PWT General Manager defends service

The general manager of Pacific Western Transportation is disputing claims his company is receiving funding at this time from the Ontario government to drive people to out of town medical appointments.    Dean Wright adds, the company's new travel option is not designed to replace any existing services.   Last week the president of Caribou Coach in Thunder Bay said a subsidized service has the potential to take away one third of his business in Northwestern Ontario.

City hosting evacuees and more

Thunder Bay is playing host to almost 300 forest fire evacuees from Sandy Lake this week and there could be more. Fire Chief John Hay says we have been designated as a transportation hub with the potential of moving up to 1 thousand people to other centres.  Hay hopes other communities step up to the plate and offer to host some of the evacuees.

Burning permits suspended

The hot and dry conditions are causing concern for the Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service.   It's forced officials to suspend all burning permits within the city citing unusually dry conditions.  They say the suspension won't be lifted until that improves

MNR dealing with 90 wildfires

Heavy smoke laying over the entire Northwest is hindering firefighting efforts for the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Information Officer Debbie MacLean says crews are battling over 90-wildfires.  117-aircraft, 14-waterbombers, 80-helicopters and 16-transport aircraft are trying to fight through the smoke to battle the fires.  Two fires of note are Sioux Lookout Fire number 70 which has grown to over 87-thousand hectares in size and is now burning 1-kilometre away from the Mussewhite Mine.  Sioux Lookout Fire number 60 is also 14-thousand hectares in size and is burning southwest of the Mine.  Firefighters continue to try and protect the mine site.

South Side Laundromat Robbed

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a south side robbery of a Laundromat.  Police say a man walked into Barb's Laundromat on May street and threatened to shoot the employee.  He then took all the cash from the register and a quantity of cigarettes before fleeing on foot.  Police found a 39 year old man and a 32 year old woman in the area with cigarettes and money taken during the robbery.  Both have been charged with robbery.

Robbery at Riley's Sports Tavern

Someone robbed a south side bar last night.  Police are investigating after a male entered Riley's Sports Tavern and demanded cash from the bartender.  Police searched for the man but couldn't find him.  He's described as a young person about 6 feet tall with a bad complexion.

Police investigate arson

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a case of arson in Fort William.  A North Franklin Street home owner awoke last night to popping noises outside and found their van and truck were on fire.  Both vehicles are totally destroyed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Foulds disses Eye on the Street

City councillor Andrew Foulds isn't convinced the city's Eye on the Street camera surveillance program is worth the money. Foulds believes the latest stats prove it's not working well, specifically, that out of 240 incidents caught on camera only 15 resulted in convictions.  However, Police Chief J-P Levesque  says Eye on the Street is a very effective tool against crime.

Light sculpture to adorn waterfront piers

Two stylized light sculptures will be build at the Marina as part of the waterfront project after city councillors voted in favour of them.  The 900 thousand dollar art project has its detractors, but Councillor Ken Boshcoff is not one of them.  He says the purpose of the art is to help attract people to the waterfront and it doesn't make sense to vote against it after it's already been approved in the overall waterfront budget. The projects designer hopes the beacons become a symbol for Thunder Bay

Aboriginal Strategy looking for federal funds

City Councillors are a step away from supporting a call to press for federal funding for the Urban Aboriginal Strategy. Peter Jones is the Regional Director for the federal government's national program and feels the funding will help the local and national strategies work as one.  City administration will prepare a report on the issue before councillors give their formal endorsement.

Zenyatta and Constance Lake ink deal

The mining exploration company Zenyatta Ventures and the Constance Lake First Nation now have an exploration agreement. Zenyatta President and CEO Aubrey Evelegh is upset his company was forced to deal with the issue in the first place.  He believes the provincial government should have been the one carrying out the negotiations.   Evelegh says " it's been a long frustrating few months."  The negotiations reached a low point when Constance Lake filed a court injunction to stop the exploration on their traditional land

Water levels hearing takes place next month

The public has a chance to comment on the results of a Canadian and American study on Great Lakes water levels next month. Canadian study manager Syed Moin says the 17 million dollar probe sets the stage for the future.  A public meeting locally will take place at Lakehead University August 10th. Anyone who can't attend the meeting, can submit comments on the study's website.

