Green Party Weighs In On Ring Of Fire

The Leader of the Ontario Green Party feels the Liberals are mishandling the development of the Ring of Fire. The green party leader spoke out recently about the project noting his party supports mining development when it's done right. Mike Schreiner says the Government is rushing the project through. Schreiner says the mineral resources found in the Ring of Fire aren't going anywhere and there isn't a need to rush the process.

Fair Starts Tomorrow

Time is running out to get your advance tickets for the CLE fair.  Metro will be selling the wrist band and admission tickets up until 9 Tuesday night.  CLE Spokesperson Lawrence Timko says they're ready to open the fair gates Wednesday at noon.  The fair runs until Sunday at midnight.

MNR Says Goodbye To Out Of Town Crews

M.N.R. officials are letting fire crews from out of province head home after the forest fire situation eased over the weekend.   The Ministry of Natural Resources say one new fire started on Sunday near Lake of the Woods near Kenora.  Out of province resources from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick were released from the Northwest Region assignment over the weekend.  Contract crews are also being released from fires. These resources provided support to the Northwest Region during the peak of fire activity.

Border Cats Cap Off Trip With Win

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are in desperation Mode. They won 10-5 yesterday on the road Against Rochester. They now have an off day today before beginning their final 3 game home stand of the regular season against Duluth. The Border Cats are 4 1/2 games back in the North Division with 5 games left to play.

Little League Update

The Thunder Bay All-Stars will play Lethbridge today in the semi-final in Regina at the Canadian Senior Little League championships. The All-Stars suffered a 13-1 loss to the tournament leaders from Quebec in their final round robin game yesterday and had to settle for a 3-2 record. Meanwhile at the Canadian Junior Little league championships in Lethbridge, Thunder Bay lost 8-7 to Quebec. They now sit with a record of 2-3 and play Alberta today, needing a win in order to try and make the playoffs which start tomorrow.

Cumming Defends Strathcona Invitational Title

Robert Cumming was successful in defending his Strathcona Invitational title. Cumming birdied the final hole to win his fourth invitational title over Mark Willianen. Randy Fossum took the Senior title, while Tony Stokaluk won the Super Senior Division.

Plane Crashes On Pelican Lake

Five people are feeling very fortunate to have suffered only minor injuries. A pilot and four passengers were taking a sight seeing tour over Sioux Lookout when their plane crashed shortly after take-off on Sunday on Pelican Lake. O.P.P. are crediting the rapid response by Emergency Services, citizens and Slate Falls Airways employees who assisted in getting everyone to safety. All five people sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from hospital.

Border Cats Lose Again

The Rochester Honkers beat Thunder Bay's Border Cats Sunday 7-4.  They'll play each other again Monday night. 

Sandy Lake Evacuees Go Home

The forest fire situation near Sandy Lake has eased allowing evacuees to return home.  550 First Nation Residents were forced out of their homes last week due to the heavy smoke coming into their community from near by fires.  Emergency Management Ontario says evacuees in Thunder Bay started returning home over the weekend.

Cycling For Organ Donation Awareness

A 21 year old medical student from Quebec is cycling across Canada and will be in Thunder Bay Sunday and Monday. Quinn Thomas started his journey in Vancouver just a few weeks ago and wants to raise awareness about organ donation. Thomas got into the city late Saturday night and will be meeting area residents today.

Charges Pending For Motorcycle Accident

Thunder Bay Police are looking to lay charges in another accident yesterday afternoon. The collision between a motorcycle and it's passengers and a pick up truck took place just after two o'clock Saturday at the intersection of John and Junot Streets. The driver of the motorcycle has a broken leg.

Collission Charges Pending

Charges are pending in a two vehicle collission on Bay Street and Johnson Avenue. Police were called to the scene of the accident yesterday where they found a truck had rolled over. The driver of the rolled over pick up truck was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The other driver was uninjured.

Border Cats Fell Again

Thunder Bay's Border Cats fell again to the St. Cloud Rox. This time it's was six nothing.  Tonight they continue their games on the road.  They'll play the Rochester Honkers.

Police Investigate Serious Motorcycle Accident

Police are investigating a serious motor vehicle collision involving a pick up truck and a motorcycle.  The collision took place just after two o'clock Saturday at the intersection of John and Junot Streets.  Both the driver and the passenger of the motorcycle were taken to the hospital.  The driver of the motorcycle has major injuries and the passenger is being checked out.  Charges are pending the investigations conclusion.

