NAPS Welcomes New Officers

Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be presenting badges to 5 new police officers on Friday. Graduating officers are Trent Abernot, Graham Cotter, Aaron Dodge, Evan Polini, and Peter Schoenfeld. The new police will work in the North West and North East Regions.

Elementary Teachers Strike Today

Thunder Bay's public school board teachers are taking part in a one day strike today.  Over 500 teachers are rallying across the City today at 5 local schools, the offices of MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle and Mini Queen's Park.  Local ETFO President Ellen Chambers says they feel for the parents who were left scrambling for a babysitter.  Public teachers with the Lakehead Public School Board will be back to work tomorrow.

Griffon Officer To Receive Medal

Yet another Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal is being given out in Thunder Bay.  This time the honour is going to Lieutenant-Commander Carolyn Garrity of the HMCS Griffon.    The ceremony is taking place at Rumours Dining Room at Confederation College this afternoon at 3:30. 

NWO's Wilde Gets More Kudos

More accolades for Atikokan blues and jazz artist Sunday Wilde. A radio station out of the U.K. has Wilde among its nominees for best female blue acts in its year end awards. Area residents can vote by email your choice to studio@severnfm.com with a subject: blues awards.

Fort Frances Tries To Plan

The mayor of Fort Frances says the town is working diligently to minimize the impact felt by the indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at Resolute Forest Products. Roy Avis says it includes forming a council sub-committee that look at the town's economic future under his direction.  Avis says council's also had talks already with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle; Northern Development Parliamentary Assistant Bill Mauro and company officials.

Minnesota Wants Moose Declared Endangered

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to add moose to the state's endangered species list. The moose population is declining in Minnesota, so the DNR wants to list the animal as a `species of concern.' The status wouldn't limit hunting. That would happen only if moose moved to threatened or endangered status.

Kelseys Raises Money For Movember

Thunder Bay's Kelseys Restaurant is donating money from it's Movember campaign.  They raised over 23-hundred dollars which will be used towards local organizations.

City Playing Host To Conference

Thunder Bay is playing host to the 2014 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities annual general meeting.  250 delegates from across North America will be taking part.  Thunder Bay will welcome delegates in June of 2014.

Bail Safety Program Funding Out In March

Thunder Bay's Police Chief wants the Provincial Government to extend funding for the "Bail Safety" program.  Funding runs out at the end of March and means there will no longer be a Constable in charge of alerting victims of domestic abuse when their attacker is being let out of jail.  JP Levesque says they'll be lobbying the Province to keep funding the project.  Levesque says the program is critical since they investigate over 3-thousand domestic violence incidents a year.

Local ETFO Strike Wednesday

Elementary Teachers in the Lakehead Public School Board are on strike Wednesday.  Over 500 teachers will be rallying at 5 local schools and at the offices of MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle at Mini Queen's Park.  Local ETFO President Ellen Chambers says this strike is aimed directly at the Education Minister.  Strike locations include Algonquin Avenue School, Edgewater, Sir Winston Churchill, Vance Chapman and Westmount.

Hyer Makes Statement Wednesday

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is going to bring up Bill C-45 in the House of Commons Wednesday.  On Monday, First Nation residents across Canada rallied to spread awareness on how the bill will affect their treaty rights.  Hyer says he understands why First Nation communities are upset and notes they are in good company since the Prime Minister has failed to consult most groups that are impacted by the Federal Government's legislation.

More Money For Flood Relief Fund

Thunder Bay's Fire Fighters are proudly presenting the Disaster Relief Committee with over 15-thousand dollars. The money was generated from the "Rock the Fire House" event held in November. With the matching Provincial Government funds it raises the donation to over 47-thousand dollars.

Politics And Nuclear Waste

The politics of nuclear waste is not lost on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization as it searches for a host community for a disposal site for used radioactive fuel bundles . Spokesperson Mike Krizanc says recent public hearings held by MP Bruce Hyer on the subject are of interest to them and they'd like to speak with him to find out what he learned. Eight northwestern Ontario communities are now in the midst of learning about the project so they can decided whether they want the disposal site built in their town.

Hospital New VP Of Medical & Academic Affairs

Thunder Bay's Hospital has a new Executive Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs. Dr. Stewart Kennedy was recently appointed to the position and will start his new role on January 2nd.