26 year old Brit needs tow

A young Brit who is on a cross-Canada fundraising tour needs your help.  Paul Everitt is raising money for soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, but his four wheeled bike has broken down.  Everitt needs a tow from Wawa to Thunder Bay.  If you can help him, call him at 807-822-2687 or visit his website http://www.going-solo.co.uk/

18 year old gets lost in woods

An 18 year old girl is safe and sound after becoming lost in the Cascades conservation area.  The teen had become separated from her friends and lost her way while trying to walk out of the trail system.  She took shelter under a tree, where police found her.  She was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Pikangiukum suicides

The Ontario Chief Coroner's Office is releasing some startling research on a rash of suicides in Pikangiukum First Nation.  Between 2006 and 2008, 16 young people, aged 10 to 19, killed themselves in the community north of Red Lake.  Deputy Chief Coroner for Ontario Doctor Bert Lauwers says education is key to tackling the problem.  The community's only school burned down in 2007 and the government has not yet rebuilt it.

Nexus travellers smuggle illegal goods

Newly released documents show Nexus travellers who are supposed to be low-risk have been caught trying to smuggle goods into the country illegally.  The federal government says the program makes border patrol more efficient by allowing border guards to move Nexus members who have already undergone security clearances to pass through customs more quickly.  But documents obtained under the Access to Information Act show more than a hundred Nexus travellers were caught smuggling goods valued in the thousands of dollars in the second half of 2010.

Hot weather brings more fires

Fire crews in Northwestern Ontario are being kept busy battling over 90 wildfires.  Officials say more forest fires are expected to start within days.  More than two-thousand staff fighting the fires will soon be getting help from 500 reinforcements from B-C. 

Missing teen found

The search for a missing teen in the city is over after police say Miranda Ritchie was located and returned to her guardian.   

Stolen bike leads to arrests

Two men are in police custody after a break and enter. The two are responsible for breaking into Fresh Air Experience around 11 o'clock last night and stealing a bike. A 32 year old male and a 25 year old male have been charged.

Police investigate sexual assault

Police couldn't get into details about an early morning sexual assault. The assault took place in the area of Ravenwood Street and Bethune Street. Police are looking for two male suspects who may have been involved.

Power back on

Residents north of Ear Falls now have power after a forest fire damaged several power lines. Hydro One crews repaired 80 hydro poles, allowing nearly 630 people to turn their lights back on. The area was without power for nearly one week.

Fort Hope man going to trial for murder

A 29 year old Fort Hope man is going to stand trial for the stabbing death of a man in Fort Hope last year.   Following a 5 day preliminary hearing in Thunder Bay this week William Oskineegish was ordered to face trial on a charge of second degree murder.   The incident took place in September of last year. 

Police seize oxy's and cash in bust

A 57 year old city man is in custody following drug bust on the 400 block of Ambrose on Thursday. Police Staff Sgt. Murray Brown says it involved over 90 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone tablets. The man faces drug and proceeds of crime charges after almost the same amount of cash was discovered. The man, who recently moved here from Quebec, will make another court appearance on Monday.

NAN talks water quality

Nishnawbe Aski Nation feels a recent water quality report confirms what they've known all along; that there's a lack of infrastructure in their communities.  NAN Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says they don't need more studies to confirm what they already know; they need action.

Council tackles Birthday certificates

A Thunder Bay City Councillor doesn't think age should be an issue.  Ken Boshcoff is asking for a review of their Commemorative Gift Policy.  Boshcoff wants the review because several residents celebrated 80th Birthdays and the City wouldn't give them a certificiate.  You need to be 85 to receive a certificate from the City.

