Canadian Curling Championship coming to town

A national curling championship is coming to Thunder Bay.  The Fort William Curling Club will announce the championship Friday that will take place in 2013 and will see 24 teams converge on Thunder Bay.  We'll have more details Friday. 

Break and Enter on Cornwall Street

A Thunder Bay man is charged with a number of break and enter related offences after being picked up by local police.  A Cornwall Street resident told police she had her apartment broken into just after 2 in the morning Tuesday.  The same man tried to break in again later in the evening when police took him into custody.  29 year old Michael Don Lebar is charged with 2 counts of Break and Enter to Commit an Indictable Offence of Assault with a Weapon.

New School for remote community

The Federal Government has opened a new school in North Spirit Lake.  The community of 400 is now home to a four classroom facility that accommodates 96 students from kindergarten to grade 9.  It took over 14 million dollars to build the school.

Transit Plan October 4th

Thunder Bay Transit is looking for public input on the transit plan. Manager Brad Loroff says they are hosting a pair of meetings at the CLE Coliseum building October 4th to get public input.

Advance Polls at College and University

Confederation College and Lakehead University students don't have far to go to vote in the upcoming provincial election.  Elections Ontario has set up advance polls at both campuses, and Federation of Students of Ontario Spokesperson Sandy Hudson says it's good they're accomodating the youth vote. It's the first time in Ontario's history advance polls will be set up on almost all college and university campuses.

Car crash leads to drug charge

A 31 year old woman travelling from Ottawa to Thunder Bay is in trouble with the law after crashing her car into a rock cut.  Nipigon OPP responded to the crash and found the driver with a large cooler containing just over 8 pounds of marijuana.  The woman was arrested for possession for the purpose of trafficking, she will appear in court in December.

Transit experiencing delays

The construction on several area roads are causing City buses to be behind schedule.  Certain routes are experiencing delays, and the City is asking you to adjust your departure time.

Brown talks Atikokan Forest Products

Any hopes of reopening the shuttered Atikokan Forest Products mill appears to be dashed with an auction underway to sell its equipment. Mayor Dennis Brown says he would have liked to see more support from the province to get the mill restarted. A Montreal company was interested in the mill, but backed out after they failed to secure an adequate wood supply from the province.

CCAC workers could be on strike soon

There could be pickets in front of Northwest Community Care Access Centre sites across northwestern Ontario next week. The 88-members of the Ontario Nurses Association have joined with their counterparts at nine other CCAC's to support strike action October 3 to back contract demands.  The workers provide health and home care services to the seniors in their own home.  Mediated talks are planned for today and tomorrow.

DSSAB axes 9 jobs

A surprise shakeup at the District Social Services Administration Board. CAO Melissa Harrison says that 9 jobs are gone as part of the agency's re-organization. She says however there will be about 10 other positions posted which the laid off workers will be allowed to apply for.   Harrison adds, the changes are designed to help cut down on the red tape some clients have to go through.

Police nab youngster

A 14 year old boy is in police custody and 2 more teens are being sought after an overnight incident on the 100 block of Madeline.  Police say just before 3 this morning the trio were spotted trying to steal things from vehicles.  Police managed to nab the one suspect, but the others took off. 

Thunder Bay Superior North Candidates let loose

It was a marked contrast to the Thunder Bay Atikokan debate from Monday night when the 4 candidates for the North riding slugged it out at the Community Auditorium. Incumbent Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle found himself under attack early on a number of issues, from the economy to mining. PC Candidate Anthony Leblanc repeatedly said the Liberals have forgotten the North and its time for a change to a government that cares about the North. NDP Candidate Steve Mantis says the Liberal government has failed to provide proper consultation with First Nations Communities in matters like mining and the far north act. Green Party Candidate Scott Kyle says tackling the drug problem needs to start with Pharmaceutical companies. Other issues that were discussed included education, health care, injured workers and economic development.

