Meet the new boss....

Chuck McPherson has been returned as chief of Couchiching First Nation. McPherson beat out seven other challenges with counting of ballots reportedly going late into the night. Christine Jourdain, Dick Bird, Dan Mainville, Ed Yerxa, Dave Bruyere and Bugsy Morrisseau were elected councillors.

Teen charged in Fort Frances shooting

A Fort Frances teenager is facing several charges including attempted murder following an incident last night at a Trailer Park in that community. OPP were initially called to the area around 6 last night about a missing boy.  Family members later informed police he had been located, but was in possession of a gun. It was later determined that a family member was shot at, but was not injured.  The 14-year-old was eventually located inside a home at the park and taken into custody without incident.

Detectives facing Police Act charges

Three Thunder Bay Police detectives are remaining on active duty as they face Police Act charges of misconduct and unnecessary exercise of authority.   The three are: Detective William Wowchuck, Detective Constable Ron Popowich and Detective Constable Brad Bernst.   It follows an investigation by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director of an arrest they conducted in September of last year.

Not Guilty!

Andre Wareham is a free man. A jury found him not guilty in the death of William Atkins in 2009. Wareham calls the verdict overwhelming and just wants to put it all behind him saying it's been hard but "you have to walk through it all..stand strong, and just see it to the end". When the verdict was read Wareham  had  an expression of great relief.

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Wareham found not guilty

The jury in the Andre Warehem second degree murder trial has come back with a not guilty verdict.  Wareham was facing charges in relation to the 2009 stabbing death of William Atkin.  The verdict came down this morning.

Inflation rate stays the same in T.Bay

Thunder Bay's inflation rate went unchanged last month.  It was 2 percent in December and January.  That's below the national inflation rate of 2.5 percent in January.  Stats Canada released the info this morning.

United Way reaches goal

United Way is pleased as punch after raising it's 2011 fundraising goal.  The campaign wrapped up last night revealing they had raised just over 2.5 million dollars.  They raised around 200 dollars over their goal.

Bombardier awarded for energy savings

Bombardier is setting a energy saving example in the city.  The facility has been given a Platinum Level Energy Savings Award from Thunder Bay Hydro for saving over 50 kilowatts of electricity.  A Spokesperson with the Utility Bill Willis says Bombardier will hopefully encourage other business to save energy.  Willis says Bombardier changed out old light fixtures for new energy efficient ones. 

Commisso touts centralized bargaining

The city manager could be stirring the labour pot with his reaction to the Drummond report to the provincial government. Tim Commisso says the city is interested in understanding more about the reports proposal for volunteered centralized bargaining with police and firefighters.  He says effectively they're already operating under a centralized system in the way they bargain, so it may be the way to go. Meantime Mayor Keith Hobbs goes one step further and says he'd like to see one police force for all of Ontario.

Hobbs goes to bat for Mauro

The Police Services act hearing for Sgt. Jim Mauro is now over. It ended with surprise witness Mayor Keith Hobbs speaking in defence of Mauro. Mauro is charged with two counts of misconduct under the act for a letter he presented to an arbitration hearing. Hobbs testified for about half an hour and called the whole procedure trying to kill a mosquito with an elephant gun . Meantime Mauro's family has issued a critical statement about the procedure and what they term an abuse of power

DSSAB makes it's move

The District Social Services Board is moving locations this weekend.  CAO Melissa Harrison says they'll be in their new building on May Street starting Tuesday.  In the meantime, emergency service will be provided Friday and Tuesday out of the Victoriaville Mall.

NOMA has concerns

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association isn't pleased with Don Drummond's report to the Provincial Government.  Vice President Iain Angus says they don't like Drummond's suggestion that the Government delay by two years the planned upload of 1.5 billion in provincial costs from the municipal property tax base.  The Drummond report was released on Wednesday.

Campbell on Drummond Report

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Drummond Report gives Ontario a chance to move forward. The NDP member says its now up to all parties to ensure that the report is used to lead the Province in the right direction. Campbell is supporting recommendations to revisit the delivery of health care services, the creation of regional hydro utilities and a push to provide fair funding for First Nations' education. She adds that not all recommendations should be acted on, such as scrapping full-day kindergarten.

