MNR study

A Ministry of Natural Resources study gives anglers some credit in keeping walleye stocks healthy in Northwestern Ontario. The habits of anglers in 157 walleye lakes were received. Researcher Len Hunt says they did prove that lakes close to anglers do face fishing pressures. The study also disproved a theory that anglers target the best lakes until fish populations go in decline.

Northern Woods fire

Firefighters are saying cutting torches that were used by salvage company employees were responsible for the start of the fire at the old Northern Woods lumber mill on Saturday. The fire was under control by 1 pm. 4 pumpers and an aerial platform were used to extinguish the fire. Damage is said to be minimal and no firefighters were injured on the scene.

Assault in South side

A 20 year old man is in Thunder Bay Hospital following an alleged aggravated assault. Thunder Bay police responded to a call in the city's south side just after 6 pm on Saturday. A 22 year old man will appear in court today. Police say there were no weapons involved.

Golf Links Rd. closed today

A heads up for motorists travelling in the Golf Links Road area today. Thunder Bay Hydro Spokesperson Eileen Dias says they're closing that road between Central and Oliver today until 6 pm. Hydro is setting poles in the area. Burwood is the alternate road for Golf Links.

Gate night warning

Ghosts and goblins will be out this weekend, but local police will be keeping an eye out for other mischief makers. Constable Julie Tillburry says it's gate night in the city, traditionally an evening of lots of minor incidents of vandalism. Tillburry says there will be an increased police presence on the streets.

Forest fire season over?

The forest fire season officially comes to an end on Monday, but there will likely be fires still burning across the Northwest. 8 lightning-caused fires are still active inside Quetico Provincial Park. Jennifer Young of the Ministry of Natural Resources says the fires are being monitored and none are posing any threat. Young says a fire management plan for the park allows fires to burn in certain areas to help regenerate the forest.

Fire at Northern Woods

Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that broke out early Saturday morning at the old Northern Woods lumber mill. District Chief Gilles Tellier says they will remain on the scene until they take care of the last few hot spots. Firefighters responded to the call just after 5 o'clock this morning. There have been no injuries reported and the cause is unknown at this time.

Latest Macs robbery

Another Macs convenience store was robbed early Saturday morning. Police say this time it was the Victoria/Waterloo street location. The culprit threatened the the store clerk with a weapon, then made a clean getaway. No one was hurt in the incident.

Hyer wants replacement post office

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is calling on Canada Post to find a replacement location for the Dorion post office. The current postal outlet is set to close at the end of November due to highway construction. So far no replacement location has been announced.

Traffic delays expected on Monday

Motorists may experience some delays Monday morning as three 60 tonne pieces of a mill will be hauled through the city. Michael Anderson is the President of the moving company and says traffic delays could be experienced on the Harbour expressway.  The parts are being transported to a Timmins Mill.

Airport increasing fees in 2012

Thunder Bay's Airport is increasing it's landing, terminal and bridge fees.  President Scott McFadden says it's a necessary rise in costs.  The rate changes will come into effect in 2012.

Mac's robberies continue

No one is hurt following the latest Mac's Convenience store robbery.  Police say it took place this morning at the May and Dease location. They say a masked man armed with scissors robbed the clerk of money and cigarettes.

Tembec and MOE bury the hatchet

The battle involving the idled Tembec Mill site in Marathon appears to be over. A provincial tribunal has accepted an agreement between the province and the company on the environmental cleanup. Environment Ministry spokesperson Lisa Brygadier  says the company now has deadlines to meet.  Brygadier says if the terms of the agreement aren't met, previous ministry orders will be forced on the company again.

Festive train coming back

A popular family oriented fundraiser is coming back to Northwestern Ontario for another year. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will roll into Thunder Bay December 2nd . Spokesperson Kevin Hrysak says they will once again be collecting food and money for area Food Banks.

Cross Country Skiing in T.Bay

The Thunder Bay National Development Centre Cross Country Ski team is hoping to increase its profile. They kicked off the season by unveiling this year's squad yesterday and Coach Eric Bailey says its time the sport started taking centre stage in Thunder Bay.

Aboriginal Health Care Conference Friday

Thunder Bay is playing host to an Aboriginal Health Care conference Friday.  First Nations and Hospital staff from across Ontario will be discussing what they're doing to improve the quality of Aboriginal health care.  Ontario Hospital Association Spokesperson Lina Lopez says they'll be hearing from a variety of speakers including reps from Sioux Lookout's Meno Ya Win Health Centre.

Campbell wants to work with Gravelle

Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle can expect a call from Sarah Campbell in the very near future. The Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Natural Resources and NDP Aboriginal critic says she's anxious to sit down with the Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP to share ideas. The former Thunder Bay resident believes the Northwest will benefit by having two local MPP's working together.

Police Chief weighs in on homicide rate

Thunder Bay's Police Chief says social issues are the reason why we are being called the murder capital of Canada. JP Levesque says it isn't as bad as it sounds because the stats are all based on murders per 100 thousand people.

