Premier Tells Hobbs Help Is On The Way

Premier Dalton McGuinty is responding to Mayor Keith Hobbs' pleas for disaster relief funding. McGuinty sent out a letter to Hobbs today saying several officials from provincial ministries and agencies are on the ground working with city staff on assessing damages. McGuinty pledges there will be financial assistance from Ontario. The letter ends saying the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will be in the City Friday.

Grassy Narrows Man Murdered

A 22 year old Grassy Narrows man is dead and one man is in custody. Treaty Three Police say they were called to an incident at the First Nation Community near Kenora on Monday. Currently in custody is a 19 year old who has the same last name as the victim. He was arrested Monday and has been charged with Second Degree Murder and Assault with a Weapon. He will appear in a Kenora court tomorrow.

L.U. Athletes Help Flood Victims

Lakehead University basketball teams are going back to volunteer with flood relief efforts in the East End. Firefighter's Association President Eric Nordlund says he was really impressed with the women's team in their first clean-up effort. Plans are in place for a large group of L.U. men's and women's players to help residents in the East End again today.

President's Breakfast A Success

The President of Confederation College is a more than happy with the turnout. Jim Madder hosted the first annual President's breakfast this morning and had an audience of 340. He spoke for half an hour about the college and its role within the community and how the institution is adapting to its needs with a specific focus on the mining sector.

Water Restrictions Could Be Lifted Monday

There may be an end in sight to the voluntary water restrictions in the city. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says they'll wait to see how much rain falls on the weekend then reassess the situation on Monday.  Matson says that water conservation efforts by the public have helped.

Bending Lake Has High Hopes For Mine

A $900 million mining development is in the works for Northwestern Ontario. The construction of the iron mine near Ignace is expected to begin in 2015, where close to 1-thousand workers will be needed to complete the project. Thunder Bay's Bending Lake Iron hopes to have the mine in full production in 2017.

Emergency Operations News Conference June 7, 2012 10 AM

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Assault With A Weapon Charges Laid

A 28 year old man is to appear in court this morning facing two counts of assault with a weapon. Police say a 23 year old was cut several times in a South ward apartment, over what is believed to be a dispute over drugs. The man was sent to hospital and later released.

In a separate incident, police have a 30 year in custody and is to appear in court this morning facing an assault with a weapon charge. He allegedly refused to pay cab fare and sent the 52 year old driver to hospital, where he was later released.  

Roads Opening Again

O.P.P. say Forbes River Road is open again. The road was closed after the flood and has since been reopened in both directions. Provincial Police are also saying Silver Falls road is back open. It too was closed because of the flooding.

7 New Forest Fires

It's a sign the forest fire hazard is on the rise. Seven new fires started in Northwestern Ontario yesterday. One started in the Fort Frances District and Six started in the Sioux Lookout District. The fire hazard is listed as "Extreme" in the Southwest portion of the region and "Moderate" in most other sectors.

Cats Streak Snapped

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are having a tough time on the road. They lost 6-2 in Mankato to the Moondogs last night. They are 3 and 5 on the year, but have only 1 win away from Subway field.

OPP Say Forbes River Road Is Open

OPP say Forbes River Road is open again.  The road was closed after the flood and has since been reopened in both directions.

Still No End To Water Restrictions

City officials appear no closer to announcing an end to volunteer water restrictions than they were when the flood crisis started. Following a media tour of the sewage treatment plant spokesperson Darrell Matson said that there is no way to tell when the plant will be fixed to the point where the state of emergency can be lifted and residents can resume their normal water usage. Meantime
Matson is looking at the forecast which predicts five days of rain starting on Friday.
Video:  Looking down you can see the underground portion of the plant which was entirely submerged almost right up to the opening.  Also note the two empty locations where the engines were flooded out.

LRCA Ends Flood Watch

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has ended the flood warning for Thunder Bay, Oliver Paipoonge and Conmee.  Staff are continuing to monitor conditions on the Kam River as part of its flood forecasting program.

Scotiabank Donates To Flood

Another bank is deciding to donate cash to Thunder Bay's flood relief efforts.  Scotiabank says they've provided 10-thousand dollars to the cause.  The money is being provided to the Red Cross.

Thunder Bay Tourism Summer Season Bright

Thunder Bay is expected to have a good tourism season this summer. Manager Paul Pepe says they expect modest returns from the motorcycle tourist market. Pepe says despite a downturn in the American economy they expect to see an increase in tourist visits.

Health Unit Holds Tetanus Shot Clinic

The Health Unit wants people who are involved in flood clean up to make sure their immunizations are up to date and get a tetanus shot.  They'll be holding a free immunization clinic Thursday from four until seven at St. Peters Church in the East End.  The Health Unit is worried people may get scratches and scrapes during clean up that could lead to lock-jaw.

New Tourism Videos Launched

Tourism Thunder Bay is launching it's new all season promotional videos.  Tourism Manager Paul Pepe adds you can play a part in future videos by submitting footage you've shot to the City's YouTube page.  Imaginarium Studio's produced the three video's. Pepe says area hotels and the Border Cats baseball team will be using the videos in their establishments. To check out more videos click here.

Mayor Presses Province For Declaration

The mayor is getting a bit impatient with the province's delay in declaring Thunder Bay a disaster area. Keith Hobbs says he's been trying to light a fire under some local politicians. Hobbs says he spoke with MPP Bill Mauro and pointed out that a disaster was declared in one day in Goderich after its tornado, and it's been nine days here. Speaking of politicians, NDP leader Andrea Horwath is going to tour the flood area on Friday.

NAN Grand Councillor Chief Re-elected

Chief Patrick Madahbee is celebrating a re-election today. The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Executive Council announced Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee who was elected to a second term yesterday at the opening day of the annual general assembly of Anishinabek Nation chiefs.

Emergency Operations News Conference June 6, 2012 10 AM

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Highway Closures Wednesday

The Ministry of Transportation still has a number of Highway closures due to washouts. Highway 11/17 is closed between Highway 130 and Fraser Road and between Highway 590 and Highway 102. The M.T.O. is hoping to have Highway 11/17 re-opened fully by Friday.

L.U. Basketball Players Help Flood Victims

A group of Lakehead University Thunderwolves basketball players are giving back to the community that supports them. Joseph Jones and Lyndsay Druery spearheaded an effort that saw a total of seven athletes join in and help those in the East End who are trying to recover from last week's flood. Athletes are planning a return trip to the East End Thursday with even more volunteers.

Police & Fire Investigate Potential Arson

City police are looking into a potential arson this morning.  Police say a shed burned on the 100 block of East Frederica. A fire inspector will be at the scene later this morning to investigate. Police will take over the investigation if arson is the cause.

Man Dies After Being Hit By Train

20 year old Matthew Boven is dead followig a train-vehicle collission in Emo.  Police say the crash occurred at a controlled railway crossing.  Boven was pulled from the vehicle and transfered to Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.  OPP and CN Railway Police are investigating but note that the lights at the crossing were working properly.

Delatte Taken By Jays In MLB Draft

A former Border Cat is now is the Toronto Blue Jays organization.   Pitcher Brad Delatte was selected in the fifth round by the Jays in Major League Baseball's first year player draft.  Delatte pitched for the Cats in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

No Local Pushback Over G-S-I's

There will be no resistance from the Catholic Church in the Thunder Bay Diocese to the province's new anti-bullying law.  Bishop Fred Colli says the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances in catholic schools will not be opposed, however he doesn't believe the alliances are the only way to combat homophobia in schools.

Organizations Donate To Flood

Two more banks are throwing money into the Red Cross's fundraising efforts for Thunder Bay. The National Bank is providing 10-thousand dollars for flood relief as is the CIBC. National Bank will also collect donations from the public in all its Ontario branches for a month starting Wednesday. Meanwhile, the latest organization to lend a helping hand is Canada's Lutheran World Relief. They'll be asking their supporters for donations.

Urban Resource Page In New Phone Book

Thunder Bay's Urban Aboriginal Strategy is now in the Thunder Bay phone book.  This year's directory will include an Access to Social Services page that includes a contact list of aboriginal resources in the community.

Community Foundation Hands Out Cash

Thunder Bay's Community Foundation is providing over 45-thousand dollars in scholarships and bursaries to this year's batch of high school graduates. 15 students will be sharing the Community Foundation's cash.