Rickford on scrapping gun registry

A feather in the cap for Kenora MP Greg Rickford.  The Conservative is beaming today following a vote to abolish the long gun registry passed in the House of Commons last night.  Rickford says it was a moving experience.  Rickford says the Legislation was misguided from day one as it penalized law-abiding citizens.

Gravelle on Drummond Report

The Drummond report on trimming Ontario's 16-billion dollar deficit is being welcomed by Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle. The Natural Resources Minister says the Government has to sit down and take a close look at the 362-recommendations. Gravelle believes there are some recommendations on health care and education which aren't possible.

Stabbing on South Side

Police are investigating a stabbing on the South side of town last night.  A 24 year old man was walking in a lane way off of May Street near Bethune and Cumming Streets when a second man used an unknown object to cut him.  The victim was taken to hospital to get his forearm looked at.  Constable Julie Tilbury says the two men were known to each other.

Taxi driver assaulted

Police are asking taxi drivers to not take the law into their own hands after a driver was assaulted over a fare. Constable Julie Tilbury says this morning a driver was transporting two men and a woman when they tried to flee without paying. The taxi driver grabbed one of the men and struggled with him. The second man attempted to choke the driver. The driver was able to escape unharmed. Police are continuing to investigate.

Hyer and Rafferty to be punished

The Conservative Federal Government has passed its bill to dismantle the national long-gun registry.  The vote was 159 to 130 with Thunder Bay's two New Democrats breaking party ranks to side with the Tory bill.  Interim N-D-P leader Nycole Turmel says John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer will face consequences.  The bill now goes on to the Senate, where a Tory majority ensures passage.  Hyer says frustrating is one of the nice words he'd use to describe Turmel and she's no Jack Layton.  Rafferty says nothing's changed since the first time they voted against party lines and there are no new penalties.

Police taser 25 year old

Police were forced to use a taser on a 25 year old man last night.  Officers were called to the Balsam Street area for an unknown problem, when a man swung at one of the officers with a shovel.  The suspect fled and was located a short distance away, this time the man produced a BBQ fork and attempted to stab the officer.  That's when police tasered the man to the ground.  Both officers and the accused are not injured.  He's charged with assault with a weapon and making threats to kill.

DSSAB budget set at 83 million

Thunder Bay's District Social Services Board will table it's 83 million dollar budget today. CAO Melissa Harrison says it's a 1.5 percent increase from last year's fiscal document  The City's share of the Municipal levy is seventy five percent or just over 18 million dollars.  Harrison thinks board members might choose to defer the budget until next Thursday's meeting.

Heberts tries to reduce tax increase by using reserve funds

Councillor Larry Hebert tried to reduce the budget tax increase by drawing 2.5 million dollars from the Renew Thunder Bay Fund. Hebert didn't like the idea of increasing taxes to fix roads when it could come from the city's reserves. Councillor Foulds argued, that reserve fund is designed to fund legacy projects like the multi-plex. In the end council voted against Hebert's motion.

Council shoots down library budget increase

City Council held another budget meeting Wednesday night and there wasn't much in the way of fireworks.  Councillors seemed to be pretty content to tow the line with not many attempts to make any additions or subtractions.  Councillor Andrew Foulds tried to increase library hours to the tune of an extra 100 thousand dollars but the motion was shot down. 

Book of condolences open at City Hall

A book of condolences is now open at City Hall to allow you to pay your respects to the late Dusty Miller. The former mayor of Thunder Bay died this week at the age of 82. The flags at city hall will be flying at half staff until her funeral.

Chamber prez critical of Drummond report

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson is disappointed the Drummond report to the McGuinty government doesn't pay enough attention to the importance of the Ring of Fire mining development.  Wilson says he would like to see more emphasis on it.   He thinks Drummond may not understand the opportunity the development provides

Report isn't a budget: Mauro

A 700 page report to the McGuinty government provides 362 recommendations to prevent the province from going into a financial abyss.   The Drummond report says overall program spending for every person in the province should be cut by 16 per cent MPP Bill Mauro is quick to point out that the Drummond report is by no means government policy and that it simply provides advice and it's not the budget. Mauro says the report shows that it's a time for restraint in the province.

