Gas and Dash not rising in Thunder Bay

Gas and Dashers are on rise in Canada except in Thunder Bay.  City Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says people filling up and driving away without paying does happen here but so far there has been no increase as the costs sky rockets.  Adams says it happened 4 times last month.

Multicultural Association gets funding

Thunder Bay's Multicultural Association is getting over 37-thousand dollars.  The money will be used to provide the "My Town" program.  That program is a series of youth workshops.

Youth Dragon Boat festival hits Boulevard Lake

Over 400 kids will be competing in today's Youth Dragon Boat Festival.  It's the 11th year for the event and Spokesperson Volker Kromm says people should cheer on the teens at Boulevard Lake.  Races start at 10 am and wrap up around 2:30.

Health unit wants dog bites to stop

The Thunder Bay Health Unit wants to make sure you are safe around animals. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says many people are bitten each year, and some are not reported. Animal Bite prevention week runs from May 28th to June 3rd, and aims to give people ways to be safe with animals.

Graduation day for LU Friday and Saturday

23 hundred students will be graduating from Lakehead University this weekend. Convocation starts Friday and Registrar Brenda Winter says it will include grads from a variety of programs. 26 hundred degrees will be handed out.

Incident raises trespassing issues

CP Rail is using an electrical accident in Northwestern Ontario to show the consequences of trespassing. Spokesperson Mike LoVecchio says people should be aware that entering railway property presents a terrible risk.  A 10 year old girl received a jolt after touching an electric cable located on CP property in Terrace Bay.

Rickford has full plate

Greg Rickford's plate has suddenly become extremely full. The Kenora Conservative MP has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Secretary to Canadian Northern Economic Development and Secretary for FedNor. Rickford says overall he's pleased with the selection of Parliamentary Assistants.

Local road boards get cash

Northwestern Ontario's local road boards will be sharing 25 million dollars in provincial funds. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the money will be used to fix rural roads across the region.  The funding is part of the 2011 budget.  Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement on Thursday.

Raffery/Hyer overlooked for shadow cabinet

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty isn't upset about being overlooked in the new 39 member NDP shadow cabinet. He says it will give him more freedom to focus on his riding.  Rafferty adds  he didn't even want to be considered for a deputy critics position.   His NDP counterpart in Thunder Bay, Bruce Hyer, was also not chosen for a shadow cabinet position.

Local solar projects get thumbs up

Several solar energy projects in Thunder Bay now have the green light from the provincial government.   They include solar panels for the Port Authority Building and Westgate High School.  It's part of a government program where the province pays for power generated through green energy

Thunder Bay gets a Target

Target will be coming to Thunder Bay.  The American department store chain plans to convert the current Zellers store in the Intercity Mall.  Still no word on what will happen to the other Zellers locations in the city.  The company announced it's plan for the stores that will open in 2013.

Study calls for more north side parking

The city now knows how it can handle parking issues at Marina Park after the waterfront development is complete. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says a new parking study shows how the city can add 900 new spaces by expanding the Pearl Street Parking lot.   The study lands on the laps of councillors Monday evening.

Three funding options for Multi-Plex

City councillors are getting a chance to decide how a proposed new multi-plex centre will be funded. The three options involve either public funding, private and public funding and thirdly, strictly private funding.  They will debate the proposals Monday night.

Local Bombardier workers have new rep

Thunder Bay's Bombardier workers have a new union rep.  Dominic Pasqualino is taking over for Paul Pugh who stepped down after 12 years at the helm of CAW local 1075.  Pasqualino says he has big shoes to fill and hopes to continue to promote the plant.

Explosion causes small scare

A small explosion created a bit of a scene at the Mission Island Scrap Yard this morning.  Officials say just after 9 this morning a propane tank exploded after it was put into a shredder.  No one was hurt and the small fire was out before fire crews arrived.

Thunder Bay business honoured

A Thunder Bay business is being recognized as an outstanding employer.  Toromont CAT is being honoured by the province for their dedication of training new, skilled workers. Toromont, along with fifteen other businesses across the province will receive the Minister's Award for Apprenticeship Training come June.

Nipigon gets new OPP detachment

Construction on the new OPP detachment in Nipigon is now underway.  The new facility is being built as part of a promise made by the Province to upgrade or replace OPP facilities.  The new building has evidence vaults, seven holding cells, a fingerprint room and many other features. The construction of the detachment will create 50 jobs for construction workers and trades people.

MOE's clean up order upheld

The Ministry of the Environment gets to keep the heat on Superior Fine Papers in Thunder Bay. Ministry spokesperson Lisa Brygidyr says the Environmental Review Tribunal has upheld a clean up order the ministry issued to the paper mill almost 2 years ago. Brygidyr says there were 4 major concerns including a lagoon inspection and maintaining electricity to the site.

Mauro announces funds for Atikokan

Atikokan is getting help to improve its sewage treatment system. The province is providing the town with 700-hundred thousand dollars towards the upgrade of its plant and sewage pumping stations. Total cost of the project is slightly more than a million dollars. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro made the announcement on Wednesday.

