NDP stay elected in Kenora Rainy River

It was a big night for the NDP in Northern Ontario. The party doubled the number of seats it held at Queen's Park. Sarah Campbell held onto the Kenora-Rainy River Riding for the New Democrats and promises to be there for her constituents.

Jobless rate falls

It's a double bonus for the new jobless rate. More people were employed in both Thunder Bay and in Canada during the month of September. Stats Canada jobless figures show the unemployment rate dropped to 6 per cent in the city while dropping to 7.1 per cent across the land.

Beardy doesn't mind new look government

Majority or minority government, the results of yesterday's election doesn't matter to Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy. He says NAN is willing to work with any government in the province regardless of the party, he's hoping for some meaningful dialogue.

Gilbert learns about riding issues

Former Lakehead University President Fred Gilbert is happy with his campaign.  Gilbert says he learned a lot during the election.  Gilbert came in third behind the NDP and the Liberal Incumbent.

Kozorys pleased with campaign

NDP candidate Mary Kozorys is happy with the number of votes she garnered her first time running in the provincial election.  Kozorys says the close results should be a wake up call for incumbent MPP Bill Mauro. 

Bill is back for T. Bay Atikokan

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is back for his third term, and the Liberal Incumbent says he's going to make some changes this time around.  Mauro says he's not going to be a boy scout anymore and when he sees other parties pulling shenanigans he's going to speak up. In unofficial results NDP candidate Mary Kozorys came in second, and Fred Gilbert of the PC's came in third.

Colour Thunder Bay Liberal Red

Liberal Michael Gravelle will be going back to Queens Park.   Gravelle went into Thursday's provincial election uncertain of his future, but he managed to snap up about 45 per cent of the popular vote in Thunder Bay-Superior North compared to 35 per cent for NDP candidate Steve Mantis.   Anthony LeBlanc of the Progressive Conservatives finishes with a disappointing 18 per cent of the vote.  In Thunder Bay-Atikokan a different story where Liberal incumbent Bill Mauro squeaked by Mary Kozorys of the NDP with 39 per cent of the vote compared to 37 per cent for Kozorys. Fred Gilbert of the P.C.'s finishes with 22 per cent of the vote.  In Kenora-Rainy River it was a cake walk for Sarah Campbell of the NDP as she grabbed almost 50 per cent of the vote compared to 37 per cent for the P.C.'s.

NAP happy with Lac Des Iles

North American Palladium is happy with it's Thunder Bay area Lac Des Iles mine.  President William Biggar says the mine is poised to become the lowest cost palladium producer in the world.  The company plans to expand their work at the local mine.

Energy Drink regulations are a good step

The Thunder Bay District Health unit is calling new regulations on energy drinks a step in the right direction.  Spokesperson Carling Zaporzan says proper labelling will help educate people on what they are actually drinking.  She says a good next step would be to limit the drinks availability to children and youth. 

Its good times at the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is hoping to provide healthier foods at their food bank.  Major Merv Halverson says donation levels are very high this year and its allowing the organization to shift what food they will be offering. He says the use of the food bank is still rising so despite larger than normal donation levels, more donations are always welcome.

Latest problem bear may have been destroyed

MNR officials believe they have destroyed the bear responsible for this week's attack.  Spokesperson Katheryn Lyzun says Conservation Officers will test DNA and blood samples of a bear they trapped and killed to determine if it was the attacking bear.

Car destroyed in bizarre incident

A  Marathon woman is facing a drunk driving charge and a man is nursing some burns after a bizarre incident yesterday.  OPP say the man was using a gas can to put fuel into a car when the gasoline and the can caught on fire.   The woman then tried to drive away but instead,  dragged along the burning gas can which resulted in the car catching fire

Woman recovers from bear attack

A 24 year old woman is recovering from a bear attack in the region this week. She was working for the Ministry of Natural Resources which says the attack took place near Armstrong. Police say that a co-worker managed to fight off the 250 pound bear. The woman was airlifted to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with undisclosed injuries

Mac's store robbed again

Thunder Bay Police are on the lookout for three men after an armed robbery on the city's south side.   They say it happened at 2 this morning at the Mac's on Syndicate Avenue.   They say one of the suspects carried a knife, the other a hammer.  No one was hurt.  The three ran off after they got what they wanted.

Churchill Drive robbery

A young man says he was robbed on Churchill Drive Wednesday morning. Police say a 20 year old approached the teen and asked for cigarettes and when he refused took the youth's personal items. The suspect is described as being six feet tall and weighing between 180 to 200 pounds. He was seen wearing a black and white jacket with a large feather and the word Golden Eagle on the back.

Dew Drop Inn holds another Thanksgiving meal

The Dew Drop Inn Soup Kitchen is expecting up to 300 people for Thanksgiving dinner on Monday.  Director Terri Favreau says 25 volunteers will be helping her carryout the large meal. It takes six 30 pound turkeys, four large hams and many pounds of potatoes to feed the masses.  Volunteers started preparing the dinner two days before the actual feast on the holiday Monday. 

