Mirabelli Pumped About Trudeau Victory

Fresh off an election, Justin Trudeau will be in the House today for his first Question Period as the head of the Liberals. President of the Liberal Thunder Bay Superior North Riding Association Vince Mirabelli says its refreshing to hear Trudeau say he won't focus on the negative aspects of politics. Mirabelli took in the election in Ottawa this weekend and says Trudeau will bring the youth vote to his party.

13 Collisions In 48 Hours

Thunder Bay police are being kept busy today, as there have been 13 collisions in the past 48 hours. Drivers are cautioned to be careful at intersections and watch for pedestrians. The snow plows will be out in full force today, trying to keep the roads safe and clean.

Local Red Cross Gets Cash

A local business is donating 2-thousand dollars to the Red Cross. Spokesperson Marge Buhler says they think highly of every donation they receive. Slightly Off Broadway Studio held a fundraising event for the organization earlier this year.

Boshcoff Says Trudeau Election Exciting

Former Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff says Justin Trudeau will re-energize the party.  Boshcoff was in Ottawa this weekend for the Federal Liberal Leadership Convention and says Trudeau's star power will help bring his party back.  Boshcoff says Trudeau has visited the Northwest several times and thinks his election as leader will bode well for the region.

Rural School Bus Routes Cancelled

The wicked weather has forced some schools to close down today.  Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham and Ware, Kakabeka Falls, McKenzie, Norwester View, Valley Central and Whitefish Valley are all closed today.  Lakehead Public Schools are cancelling the rural portions of school bus routes serving urban schools.  Thunder Bay Catholic and French Catholic rural school bus routes are cancelled for the day.

Transferring Patients Becoming An Issue

Transferring non-emergency patients from one location to another is becoming more and more of an issue for local paramedics.Their boss Norm Gale is going before city councillors tonight asking for direction on how to handle a problem that stretches their ability to handle real emergencies. Galehopes his visit to City Hall will be the beginning of finding an answer.

EMS Looking To Donate Ambulance

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the local branch of St. John Ambulance could receive a retired ambulance from Superior North EMS. EMS would like to give them an ambulance each but first Council must approve the donation at tonight's meeting.

Possible Earthwise Name Change

A name change could be in store for Earthwise Thunder Bay tonight. City Council will vote on whether or not to rebrand the group to EarthCare Thunder Bay. Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't foresee anyone having a problem with the new name and logo.The name Earthwise was already being used by a company in Southern Ontario and Council decided last year to look for a different name rather than pay to use the existing one.

Final Mining Strategy Meeting Tonight

One more chance for you to comment on the City and Fort William First Nation's Mining Readiness Strategy. A public information session similar to last week's at the Community Auditorium will be held tonight at the Fort William First Nation's Community Hall. The joint plan is meant to get the two communities ready for the upcoming mining boom.

Safe Homes Program Looking For Help

The City is asking the Provincial Government to help pay for their 4 million dollar "Safe Homes Program". The program was put in place in June to help clean up and repair homes impacted by the May 28th flood. General Manager of Facilities, Fleet and Transit Michael Smith says they're hoping the Province will dole out some cash. During that time the City helped fix up 472 properties.

Lac Seul Receives Federal Cash

Some federal dollars for the Lac Seul Training Center of Excellence. Kenora MP Greg Rickford was in Hudson yesterday, where he announced 132-thousand-dollars in funding that will help with upgrades to the facility and the Culinary School that will soon be offered. Rickford adds the government remains committed to helping First Nation communities.Lac Seul has partnered with Goldcorp and the Seven Generations Education Institute to create the facility.

TB Chamber Of Commerce Hands Out Awards

The results are in for this year's Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Awards. Ten awards were handed out at last night's celebration at the Victoria Inn. Among the winners was the Fort William Historical park, which won the Tourism Partner Award.

Man Charged With Having Dangerous Weapons

Thunder Bay Police have charged a man with having dangerous weapons after an incident in the MacDougall Street Area. Police say the man was pointing a replica handgun at people walking by yesterday afternoon. Officials say the man will appear in court.

Weather Notification Program In The Works

Improving the way the weather is reported. Speaking in Dryden, Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says they are in the process of developing EC-Alert Me, which will send out text and emails to agencies about local weather conditions, such as storms.Coulson says it's great for the media and emergency response organizations, giving them the freedom to put more detailed information in the warnings.

TB Chamber Of Commerce Awards Tonight

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards are back for another year. 54 nominees are in the running for ten awards this year. Celebrations are being held at the Victoria Inn tonight.

OPP Target Distracted Drivers

A distracted driving campagin put on by the OPP starts on Monday. Officers will be targeting drivers who are distracted behind the wheel. The campagin will wrap up on April 22nd.

Kenora To Open Brewery

Northwestern Ontario will soon have another local brewery. Tara Manzies from the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company in Kenora says work is coming along at the brewery. Manzies adds they are still on track to be operational by the end of May.

Charity Auction Raises 100 K

The coffers at the Northern Cancer Fund are overflowing after another successful fundraiser.  Organizers says Thursday night's Bachelors of Hope Charity Auction raised 100 thousand dollars.

Feds Dole Out $ For EA Involvement

The Harper government is giving 160 thousand dollars to ten Northwestern Ontario groups. It's to support their participation in the  environmental assessment of the proposed Rainy River Gold Project.  Most of the groups are Aboriginal and the funding will allow them to be involved more effectively in each stage of the process


Applicant Allocation

Big Grassy River First Nation $15,192.50
Métis Nation of Ontario, on behalf of the Métis Nation of Ontario Region #1 Consultation Committee $30,600.00
Naicatchewenin First Nation $30,600.00
Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay) $26,890.00
Rainy River First Nations $12,677.87
Couchiching First Nation $10,200.00
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation $10,200.00
Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation $10,200.00
Seine River First Nation $9,980.00
Stefan Szeder, on behalf of the Rainy River Soil and Crop Improvement Association $9,840.00

Total$166,380.37

ELA Supporters Protest

Protesters are in front of MPP Michael Gravelle's office demanding the province take over the running of the Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay.   It comes as Kenora MP Greg Rickford confirms secret talks are taking place to have a third party take over the facility from the feds.

CU Merger Complete

It's a done deal now.  Members of the Copperfin Credit Union in Kenora and Superior Credit Union in Thunder Bay have voted in favour of merging.   The newly formed financial institution will officially begin operating under the Copperfin name on May first.

Eco Superior Gets Cash For Food Plan

The Ontario Trilluim Foundation is giving Eco Superior over 200 Thousand Dollars to create a food strategy for the area. The money will let Eco Superior hire a coordinator and develop education materials and a communications plan. The grant will be given over a three year period.

Fletcher Preps For Monday Update

The head of the city's disaster relief committee is preparing to update city councillors Monday night.   Wayne Fletcher hopes to outline when payouts to victims of the May 28th flood can begin flowing,  something he says is still an unknown.   Fletcher says the most frustrating part of the process has been the amount of government red tape he's had to encounter.  As well Fletcher says they will have the total amount of money raised to date, about 1 and a half million dollars, and the total cash eligible for payouts.

Cross Canada Food Ride

Two Lakehead University students will bike ten thousand kilometres across Canada this summer to collect food and money for Canadian food banks. FoodRide will set up 22 food drives across the country, looking to raise $100,000 in food and money. Their journey starts on April 25th in Victoria, British Columbia, and will end September 8th in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Million Dollar Bust

The Combined Forces Crime Unit have taken a significant amount of drugs off the street thanks to a recent bust. Officials say officers searched homes on Miles street and Frances street and found cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana valued at over one million dollars. Police also found nearly 22,000 dollars cash in the homes. 28-year-old Ryan Wilson Christianson is in police custody, and will appear in court later today.

Leadership Thunder Bay Celebrates Anniversary

Leadership Thunder Bay is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Leadership T.Bay is a training program that molds professionals into community leaders. President Kristen Oliver says it's quite the achievement. The official celebration will be held at Gargoyles May 1st.

Hospital Exec. Not Worried About C Rank

A Spokesperson for the Health Sciences Centre says they're not bothered by a recent health report card grading them a C. Dr. Stewart Kennedy says the C is an indication that they have to look at areas where they can improve. Kennedy notes because they are a teaching hospital they are open to more severely sick patients. Wednesday's report showed poor grades for the number of patients who die after undergoing major surgery. The report is based on information found in the Canadian Institute For Health.

Injured Workers Rally At Gravelle's Office

Members of Thunder Bay's Injured Workers group are asking the Provincial Government to stop cutting benefits for the injured and disabled. President Janet Peterson says massive cuts in the system are resulting in many people ending up in poverty and collecting social assistance. Peterson and others are rallying at MPP Michael Gravelle's office today.

MS Society New Location

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Thunder Bay is getting an upgrade. They will be opening their new office today. Regional President Linda Adamson says part of the reason for a new office was because of growing staff. Adamson says the Thunder Bay chapter is now the regional office for Northern and Northwestern Ontario.

Bachelor Auction

The Hope Charity Auction will be auctioning off ten of Thunder Bay's most eligible bachelors tonight in support of breast cancer research. Auction spokesperson Laurie Clark says it's really a ladies night out. All money raised in the auction will be donated to the Northern Cancer Fund.

Rally Against First Nation Education Legislation

The Chiefs of Ontario are rallying in Thunder Bay today against the Federal Government's proposed First Nations education legislation. Spokesperson Gordon Peters says they want a new formula for teaching First Nations youth. Peters says the proposed legislation maintains the status quo and won't help aboriginal kids.

Robins Robbed

Police are looking for a man they believe robbed the May Street Robins Donuts earlier this morning.  At 3 am a lone man entered the coffee shop with a scarf wrapped around his face, brandishing a knife.  Police say the suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen heading west on Arthur Street.  No one was hurt.

United Way Dishes Out Cash

The United Way's Youth 4 Community Program is doling out just over 9-thousand dollars to three local charities. Spokesperson Sandra Albertson says the Roots to Harvest Food organization received 5-thousand dollars for a program that provides local agriculture industry mentorship to young people who can't find employment. Evergreen A United Neighbourhood is getting just over a thousand dollars, and the Children's Centre will use over 2-thousand dollars for its youth drop in group.