Accident On Johnson Avenue & Bay

Thunder Bay Police are continuing to look into the cause of a motor vehicle collision on Bay Street and Johnson Avenue.  Police were called to the scene of the accident just after 11 o'clock where they found a truck had rolled over.  Parts of Bay Street were closed Saturday to allow officers to record the scene.  The driver of the rolled over pick up truck was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The other driver was uninjured. 

Chill Player Named To All League Team

The Thunder Bay Chill are celebrating today.  The PDL recently appointed the Chill's Sullivan Silva to the PDL All-League team.  The 2012 PDL All-League Team was selected through a vote of team management.

Evacuees Set To Go Home

Emergency Management Ontario says the evacuees of Sandy Lake First Nation will start going home Sunday. The emergency group says it's safe for the 550 evacuees to start heading back to their homes. Forest fires forced the Sandy Lake residents to evacuate to Thunder Bay for over a week.

Border Cats Lose

Thunder Bay's Border Cats fell Friday night on the road to the St. Cloud Rox 8 to 3. They'll take on the Rox again tonight at 7:05.

Motorcycle Accident Closes Road

A man is in hospital with minor injuries after he was involved in a motor cycle accident overnight.  Police are investigating the incident that involved a motorcycle driving off of Oliver Road.  The road was closed for a period of time between Mud Lake and Mining Road while officers investigated.  The road has since reopened.

Old Library To Be Converted

The old Mary J-L Black Library on Brock Street is going to get a new tenant. The city is allowing it to be used as a martial arts school. City official Mark Smith says while parking in the area could be an issue he believes it will work with only parking allowed on the street.  Councillors voted unanimously to allow the change.

It's Festa Time Again

The 22nd annual Festa Italiana takes place this weekend.   The two day event is happening on the Italian Cultural Group's grounds at 132 South Algoma. Highlights of the event include music, a draw for a trip for two on a Mediterranean cruise and of course the food. Non-profit groups are serving up homemade food from the northern and southern regions of Italy.  Organizers say there will be activities for all ages including the kids. Admission is free.  Musical acts from Thunder Bay and Toronto will also be on stage.  You are asked to bring a lawn chair and admission is free. The 22nd Annual Festa Italian wraps-up with a fireworks display each night at 11 o'clock.

Strathcona Invitational This Weekend

The 82nd edition of the Strathcona Invitational takes place this long weekend, as it does every August long weekend. Robert Cumming is the defending champion. He'll be in tough against the likes of 7 time champion Barry Caland who is out to re-claim his title and add to his record number of titles. Regular division qualifying takes place tomorrow. Today in Senior qualifying Randy Fossum shot a 5-under 67 to lead the way. 4-time champion Tony Stokaluk posted an even par round of 72 to lead the Super Senior division. The tournament concludes Monday at Strathcona Golf Course.

Suspicious Fire Scary For Neighbour

A resident near Carrie Street and Kenogami says she is concerned about the area after a garage fire next door to her. It's a blaze that officials deem as suspicious. Marlene Salmonon says it's scary to think there could be a fire bug around. The fire happened around 4 this morning. Investigators don't know the exact cause but suspect it could be arson.

City Teen Promotes Helmet Use

Thirteen year old Mason Dean won't mind if his mother nags him to wear his bike helmet anymore. The helmet is credited with saving him from serious injury when he was hit by a car this week. He realizes how fortunate he is.   Dean received a new helmet from the city police.

Fire Hazard Low

The forest fire hazard is low for Northwestern Ontario as we head into the long weekend. Thunderstorms and rain continue to track across the region, bringing lightning. But the Ministry of Natural Resources says that lightning is less of a concern now because of the heavy rainfall associated with it.  To date, there have been a total of 492 fires in the Northwest, burning a combined area of 84-thousand hectares.

Conversion Moves Along

Another step in the conversion of the Atikokan coal-fired generating station to burn biomass has been taken. Ontario Power Generation has signed a contract with Aecon for the design and construction work on plant modifications and new fuel storage and handling systems. The contract is worth about half the 170-million dollars project. The plant will make the switch to biomass in 2014.