Fort Frances hunter missing

A missing Hunter in the Fort Frances area is home safe and sound. Police says 53-year-old Patrick O'Connell was found around noon today. He had gone hunting in the bush yesterday afternoon, but failed to return home.

Adam and The Amethysts release second album

Thunder Bay musician Adam Waito has released his second album.  Waito now lives in Montreal and says the new album Flickering Flashlight is slightly influenced by the Lakehead.  You can listen to parts of the album at Adam and The Amethysts dot com.

OPP launch Operation Impact

Thunder Bay OPP will be joining tens of thousands of Canadian police partners over the Thanksgiving long weekend for Operation Impact.  Local police services will be targeting impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.  Police will also check for seat belts and child restraints.

Hammarskjold teen suspended

A Hammarskjold High School student is suspended after threatening another student with a knife.  Constable Julie Tilbury says a boy and girl were fighting in the hallway of the school, when a third student pulled a knife and threatened the girl.  A 17 year old is charged with assault with a weapon and uttering threats. 

How living in drug dens impact kids

Local police and social service organizations are learning how they can better care for children living in drug infested homes.  Retired American Commander Lori Moriarty says drugs like Oxycontin have a significant effect on kids.  Moriarty was one of the key speakers at Thunder Bay's first ever Drug Endangered Children conference. 

Stabbing on city's south side

A 34 year old man is in hospital after being stabbed.  Police received the call just before 9:30 about a fight on Simpson Street.  Officers say two men got into an argument and the 34 year old was stabbed several times but managed to knock out his assailant.  When police arrived both men were unconscious.  The victim is in fair condition. 

Marc Staal is out with post concussion symptoms

Marc Staal could be out for a month due to a concussion.  TSN's Bob McKenzie is tweeting that the Rangers have shut down Staal's rehab and say he could be out of action for a month.  McKenzie says the bottom line is Staal isn't progressing and has had setbacks and sounds like he shut down rehab completely while getting more medical opinions.  Marc suffered a concussion February 22nd of last season from a hit from his brother Eric.

Rafferty talks suicide prevention

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is calling suicide among First Nation youth a national crisis. He made the comments as the House debates a Liberal proposal for a national suicide prevention strategy. Rafferty also called on government to react to recommendations coming out of a rash of deaths in Thunder Bay and Pikangikum First Nation.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

LU Prez goes travelling

After years of neglect, Lakehead University is beginning to reach out to communities across Northwestern Ontario. Brian Stevenson is touring the area and says while their finances are limited, they are willing to work with community partners to expand their programs beyond Thunder Bay.  Stevenson says there is some cutting edge technology that could soon bring students from communities across Northwestern Ontario into Lakehead's classrooms.

No injuries in 2 vehicle smash up

No one was hurt after a two vehicle collision this morning.  The crash happened on the corner of Algoma and Argyle just before 9 o'clock.  A pick up truck hit a car as it attempted to turn onto Algoma. 

Advance Polls close

Elections Ontario says about 43-hundred of the 56-thousand plus voters took part in advance polls in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

OFL's Sid Ryan supports NDP

The President of the Ontario Federation of Labour is asking Thunder Bay residents to give the NDP a chance. Sid Ryan was in town today to ask the City's ten thousand unionized workers to vote for the NDP. Ryan thinks the ridings of Thunder Bay Atikokan and Superior North will go orange. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is in the City Tuesday as well to drum up support.

Election Day is Thursday

The Provincial election is just two days away.  We asked people in front of City Hall what they thought of the impending vote. 

Joint meeting Tuesday night

Thunder Bay City Council and the the Fort William First Nation Band Council meet Tuesday night.  While no decisions will be made a so called "declaration of commitment will be signed to formalize the relationship between the two councils in areas ranging from culture to the economy. 

LU Professor looks at Thunder Bay Atikokan

With the election just two days away LU's Political Science Professor Laure Paquette stopped in to give us her take on the Thunder Bay Atikokan Candidates.  Paquette says despite relative inexperience NDP Candidate Mary Kozorys is in a strong position because the riding has been sliding left in recent years. Paquette says Liberal Bill Mauro has the advantage of being the incumbent and PC Candidate Fred Gilbert has name recognition from being the President of LU.  

Waterfront continues to take shape

It looks like we'll be skating at the Waterfront this winter.  Project Supervisor Gary Wood says the project is on time and on budget and he expects it to be open to the public by early December.  This morning the city unveiled the latest piece of art called "Traveller's Return" by Lethbridge Artist Andy Davies. More of his work can be seen on his website www.AndyDavies.ca.

LU faculty have 4 year deal

The faculty at Lakehead University now have a new contract.   According to LU's top money man, Michael Pawlowski, it's a 50 month deal that will provide substanial labour peace as teachers will be getting raises of just under 2 per cent in each year.

Expressway Tunnel to be studied

City Council doesn't know what to do with the Expressway Tunnel. They're having administration look at what would happen if they closed the path between County Park and the Grandview area. Council also wants to know what they can do to make the path safer.