Fire Season still on

The fire season is slowly starting to wind down in northwestern Ontario.  There are still 38 blazes listed as active today.  Five are under control and two other are being held.  The other 31 are being observed, with no active fire activity noted.  In the meantime, fire crews are starting to pack up their gear, including hose lines and bring it back to their respective fire bases in the region.  With the recent warm weather, the fire hazard has climbed into the moderate range across the region.

Mill parts up for sale

An auction of equipment from the former Atikokan Forest Products Mill is expected to go today. A company had expressed interest in buying the mill, but was unable to secure a wood supply from the province. The mill, which has been shuttered for the past three years, was placed into receivership at the beginning of the year.

Northern Transmission Line

Providing badly needed clean power to First Nation communities in the Far North.  That is the purpose of a new partnership between New Osnaburgh First Nation and Saugeen First Nation.  The two have formed Sagatay Transmission L.P. to move forward with a new power line from Ignace to Pickle Lake.  The 250-million dollar, 300-kilometre line is the first phase in a two-phase project that needs to be signed-off by the Ontario Power Authority.  The agreement will ensure treaty rights and the traditional way of life will be protected and that jobs and investment will be created.  The proposed project will follow along Highway 599 and will ensure that environmental and social impacts are minimized.

KI First Nation upset with mining company

Its like deja-vu all over again for the Big Trout Lake First Nation.  The band is upset that the mining company God's Lake Resources has started some exploration work in K.I.'s traditional land use area. Band Spokesperson John Cutfeet says the Provincial Government continues to ignore concerns.  Cutfeet says to add insult to injury, the exploration work is being done on an old burial site.

Healthy Provincial Candidates

The Heart and Stroke Foundation says health care needs to become a bigger election issue.  Spokesperson Wendy Savoy says they have talked to all the candidates in Northwestern Ontario and says the main party's support their proposals to create a healthier population.  Savoy says their proposals include more healthier food education, and more funding for physical education in the schools.

College home to international students

Confederation College has 63 international students taking part in their courses this year. Spokesperson Miriam Wall says they hail from sixteen different countries including Brazil, China, India, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Wall notes most of the students are taking the aerospace engineering program.

NAN working with Feds on governance model

Nishnawbe Aski Nation continues to work with the Federal Government on forming a First Nation's government model.  NAN Spokesperson Ben Cheechoo says talks should pick up now that there's a Majority Federal Government.  Cheechoo says it will take years to implement a government model for First Nations.

Joint meeting between F.W. and T.Bay

A joint meeting is being held between Fort William First Nation and City Council.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they're going to make joint council meetings a regular occurance.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday night at the First Nation's Community Centre.

City departments merge

Changes are on the way for several city departments.  The City's Emergency Services department will also look after Fire and the Superior North Emergency Medical Service.  Transportation and Works will merge with the Parks Department.

RFDA food drive this weekend

The Regional Food Distribution Association is holding it's annual food drive this weekend. Executive Director Volker Kromm says once again all the local grocery stores are participating and the goal is to gather 15 tons of food

Hay talks about master fire plan

Thunder Bay's Fire Chief updated Council and the public about some of the upcoming issues facing the department.  Chief John Hay says they will be consulting the public about the possibility of relocating the Brown Street Station to the area of Neebing Avenue and Rosslyn Road. Other priorities include increasing staff levels and rebuilding the Neebing Fire Station. The Chief's speech was a first report and the master fire plan will be examined more closely in November.

Thunder Bay Atikokan Candidates slug it out

The three main party candidates duked it out at the Community Auditorium.  All three candidates lobbed a number of barba at each other over a number of topics.  Incumbent Liberal MPP Bill Mauro was the most vocal, attacking his opposition over a number of issues, including the Ring of Fire development, roads, taxes and transparency.  PC Candidate Fred Gilbert lobbed a number of bombs at Mauro over, hydro rates, the green energy act, and debt servicing levels.  NDP Candidate Mary Kozorys remained relatively silent but did attack Mauro over unemployment levels and spoke up over funding levels for long term care beds in North Western Ontario.