Wareham trial in final stage

The Andre Wareham murder trial will be going to the jury tomorrow.   Justice Terrance Platana is going to be giving his legal instructions to the 12 members at 11 am.   Wareham faces a second degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of William Atkins in 2009.  Wareham maintains it was self defence.

Police officer fails to show for hearing

A Police Services Act hearing for a Thunder Bay police Sgt. is taking place without the officer or his lawyer.   For the second time in a row Jim Mauro failed to show for the hearing into charges of misconduct.   The hearing officer, Morris Elbers ruled that the hearing will go on without Sgt. Mauro or his lawyer present.

Eight years for Manslaughter

Two Thunder Bay women are going to jail after being sentenced in a manslaughter case.    Joanne Vivier and Michelle Morris pleaded guilty in the death of a Big Trout Lake woman who's body was found in a room at the Arthur Street Travelodge Hotel in September of 2010.   In a Thunder Bay courtroom this morning they were each given a sentence of eight years.

Shoal Lake man dies in Winnipeg

A northwestern Ontario man who was months away from becoming a father is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of this year.  Eighteen-year-old Wahb Mandamin of Shoal Lake First Nation was stabbed near his hotel early yesterday.  He was in the city to accompany his girlfriend to her ultrasound appointment.

STI's in NWO

The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting high rates of sexually transmitted infections in the Kenora and Rainy River districts. The Health Unit's Gillian Lunny says chlamydia and gonorrhea are most commonly detected in the region.

Sexual Assault and Stabbing in Thunder Bay

Police are charging a 37 year old man in connection to two separate incidents this morning.  Sgt. Brain Crocker says they were called to a Park Avenue Apartment building by a woman who was reporting a sexual assault.  Police say the suspect in the sexual assault was also involved in a stabbing on Ambrose Street.  A 37 year old man is being charged in connection to the two incidents.

Former mayor dies

Former Thunder Bay Mayor Dusty Miller is dead. She died on Tuesday after a lenghtly illness. She was the first woman to become the mayor of the city when she was elected for one term in 1978. She was also a councillor for two terms, the first just prior to her election as mayor and the second in 1985. She was noted as a huge supporter of arts and culture. The funeral arrangements are pending.  Dusty Miller, dead at the age of 82.

Haircut incident now settled

A dispute over an impromptu haircut given to a Aboriginal student at McKellar Park School is now settled. The incident caused a furor and ended up with a top Toronto lawyer taking the case on behalf of the family. However Bruce Nugent of the Lakehead Public School Board says the terms of the deal are a secret, but both sides are satisfied with the outcome.  The incident took place in almost three years ago.

Murder trial about to go to jury

The Andre Wareham murder trial is winding down. The prosecution and the defence have completed presenting their evidence, which included testimony from the accused himself. Wednesday morning Steven Hinkson will be giving his final summation to the jury followed by the Crown's Rob Kozak. That is expected to take until the lunch break. From there it will be up to Justice Terrance Platana to given his instructions or as it's known in legal terms, his charge to the jury. Whether that will be Wednesday or on Thursday isn't clear. When that's complete it will be up to the jury to decide whether Andre Wareham killed William Atkins in self defence or whether he is guilty of second degree murder.

Border towns work for recognition

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to give recognition to the relationship between Fort Frances and International Falls. Speaking to Fort council last night, Falls city administrator Rod Otterness says the two cities deserve to have July 2nd proclaimed by their leaders as Peaceful Border Day. The day coincides with the annual tug of war between the two cities.

Wareham faces prosecutor

Wareham is claiming self defence in the 2010 stabbing death of William Atkins. This morning the prosecution tried to show an inconsistency between what Wareham told the jury yesterday and what he told a 911 operator right after the stabbing. In Court Monday,  Wareham testified about being kneed in the face repeatedly while he was stabbing Atkins, while he told the 911 operator he was being booted, or kicked in the face. Wareham explained he was hysterical at the time of the call.

Botanical Conservatory closed

Thunder Bay's Centennial Botanical Conservatory is closed for two months time because of glass that has fallen from the ceiling. General Manager Michael Smith says the closure takes effect at noon today. City staff will take safety precautions while they work at the Conservatory to maintain the plants. A feasibility study on the facility will come before Council this Spring.

Dilico holds addiction conference

Dilico Family Services is trying to empower area First Nation leaders with knowledge on how to help their residents dealing with addictions.  A 2 day conference on drug addiction kicked off this morning in Thunder Bay and Spokesperson Rose Pittis says they've provided conference goers with takeaway tools.  The conference will wrap up tomorrow at the Victoria Inn.

Kidnapping at the Greyhound

Police are investigating a kidnapping at the Greyhound last night. Staff Seargent Frank Earley says two men grabbed another that was standing inside the bus terminal. They forced him into a waiting truck; shortly after a man was reported going door to door in the White Park Road area asking for help. Police located the two men in the truck at the Can-Op gas bar on Oliver Road. They're charged with kidnapping, assault, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

Paterson Park Could be revitalized

A grant could mean some updating in the near future for Paterson Park.  The City has received 30 thousand dollars from the 8-80 Cities program and the Provincial Government and is looking at Paterson Park as a target for revitalization.  Councillor Mark Bentz says Paterson Park is a gateway to the south downtown but is showing its age and needs a face lift.

Manshield Construction will finish off Phase 1 of waterfront

Manshield Construction is getting the call to complete the remainder of work on Phase 1 of the waterfront.  City Council approved a proposal that will hand the company the 3.2 million dollar contract.  City Manager Tim Commisso says the city prefers a tender method to award contracts on a competitive basis but in a case like this it makes sense to award the contract to the company already on scene.  Manshield is also the contractor who will be building the private portion of the project.

Interim Operating Model in place for Waterfront

City Council is happy with the current operating model being used at the waterfront.  Law Makers approved the interim operating plan Monday night and Community and Emergency Services Manager Greg Alexander says it will costs 690 thousand dollars until the private sector completes its side of the project.  He says when the hotel and condos are complete the city should turn a nice profit on the waterfront but there isn't a timeline on when the developer will begin work.

Local company fined by MNR

A Thunder Bay company is paying a hefty fine for building an airstrip on crown land.  Marten Falls Logistics, cut down 5 and a half hectares of forest north of Geraldton without provincial approval.  The company was fined 27 thousand dollars cutting down the trees and leaving them there. 

No injuries in fire

No one is injured following a fire on the two hundred block of Poplar Street Monday afternoon. Fire Platoon Chief Kim Hutch says it happened in the back yard of a two story house when some wood caught fire. Damage is minimal and the cause isn't known.

MP's warn of riding changes

Our local Members of Parliament are trying to start a grassroots awareness campaign about riding re-distribution in Canada. John Rafferty predicts that Northern Ontario may lose a seat before the next election as a result of it. Rafferty says, among other things, larger ridings in the north would make them more difficult for MP's to represent.

Police arrest one in car theft

A 15 year old teen is charged with stealing a car from a North Marks Street home over the weekend.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they chased the vehicle along a section of the Rosslyn Road and later found the vehicle abandoned on Confederation Drive.  The teen is charged with possession of stolen property, dangerous driving, flight from police and breach of probation.

Police targeting underage drinking

City police are cracking down on people buying alcohol for teenagers.  Officers charged 5 people outside the Thunder Centre LCBO for buying liquor for people under 19 years old.  Police say they are trying to cut down the amount of underage drinking in the intercity area. 

Jury sees graphic evidence at murder trial

The Andre Wareham second degree murder trial is into it's second week.  The trial jury looked at autopsy photos of William Atkins on Monday.  They were given detailed explanations by pathologist Dr. Nicholas Escott,  who noted Atkin's body had five stab wounds, three to the abdomen and one each to his arm and leg.  Dr. Escott says the cause of death was all the blood he lost as the result of those stab wounds.  Wareham is charged with second degree murder in Atkin's 2010 death.

Attawapiskat house trailers

Attawapiskat may have to wait a bit longer before it gets two new house trailers it's been promised.  Officials are concerned the sites chosen for the trailers haven't been prepared yet.  They're worried the road to the remote community will close before the trailers and building supplies arrive.  The First Nation is battling a severe housing crisis and declared a state of emergency last fall.

Man Pleads Guilty to Arson

The Ontario Court of Justice has sentenced 45 year-old Daniel Paul Smith with 7 years in custody excluding his time served at the District Jail. The Thunder Bay man plead guilty in connection to a fire on Robertson Street in November of last year.