Social Assistance Review on the way

A review of the welfare system is underway.  The Social Assistance Review Commission will be in Thunder Bay this week for two public sessions.  Commissioner Frances Lankin will hear from front line staff and social service workers.

Northern Lights School starts in the fall

The Northern Lights Alternative School will be open this fall.  The temporary school will house 15 students until the public board starts its own alternative education program.  Organizers have yet to select a location for the school.

Drug bust in Sioux Lookout

Three Thunder Bay residents are charged after a drug bust in Sioux Lookout.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime unit searched a local hotel and seized a quantity of Oxy's, Marijuana, and cash.  A 36 year old man, 28 year old woman and 15 year old were charged.

MNR kepts busy with fires

Nine new fires have been reported in northwestern Ontario, bringing the total to 81 raging in the region. One of the new blazes is in the Dryden District, two in the Nipigon District, four are in the Red Lake District and two in the Sioux Lookout District.  The Fire Chief in Sioux Lookout has suspended all burning permits and open air burning including campfires and fireworks until further notice.

Accident near Fort Frances

At least two people have been taken to hospital in Fort Frances following a two-vehicle accident on Highway 502 this morning.  It happened at around 9:30 this morning in the area of the Crow Rock Bridge, about 7 kilometres north of Highway 11.  Police say the two people were from one  vehicle and sustained injuries that are described as serious.  The highway is open to one lane while officers continue to investigate.

Walmart finishes expansion

Big box powerhouse Walmart is even bigger.  Store Manager Ryan Holomego says the store has finished its expansion and now offers a full grocery area.  He says he's been hearing nothing but good feedback from customers.  The construction took 16 months to complete.

Kakabeka resident wins 50 K

A Kakabeka Falls resident is 50 thousand dollars richer thanks to a game of Instant Super Bingo.  Evelyn Otto won the cash on an OLG scratch ticket that she bought at the Good Luck Lottery Shoppe in Thunder Bay.

Double fatality in the Northwest

A Pikangikum man and woman are dead as the result of a traffic accident 60 kilometres north of Red Lake on Thursday afternoon. They say the two were the passengers in a pick up truck that rolled several times. Two other people were treated in hospital.

Police investigate Red Lake death

The OPP in Red Lake are probing the death of a 46 year old woman.    Police say she was found unconscious in that community and was flown to Thunder Bay where she was pronounced dead at the Health Sciences Centre early Thursday morning.    They aren't saying anything about the cause of death.  The woman was from Pikangikum but was residing in Red Lake

Tory's northern platform unveiled

The Progressive Conservatives are targeting First Nations and our natural resources in their northern election platform.   Leader Tim Hudak unveiled the platform in Thunder Bay today.  The platform includes a promise for the premier to meet with First Nations leaders two times a year  and to hold cabinet meetings in the north. There's also a promise to make better use of natural resources and to create jobs.

Matawa makes it's move

More area First Nations are holding their ground when it comes to development on their traditional territory.  This time the Matawa First Nations have signed a declaration to stand together to protect their natural resources.  The declaration states that they are asserting their treaty right to require that  all nine communities give written permission before any development activity take place.

Goldcorp stung for 50 K

Goldcorp Canada says it's guilty of violating the provinces Occupational Health and Safety act at it's Musselwhite Mine. On November 14, 2009, a Ministry of Labour inspector visited the mine. After reviewing the mine's training records, the inspector determined that one of the mine's workers was not registered as fully trained in all of the prescribed training programs for work in a hard rock underground mine. The mining giant was fined 50 thousand dollars for failing to ensure that a worker was fully trained.

Hobbs keeps mum on possible apology

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he will "absolutely not" comment on a report that he's about to publicly apologize to former Police Chief Bob Herman to end Herman's defamation lawsuit.   Hobbs says more will come out at a news conference Wednesday at noon.  The suit is in connection with comments Hobbs made at a March news conference. 