Kennedy is responsible for clinical programs and services. Kennedy is replacing Dr. Gordon Porter who will be taking on the role of Chief of Staff.

Striking NWO Teachers Rally In Dryden

Lights will remain off in elementary schools operated by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board today.A one day strike is taking place today by members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.  Local Union president, Ann Saltel says their members will be gathering in Dryden today for a mass rally.The one day strike is against Bill 115, which imposes contracts on the teachers, and is supposed to take away their right to strike. 

Police Budget Lowered

The Police Services Board is approving a decrease in it's 2013 budget.  At Tuesday's meeting, members voted to cut around a 100-thousand dollars from the fiscal document.  Chief JP Levesque says after the board passed the budget in November they went back and looked for more savings. City Council will look at the police budget in the New Year.

New Courthouse Brings Extra Police Costs

The new consolidated court house is expected to open in September of next year. With the grand opening comes extra costs for the local police force. They'll have to hire 4 new full time employees to work the metal detector x-ray and the security system. Members of the Police Service Board are hoping the Provincial Government will step up and provide funding for the new positions.

Upbeat Climate For Hiring: Survey

Thunder Bay area employers expect an upbeat hiring climate for the first quarter of 2013, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. The survey reveals that 13 per cent of employers plan to hire between January to March, while 13 per cent anticipate cutbacks. Another 70 per cent of employers plan to maintain their current staffing levels while three per cent of employers are unsure.

City Reserves Support Of Green Project

The City is holding off on throwing it's support behind a new company that wants to use food waste to create green energy.  Digestic Corp. will burn food waste from local grocery stores to create renewable energy.  Company Spokesperson Jason Whiteside says he doesn't foresee any neighbours on Front Street having a problem.  Council isn't going to give its blessing until it hears more from city staff.  The company is looking for support from the City so it can gain approval from the Provincial Government.

City Takes Over Training Centre

City Council is taking over the management of the local Emergency Training Centre. Councillors voted Monday night to waive the 572-thousand dollar loan that was provided to the centre's board several years ago to build the training facility.  President Larry Price says they'll have to hold a board meeting to determine the fate of their many projects.  City staff told council the training centre had muddy finances and that they should consider recouping their loan by taking over the facility.

Idle No More

Rallies are happening all across the country today including in Thunder Bay.  Idle No More is raising awareness on how Bill C-45 will affect treaty rights.  Maegan Gardner from Eagle Lake First Nation is the coordinator of the rally that was held in Dryden this morning, and says this bill will affect everyone.  Gardner says the bill will have an impact on area First Nations and the environment.

Airports Authority Gets 1 Million $

The Thunder Bay Airports Authority's industrial park is getting 1 million dollars to help attract new businesses, specifically, those involved with the aerospace industry. The money is coming from the provincial government and MPP Bill Mauro says part of the expansion includes adding up to 10 more lots to the park.

Director Says She Has No Choice

The Public School Board is closing its elementary schools on Wednesday because teachers will be going on a one day strike as part of their labour action against the Ontario government's anti-strike legislation. The Board's Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says she has no choice but to make the move to shut the schools down for the safety of the students.  Siemieiuk says however the schools day care centres will remain open.

First Aid Funding

The Red Cross is preparing a first aid program for several northwestern Ontario First Nations communities thanks to a donation from Union Gas. Red Cross spokesperson Rob Zuback says the company has given them 25 hundred dollars towards helping the most vulnerable learn the basics of first aid.

Housing Starts Up 17 Per Cent

The number of new housing construction starts in Thunder Bay has surpassed last year .   According to government statistics the number of single detached starts is over the 200 mark.  Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says it's only the 3rd time that's happened in the last 15 years and is a 17 per cent increase over last year at the same time. 

Missing Man Found

Thunder Bay Police say a 19 year old Cherry Ridge man is now back with his family. Police say James McCormack returned last night after being on the missing person's list for almost a week. No further details are available.

Crimestoppers Crime Of The Week

Education, Ring Of Fire & Economic Development

Ontario Liberal Leadership Debate candidates are addressing the elephant in the room.  Education came up as a topic of discussion at Sunday's debate at Lakehead University and Kathleen Wynne took the time to say the Provincial Government needs to repair their relationship with teachers.  Gerard Kennedy told the audience more needs to be done for Aboriginal students.  Meanwhile Glenn Murray says Northerners need to have a say on employment training decisions. Other topics of discussion included the Ring of Fire and Economic Development in Northern Ontario.