Council approves rebate program for seniors

Good news for low income seniors. City Council has approved a 100 dollar rebate program for seniors tax and water bills. Councillor Iain Angus says the program will help protect our vulnerable population. Angus notes it's a lot cheaper to have seniors stay in their own homes than move into a home. Over 200 thousand dollars is being put towards the rebate program. Eligable seniors would receive 100 dollar rebate for their tax and water bill.

Crime plan comes to Council

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is working on implementing some of the strategies in their prevention plan.  Chair Wendy Landry admits it's not a cure all.  Speaking at last night's City Council meeting, Acting Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sheila Hendrick says they've already started to work towards some of their goals.  Hendrick says part of her job will be to ensure the plan is implemented.

BISNO talks concussions

Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario wants the public to be better educated about concussions.  That's why they brought in Dr. Charles Tator to speak at their conference this week.  Tator feels the general public need to learn more about the signs of a concussion.

Drug bust in Terrace Bay

Twenty two thousand dollars worth of marijuana is off the streets after grow op was busted in Terrace Bay.  Officers arrested a 44 year old man after searching a house in Terrace Bay and found the grow op. 

Council looking for answers from candidates

City Council is sending a letter of questions to all the candidates in the upcoming provincial election.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says council wants to hear what the candidates think on a number of issue and has sent out a letter.  Hobbs says the biggest concern of council is the issue of an industrial hydro rate. 

Waterfront sculpture unveiled

The latest piece of Art destined for the Waterfront is ready to be installed.  "Traveller's Return" by Andy Davies was unveiled recently in Lethbridge, Alberta and Davies says the sculpture is being shipped to Thunder Bay.
The sculpture was selected after a nation wide bidding process.

Debate set to go

The election rhetoric is likely to heat up tonight at the Community Auditorium.  It's the first of two debates for local candidates in the October 6th provincial election.  Tonight it will be the candidates in Thunder Bay-Atikokan squaring off, taking questions from the media panel which includes our Vic Krasowski along with questions from the audience.   It begins at 7 o'clock

Police officers remember the fallen

John Kuznier's police hat

Police officers in Thunder Bay are part of a Canada wide contingent that marched yesterday to remember fallen comrades. City Police Chief J. P. Levesque says the parade commemorated the 3 officers who died in Canada over the last year.  The annual event is also a chance to pay tribute to John Kuznier the only city officer to die in the line of duty.

McDonald's honours scholarship winner

Another local McDonald's employee is basking in the glow of a 10 thousand dollar scholarship from the company.   Adena Goral is a nursing student at Lakehead University who was formally presented with the scholarship on Saturday at the Arthur Street restaurant.

Mayor impressed with debate

Mayor Keith Hobbs was impressed with the answers from both party leaders at the Northern Ontario Leaders Debate. Hobbs says despite the no-show from the Premier a good discussion was had. All three leaders will take place in a televised debate this week in Toronto.

United Way researches youth

The United Way wants to help local youth meet their potential. That's why they launched a research report asking youth what they want to see changed. Spokesperson Sandra Albertson says the findings will be used by the City's Youth Strategy Committee. The report points out youth need activities in their community hubs since they can't afford bus passes.

Council listens to project manager

City Council is going to hear about the mining potential in the area. John Mason is the City's Mining Services Project Manager and says he's been busy over the past four months. Mason says he would like to see a trade show brought to the city this winter to generate business in Thunder Bay. The Economic Development Commission hired Mason back in June.