Hospital entrance could get traffic lights

Lakehead University students may get their wish for traffic lights on Oliver Road at the entrance to the Regional Hospital. City Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says he's asking councillors to consider it as a budget item next year.  He says if approved then the lights could be up in about a year or so.  The issue comes before councillors on Monday.

City to contribute to overpass work

The city is doing it's part to help with the construction of the overpass at Hodder and the Thunder Bay Expressway.  Rick Harms of the city's engineering division says the work mainly involves watermain relocation and says the city is obliged to do it.  City councillors will be dealing with the three quarter million dollar contract at Monday's meeting

Caribou Coach pressuring the province

A local transportation company is pleading with the provincial government to consider local companies.  Caribou Coach President Sandy Smith says the province is sponsoring Pacific Western to provide services to patients in the Northern Health Transportation Grant program, which could cut out a third of his ridership. 

City pool in line for renovations

Volunteer Pool is in for a face lift as city councillors prepare to award a contract worth almost half a million dollars towards the improvements. The city's renovations manager Gerry Boere says it's mostly interior work which was recommended by their engineers. Boere says he will be recommending the lowest bid for the project Monday evening.

Another teen goes missing

There's another missing teen in the city.   Police say 14 year old Miranda Ritchie was last seen Sunday when she was dropped off at Churchill Pool.  They say she contacted her guardian later that night saying she wouldn't be coming home.

Brown seeks all avenues to save AFP

The province says there's simply no wood to give but that isn't deterring Atikokan from finding resources that would help re-open the idled Atikokan Forest Products mill. Mayor Dennis Brown says it includes talking with AbitibiBowater.  He says there used to be an arrangement with the company for supplying wood chips, and hopes it's an arrangement which can be resurrected. Brown says he plans to meet with the potential buyers of the Sapawe mill in the near future to discuss other options.

Addiction issues dominate AFN gathering

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins is back from the Assembly of First Nations Conference hopeful there's a start to address native drug abuse. Collins says that seemed to be a prevailing topic at the conference. As evidence Collins pointed to the killing of a 5 year old boy on a reserve in Alberta, a death he says was related to drugs and drug addiction. The conference is being held in Moncton, New Brunswick

Industrial accident results in police charges

The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are continuing to probe  the circumstances surrounding an  incident on the Trans Canada Highway east of Shabaqua Corners.   Police say it involved a loaded log truck pulling down some wires on a construction worker.    The truck driver is charged with height and load violations.

Evacuated residents set to return

Deer Lake residents are expected to begin returning home today after being evacuated last week due to area forest fires. Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching remain on evacuation alert and continue to monitor the situation.  There were four new fires in the Northwest Region reported last night, with two in the Kenora District, one in the Red Lake District and one in the Sioux Lookout District.

New Chief Sworn in

After 24 years of policing JP Levesque has taken the top job with Thunder Bay Police.  Levesque was officially sworn in as Chief this morning and says he looks forward to getting to work and will start by doing some consultation with members of the force.  Levesque says he has some ideas on how to change the way policing is done in Thunder Bay wants feedback from his officers.  The 47 year old has spent his entire career in the city and has held almost every position within the force.

No nukes for Lac Seul

Lac Seul says it will not support any nuclear waste initiatives by regional municipalities within First Nation territory. Several communities including Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Ear Falls have been exploring the possibility of becoming a host repository site. Chief Clifford Bull says Lac Seul doesn't want to create an impossible problem for future generations to struggle with. Bull says they don't want to consult with municipalities on the issue, noting they are strongly opposed to the idea. Bull adds that Grand Council Treaty 3 and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation are both on his side.

Police issue plea for driver and witnesses

Thunder Bay police are looking to speak to  the driver of a vehicle that may have been involved in a chain reaction accident on May Street yesterday.  They say it took place at the intersection of George Street.  There were only minor injuries.  Police also are asking any witnesses to the accident to contact them.