Liberal Leadership Debate Draws Protesters

Wind Farm Activists, Teachers Unions and First Nations are just some of the people who protested at the Ontario Liberal Leadership debate.  Local Secondary School Teachers Federation Vice President Richard Sealey says they wanted to drive home to the candidates that the Provincial Government should respect their right to bargain.  Public Sector Workers spoke to three of the seven candidates about putting an end to privatizing government jobs. Police were posted outside of Lakehead University on Sunday while people rallied outside of the debate at Lakehead University.

ETFO Lakehead to Strike on 12th

ETFO Lakehead teachers and occasional teachers will stage a one-day strike this upcoming Wednesday. Ellen Chambers, the ETFO Lakehead Teacher Local President says they want to send the government a message that Bill 115 is severely impeding local collective bargaining. Chambers says they are striking because there were no negotiations. Both locals will move into a legal strike position tomorrow.

Greenspace Protection Wanted

A petition is being presented to city council Monday night which asks the city for its help in protecting some greenspace next to the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. The petitioners are concerned that without any zoning protection the area might fall prey to development

Local Food Project Funding Recommended

City administration is recommending adding 100 thousand dollars to the city's budget to help with the distribution and promotion of locally grown food within city institutions.  The money will come from the province's so called Greenbelt fund to help promote such projects across the province.   City Councillors will deal with the issue Monday evening.

Council Considering Loan Forgiveness

City Council is considering forgiving a loan to the local Emergency Services Training Corporation. The money was used to build the group's training facility. However, city staff are suggesting they turn down a request for over 600-thousand dollars to build an indoor gun range. The report will come before council Monday night.

Tories Eye Kenora-Rainy River

Progressive Conservatives intend to focus a lot of attention on the Kenora-Rainy River riding in the next election. The riding has been an NDP stronghold for many years, but MPP Garfield Dunlop believes there's enough support out there for the Tories to grab. Dunlop was in the Fort Frances area to talk to area leaders about ways to get more young people interested in the trades.

Company To Ask For City Support

A new company is asking for city support. Digestic Corp. plans to use food waste from local restaurants and grocery stores to generate renewable green energy. They want to take the waste directly from the businesses and throw it in their digester bypassing the landfill. A letter of support from the city could be used to help the company with its application to the Provincial Government's renewable energy program.

High School Teachers Plan Monday Sanctions

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation is starting new job sanctions today. High School teachers will arrive 15 minutes before the work day and leave immediately after class ends.Local OSSTF President Paul Caccamo says they'll also cut out any after school activities.Caccamo says they hope the job action sends a message to Education Minister Laurel Broten.

No Strike Date For Local Teachers

There is still no date set for a one day strike by local public elementary school teachers. The school board's Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says so far the teachers union hasn't given 72 hours noticed, but she says that could change anytime, even on the weekend. Siemieiuk says when there is a strike, all public elementary schools will be closed.

Wawa Gets Help

The Provincial Government is helping Wawa rebuild and recover from its recent flood damage. The province has committed nearly 7 million dollars to help the community.  3.5 million dollars will be available under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program for emergency costs and essential infrastructure repairs. Another 3 million is going towards replacing a bridge repairing Highway 17.  Residents and small businesses that lost property in the flood are eligible to apply for assistance as well.

2 Million Already Raised For DFC Residence

Fundraising efforts for a new student residence at Dennis Franklin Cromarty school aren't even a week old and already 2.1 million dollars has been collected. Tom Kamenawatamin of the Wasaya Group says mining companies are going to be one source in reaching their 15 million dollar objective. One has already come through with KWG Resources contributing 2 million dollars.  Fundraising will kick into full gear in the new year once a business plan is addressed.

Frazee Released

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's hockey team have released their leading scorer Thomas Frazee. There is no clear cut reason for Frazee's immediate release other than Lakehead’s Athletic Director Tom Warden said “We feel that this decision is in the best interest of our hockey team.” Frazee had 7 goals and 15 assists and was 7th in O.U.A. scoring after 16 conference games in the first half.

