Missing angler in Ear Falls

The search is on for a missing angler on Wenasaga Lake, near Ear Falls.  OPP were notified on Saturday morning that a 73-year-old man from Minnesota went fishing and didn't return.  His capsized boat was found a shortime later in the water, along with some of his gear and a personal flotation device.  The Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is involved in the search. No name has been released.

C-dif situation normal: DHU

There is no unusual spike of the c-difficile super bug at the Regional Health Science's Centre. Ken Allen of the District Health Unit says the situation doesn't even come close to what is happening in the Niagara Region and he expects it to stay that way.  Allen says there are no reported cases above what is normal for c-difficile activity at the hospital

Land use plans complete

The Provincial Government is reporting that Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations have completed their land use plan.  The strategy identifies economic opportunities and areas of protection under the Far North Act.  The two First Nations and Ontario will now work together on implementing the plan.  Both communities say they will now be able to promote new activities while protecting their traditional territory. The Provincial Government says Pikangikum First Nation's land use plan has also been completed and 2-other strategies are about to be finalized.

Tim Hortons upset over MPAC assessments

A hearing has been scheduled for September on an appeal of the property assessment of several Tim Horton's stores in Northwestern Ontario.  The chain is arguing the assessment of several stories in Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay is too high. The Assessment Review Board will hold a tele-conference September 6th to hear the appeal.

25 year old dies in Highway 11 crash

A 25 year old Northwest Angle resident is dead following a collision on Highway 11 just south of Sioux Narrows.  The OPP say the accident took place around 4:00 yesterday morning in the area of Fickas Road.

Police say a pedestrian was struck by a transport.  Dayton Kavenaugh was pronounced dead at the scene.  The OPP's Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate.

Fort William federally promoted

Fort William Historical Park is a signature experience. That's according to the Canadian Tourism Commission. They've added the park as one of 48 "signature tourism experiences". The federal agency is recommending the site to international travellers.

Memorial Walk heads to Thunder Bay

A group of Summer Beaver residents are embarking on a memorial walk from Pickle Lake to Thunder Bay. The walk is in memory of seven residents who died in a plane crash on September 11th in 2003.  The walk will take about 14 days.

Strathcona golf course damage

Almost 20 thousand dollars in damage was done to the Strathcona Golf Course in the City's north end.  Thunder Bay Police say an ATV was driven onto the holes sometime during Saturday night.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

National Park gets trail upgrade

Outdoor enthusiasts can again enjoy Pukaskwa National Park as it's meant to be enjoyed, on the hiking trail.  The 60 kilometre long Coastal Hiking Trail along the shore of  Lake Superior is now re-opened complete with major upgrades including the rebuilding of the White River and Willow River suspension bridges.

Housing Starts rise again

Housing Starts in Thunder Bay continue to rise.  CMHC analyst Warren Philp says last month saw a 50 percent increase in construction starts compared to June of last year. Philp says a huge jump in multi family units in the cause of the increase with 24 starts last month.  Philp says year to date numbers are also up with 99 starts since January, up from 77 over the same period last year.

CLE gears up for summer fair

Four days of fun are set for August 10th to the 14th at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition summer fair.  It's the CLE's 121st year offering the family event.  This year's event will include a home and garden show, creative arts and a youth talent search.

Distracted Driving Crack Down

Keep off your cellphones and keep your eyes on the road if you don't want to attract the attention of police. Provincial police officers are kicking off their second "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other, Distracted Driving Campaign.'' Starting today, officers will be stopping any drivers caught using a hand-held communications device. Using a cellphone while driving could bring a 155-dollar fine.

Magma Metals continues drilling

A mining company working in the Thunder Bay area is going to extend its work throughout the summer months.  Magma Metals is pleased with the results from drilling and have decided to continue work on its platinum, palladium, copper and nickel program.

PA Stadium favourite ball park in Canada?

Port Arthur Stadium is a finalist for the favourite ballpark in Canada.  16 finalists have been chosen by Baseball Canada and people can vote for their parks on the Baseball Canada website over the next few weeks.

Forest Fire situation heats up

The Forest Fire Situation in Northwestern Ontario is causing some headaches for a number of communities.  Power has been knocked out in Pickle Lake, Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Musselwhite Mines after a fire scorched the main transmission line into the area.  Elsewhere, Evacuated residents of Deer Lake are still in Greenstone and now the Ministry of Natural Resources has put evacuation alerts in place in Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Keewaywin and Koocheching due to smoke from nearby fires. 

Pat Seed new CWDO President

New president of Citizens with Disabilities - Ontario, Pat Seed is very happy about being elected. Seed, who is from Thunder Bay says she is eager to deal with the issues of the disabled. Seed has lived with total blindness her entire life and has worked with CWDO since 2006.

Forest Fires in the Northwest

The damp weather in our region has not slowed down the forest fires. A total of 81 fires are currently burning in the region affecting over 100 thousand hectares of forest. Currently there is 1 fire burning in both the Thunder Bay and Dryden districts and 4 fires in the Nipigon district.

