The Alpaca's are ok

The Alpaca's are ok.  Thunder Bay OPP responded yesterday to a two vehicle collision on Highway 11/17 and the Harbour Expressway.  A vehicle was parked on the northbound side of the highway, when it pulled out and collided with a Dodge truck pulling a livestock trailer loaded with 10 Alpaca's.  Everyone involved is safe and injury free.

Roberto wants more bike friendly city

City Councillor Aldo Roberto wants to create a more bike friendly Thunder Bay.  Roberto plans on introducing a motion he says could be controversial.  He would like to close two lanes of traffic on a main road for bike traffic.  It would be a trial for the summer months and still needs to come to council for approval.  Roberto also wants to close one lane of car traffic around Boulevard Lake for the summer.

Multi-Plex locations to be discussed

City Council is considering six locations for a proposed multi-million dollar multi-plex on Monday night. Councillor Iain Angus expects a lengthy discussion about the suggested site locations.  Some of the proposed sites the city owns and others would require the city to purchase additional property.  Monday night's report is part of the feasibility study and doesn't mean the City is going ahead with a Multi-plex.

Highway construction closes Trowbridge

One of Thunder Bay's more popular campgrounds will not be open for the summer. Because of the highway construction work taking place on the Thunder Bay Expressway, Trowbridge Falls will be closed for the entire camping season.

Aboriginal housing issues addressed

More roofs are needed for homeless aboriginals in Thunder Bay. A variety of aboriginal groups met in the City to discuss housing strategies. Strategy planner Francis Wesley says this is an urgent issue because there are many aboriginals living in poverty in Thunder Bay. The forum held at the Prince Arthur Hotel helped shed some light on the subject. Wesley says they will be working closely with the Federal Government to provide more housing.

OPP lay mischief charge

Lying has led to a 43 year old Sioux Lookout man being charged with public mischief.  Two witnesses came forward to Greenstone OPP saying they picked up a hitch hiker who told them he was robbed at gun point by four white men in a red truck.  OPP investigated and found that none of the man's story was true.

Single vehicle accident in Sunshine

A 59 year old Kaministiqua man is being treated at the Thunder Bay hospital after a single vehicle accident in Sunshine.  Police say he was driving west bound and crossed into the east bound lane.  The investigation is continuing.

Residents weigh in on Whalen

After word that it will cost the city millions of dollars to refurbish the Whalen building, we gve residents a chance to give their two cents on whether the historic building should be saved or scrapped.

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No injuries in Westfort fire

No one was hurt after a house fire on the south side.  Fire crews responded to the fire on Home Avenue just after 10 last night and found smoke and flames coming out of the back of the house.  Officials say it took about 2 hours to get the blaze under control and heavy damage was done to the home. 

Mills may have new buyer

There's been a potential buyer found for two former Buchanan owned sawmills in Northwestern Ontario. Eacom Timber Corporation of Montreal says it's entered into a purchase agreement with the receiver for both the Sapawe Mill and Northern Sawmills in Thunder Bay. The purchases are subject to a number of conditions, including securing necessary approval from third parties and the courts.

Majority might end gun registry

The Vice President of the Ontario Anglers and Hunters sees a Majority Conservative Government as a good thing for the long gun registry. Thunder Bay's Glenn Rivard says the PM has promised them he'll scrap it. Rivard notes the Harper Government has also promised to form a National Advisory Panel on Fish and Wildlife Management.

Province provides money for abuse victims

The Provincial Government is giving 50 thousand dollars to the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.  The money is going towards an awareness campaign to new Canadians who may be at risk of domestic abuse.  Support workers will receive culturally sensitive training.

Final ground search for Wabasse to begin tomorrow

Thunder Bay Police will be doing another ground search for Jordan Wabasse Wednesday. Spokesperson Chris Adams says they'll be walking along the Kam river shore line and won't leave a stone un-turned. The 15 year old Webequie First Nation boy has been missing since February 7th.

Hansen set for December visit

The Man in Motion Relay starts in August and Rick Hansen is out promoting the 25th Anniversary Relay.  The relay will involve some 7-thousand Canadians and will re-create the Canadian-portion of his original tour.  Hansen says he would like to be part of the festivities in Northwestern Ontario.  The Relay will stop in Thunder Bay on December 22nd and will resume in the City on January 10th.  Hansen says two places will always hold a special place in his heart; China and Thunder Bay.

2011 Census in the mail

Local residents should begin receiving their census forms this week.  Statistics Canada has begun the census process and has enumerators going door to door across the Northwest.  Gary Dillion is the Regional Co-ordinator for Stats Can and says its important for all households to fill out the census form.  While every household is required to fill out the 10 question mandatory short form census, only 1 in 3 households will be given a long form survey.

Kasabonika gun seizure

The Northwest Regional Guns and Gangs Unit has charged a 45-year-old man in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.   Police executed a search warrant last Friday and seized 10-firearms and 4-prohibited devices.  Officers found semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and 4 high-capacity rifle magazines.  Police say John Winter faces 3-charges including weapons trafficking and careless storage.  Winter will appear in court on June 16th.