Lakehead ranks 11th in Canadian Universities survey

Lakehead University's President isn't overly concerned with where his school ranks in a Maclean's magazine survey.  Dr. Brian Stevenson says the school moved up a spot and now sits at 11 tied with two other Canadian schools.  Lakehead ranks second among the five undergraduate universities in Ontario.

Mauro talks city road contracts

At least one city road contract is not going to be completed this year. Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says there will be some asphalt work which will have to be carried over into next season. However Mauro says there's no indication that road work is overly delayed as suggested by one city councillor.

Murder rate not alarming to Hobbs

Keith Hobbs says he doesn't take much stock in statistics.  That's why the Mayor's not overly alarmed about our city being rated as the murder capital of the county by Statistics Canada.   Hobbs says the city is working to get to the root of our violence issues...specifically drug and alcohol abuse.

Mac's considers options

Mac's Convenience Stores in Thunder Bay may be changing the way they operate as the result the recent rash of robberies.   Company spokesperson Sean Sportun says that a variety of ideas have been considered including experimenting with a buzzer system along with reconsidering which stores should stay open 24-7.

Stats Can says T.Bay has the highest homicide rate

Thunder Bay has earned a not so flattering title.  Statistics Canada has crowned the City the deadliest in the Nation in 2010.  For the second year in a row, Thunder Bay has the highest homicide rate in the nation.

Stone balloon animals unleashed on waterfront

Prince Arthur's Landing is now home to 10 stone balloon animals. Public Art Coordinator Reana Mussato says kids played an important part in picking the art work. Granite from Vermillion Bay was used in some of the structures.

Police examining cold case

Thunder Bay Police are dusting off a cold case from 1985.  October 26th marks the 26th anniversary of the death of Kip James Hallow.  Hallow's body was discovered on Vickers Street North at Weigand Avenue just before 2 am. Police believe his death was a result from injuries sustained in a hit and run.  Officers are remapping the location of the original incident Wednesday at 3.

Mac's officials continue to meet in T.Bay

Thunder Bay Police and Mac's Mart Officials continue to meet this afternoon to talk about the recent string of store robberies.  Detective Inspector Phil Levesque says he knows Mac's Mart isn't in favour of a buzzer system but they will continue to push for a similar system.  Other safety precautions discussed include clearing the clutter from store windows.

Long Gun Registry Challenge

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has issued a challenge to his fellow Members of Parliament from Northern Ontario.  Rickford says he wants them to support the government's legislation to abolish the long gun registry.  Rickford expects the legislation could be passed sometime early in the new year.

Wanted Quebecers caught here

A couple wanted on Canada wide warrants, are back in Quebec after being captured in Thunder Bay this week.   The OPP say police in Longlac  originally contacted them about the two and requested the help of police here who picked them up after they got off a Greyhound bus.

OLG quarterly payout

The latest payout to the city of Thunder Bay from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is 640 thousand dollars.   That quarterly sum amounts to 5 per cent of the revenue from the slot machines at the local casino

Police face teen with knife

City police are reporting an encounter with a knife wielding teenager Tuesday night.  They say that it was after they went to  a call at a north side address.  They say the youth met them at the door holding a knife and refused to put it down.  Police were able to subdue him and take the 15 year old into custody.

Mac's Officials meet with CPC

Meetings between the Crime Prevention Council and Mac's Mart officials are being described as productive. Acting Coordinator Sheila Hendrick says the company expressed an interest in becoming part of the community surrounding their stores. Hendrick says she will continue to meet with the two local Mac's Mart representatives.   Mac's Mart officials met with police and the council to discuss the recent rash of store robberies.

City budget meeting in the books

Just a handful of people turned out to an open house on the City's budget directions for the next two years.  Anne Ostrum says she understands the City has an infrastructure shortfall that needs to be taken care of.  City Manager Tim Commisso says people are concerned about the possibility of taxes being raised to help pay for the rising infrastructure deficit.  The comments from the meeting will be brought to council November 28th.

Raffery wants to hear from his constituents

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is going to let his constituents do the talking on the latest legislation to scrap the gun registry.  Rafferty says he wants to hear from the public.  The new legislation includes a clause to destroy the records collected through the registry.

NAN looking at gardening to increase healthy eating

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation wants healthy food at affordable prices for their people.  Spokesperson Joseph Leblanc says that's why they're holding a food symposium looking at reintroducing gardening to First Nation communities.  Farmers from across the Northwest are sharing their trade secrets with NAN and helping them create community gardens.

Legion isn't happy about Federal Cuts

The Federal Government's proposed 226-million dollar cut to Veteran's Affairs isn't sitting well with everyone.  Roy Lamore is the past president of the Port Arthur Legion and says if these cuts go through it will mean less benefits for future veterans. MPs are currently studying the funding cut.

Mission Nutrition enjoys a successful 2nd year

From humble beginnings to smashing expectations a new food drive is making waves in Thunder Bay.  Nicole Konkin with the Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre says this year's Mission Nutrition Food Drive made huge strides in only its second year.  She says their first attempt at a food drive didn't even collect one can.  Now in its second year 4 Chiropractic offices hope to collect 4 thousand pounds of food and smashed their goals.  Konkin says 3 of the offices have made their collections and so far over 4400 pounds of food has been collected for the hungry in Thunder Bay.   Konkin says the community support has been overwhelming.  The Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre, along with Santin Chiropractic, Doctor Lila Coulter of the Healthy Families Wellness Centre or Doctor Christina Peterson at Jessiman Family Chiropractic took part in this year's food drive.

Mauro repeats wind farm concerns

The cat is out of the bag. A letter to two cabinet ministers from MPP Bill Mauro about the proposed Horizon Wind Farm has been leaked. In it Mauro asks Environment Minister Jim Bradley and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle  to turn thumbs down to the project.  He says it was important to remind Gravelle that his predecessor had concerns with the project as they related to the peregrine falcon population.  Mauro feels it was important to get the two ministers up to speed.

Behavior issues tackled by Catholic Board

The Catholic School Board is about to embark on a new policy to help students with behavior problems. Director of Eduction Joan Powell says the policy received preliminary approval from trustees last night. It's hoped formal approval can be given in about a month or so. The board is also looking at new cell phone rules for staff and visitors at it's schools. Powell says the new policy will make texting and talking during school hours a no-no, putting everyone on the same level as students.

Mac's robbery foiled by feisty female

A female customer is a hero today after she helped to capture a person who was holding up the Mac's Convenience Store at Arthur and Syndicate around 4 o'clock this morning. Police say she held back the culprit as he was beating on the clerk.  A cab driver who was outside witnessed the incident and called police who came and arrested a 25 year old man who appears in court today.

Gun registry bill to be introduced

The Federal Government is introducing another bill to scrap the long gun registry. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says they've kept the bill closely under wraps. Rafferty adds he doesn't know if today's bill will look anything like the previous bills that aimed to scrap the registry.

Cell Tower resolution fails

A call for administration to work with the health unit to look into the health impacts of cell phone towers died last night.  Instead Council voted in favour of creating a standard notice for the public that let's them know when a cell phone tower is going to be placed in their neighbourhood.

Council grills Police Chief on deficit

Thunder Bay's Police Department's million dollar budget deficit didn't go unnoticed at Monday night's council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and several other councillors expressed their displeasure and worry over the announcement that was made last week at a Police board meeting.  The cost over runs are being blamed on overtime and legal fees.

Tax ratio changes on hold

The City's tax ratios are staying the course for now.  City lawmakers are holding off on implementing a four million dollar shift from business to residential tax payers.  Councillor Mark Bentz says property owners won't stand for what's being proposed.  A decision will be made on whether to approve the changes at a December council meeting.

Regenerative Medicine Report due in November

City Council will have to wait to be updated on the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine project.  The city provided five hundred thousand dollars towards the implementation of a business strategy for the centre.  Administration will bring a report back to council on November 28th.

Council holds off on Bending Lake Iron

Thunder Bay City Council is holding off on throwing its support behind Bending Lake Iron's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace. Speaking Monday night, Chief Executive Officer Henry Wetelainen says it's OK that council needs some time to digest the information he's provided them. Bending Lake Iron is asking for support as part of its environmental assessment process. Council will vote on a resolution of support at it's November 7th meeting.

T.Bay lands Can-Am Police Fire Games

Thunder Bay has beaten out several large American cities to host the 2016 Can-Am Police Fire games.  The games will be held in the Lakehead July 2nd to 10th, and will bring in more than a thousand competitors.  Police Chief JP Levesque says the games are expected to bring in over 5 million dollars in economic activity. 

Pukaskwa Park: The Movie

Parks Canada is paying tribute to Pukaskwa Park in film.  Spokesperson Nancy Saunders says "A Park for all Seasons" is going to play at Thunder Bay's SilverCity on November 13th.  You can purchase your tickets online at cineplex.ca

Half a million dollars worth of durgs seized

Police have made a major drug bust at Boulevard Lake.  Officials says officers saw a 31 year old man known to be involved in the drug trade walking near the lake last Tuesday.  The man fled police but was quickly found.  Officers found a back pack on the man with half a million dollars worth of cocaine.

PETA weighs in on deer issue

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is urging our city councillors not to choose bow hunting as a method to control the deer population.  PETA's Kristen Simon says it's one of the cruelest forms of hunting since bow hunters routinely spend hours tracking the bloody trails of deer who are stuck by arrows,  before finding them.  She says the simple solution would be not to feed the animals.

Protesters "occupy" City Hall

From Waverly Park to Donald Street.  The Occupy Thunder Bay protesters brought their "make the rich pay" message to City Hall Sunday.  About 50 took part including MP Bruce Hyer and Councillor Paul Pugh.   The protest is part of the Canadian offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon that has spread across the world.