Ontario government helps Caledonia

The Ontario government is giving residents and businesses in Caledonia 20 million dollars to compensate them for losses during an aboriginal land claims protest. Attorney General Chris Bentley calls the deal fair. The money will go to residents or business owners in the community who suffered direct losses as a result of the protest.

Grenade found by gardener

A old rusted grenade is now destroyed after causing some excitement on the city's south side. It was found by a man gardening on Victor Street according to city police Staff Sgt. Bill Boote. He says it was discovered Thursday by the man who then took it to the shore of the Kam River. He then called city police who called the OPP who, even though they have their own bomb squad, had to call the Canadian Military from Winnipeg to dispose of the devise.

Complex discovers "hidden" art

The saying goes everything old is new again and for the Canada Games Complex that holds true. During renovations a ceramic mural was discovered after one of the walls was taken down. It turns out it's a mural made by the Thunder Bay Potter's Guild back in the day. It's now hanging in the reception area for everyone to see.

City jobless rate drops

A shot in the arm for the city's economy as Thunder Bay's unemployment rate for the month of June was down from May.   Statistics Canada says the June rate was 6.7 per cent compared to 7.2 per cent the month before.

Organizers pumped about Bluesfest

It's time to sing the blues at Marina Park for the 10th annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival. Organizer Trevor Hurtig says out of the over two dozen acts there was only one switch that had to be made due to legal problems at the border.  As an added bonus anyone who has a Blues Festival ticket can ride any city transit bus for free this weekend.

ONWA opens new location

The Ontario Native Women's Association is now in it's new digs at the old St. John School on Ray Blvd. President Dawn Harvard says it symbolizes 30 years of hard work on behalf of native women in the province. Harvard says the new location was paid for with some belt tightening, fundraising and government money.

47 thousand dollars worth of drugs seized

Cocaine, Magic Mushrooms, Codeine and cash are in the hands of the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit after a search of a Thunder Bay home.  The street value of the drugs is 47 thousand dollars.  A 29 year old woman and a 42 year old man are charged with various drug related offences.

Missing 22 year old woman

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a 22year old woman.  Geraldine Blackhawk is missing and is 5'10 with black hair and brown eyes.  Anyone with information is asked to call 684-1200.

Two fatalities on NWO Highways

A Thunder Bay teen is dead after a fatal accident on Highway 71 in Sioux Narrows.  Early yesterday morning, a southbound vehicle lost control and ejected the driver.  The vehicle came to rest in the west side ditch.  In another fatal accident reported yesterday on Highway 17, a west bound truck left the highway and struck a rock cut near Kenora. 40 year old Colin Duguay of Kenora was transported to Hospital where he died as a result of the injuries.

Thunder Bay man found dead in Illinois

Police say the search for 69 year old Ed Spakowski of Thunder Bay has ended tragically.  They say that Illinois State Police confirm that both Spakowski and his dog were found dead. The circumstances surrounding the death aren't known but police do not suspect it was foul play. Spakowski disappeared last week after he picked up an RV in Elkhart, Indiana to drive back to Thunder Bay.

Deer Lake Evacuated

500 people from Deer Lake are fleeing their remote community because of nearby forest fires.  Two Canadian Forces Hercules aircraft from Winnipeg flew the Deer Lake residents to Greenstone.  The blazes are sending heavy smoke into the area.

Blues Festival to entertain thousands

About 15 thousand people are expected to attend the 10th annual Blues Festival at Marina Park this weekend. Over two dozen acts are expected to entertain the crowds starting Friday afternoon at 3:30 when the gates open. It all wraps up Sunday night with Blue Rodeo.

Ontario wood products get a new brand

A new Ontario wood logo is supposed to make it easier for consumers to see if the wood they buy is manufactured in this province. The Executive Director of Ontario Wood Works,  Marianne Berube, speaking  in Thunder Bay,  said the new branding is needed because until now people couldn't tell at a glance where the wood was brought in from.

From one T Bay to another

Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt has been signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The 24 year old spent last season with Montreal.  The free agent was signed on Wednesday.

Update on Current River Power Outage

Police say a drunk driver is responsible for taking out the power to Grenville Avenue near Adelaide Street on Tuesday night.  A Pontiac Sunfire hit a hydro pole causing extensive damage.  A 43 year old woman is charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Impaired Driving.

Two fatalities on NWO Highways

A fatal morning on local highways.  The OPP are currently investigating two separate motor vehicle accidents that have claimed two lives.  The first collision took place just after midnight, after a vehicle drove off of Highway 17 east of Kenora and into a rock cut.  Police say one man was killed in the accident, which took place about 10 kilometers east of the Highway 71 junction.
The highway was closed overnight, but was finally re-opened to two way traffic around 7:30 this morning.  The name of the deceased has not been released.

Deer Lake Residents Evacuated

Nearly 500 residents of Deer Lake are being evacuated because of a nearby forest fire.  The province is co-ordinating with federal and defence officials to evacuate residents whose health is most at risk.  It is expected that about 480 residents will be immediately airlifted by Canadian Forces aircraft to Greenstone.