Consultants recommend Intercity Terminal

The Intercity area appears to be the City consultant's preferred site for a new bus terminal.  Genivar's Dennis Fletcher updated Council on the transit plan Monday night and says this isn't the last council will hear about the proposed terminal.  The consultants feel the South Core no longer requires a bus terminal, and the Water Street terminal can be used less.  A draft transit plan will be presented to Council in December.

Council holds off on funding request

An after school program could soon face a funding shortfall.  Speaking at Monday night's Council meeting, Neighbourhood Capacity Building Spokesperson Paul Francis says they need 210 thousand dollars over the next three years.  The program is funded by a number of organizations and they may not have enough money to go on in the future.  Council won't be making a decision on the funding request anytime soon.

God's Lake Resources responds

The President of God's Lake Resources is defending his company's decision to explore the area around Sachigo Lake Mine.  Ed Ludwig says they've asked KI First Nation to show them where their burial grounds are but they haven't heard back.  Ludwig says they still want to work with KI; but the First Nation is going to need to stop stirring up media controversy.

Global Sticks has made layoffs

It appears Global Sticks could be in trouble.  Plant Manager Dan Jean confirmed that layoffs have been made but wouldn't confirm how many people have lost their jobs and why the cuts were made.  Thunder Bay Superior North PC Candidate Anthony Leblanc says this confirms the current wood allocation process is failing businesses.  Incumbent Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says the government has and will continue to work towards getting Global Sticks the support it needs to be successful and NDP Candidate Steve Mantis says he isn't surprised.

Next Premier needs to take action

More needs to be done to improve access to education for Aboriginal youth.  Aboriginal Students Commissioner Pat Smoke says the next provincial party in power needs to take immediate action and freeze tuition fees.  Smoke says it's difficult for First Nation students to make ends meet.  Smoke attends school at Lakehead University.

Police release the name of Sunday's fatal victim

The name of the woman who died in yesterday's collision on Victoria Avenue has been released.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says officers believe the driver of the stolen truck involved in the collision is a man.  Adams says investigators are going over evidence found inside the stolen truck as well as information from the crash. Adams says 60 year old Josceline Ryan of Thunder Bay died in the crash.

Ryan Johnson gets cut from the Wings

For the second year in a row Ryan Johnson is starting the year as an unrestricted free agent.  The 35 year old was cut by the Detroit Red Wings today after attending camp on a tryout basis.

A 22 year lands safely on a road

Some tense moments for a young pilot on his way from Sioux Lookout to Yellow Knife.  OPP say the man had to make an emergency landing on a road near Vermilion Bay yesterday afternoon after his plane lost power.  He clipped a few trees but managed to land safely.

Grain picks up port

Grain continues to be the lifeblood of the Port of Thunder Bay. Numbers show that there's been 3.9 million tonnes of grain shipped through the port so far this year. So far this year 4.7 million metric tonnes of cargo moved through the port up slightly from last year at the same time.

McCarville looking to rebound

Krista McCarville is hoping some lineup changes won't have a negative impact on the upcoming season.  McCarville's second Kari Lavoie is pregnant and will be replaced by Liz Kingston mid way through the season.  McCarville says Kingston comes with a lot of experience and will be a solid addition to the team.  McCarville says this year's goal is to make it to the Scotties and earn points towards an Olympic berth in 2014.

Boshcoff looks forward to transit debate

One city councillor doesn't believe there may be any need for transit terminals in the city anymore. Ken Boshcoff's comment comes just ahead of a presentation to council of the Transit Master Plan. Boshcoff thinks terminals may be passé. He likes the idea of City Hall being a location that all buses meet. Other ideas in the plan include express buses and streamlined routes.

Run another success

   Another successful Run for the Cure in Thunder Bay this year.   Over 1 thousand people participated and raised over 133 thousand dollars.   The money is used to help research into breast cancer

Fatal morning collision

Thunder Bay Police say a woman is dead after a 2 vehicle collision occurred this morning just before 7 o'clock at Victoria and Leland. They say she, along with two others, were trapped inside one of the vehicles for a period of time and firefighters had to pry them out with the Jaws of Life. The driver of the second vehicle ran away. Police confirm one of the vehicles involved, a pick-up truck, was stolen. They are still looking for the driver of that vehicle. The name of the victim has not been released.

CIBC run for the cure

One of the top charity events of the year is taking place Sunday morning in Thunder Bay and right across Canada. It's the CIBC Run for the Cure.  Money raised goes towards breast cancer research.  The event takes place at Fort William Stadium starting at 9 o'clock with closing ceremonies at 11 am.

Stabbing on Vickers St.

Thunder Bay Police are still investigating a stabbing that occurred on Vickers St. Friday night a man who was causing a disturbance reportedly beat and stabbed his neighbour when he was asked to calm down. The victim had been taken to hospital, and seven charges have been laid on the out of control man.

Memorial ceremony held today

The Memorial Grove program will hold a ceremony Sunday at the Slovak Legion at 2 pm to commemorate the replanting of almost 400 Memorial grove trees. Chairman Bill Bartley says seeing the trees come down was very difficult for him especially because one of the trees was planted in memory of his late Mother. 385 memorial grove trees had to be removed earlier this summer for maintenance to the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway.