Fire Fighter Recruitment Tests Begin

Are you interested in becoming a firefighter? The Preliminary Firefighter Recruitment tests are being held today at Lakehead University. Fire Chief John Hay says anyone interested in joining the department is encouraged to take the test.

Crime Stoppers Drug Drop Off

Thunder Bay Crimestoppers are holding a prescription drug drop off this weekend. Constable Jason Disher says it's a great way to reduce drug abuse. The drop off will be located near the Dove building at the Farmer's Market Saturday from 8 until 2.

Angus Disputes Mayor's Comments

The Mayor's comments that the Royal Edward Arms is a cesspool continues to get reaction.   Councillor Iain Angus sits on the District Social Services Board and doesn't believe the comment is accurate.  He does admit there are problems and safety concerns, but says it plays a vital role in the city.  Angus is only one of four board members who voted to renew the apartment's social housing lease with the city when it expires in 2015.

Angus Disputes Mayor's Comment

The Mayor's comments that the Royal Edward Arms is a cesspool continues to get reaction.   Councillor Iain Angus sits on the District Social Services Board and doesn't believe the comment is accurate.  He does admit there are problems and safety concerns, but says it plays a vital role in the city.  Angus is only one of four board members who voted to renew the apartment's social housing lease with the city when it expires in 2015.

Oliver Paipoonge Road Closed

Harstone Road is closed from 8-6 today. The rural road is closed to allow an inspection of the Kaministiquia River Bridge. Officials apologize for any inconvenience this may pose to motorists.

Rae Confirmed As ROF Negotiator

It's now official.   Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae  is  the chief negotiator for the Matawa First Nations in Ring of Fire negotiations with the province.  Rae is expected to tour all nine  of the regional First Nations communities in the next few months.

Inquest One Step Closer

A coroners inquest into the tragic deaths of 7 First Nations teens in Thunder Bay is one step closer to reality.  The regional coroner has now set the date for a hearing on who will have the legal right to take part in the inquest proceedings.   That hearing takes place at the Red River Road government building starting June 11th.

Minor Injuries In Morning Mishap

Morning accident victim

Three people are recovering from injuries sustained following a 3 vehicle mishap on the city's north side.   Two people were taken to hospital following the collision at Cumberland and River just before 8:30 this morning.  Police say the injuries are minor.  One person was treated at the scene.  The 40 year old driver of one of the vehicles is charged with careless driving.

Serious Injury In Hilldale Rd Crash

City police say  two motorcycles crashed on Hilldale Road last night at around 10:15 and sent two men in their 20's  to hospital. The driver of one of the motorcycles suffered a serious injury and remains in hospital. The other man was treated for minor injuries.  

Mayor's "Cesspool" Comment Disputed

The head of city's Heritage Advisory Committee doesn't agree with the mayor's comments that the Royal Edward Arms is a cesspool.   Andrew Cotter believes the May Street building is worth keeping after its social housing lease expires. He admits he hasn't seen the inside of the May Street building but doesn't believe "cesspool" is an accurate description.  The mayor says it would take 10 million dollars to make renovations to the building

Evacuees Head Home

Kashechewan First Nation evacuees are returning home today.  They've been in Thunder Bay for over a week and flights will be scheduled throughout the day to transfer the remaining 150 evacuees.  The City notes they still are on alert as a host community for other evacuations should the need arise.

Johnson To Bring Up REA At Council

Word the Royal Edward Arms will no longer be a social service board run housing unit is making the rounds of City Council. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she's going to ask City staff on Monday about the DSSAB's decision to not renew their lease for the rental unit. Johnson notes its a balancing act saying they need affordable housing in the City but it should be in better condition than the Royal Edward Arms.

Campbell Cautious About ELA Deal

Kenora-Rainy-River MPP Sarah Campbell isn't convinced with the latest announcement about the Experimental Lakes Area. Sarah Campbell says the Memorandum of Understanding really only means that negotiations will continue. Campbell adds she doesn't know why the government hasn't made any financial commitments or time frames during the 7 months of negotiations.

Missing Teen Found

Thunder Bay Police are reporting they've found the 15 year old boy who was reported missing earlier this week. Police say he has been returned to his parents.

Ash Tree Owners Being Warned

City Hall is trying to educate homeowners with ash trees about a dangerous insect.  City Forester Shelley Vescio says there will be an information session this weekend to warn residents about what could happen with the potential arrival of the emerald ash borer.  The session takes place at 1 o'clock Saturday in the Water Garden Pavilion at Prince Arthur's Landing.

ELA Saved For The Summer

The immediate future of the Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay looks brighter today. The Harper government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it's a great step forward. Rickford says the provincial government will continue talks with the ISSD.

Mayor Calls Royal Edward Arms A Cesspool

The days are numbered for the Royal Edward Arms apartments on May Street.   Mayor Keith Hobbs says the District Social Services Board will not renew the lease with the city when it expires, and you aren't hearing any complaints from the mayor who calls it a cesspool which will cost 10 million dollars to fix up.   Hobbs says there will be other housing found for the current tenants when in closes by 2015.