Border Cats Beat Alexandria Tuesday

Thunder Bay's Border Cats made quick work of the Alexandria Beetles.  They beat the visiting team this afternoon 7 to 1.  The Cats are now 3-4 on the young Northwoods League Season.

Police Charge 19 Year Old With First Degree Murder

A 19 year old inmate at the Correctional Centre is facing a first degree murder charge after a fight with a fellow inmate.  Lac Seul resident Adam Mark Capay is charged in the death of 35 year old Sherman Quisses who passed away yesterday in hospital.  Results are pending from a post mortem that took place in Toronto.  Capay will be back in court tomorrow.

Thunder Pride Is Back

Thunder Bay will be showing it's pride this summer and holding it's second annual alternative lifestyle week.  Spokesperson Tom Boland says the week long event will celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. To check out dates and locations of events you can click here.

Plea Goes Out To Absent Homeowners

City officials want to get in touch with flood victims who have asked for help , but have disappeared. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says these people have requested their damaged homes be cleaned up and repaired, but now they are nowhere to be found. In other flood related news, the Red Cross is slowly starting to take over operations at St. Peter's Church and plan to set up a new help centre as well.

Emergency Operations News Conference June 5, 2012 10 AM

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Cats Win Home Opener

The Thunder Bay Border Cats opened at home for the 10th time in team history last night with a 7-3 win over the Alexandria Beetles. The Cats now have a record of 2 and 4 on the season. Game two of that series goes this morning at 11:05 at Subway field.

City Sets Up Flood Relief Fund

Thunder Bay City Council is moving a half-million dollars from their savings to a new flood relief fund.  Money in the fund will be used to cover cleaning up the homes of flood victims and covering their insurance claims.  City Manager Tim Commisso says no Provincial or Federal funds will flow until the Province declares Thunder Bay a disaster area.  Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Relief team came to the City Monday to asses the flood and decide if it`s a disaster area.

Health Unit Reports Respiratory Illness After Flood

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is reporting some people in the City being sent to the hospital with respiratory illness after last week's flood.  Public Health Inspector Chris Beveridge says 10 people seeked treatment at the Health Sciences Centre recently.  Beveridge reminds residents to take precautions with plastic masks,gloves and goggles while cleaning up their flood damaged homes.

Matson & Crew Provide Council With Flood Update

Good news for the beleaguered sewage treatment plant.  General Manager Darryl Matson says they were able to get one of their 5 pumps running.  The pump has been running since Monday afternoon.  The temporary pumping stations are being powered down since they no longer can reach the sewage and water that needs to be pumped out.  Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Relief team came to the City Monday to asses living conditions and the status of the emergency.

LU Researcher Gets Cash

A Lakehead University Researcher is getting funding for his work into safer driving.  Dr. Michel Bedard and his fellow researcher received almost 400 thousand dollars for their work creating a training program for testing drivers age 65 and over.

Inmate Dies In Hospital

A quarrel between two inmates at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre has ended with one of them dead. Thunder Bay Police say 35 year old Sherman Quisses passed away in hospital after receiving an injury from a sharp object. Acting Detective Inspector Don Lewis says charges are pending for the 19 year old inmate who is believed to be involved in the incident. The fight broke out in the sleeping area of the centre just before 5 in the morning Sunday.

Clement Defends Conservative Environmental Record

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is defending his Government's environmental record.  Clement was in Thunder Bay today and touted his government's resource development plan which he feels will clear the red tape for the Ring of Fire.  Meanwhile, Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty was in attendance and says the Conservatives are promoting their resource plan as away to distract residents from their environmental record.

City To Face Class Action Suit

The city is being put on notice that there's a class action lawsuit being started over the flooding of city basements. Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff already has one plaintiff on board and wants more to join. He says the city should have known that it's sewage treatment plant wouldn't work.  None of the claims have been proven in court. City Manager Tim Commisso says he will not comment on the matter.

City Update Emergency Situation

The Emergency Operations Control Group is updating the city's state of emergency.  Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson says the flood situation has moved to the top of the agenda for tonight's council meeting where they will be asking for a half-million dollars in initial cash to help set-up the City of Thunder Bay district relief fund. In other flood news, Manager of Infrastructure, Darrell Matson says he hopes one of the main pumps at the water treatment plant will be operational today. Meanwhile Lakehead University announced 160 residence beds will open to those displaced by the flooding. Currently there are more than 300 workers associated with the flood staying there.

Grandma Tells Harrowing Flood Tale

702 Atlantic Ave.

Just call him the miracle baby of this flood. Deven Kimbers is likely alive today thanks to a baby monitor and the instincts of his grandmother Janet Barber. Barber says she was in her home at 702 Atlantic Avenue early last Monday when she heard a toy squeaking through the baby monitor and went downstairs thinking the worst but found the 18 month old alive in his crib which was floating an teetering in the water. Barber says she has nightmares about the event over what could have happened.

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Emergency Operations News Conference June 4, 2012 10 AM

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Cats Swept

The Thunder Bay Border Cats were swept by Rochester over the weekend, losing 5-1 yesterday in the finale. The Cats come home with a 1 and 4 record heading into their home opener tonight against Alexandria. The first pitch is set for 7:05 at Subway Field

Report On Bike Lane Safety

City Law makers will get to hear how safe the bike lanes on Victoria Ave. and Court Street are. Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says they'll present the findings of a third party company that studied the make up of the two routes. Krupper hopes the document will help put the public's mind at rest over the safety of the bike lanes.

Inmate Assaulted And Listed In Critical Condition

Thunder Bay Police are investigating an assault between two inmates at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre. One of the inmates had to be taken to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with critical injuries. Police say the family has been notified of the assault. The second individual is now under investigation by Thunder Bay Police for the assault.

3 Deaths Investigated Near Kenora

Kenora O.P.P. are investigating the deaths of three people over the weekend. A 58 year old Winnipeg man died when his motorcycle crashed into a rock cut on Highway 11-17 near Caribou Lake. 2 American men are dead after their boat crashed into the shore on Ash Bay on Lake of the Woods. A Canadian man, also on board is in hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Source Of Sewage Plant Problems Still A Mystery

City officials are still perplexed over why the city's sewage treatment plant got flooded after last week's rainstorm. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says there is still water flowing into the plant at a healthy rate.  They are working feverishly to find out exactly where that water is coming from and intent to use underwater cameras to get a closer look.  Meantime, the State of Emergency continues as does the voluntary water restrictions.

Crisis Could Last Months: Johnson

It's day 8 of the State of Emergency in Thunder Bay following last week's massive rainstorm. City Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the crisis, especially in the East End, is far from over.  She expects it will take months to finish off with over 450 homes that need to be repaired.  City Councillors are expected to discuss disaster relief funding at Monday's meeting.

Fire Chief Calls Out East End Landlords

City landlords with property in the East End are being called out by Fire Chief John Hay. He says many tenants who are victims of the flooding have been left to fend for themselves during the current crisis. He says landlords or the property agents should be there to take care of their tenants needs during this crisis. Hay says the concerns stem from the public meetings held on the weekend.

Looting A Concern During Flood Crisis

The spectre of looting in the East End is raising its ugly head in the midst of the flooding crisis. City Manager Tim Commisso confirms that there has been some as residents there struggle at the lowest point in their lives.   Police Chief J-P Levesque will give an update on the looting at  Monday's morning news conference

Emergency Operations News Conference June 3, 2012 2:00 PM

Live broadcast by Ustream

Still No Answers To Plant Flooding

While the city is making progress getting its crippled sewage treatment plant up and running, there is still one big mystery. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says they still don't know how flood waters managed to make it into the plant...but they are hoping some get some answers shortly. Meantime the city is still asking residents of Thunder Bay to conserve water

Raw Emotions Show At Public Meeting

There is still mass frustration and desperation from the victims in the East End who have been hit by basement flooding. About 600 people showed up at the Slovak Legion for a public meeting put on by the city and the emotions showed. Some felt helpless and cried as they explained the trials they were going through.  Others at the meeting felt the city was too slow to act

Public Meeting For Flood Victims At Slovak Legion Sat. June 2, 2012

Audio improves at 19:03