Highway 17 east of Kenora Open

Traffic is moving again on Highway 17 east of Kenora.  The Trans-Canada was closed for about four hours overnight due to a single vehicle accident.  The OPP say there was a rollover just east of the Highway 17 junction.  The accident took place around 1:00 this morning. So far there has been no indication whether anyone was injured in the accident.

Kenora Power Outage Lengthy

Two and a half days and counting.  That's how long some homes southwest of Kenora have been without power.  Hydro One says there are still about 100 customers waiting to have their electricity restored following Monday night's vicious thunder storms.  Crews are still working in the area and its expected power will be back on to most homes and cottages by 4:00 this afternoon.

Young Driver Joy Rides in Pikangikum

A 12 year old girl faces a number of charges after going for a joy ride in the remote community of Pikangikum.  The OPP say they were notified about a pick up truck driving in an erratic manner around 5:00 in the morning.  Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop.  Because the driver appeared to be quite young, the OPP gave up the chase.  A short time later, the vehicle ran into a hydro pole, knocking out power to the entire community.  Police say there were 14 passengers in the truck at the time, including three ten year olds, four 12 year olds, three 13 year olds and three 14 year old youths.

Thunder Bay man found dead in Illinois

Police say the search for 69 year old Ed Spakowski of Thunder Bay has ended tragically.  They say that Illinois State Police confirm that both Sapkowski and his dog were found dead.   The circumstances surrounding the death aren't know but police do not suspect it was foul play.   Spakowski disappeared last week after he picked up an RV in Elkhart, Indiana to drive back to Thunder Bay

Company hit with more work orders

The Ministry of Labour is still investigating a tragic scissor lift accident at a highway construction site in Shuniah Township. The ministry's Matt Blajer says they've issued 5 more work orders on the company that was involved that's in addition to the 8 original orders.  The accident last month resulted in the death of a 24 year old worker

KI votes to protect it's watershed

The KI First Nation says it's making a stand with the results of a referendum in the community. KI spokesperson John Cutfeet says they have voted almost a 100 per cent to have their watershed protected from the results of industrial development. Cutfeet believes the referendum holds legal clout when it comes to development on KI's traditional lands.

City man charged in bizarre accident

A 27 year old Thunder Bay man is charged following Tuesday's accident at Camelot and Court Streets.  That's where police say a stolen van landed on an SUV in a grocery store parking lot after rolling down an embankment. Just prior to that it hit a pedestrian and sent the 52 year old man to hospital.

Drowing confirmed in divers death

Police are confirming that it was drowning that caused the weekend death of a 21 year old man in the MacKenzie River in Shuniah Township. They say Dau Huston was cliff jumping at High Falls just prior to his body being pulled from the water.

Still no sign of missing 69 year old

Police in Elkhart, Indiana are helping in the search for Edward Spakowski from Thunder Bay who was last seen there last week. Thunder Bay Police spokesperson Chris Adams says the Americans have been provided the information in the case of the missing 69 year old.  There is still no indication of where Spakowski might be.

NOSM Student Research

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is awarding 36 thousand dollars to six of its students.  The money will be used for student research projects.

Cultural Database launched

A cultural database is now in place for the Kenora District.  The regional cultural initiative was led by the Dryden Development Corporation.  Economic Development Manager Vicki Kurz says they worked with 6-communities to gather an inventory of all our assets.  Kurz says the communities will use the information gathered to better promote the area.

Boating accident in Kenora

A close call for three teens on Lake of the Woods west of Kenora. OPP say the girls were in a boat heading to camp when the 16-year-old driver lost control. A 15-year-old was thrown into the water and was struck by the prop of the motor. The operators managed to get the boat under control and rescued the girl. They got her back to mainland where they met police and ambulance. The girl was transferred to Hospital with injuries to her neck and head. OPP say that although life jackets were in the boat, none of the girls were wearing them at the time.

Waterworks changes in Atikokan

There is a Red Lake based operator of Atikokan's water and sewage treatment plants.  Northern Waterworks has taken over from Ontario Clean Water Agency.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says it wasn't because the town was unhappy with OCWA.  Brown says the town will save 90-thousand dollars a year by the move.

NW LHIN expanding programs

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network says it wants to expand its Home First program for seniors in the Region. CEO Laura Kokochinski says the program is targeted at people who are currently taking up beds in hospitals and trying to get them back home. She says the plan has been in place for 3-years and is showing some signs of success.

Forest Fire Hazard High

It was one of the busiest days on record yesterday for Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews.  The MNR recorded over 71-hundred lightning strikes in a 24-hour period.  27-new fires sparked and more are expected early today.  The forest fire hazard remains high to extreme.

Accident causes power outage

The lights are on in the Current River area. 25 hundred customers were impacted. The outage was caused by a car accident on Grenville and Adelaide. Hydro Spokesperson Eileen Dias is thanking the public for their patience. The power was restored by early this morning.