No Other Flood Victim Complaints

The plight of one East End flood victim appears to be an isolated complaint. She says her Christmas is in tatters because her relief money will come too late. The chair of the city's Disaster Relief Committee, Wayne Fletcher, says the fundraising rules prevent an early payout, something they realized early on in the process and that's why they offered the early initial payments of 1 thousand dollars. Fletcher says no other flood victims have had a similar beef.

Bombardier Workers Have Their Walls & Roofs

It's good news for the Thunder Bay Bombardier Plant. Bombardier workers in Quebec have voted to accept a new collective agreement that ends a nearly five-week strike. Local CAW President Dominic Pasqualino says it's just in time since they supply roofs and side walls to the local plant. Pasqualino adds they're not sure whether or not Thunder Bay workers who were laid off last month will be able to return to work before Christmas as was expected.

Bight Opens Today

The waterfront's new restaurant Bight Restaurant & Bar is now open.  The eatery located in the Water Garden Pavilion at Prince Arthur's Landing will be open 7 days a week.  The concession service will open this weekend.

Schreiber Pedestrian Vehicle Collision

Schreiber OPP are investigating a pedestrian vehicle collision today.  Around the noon hour today a 23 year old woman was crossing Beach Road in Terrace Bay when she was struck by a north bound vehicle. The driver made a brief stop and then continued east bound.  The woman was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.  Schreiber OPP are currently looking for the driver of a newer model black Ford Focus. 

Fort Frances High Locked Down Today

A 16-year-old boy is in police custody following an incident that forced the Fort Frances High School into a lock downed position around the noon hour today. Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says OPP were called after the boy was observed carrying what turned out to be a replica firearm. Class resumed within about an hour after the lockdown was put in place. No one was injured.

Drainage Rebate Program Comes In The New Year

The City is offering homeowners who were impacted by the May 28th flooding a flood prevention rebate program.  Spokesperson Kerri Marshall says they'll be helping pay the cost of three drainage initiatives.  Council has approved 750-thousand dollars for the rebate program which could help up to 200 homeowners.

Salvation Army Christmas Meal Sunday

The Salvation Army is expecting up to 300 people for Christmas Dinner Sunday.  The dinner is being cooked and served by the staff of the Valhalla Inn.  Major Merv Halvorsen says they're providing a shuttle service from City Hall and Water Street Bus terminals at 11:45.  The Christmas meal will be served at noon Sunday at the Salvation Army Booth Centre on Cumberland Street North.

Easter Seals Snowarama A Go

Easter Seals is hoping to raise over 30 thousand dollars with its upcoming Snowarama fundraiser.  Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says money raised will stay local.  The snowmachine event is taking place on February 2nd at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

Missing Person

The family of a 19 year old Cherry Ridge Road resident, James McCormack is concerned about his welfare. McCormack was last seen by his father on the night of December 4th. James stated he was going out to the bars, but did not return home. This behaviour is considered out of character for James. Attempts by his family to contact him using social media have failed. McCormack is described as a Caucasian male who is 6'4", 180 pounds with a thin build. He has medium length, brown wavy hair and wears glasses when driving.

Gravelle Endorses Pupatello

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is throwing his support behind Sandra Pupatello. Gravelle believes she will be a dynamic leader of the Liberals if elected. Gravelle says he worked on a number of northern issues with Pupatello when he was Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro also endorsed Pupatello.

Darren Smith Could Get Prize January 4th

A Thunder Bay man is one step closer to claiming his lottery win of 250-thousand dollars.  Darren Smith won the cash in the Lottario draw on September 29th.  Smith works at an OLG retail location and is considered an insider win.  The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission says he can claim his price after a 30 day waiting period and if there are no additional claims on the prize it will be paid to Smith on January 4th.

 

Teachers In Thunder Bay In Classrooms Monday

Elementary teachers here in Thunder Bay will be in school classrooms on Monday. President of the local chapter of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Ellen Chambers says they're not in a legal strike position quite yet. Chambers says two school boards in the Toronto area will be staging a one day protest on Monday after teachers voted via the Internet on whether to walk off the job. Chambers says parents and the school boards are still set to receive a 72 hour notice should any labour actions be planned here in Thunder Bay.