Early Morning Garage Fire

The City's fire service still doesn't know the cause of an early morning garage fire on the city's North side. The fire occurred just before 4:00 a.m. this morning at the corner of Carrie Street and Kenogami. One unit was called out to fight the fire which was extinguished quickly. One fire official says they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a near by residence which suffered only minor melting of the siding.

Canadian Little League Baseball Championships

At the Canadian Junior Little League Championships in Lethbridge, Alberta, Thunder Bay gets back on the field today after a day off yesterday. They take on B.C., tryiing to improve to 2-0 in the tournament. The Canadian Senior Little League Championships opened yesterday in Regina. The Thunder Bay All-Stars lost their opener 5-1 to the team from Fraser Valley, B.C. Thunder Bay will try and get back on track as they take on Sydney, Nova Scotia today.

Cats Doubled-Up On Road

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have now lost 2 in a row after winning 8 straight. Last night they were doubled-up 8-4 by the St. Cloud Rox to fall 3 1/2 games out of first place in the North Division. The Cats 5 game road trip continues tonight in St. Cloud.

B.C. Man Charged In Fatal Crash

A 25 year old British Columbia man is now charged in connection with a fatal traffic accident at Sistonen's Corner  on July 4th.  It resulted in the death of a 60 year old Kenora woman.   OPP Constable Diana Cole says Paul Mikhail is charged with careless driving and is expected to be fined.

Caught!

Police have their man.   OPP have ended their manhunt in the Pass Lake area after they captured the 27 year old man they were looking for this afternoon.   The suspect, of no fixed address, was charged with various offences including assault and sexual assault along with uttering death threats.  He is expected in court tomorrow.

Genivar Searches For New Home

An engineering and architectural firm is planning a move into new and larger digs in the city.   Genivar Incorporated currently has an office on Syndicate Avenue, but a local spokesperson says they are scouting some available locations for a move planned for sometime in the next year or so.  The company employs about 150 people in the city.

City Promotes Boy's Generosity

A nine year old boy in the city is being held up as the poster child of fundraising for disaster relief. Alex Atwill didn't want presents for his birthday, instead he asked for donations for flood victims. His mother, Monica Atwill,  is proud of her son's generosity, but says she is not surprised because he often shares with other.  Former Mayor Lynn Peterson hopes others in the city are inspired to fund raise by the example.

N.O.S.M. Gets Maximum Accreditation

The Northern Ontario School Of Medicine is celebrating full accreditation. The medical school was put through the ringer by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools back in May. N.O.S.M. received full accreditation for the maximum allotted time of 8 years. Dean of the med school Dr. Roger Strasser says" This is a significant achievement for not only for a newer medical school, but even amongst Canada's oldest medical schools." N.O.S.M.'s next full survey will take place during the 2019-2020 school year.

S.E.I.U. Starts Door-To-Door Campaign

A door-to-door campaign is being launched by the Service Employees International Union to try and save 65 long term care beds that are scheduled to disappear this fall. Volunteers will be going door-to-door throughout Thunder Bay asking you sign a petition urging MPP's Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to stop the closure of the Interim Long-Term Care Facility on James Street. The S.E.I.U. says the shut down couldn't come at a worse time as wait times for beds in Thunder Bay rose almost 60-percent last year to 269 days. The closure of the facility is also expected to mean 140 front line workers will be laid off.

Canadian Little League Update

Thunder Bay boasts two provincial champions at the Canadian Little League Championships. In the 13 and 14 year old Junior Little League Championships taking place in Lethbridge, Alberta, Thunder Bay opened with an 8-3 win over Saskatchewan. They have the day off today and will take on B.C. tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Canadian Senior Little League Championships, featuring 15 and 16 year olds kicks off today in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Thunder Bay All-Stars, who won here at home on Sunday to advance to the nationals, will play Fraser Valley, B.C. in their opening game today.

Border Cats Win Streak Snapped At 8

The Thunder Bay Border Cats had their 8-game winning streak snapped last night as Mankato scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning and posted a 3-1 win. The Border Cats are now 3 games back of first place Willmar in the North Division and are on the road tonight in St. Cloud to kick off a 5 game road trip.

Minister Touts Fund

Local organizations are being encouraged to take advantage of the province's Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund. Environment Minister Jim Bradley says anyone interested in taking advantage of the 1 and a half million dollar fund can attend an information session at 10:30 tomorrow morning at the government building on Red River Road. The fund support local projects with funding up to 25 thousand dollars to help protect the Great Lakes.

City Operating At Capacity

The city says it can't accept anymore evacuees. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says the 550 we received from Sandy Lake this week are all that can be handled right now.   He says we are operating at capacity. Hankkio says the situation is being re-evaluated all the time with the help of Emergency Measures Ontario

Call Centre Expanding Workforce

A breath of life for the workers at the Teleperfomance call centre on Red River Road.   Company CEO Charlotte Gummesson says they are now expanding their workforce by hiring back 100 laid off workers and rehiring another 150.  It will bring the Thunder Bay staff count to about 400.

Plane Crash In Trout Lake

Police say that three people are injured two of them seriously, after a small plane crashed at Trout Lake North of Kenora this morning.   The Transportation Safety Board says that the aircraft was an American registered Cessna 180.   No further details are available.

Young Cyclist Escapes Serious Injury

A young cyclist will always be glad he wore his helmet while riding his bike today.  Police say that he was hit by a car on Cumberland at Water around 10:30.   Police say he was not hurt, but was taken to hospital to be checked out.

Federal Ruling Favours Attawapiskat

The Federal Court is saying it was ``unreasonable'' for the federal government to appoint a 3rd party manager for the financially troubled First Nations community of Attiwapiskat, which falls within the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. The decision, released today, says it's clear that stepping in and taking over was not the best way to deal with the root of problems at the troubled northern Ontario reserve. The Conservative government appointed a 3rd manager as Prime Minister Stephen Harper suggested that the band had mismanaged federal funds in the face of the housing crisis. That manager was withdrawn April 19, but the Attawapiskat First Nation refused to drop its lawsuit against the government.

Ontario Trillium Foundation Contributes $650,000 To N.W.O.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is contributing more than $650,000 to Northwestern Ontario organizations. Six local not-for-profit and chartiable organizations received money in and around Thunder Bay totalling just under $215,000. The organizations included FinnThunder 2012, Hospice Northwest, The Indian Youth Friendship Society, The Nolalu Community Centre, Roots To Harvest and Willow Springs Creative Centre. A total of 16 organizations received money from the Ontario Trillium Foundation this year across the region.

Gravelle Announces Interim Partnership In Lac Seul

Lac Suel First Nation is gaining more independence. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle was in the First Nation Tuesday afternoon, and signed an agreement with Chief Clifford Bull regarding an interm licence to the community to manage the Lac Seul Forests. Gravelle  says it's the beginning of something good. One of the established initiatives is a forestry partnership with the Domtar Mill in Dryden. Chief Clifford Bull says he is excited to be able to work with the mill.

Heney Can't Predict CWB Effect

It's a new era for grainhandling in Canada. Farmers have total control over how they sell their grain now that the Canadian Wheat Board has lost its monopoly. Thunder Bay Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says it will take time before we know if that will mean more grain through our port.  He says there will be change but it's difficult to predict what that change may be.  Heney says having the major grain companies located in Thunder Bay is a big plus.

Forest Fire Update

Two new forest fires are burning in the northwest region. There are still 65 active fires and over 80,000 hectares of area burned in forest fires this year. The North has the majority of the fires with 30 in the Red Lake District, 19 in the Sioux Lookout District and 8 in the Nipigon District. Despite the low fire hazard in the South, the Fort Frances District is managing 6 active fires, the Thunder Bay District 1 and the Kenora District 1.

Fort Frances To Host 100 Sandy Lake Evacuees

The Northwestern Ontario town of Fort Frances will host about 100 residents of the Sandy Lake First Nation who are being evacuated due to smoke from nearby forest fires. The evacuees were to be flown out of their remote community on Tuesday and Fort Frances fire Chief Frank Sheppard says they'll be housed at a local hotel. More than 550 Sandy Lake residents have also been evacuated to Thunder Bay, about 600 kilometres southeast of the First Nation community. The province issued an evacuation notice Sunday to get elderly residents, infants and others at risk from smoke to safety.

Cats Extend Win Streak To 8

The Thunder Bay Border Cats extending their wining streak to 8 games last night at Subway field with a 5-4 win over Mankato. The Cats wrap-up their series with the Moondogs tonight and are still 2 games back of Willmar for top spot in the North division.