Alzheimer Society likes new Silver Advisory

A new program to help find missing seniors with dementia is being applauded by the head of the local Alzheimer's Society. Alison Denton says the Silver Advisory program would likely be similar to a system called the Amber Alert that is used to find missing children.

Cancer Care Northwest sees improvements

Cancer Care Northwest has made improvements to its colorectal cancer programs.  That's one of the areas they saw improvements in a province wide cancer index.  Vice President Michael Power says even though they did well they will continue to work towards improvement.  Survival for colorectal cancer increased from 51.9 percent to 62.6 percent.  The screening rates for that cancer are below the provincial average and came in at 26 percent.

Rafferty expects no budget surprises

The Conservative Majority Government will deliver a post election budget on June 6th. Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he expects the same sort of budget that was introduced before the election which included billions of dollars in cuts.    Rafferty also expects the Harper government to begin the process of axing of party subsidies.  He calls that an infringement on democracy.

Province helps area First Nation

Long Lake First Nation is set to build a new multi-purpose centre thanks to a million dollars from the Provincial Government.  The centre is expected to open its doors in December.

Fish Study Conducted in Nipigon

The health of area lakes and fish populations will be determined this summer as the Ontario Government prepares for a water monitoring exercise.  Fisheries staff will conduct surveys on 8-lakes in Sioux Lookout, Nipigon and north of Red Lake.  Officials stress that all nets will be clearly marked and ask that recreational activities around the buoys be avoided.  Information gathered will help in setting season and size limits for anglers. The surveys will also help staff check for invasive species.

Forest Fires in the Northwest

It was a fairly quiet weekend in terms of forest fire activity in northwestern Ontario, with just a couple of new blazes reported in the region.  But one fire in particular kept MNR crews hopping.  Fire Information officer Debbie McLeans says the fire broke out late last week in Wabakimi provincial park. On Saturday, the tiny community of Allanwater along the CN main line had to be evacuated.  By Sunday evening, the residents were allowed to return to their home.

Fort Frances Fatality

A Morley Township man has been identified as the victim of a collision involving a vehicle and a train near Fort Frances last Friday night.  92-year-old Donald Robert Bolen was killed in the mishap that occurred at a CN Rail crossing on Highway 617 in Stratton.  Both OPP and CN Rail Police have determined the red lights at the crossing were flashing and operating property at the time.  A post mortem examination is taking place in Kenora at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Drowning on Lake of the Woods

One person is dead and another is still missing following a fishing expedition on Lake of the Woods.  The OPP say they were contacted Monday night about two overdue anglers near Morson.  The OPP's Marine Unit was dispatched to the scene, and officers managed to locate the body of one of the men on shore. His boat was located a short distance away and had capsized.  The Northwest Emergency Response Unit is continuing to search the shoreline for the other missing man. The OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is expected to be on the scene later today.

Quality Market supports local charities

Quality Market has donated 11 thousand dollars to three local charities.  Every time a customer opted against using a plastic bag the company made a ten cent donation to the charities.  Shelter House, Habitat for Humanity, and An Eagles Cry Life Centre are sharing the cash.

Alzheimer Society awards research grant

A Lakehead University student is the winner of a local research grant from the Alzheimer Society.  Stephanie Hendrickson will be using a thousand dollars to improve communication between support workers and patients about death.

LeBlanc to run for PC's

Thunder Bay Superior North has a Progressive Conservative Candidate for the upcoming provincial election.  Ice Edge Holding CEO Anthony LeBlanc has been acclaimed as the candidate for the PC's.

Fire ruled accidental.

The Monday afternoon house fire at 26 Banning Street is being treated as accidental.  Fire officials say it appears an electrical problem was the cause of the blaze.  No one was injured in the fire which caused extensive damage to the one and a half story home.

Video shows reality of city life

Thunder Bay Police are pumped about an educational video being shown to First Nations students in the north.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says it shows students moving to Thunder Bay the realities of adjusting to city life.  Adams says the video is being received well in the communities it's been shown.

NAN's Waboose calls for Fed support

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is being called on to provide a support system to aboriginal teens attending school in Thunder Bay. Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says more needs to be done to help accommodate the teens living in a new city.  Waboose spoke about the issue at NAN's annual education awareness week.

Local man dies in Pennsylvania

A helicopter crash 3 weeks ago in Pennsylvania has resulted in the death of a Thunder Bay man.  Reports say that 33 year old Greg Jacobsen died of respiratory failure following the injuries he received in the accident.  He was part of a film crew working on a reality TV show.

Train accident claims victim

A  Fort Frances area man has been identified as the victim of a collision involving a vehicle and a train Friday night. 92-year-old Donald Robert Bolen,  of Morley Township, was killed in the accident that occurred at a CN Rail crossing on Highway 617 in Stratton. Both OPP and CN Rail Police have determined the red lights at the crossing were flashing and operating property at the time.