Nipigon Fire Chief victim of fatal accident

The chief of the Nipigon Fire Department is dead following a traffic accident near the community Saturday night. Roy Cross was the victim of a single vehicle mishap on Highway 11-17, two kilometres west of Nipigon. Thunder Bay Fire Chief John Hay calls the death a big loss for the fire community in Northwestern Ontario calling him a good chief and a close friend and family man. Funeral arrangements are pending

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Man charged with impaired driving

One man has been charged with impaired driving after hitting a pole with his vehicle. Thunder Bay Police say it occurred Saturday night on Hilldale road. There were no injuries reported.

Officers National Memorial day service

A memorial Service to honour men and women of the force who died in the line of duty is today. The service is part of Police and Peace Officer's National Memorial Day. A march will take place from the Provincial Court house to the service at St Paul's Church.

Residential school survivors frustrated

The head of the Residential Schools Commission says some survivors are frustrated because they can't get papers needed to back up their claim. Justice Murray Sinclair says its because many government and church documents may have been destroyed. The deadline was Monday for the so-called common experience payment which recognizes the impact of living at a residential school. Sinclair says those who didn't file by the deadline are out of luck.

Pet problem

Thunder Bay's Humane Society says a Toronto City Council's move to eliminate the sale of dogs and cats from mills will spread here.  Executive Director Mariane Kleynendorst says while the Toronto move focuses on pet stores, the problem here is the sale of pets over the web. 

Walmart makes announcement

On the heals of Target's talk of acquiring Zellers' stores in the City; Walmart is making an announcement of it's own. The company is acquiring the lease agreements for County Fair and the Arthur Street Marketplace.

Northern Debate in the history books

It was a showdown between the NDP and PC Leaders at the first ever Northern Debate.  Andrea Horwath and Tim Hudak tackled issues from the Ring of Fire to the Far North Act.  Horwath promises a bigger voice for the North at Queen's Park.  Hudak promises that P-C members from the North will also be heard by him.  Premier Dalton McGuinty did not participate.

Dalton's Chicken

The absence of Premier Dalton McGuinty drew criticism from hecklers outside of the Northern Ontario Leaders Debate. Kaministiqua Resident Pete Lang brought a chicken to the debate claiming it was the Premier's. 

Police in Sioux Lookout make a drug bust

Police in Sioux Lookout have made another drug bust.  Officers arrested a 30 year old man from Toronto after they found a large quantity of Oxy Contin and Cocaine worth 34 thousand dollars.

McGuinty is drawing mixed feelings for his Northern Debate no show

A few hecklers showed up to the Northern Ontario Leaders debate to send a message to the absent Premier.  One man from Kaministiquia had a very unique message to send that included some live props.

Meanwhile, Dalton McGuinty's absence from the debate makes sense according to Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo.  He says there wasn't much to gain by coming considering a major gaffe could hurt him in the vote rich GTA while it's likely most voters here have already made up their minds.  

Fate of local Zellers stores still unknown

The Target Corporation has now finalized the lease purchases of the 84 Canadian Zeller's stores including the ones at County Fair Plaza and the Thunder Bay Mall. However,  Target spokesperson Amy Reilly says that doesn't mean they'll be turned into Target stores.  She says up to 29 of the stores on Friday's list will potentially become Target locations, the rest will be sold to other retailers or back to the landlords.So far only the Zellers store at the Intercity Mall will definitely become a Target location.

OPSEU goes to bat for sacked part-timers

Three former part time workers at Confederation College are upset after they were let go for not crossing the picket lines during the college strike. Richard Belleau  of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says they have tried to get the workers their jobs back.  Two of them are in Fort Frances the other in Thunder Bay.

Hobbs favours legalizing pot

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs is being singled out after saying he favours the legalization of marijuana.  His thoughts are revealed on a blog by the Canadian band Hollerado when they visited with the mayor during their stop in the city a week ago.

Fire cause to go as undetermined

It appears that the cause of this week's fire on Sherbrooke Street may never be known. The blaze tore through a duplex causing extensive damage but no injuries.  Investigators are reported to have probed the scene without being able to narrow down what started the fire.