Local 10 Mile Runners To Remember Boston

Organizers of the annual 10 Mile Road Race on Victoria Day will pay respects to the Boston Marathon tragedy.   Ralph Hibbert says what form that tribute will take isn't known, and that it's still in the planning stages.   Hibbert says about 1 thousand runners are expected to participate.

Wunnumin Lake Fire Kills Three

Nishnawbe Aski Police are confirming a fatal fire in Wunnumin Lake First Nation 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout. Sergeant Jackie George says three people are dead following a house fire early yesterday morning. All three are reported to be girls and aged 1, 6 and a 21 year old woman. Officials say the community of roughly 600-people is devastated.

CBSA Releases Border Stats

Canada Border Service Agents are being kept busy at the Pigeon River border crossing.  Last month a US resident tried to enter Canada and was referred to immigration where they discovered the traveler had been convicted for delivering LSD in the States.  She was turned away and returned to the US.  Meanwhile, in the Spring, two US residents crossing the border claimed they didn't have any firearms or weapons in their vehicle. Upon further examination it turned out they had a .38 calibre handgun in the centre console of the vehicle.  The driver was charged for failing to report his handgun to agents and paid fines over 3-thousand dollars.

Highway 593 Open

The Ministry of Transportation has crews working on Highway 593 today after water flooded the highway near the Highway 588 intersection.  The water has receded.  Highway 593, 7.8 km south of Highway 588 has now been re-opened to traffic in both directions.

Campbell Raises ELA Issue

The government may have said it will save the Experimental Lakes Area but the fight is continuing.  Speaking in the Legislature, Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell said that the Ontario government has failed to re-open the facility.  In response, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Laurel Broten says the ELA remains in control of the federal government and work on a deal is continuing to re-open the facility.

Treaty Three Vote To Be In PSAC

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is looking after the Treaty Three Police Service.  PSAC Regional Vice President Sharon DeSousa says majority of employees have voted YES to union protection.  DeSousa says the service still wants to fall under Provincial Jurisdiction, instead of Federal and number of issues will be resolved once the jurisdictional challenge has been rolled on.

Careful With That Axe...

A Dryden man's quest has resulted in some trouble with the law.  City Police were contacted on Monday regarding a man, who appeared to be drunk, wandering around Wilson's Trailer Park carrying a long handled axe.  Police arrived, and say that the man told officers he was looking for someone and was " going to chop them up into little bits".  As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Richard Halverson with uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

Rickford Reacting To NDP MPP

The MP for Kenora is reacting to comments made by MPP Gilles Bisson that both levels of government need to start thinking about relocating some First Nations communities in the far north because of annual spring flooding.  Greg Rickford says moving some communities would be part of a long term plan.  Rickford says the feds are currently helping impacted communities by investing in significant building and residential upgrades.

More Pigeon River Border Tales

A recent report from the Canada Border Service Agency tells of how two Canadian Residents picking up packages in the United States were left with a hefty fine.  The traveller was told to go into the office and pay the duty and taxes on their parcels when they told the border agents they didn't have their receipts and they would go to their car to look up the details on their cell phone.   Instead of returning to the office they ran away without paying.  OPP caught up to the man and as a result he was charged a thousand dollars on top of the taxes and duty on his goods.

Charge Laid In Tuesday Accident

Police say a 57 year old man is now charged in connection with a traffic accident at Ridgeway and Syndicate on Tuesday.  They say he's the driver of a pick up truck that collided with a motorcycle.   Police say the 60 year old motorcycle driver is recovering from a serious injury.  Police say the charge relates to a stop sign violation.

Centre To Become Fire Station.

The North Neebing Community Centre is about to be transformed into a fire hall.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says it's so the current Neebing Fire Station can be rebuilt.  Hankkio says the coverage area will not suffer as a result of the move since the community hall is only a block away.  Hankkio says the new Neebing fire hall should take about a year to complete.

Evacuees Set To Return Home

The stay is almost over for 150 residents of the Kashechewan First Nation.  They've been living in the city since the weekend after being evacuated from their flood stricken northern community.   City officials say the planning process is underway to bring them home within the next few days.

EMS Boss Admits To A Busy Monday

The city's top paramedic is playing down a report that ambulance service was delayed Monday night.   Norm Gale of Thunder Bay Emergency Medical Services says while his crews were busy,  all urgent calls were prioritized and answered immediately.  Gale stresses that at all times an ambulance was available that evening,  and there were no long responses to any call.  

Suicide Prevention Task Force Updated

Thunder Bay has seen an increase in support for youth suicide prevention. Youth suicide prevention task force co-chair Sheila Hansen says over thirty organizations are partnering up to help tackle the issue. This partnership includes ten more organizations than the original, signed in 2009.

CMHC Low Housing Starts

The poor weather conditions in April are having an impact on the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Statistics. Analyst Warren Philp says so far 2013 has seen 11 housing starts compared to 24 last year. Philp says we saw four new housing starts last month.

Construction Closes Roads

Officials with the City say Central Avenue to Fanshawe is closed today while construction crews work in the area. Local traffic can still get to the College and Fanshawe via detours. Central Avenue to the Harbour Expressway also continues to be closed.