Beardy reacts to federal election results

The Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Stan Beardy is congratulating the Conservative and NDP parties for their successes in the federal election. However Beardy is concerned that NAN issues may get lost in the shuffle. Beardy said when he looked at the Conservative party platform it had very little mention of NAN issues. The Chief hopes that between the Conservative and NDP parties that some of those issues will be addressed.

Thunder Bay residents have their say

Following the federal election, Thunder Bay residents had some mixed reactions.

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Increase in voter turn out

Around 37-thousand residents exercised their right to vote in the Thunder Bay Superior North Riding.  Returning Officer Bill Everitt says it's an increase in voter turnout.  The official numbers for the Thunder Bay Rainy River riding have yet to be released.

Green candidate lauds May victory

A local Green Party candidate in yesterday's election is elated his leader has won a seat in parliament. Ed Shields says the victory of Elizabeth May should do wonders for the party.   He believes the news media will pay attention to the party.   Shields agrees May's election is a watershed for the party in Canada

Rafferty re-elected in Thunder Bay Rainy River

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking forward to returning to his job in Ottawa.  The NDP Member of Parliament was re-elected Monday night and was excited to hear his party is forming the official Opposition Party.  Rafferty says the one dark moment on election night was the Conservatives winning a Majority Government.  Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann was the runner up in unofficial results, with Liberal Ken Boshcoff coming in third.

Harper majority, locals re-elect NDP

Stephen Harper is going to form a majority government in Canada...but Thunder Bay's two ridings will be represented in the official opposition.  Harper and his Conservatives have won a majority with about 165 seats in parliament and the NDP rocketed into the official opposition with about 105 seats...the Liberals now rank in third with about 30 seats. Locally Bruce Hyer in Thunder Bay-Superior North and John Rafferty in Thunder Bay-Rainy River both have won their ridings for the NDP again with about 50 per cent of the votes while the Kenora riding stays Conservative with Greg Rickford holding the seat.

Council upset about heritage building repairs

Some City Councillors were shocked to find they would have to pay to repair the exterior of the Whalen Building.  The city is on the hook for repairing the Terra Cotta exterior because they own the heritage building.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't think they should restore the building when there's other more important projects.  Council approved a million dollar contract with KGS Group Consulting Engineers dealing with the Whalen Building's repairs.

CEDC provides an update to City Council

Thunder Bay's Economic Development Commission is taking credit for creating several jobs within the City. CEO Steve Demmings says they created 133 direct jobs and 55 indirect jobs.  The CEDC told council Monday night that their goal for this year is to foster the mining industry.  The CEDC also plans to announce in six weeks time who will be hired as the City's Mining Coordinator.

Grand Marais station to open soon

Boaters take note. The American inspection station at Grand Marais will be open in less than two weeks. The station will open May 15th and remain open 7 days a week until September 30th from 9 until 5 pm Central Time.

Election day is finally here!

It's election day and the polls in Thunder Bay will be open until 9:30 tonight.   There are close to 60 thousand eligible voters in both area ridings, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River.   There are over 420 polls in both ridings.    Magic 99.9 will have news reports on election results after the polls are closed.  

Company takes new FORM

A well known Thunder Bay architectural company is changing it's name. Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo are announcing FORM Architecture Engineering as their new name. Among other buildings, they are most noted for the construction of La Verendrye High School and the George Jeffrey Children's Centre.

No election break for councillors

It's business as usual at city hall tonight.   In spite of the federal election, city councillors will be holding a regular meeting this evening.   One of the items on the agenda is the contract for sidewalk and street lighting worth 1.3 million dollars. As well a decision is expected on some exterior work on the ceramic facing of the Whalen Building on Cumberland Street, the home of Thunder Bay Hydro.

Man and woman busted for cocaine

Two 23 year olds in the city are due back in court May 25th on drug charges.   Police say that the man and woman were arrested over the weekend on outstanding warrants.   As part of the arrest they seized close to 58 thousand dollars worth of cocaine.   They face possession and trafficking charges.  

Bombardier says talks continue over streetcar contract

There is no indication from Bombardier Transportation that a contract that involves the Toronto Transit Commission will have to be delayed.   A report says that the TTC is requesting Bombardier put off the production of the new streetcars at the Thunder Bay plant.  However Bombardier spokesperson Marc Laforge says the work has not started and says the terms of the contract with  Metrolinx, the province's transportation arm, are still being negotiated

New OMA President from Thunder Bay

A Thunder Bay Doctor is now the leader of the Ontario Medical Association.  Doctor Stewart Kennedy was chosen as the 130th president of the OMA.  Kennedy has been a family Physician in Thunder Bay for more than 25 years.

Cazabon speaks out on native languages

A Canadian filmmaker wants to see more schools offering courses in native language. Andre Cazabon was in Fort Frances yesterday for the Native studies conference. Cazabon says schools have a good opportunity to preserve the language by turning to native elders for support. Cazabon found in her latest project "Third World Canada," that many young aboriginals are already unable to speak the native language of their grandparents.

Budget Finalized

Atikokan town councillors have finalized a budget that will include a 2-point-four per cent tax increase. Mayor Dennis Brown says it amounts to about a 30 dollar increase to the average homeowners tax bill. The township will spend just over 8-million dollars over the next year.

