and found the drugs, mainly cocaine and just under 5 thousand dollars in cash. Two men were arrested and are facing several charges.

To increase taxes or not; that is the question

It seems that the Council table is split between slight tax increases and none at all.  Mayor Keith Hobb introduced a motion calling for two million dollars to be put towards a variety of items in the budget that would put the tax rate at zero.  Councillor Iain Angus says he's seen the negative impacts of having a zero percent increase.  Angus says when he started on council in 2003, they had to cut services and staff to make up for several years of zero increases.  The motions lost, but not before everyone had a chance to say where they stand on the tax increase issue.

Landfill fees going up

The Solid Waste and Recycling Facility is expecting a 78 thousand dollar revenue gap in 2011. Expenditures will be coming in at 4.4 million while revenue is set to come in at 4.3 million. Administration has a long term plan that will address that funding gap. Meanwhile, the landfill's gate fee will go up a dollar to sit at seven dollars; the weight for each vehicle will go from 125 kilograms to 140.

Black Path to be cleared

25-thousand dollars is going towards clearing brush at the city's "Black Path".  The path was the site of a murder in the fall.  The money is being included in the 2011 budget.  Several City Councillors spoke out against the move saying it's not fair to cherry pick certain paths in different parts of the city.  Councillors Rebecca Johnson and Joe Virdiramo voted against putting up the cash.  A city wide report on paths will be conducted this summer.

"Stay off the ice" warns OPG

Ontario Power Generation is warning you to stay off the ice on the Kam River.  OPG says it's reduced the water flow from Silver Falls to help police divers searching for a missing teen.   Officials warn that has the potential to create dangerous ice conditions.

Council at Good Roads

Thunder Bay City Council is heading to Toronto to speak with six provincial cabinet ministers.  The Ontario Good Roads Conference starts in a weeks time.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says they'll have a pretty full dance card.  Meetings include transportation, northern development, aboriginal affairs and research and innovation.  Hobbs will also be meeting with Energy Minister Brad Duguid about the region's electricity needs.

Police report another child luring incident

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a disturbing incident from Monday. They say that a man driving a van approached a 12-year-old boy and asked him to help look for a lost dog. The man is described as about 40-years-old with short black hair and a short goatee. The vehicle is said to be a light turquoise box-shaped van similar to a GMC Safari. Anyone with information is asked to call Thunder Bay Poilce or Crime Stoppers.

Humane Society unveils new adoption CATegory

The local Humane Society is trying to save our feline friends.  They have devised a new system to help properly match adoptable cats with an owner.  Spokesperson Judy Decicco says it's scientifically proven to work.  She says the cats are assessed and colour coded. Potential owners are asked to fill out a survey and based on the answers,  they're asked to match their code with cat that has the same one.  Decicco says they plan to design the program for dogs as well

First Nations get funding for housing

Just over 14 million dollars is being handed out to Ontario's first nations for social housing projects. Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement at the Northern Ontario Housing Conference Wednesday. Rickford says this will help improve the housing situation on first nations in the province.  Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins says while its a great announcement its just a drop in the bucket.

Delta Hotels tight lipped about waterfront location

An official at Delta Hotels in Canada will neither confirm or deny a report the company will locate a hotel on the waterfront .  Sandy Indig says the company is not in a position to say anything about a story that is only quoting unofficial sources.   She say it's not their policy to make any announcement until a deal is officially signed. 

AbitibiBowater is selling off Hydro assets

AbitibiBowater is selling off 75-per cent of its interest in its hydro assets in Ontario.  This includes the hydro dam in Fort Frances, Iroquois Falls, and Kenora.  The deal with an unnamed Canadian institutional investor and a private Canadian renewable energy company is worth 300-million dollars.  Part of the proceeds will be used to pay down the company's debt.

Health Unit looking for new Medical Officer

The health unit is going to be without a medical officer of health.  Dr. Henry Kurban is stepping down from the job starting July 1st, due to family reasons.  Recruitment for a replacement will start immediately.

Outbreak at Grandview Lodge

The health unit is reporting a flu outbreak at the Grandview Lodge.  All admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled.  The Health Unit is urging people to stay at home and refrain from visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities when feeling unwell.

Second Career Program is a success

It's been three years since the Province launched the second career program.  Over 3 thousand laid off workers in the north have taken advantage and have gone back to school to retrain for a new career.  A recent survey shows 74% of the programs graduates have found employment in less than a year.

Work continues at Waterfront

Remediation work on the harbour front is expected to be complete by the first week of March.  Project Manager Katherine Dugmore says it's perfectly normal for the hole to be full of ground water and notes contaminated soil can still be dug up.  The remediation work has cost 2 million dollars to date.

Search for Wabasse resumes this morning

The OPP's dive team will continue its search for Jordan Wabasse this morning.  They were forced to suspend the search near the James Street Swing bridge yesterday evening due to a lack of light.  Wabasse has been missing since February 7th.

Tornado ready to hire

Tornado Medical Systems is ready to hire staff.  The medical imaging company is looking for software developers, electrical, mechanical and optical engineers.  Regional Research Institute CEO Michael Power says the company sees the community's potential.  A recruitment drive is being held on Friday.

Car break in's increase

Thunder Bay Police are reporting an increase in theft in the City's south core. Police say a number of vehicles in downtown Fort William have been broken into in recent weeks.  Car windows have been smashed and valuable items have been stolen.

T-Wolves begin playoff run

The LU Thunderwolves begin the OUA hockey playoffs Wednesday night on the road.   The T-Wolves take on the Waterloo Warriors in the best of three West Division quarter finals.  The series shifts to Thunder Bay for game two on Friday night and game three if necessary on Saturday.

L-U closer to getting a law school

Lakehead University is taking the next step towards getting a law school.   The proposed school's curriculum has received approval from the Federation of Law Societies in Canada. University President Brian Stevenson says it's considered one of the final steps in the approval process.   The final decision rests with the Ontario government.

Divers begin search for Wabasse

The James Street swing bridge is closed today as police search the Kam River.  It's part of their investigation into the disappearance of 15 year old Jordan Wabasse.  OPP divers are taking part in the search. 

Wood supplies awarded

The provincial government continues to dole out wood allocations piece-meal.   A total of 11 companies are the latest recipients of wood supply for their businesses.  That includes the AbiBow sawmill on the Fort William First Nation which receives 221 cubic metres and Garden Lake Timber gets 10 thousand cubic metres.

Council green lights waterfront

Thunder Bay City Council is not happy with administration over the waterfront project's unexpected costs. That's according to Councillor Rebecca Johnson; she was just one of many who voiced their concerns at last night's meeting. City Manager Tim Commisso says they were too optomistic when they told council they were on budget in the fall. Council voted to take the dollars needed to complete this part of the project from Phase 2.