Multi-plex to be discussed next week

A report on how the City will run a proposed multi-plex will be released Wednesday.  The report compares different business models for the proposed multi-plex and shows the financial impact on the City.  City Manager Tim Commisso held a press conference on the Multi-Plex on Tuesday at the Fort William Gardens. Two public information sessions are taking place next week at the DaVinci Centre and the Italian Cultural Centre.

Expressway blasting alert

The roadwork on the Thunder Bay Expressway will come with some blasting this week.  The Ministry of Transportation says there will be blasting taking place starting Wednesday morning and will last about 3 weeks.

Fire in Wabakimi Provincial Park

A large forest fire is burning in Wabakimi Provincial Park, about 38-kilometres east of Savant Lake. The fire is burning near fly-in-lodges and a railroad and at one point forced the evacuation of 11-residents from a subdivision. The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire had grown to over 14-hundred hectares in size but notes thanks to the combined efforts of firefighters and air attack, no property was lost.  Evacuees have returned to their residence and operations on the CN main line have resumed. There are 21-fire crews and 5-helicopters still committed to the blaze. The cause is not known.

MNR send additional equipment to Alberta

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending more equipment to Alberta.  100-pumping units, 3-thousand lengths of hose and portable water tanks are scheduled to leave Thunder Bay.  110-personnel remain in the fire-ravaged Western Province.

Fire Fighters respond to house fire

A Banning Street family wasn't in their house when it caught fire over the long weekend.  Fire crews were able to bring the fire under control and says the basement suffered heavy smoke damage.  The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Road race repeat

The Kenyan sensation has done it again. Gilbert Kiptoo won the Firefighter Roadrace today for the second year in a row. Kiptoo says he was heavily supported by the city. Kiptoo plans to bring the prize money he won back to Kenya to help support his community.

Fire at Superior Fine Paper

The wet weather we have been experiencing in Thunder Bay does not mean our firefighters aren't busy. Firefighters responded to a structural fire that had occurred yesterday afternoon at Superior Fine Paper on 550 Shipyard Road. The cause of the fire was electrical and no one was hurt but firefighters say there had been severe damage to the electrical system.

Kenyan sensations back to compete

Two familiar faces will be running in the Firefighter Road race tomorrow. Kenyan runners Gilbert Kiptoo and Philip Kipchumba are back in Thunder Bay again to compete in the 10 mile marathon. The two say that the prize money they earn will be brought back to their villages to help make life easier.

Two charged in undercover bust

Two people are in custody after an undercover drug bust by Drug Enforcement Officers in Thunder Bay. Police say the two arrested are 48 year old Jesse Rita Magiskan of Aroland First Nation and 48 year old Andrew Clarence Williams of Gull Bay First Nation. A number of oxycodone and morphine pills were seized and police also seized a high powered rifle. The two were in court yesterday.

1.32 million dollar investment for Global Sticks

The Provincial Government is providing 1.32 million dollars towards the Global Sticks plant.  Oliver Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Klusterhuis says it's a big deal for her community.  The manufacturing plant will be home to 130 new jobs and make sticks for ice creme bars, corn dogs, and paint paddles.

Gravelle talks First Nation inquiry

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is kicking off his long weekend with a meeting with protesters and First Nation leaders.  A protest demanding an inquiry into missing First Nation teens took place outside Gravelle's office today. Gravelle says they are working on getting an inquiry off the ground.  Gravelle is also speaking with Ginoogaming First Nation today about their wood allocation application.

Thunder Bay Inflation rate rises

Thunder Bay now has the 2nd highest inflation rate in Canada. Our rate rose to 3.7 percent up from last month's 3.4. The National rate stayed steady at 3.3 percent.

AbitibiBow challenges Fort Frances taxes

Concern is being expressed by the town of Fort Frances over AbitibiBowater's decision to appeal its property assessment back to 2009.  Mayor Roy Avis says if the company is successful, the loss in tax revenue would equate to an 8-point-4 per tax increase.  There is no word yet when the Assessment Review Board will discuss the appeal.

Attawapiskat gets new school

Ottawa has set aside funds to accelerate the construction of a new elementary school for a remote Northern First Nation.  Elementary classes have been held in portables on Attawapiskat First Nation since 2000, when the original school was condemned.  Area MP Charlie Angus says it's good news. The Federal Government says it hopes to have the new school open in 2013.

Talk of the Manitoba Moose relocating here premature

Ice Edge Holdings is staying out of the speculation surrounding a possible NHL team in Winnipeg.  Rumours suggest Thunder Bay could be a destination for the Manitoba Moose who would likely be forced to relocate if Winnipeg gets an NHL franchise.  Ice Edge CEO Anthony Leblanc says if an opportunity arises to bring a team to Thunder Bay they will explore it.

Teens awarded bursaries

Two Thunder Bay teens will be given five thousand dollars each today for their post secondary education. Elyssia Adamo of St. Ignatius and Matthew DeGagnes of St. Patrick's are this year's bursary winners from the Justice Ronald B Lester foundation.