Brown Street Fire

A late night blaze left a garage in shambles on Brown Street. It took 21 firefighters about an hour to put out the fire. No injuries were reported. Platoon Chief Val Fontaine says garage fires can be dangerous. The reason being flammable liquids are often present.

Wabasse search to resume Wednesday

The city police confirm that the ground search for Jordan Wabasse will resume on Wednesday.   They'll be searching the banks of the Kam River near the James Street bridge for the missing teen

More wood allocations announced

Two more companies in northwestern Ontario have accepted wood supply offers from the provincial government.  Domtar will use its wood supply for full-time softwood pulp production at its mill in Dryden. Wagner Forest Management Limited has indicated that it will use its wood fiber to build a pellet  manufacturing plant in Ignace.  The business is expected to be up and running by October of 2013 and employ 20 new jobs.   Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Milloy annonces literacy cash

83 sites in Northern Ontario will be offering literacy training thanks to the Provincial Government.  Minister of Training and Colleges John Milloy says they'll be offering basic skills training.  2 million dollars will go towards local programs.  Milloy made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Bearskin adds plane

A Thunder Bay based airline is expanding it's fleet.  Bearskin Airlines has introduced a new Saab turbo prop which is being used for it's flights between Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.  It can seat 34 people.

Gas creeps toward record levels

Get ready to cry when you fill up next.  Gas prices have spiked again and now sit at just under a buck 40 a litre at many Thunder Bay gas stations.  That's according to the website gasbuddy.com.

45 year old mosiac graces new library

The new Mary J. L. Black Library isn't open yet, but it already has some vivid artwork to display. The Public Library has re-introduced a mosaic by Ruby Owen called Thunderbird. It is comprised of 27,000 tiles made out coloured glass, ceramics and rocks, and took over a year and a half to complete

Clean up campaign is on!

The Spring Up to Clean Up event is underway in the city.  It's a collaboration between the City of Thunder Bay and Eco-Superior.   It kicked off with employees of various businesses going outside for 15 minutes and picking up the garbage around their premises. 

Hearing dates set in County Park death

Sixteen witnesses are expected to testify in the preliminary hearing of two teenage girls charged with second degree murder. It followed the death last year of a 16 year old girl who's body was found in the bushes behind Wentworth Crescent. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.   Six days have been set aside for the hearing: August 16th, 17th and 18th as well as September 14th, 15th and 16th.

Thunder Bay Rainy River Candidates discuss election issues

Jobs for Thunder Bay's youth was one of the topics discussed at the Thunder Bay Rainy River Riding all candidates debate.  Liberal Ken Boshcoff says he would use his previous experience to create jobs.  NDP Incumbent John Rafferty says his party would provide incentives to small businesses.; while Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann says her party's corporate tax cuts will help provide jobs for our youth.

Cocaine seized from Thunder Bay home

Two Jamaican men are charged with a number of drug related offences after a search of a Thunder Bay home.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit seized 441 grams of cocaine and 15 thousand dollars in cash.  The drugs have a street value of 44 thousand dollars.

Area First Nation upset over exploration

Yet another northern First Nation is complaining about mining exploration on its traditional land. The Constance Lake First Nation and its Chief Arthur Moore say they are fed up with not be consulted and are taking legal action. Chief Moore says they are going to court Friday to seek a court order to stop Zenyatta Mining  from exploring.  No one from Zenyatta has returned our call.

Small quake confirmed in the region

Natural Resources Canada is confirming that a minor earthquake struck near Devlin last month. The 1-point-9 magnitude quake happened around 2 in the morning on March 25th. Seismic activity is not uncommon to northwestern Ontario, although most of the minor quakes over the past year have been around the Atikokan area.

Infrastructure plan to include Ring of Fire

Saying the north is different, Ontario's infrastructure minister says our region will be taken into account in his 10 year plan. Bob Chiarelli tells municipal delegates in Thunder Bay that it must include the Ring of Fire mining development.   He says that will include building roads, the electricity grid and communication links.  His infrastructure plan for the province will be released next month.

City receives tbaytel dividends

The city is getting a big contribution from tbaytel.  Over 20 million dollars in dividends is being handed over to the city.  Tbaytel saw record revenues last year exceeding 131 million. 

Hat found near the Kam belonged to missing teen

The hat found near the Kam River earlier this year has been confirmed as Jordan Wabasse's.  Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the confirmation was done with DNA testing.  Police will be continuing the search next week in the area of the James Street bridge.

Thunder Bay Superior North Candidates duke it out

 Liberal candidate Yves Fricot may not be the incumbent in this election , but he sure has to defend himself like he is.   At Wednesday nights all candidates debate for the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding,  Fricot was taking heat from NDP MP Bruce Hyer.   It was over Fricot's involvement as a Buchanan Forest Products Company executive during the forestry crisis.  The audience also got into the act,  taunting Fricot over the issue several times.  Conservative hopeful Richard Harvey tried to make his mark by claiming Hyer has not represented the riding effectively.   Scot Kyle of the Green Party also participated.