OPP Drug Bust Near Marathon

OPP in Marathon have made a significant drug bust in a routine traffic stop. Police stopped the vehicle for speeding, and found just over nine kilograms of marijuana in the trunk. A 25-year-old Timmins man has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

New Helpline For Children's Aid Services

Local children's aid groups are working together on a new Ministry funded help line.  Dilico Family Care, North of Superior Counselling and the Children's Centre signed an agreement yesterday dealing with a new "Access Network" toll free phone number and website.  The site and phone number will provide a single point of access to local children's mental services.

Auditorium Disturbance Results In Charge

City Police are charging a man with being drunk in a public place. It stems from Mayor Keith Hobbs taking the man out of a the Community Auditorium last night. Hobbs told police when they arrived the man had become verbally abusive in the meeting. The man is facing a 65 dollar fine and a notice was issued to not allow the man back onto the auditorium property.

Thunder Bay Woman Wins One Million

A Thunder Bay woman is the city's newest lottery winner. Sherida Ward won one million dollars on the Lotto 649 Encore draw last month. Ward bought the ticket at the Good Luck Lottery Shoppe.

Hospital Graded A C

A media website ranking the quality of care at hospitals is giving Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Centre a C.  It shows poor grades for readmissions and the number of patients who die after undergoing major surgery.  The report is based on information found in the Canadian Institute For Health Information.

Pigeon River Border Activity Down

The Canada Border Services Agency is reporting a decrease in traffic in February.  CBSA officers at the Pigeon River border crossing processed nearly 18,000 vehicles, a decrease by one and a half percent compared to the same time last year.

NAN Signs Education Agreement

The provincial government and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation have signed an agreement on First Nation Education.  The agreement focuses on supporting NAN students in reaching their full academic potential.  It also aims to improve student support services and enhance human resources.

Bike Van Collision Leads To Charges

A 19 year old cyclist is charged after being involved in a collision with a mini van Monday night.  It happened at the intersection of High Street and Kenwood Avenue.  Police say she was wearing headphones and listening to music at the time of the incident.  The woman is facing a charge of failing to make a turn safely, which could result in a fine of 110 dollars.

Mayor Removes Man From Public Meeting

Police are confirming Mayor Keith Hobbs removed a man from the Community Auditorium last night.  They say a man was causing problems at the Mining Readiness Strategy Public Meeting, when the former Police Officer Hobbs took him out of the room.  Police were called and they brought the man into the Police Station for public intoxication.

Border Cats Add Six

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have added six new players to their roster. Second baseman Michael Foster, outfielders Geoff Jimenez and Alex Bautista, catcher Dylan Goodwin and pitchers Zach Thiac and Blake Smith will join the Border Cats for the upcoming season. The Border Cats open their season on June 1st.

Gorjann Morriseau New FWFN Chief

Fort William First Nation's new Chief is Georjann Morriseau.  She received 243 votes.  Runner up Michael Joseph Pelletier received 238.  Elections were held on Sunday with 711 valid ballots cast for chief. Morriseau says she is humbled by the election and will take office on April the 15th.

Tall Ship Sorlandet Coming To T.Bay

Lake Superior Day this summer will welcome the Norwegian Tall Ship the Sorlandet.  Eco Superior Spokesperson Ashley Priem says she lucked out on booking the vessel.  Thunder Bay's Pool 6 Cruise Ship Dock will accomodate the tall ship on Sunday, July 21st from 10 until 5.

LU Steel Bridge Team Moving On

Lakehead University's Steel Bridge Team is moving on to a national competition. The team finished first at a regional competition last month, and will take part in another competition in Seattle at the end of May.

CMHC Out With Housing Stats

The Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation is out with its latest housing stats.  In March, Thunder Bay saw 3 new housing starts compared to only 1 last year at that time.  CMHC Analyst Warren Philp says after a long winter housing starts should take off in the coming months.  Philp says so far this year they've had 7 housing starts compared to 4 at this time last year.

Car Hits Shopper's Drug Mart

City Police are reporting someone drove into the window of Shopper's Drug Mart on Memorial Avenue.  The incident happened at 4:30 this morning.  No one was injured.

18 Million Dollars In Road Work Approved

Let the work begin.  City councillors have approved 18 million dollars worth of road and sidewalk construction for this year.  The city's  Darrell Matson says we are getting a good bang for our buck this year because some bids came in lower than predicted.  The approval include 7 million dollars worth of work on Junot Street and Golf Links Road

Resolute To Appeal Assessment Of City Mill

The City is preparing for a tax fight against Resolute Forest Products.   Resolute is appealing it's property assessment from the province and wants a reduction of 60 per cent,  retroactive by four years.  If successful the amount of taxes Resolute pays to the city would drop by 1.8 million dollars a year. Mayor Keith Hobbs calls it ridiculous and says the city has already contacted a lawyer with the aim of taking  the company on. The company's appeal is expected to go before a government review board in June.