City Can Host 300 More Evacuees

The city says it will be able to handle an additional 300 northern flood evacuees if necessary.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says  the decision follows a meeting of emergency officials this afternoon.   He says it means if Emergency Measures Ontario needs to evacuate more residents, then Thunder Bay has the room for 300 of them.  The city is already hosting 150 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.

McHappy Day In Thunder Bay

Today is McHappy Day in Thunder Bay. McHappy Day is a fundraising event that gives one dollar from most McDonalds purchases to Ronald McDonald house and Easter Seals. Spokesperson Kathy Bukovy says they've raised millions of dollars nationally. Bukovy says that in the last month, three local families have gotten help from the Ronald McDonald house.

RFDA Asks You To Give It Up

The Regional Food Distribution Association is asking you to "Give It Up" today for Hunger.  The Hunger Awareness day will include local residents giving up food by fasting for the day.  RFDA Spokesperson Volker Kromm says it will help teach people what it's like to go hungry.  Kromm says besides fasting you can also donate food to your neighbourhood food bank.

Collision Sends One To Hospital

One person is recovering from injuries sustained in a south side traffic mishap.   Police say it happened Tuesday afternoon at Syndicate Avenue and Ridgeway when a motorcycle and car collided.  The motorcycle driver was sent to hospital with injuries that are not considered a threat to his life.

City Can Host 300 More Evacuees

The city says it will be able to handle an additional 300 northern flood evacuees if necessary.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says  the decision follows a meeting of emergency officials this afternoon.   He says it means if Emergency Measures Ontario needs to evacuate more residents, then Thunder Bay has the room for 300 of them.  The city is already hosting 150 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.

Street Sweeping Starts

City street sweeping is underway.   Officials say it takes approximately six weeks to complete the work along main roads and other major streets. Once these roads are done, crews will move into residential areas.

Sgt. Defends Police Checks

 A concern is being raised about how police inspect vehicles heading to the city's Solid Waste and Recycling facility on Mapleward Road.  A listener believes police are being too intrusive and overstepping their boundaries, but City Traffic Sgt. Glen Porter says not so.    Porter says officers are going by the book as they check drivers who are taking advantage of free dumping this week.

Victim's Condition Improves

City police say the 36 year old victim of a weekend assault is now in fair condition.   He was originally listed in critical  after being found injured outside an East End house on Sunday night.  Five teenagers are charged in connection with the violent incident.

Rickford In Kapuskasing

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is in Kapuskasing today on behalf of the Prime Minister overseeing the evacuation of flood victims from Kashechewan First Nation.  600-people have been forced from their home and have been relocated to Thunder Bay, Kapuskasing and Cornwall.  Rickford says it's been a fairly smooth transition.  Rickford says it's not yet known how long the evacuation order will remain in place.

Habitat For Humanity Women Only Build

Local women are trading in their heels for work boots.  It's part of Habitat for Humanity's first ever women build in the City.  CEO Diane Mitchell says often women are intimidated by men at the build sites and that's why they are holding a women's only build.  The Mary Street East home is going to a single mother with four sons.  The single mother came from Burma seven years ago with her husband and the boys but shortly after arriving in Canada her husband passed away.

Cliffs Mining Training Graduates More Youth

A step closer to working in Northwestern Ontario's mining industry for 14 students.  The youth from Webeuie First Nation are the latest graduates of the Mining Essentials Program, offered by Cliffs Resources and Oshki Training and Education Institute. Oshki Executive Director Rosie Mosquito says the students were able to learn a lot.  Once the mines are up and running, Cliffs has stated they will likely hire the students.

Strike's Impact Not Known

A spokesperson from Infrastructure Ontario says it's too early to speculate on how an elevator constructors strike will impact the work on the Consolidated Courthouse.  Jennifer Asals says they're hopeful the matter will be resolved soon and that there will not be any major impact on the schedule for the project.  levator union members and sheet metal workers went on strike last week.

Chamber Pleased With Idea Pick Up

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce is pleased their Provincial counterpart adopted two of their ideas at their recent meeting.  The province wide Chamber will be asking the Wynne Government to repeal the Far North Act.  They'll also ask the Province to reform Ontario's Apprenticeship system.

Health Unit To Conduct Inspection Blitz

Body art and beauty shops in the city better have their act together.   The Health Unit says it will be conducting an inspection blitz of them all this month.  It's to ensure they comply with infection prevention control laws laid out by the government.

MP Questions Reliability Of Census Data

 Next weeks data from the latest Canadian census will be the first since the questionnaire became voluntary to fill out.  MP John Rafferty is wondering if the information gathered from northwestern Ontario will be accurate enough. He says there will not be results to help northern communities get reliable data for future planning.  Rafferty it will also be difficult to compare the latest data to previous years.

Another City Mac's Robbery

The Mac’s store at Balsam and River Streets was the scene of an early morning robbery.  Police say a man entered the store at approximately 3 a.m.. The suspect demanded money and was armed with knife. There were no injuries and the man made off with a small amount of money and cigarettes.

Man In Critical Condition After Assault

A 36 year old man is in critical condition after he was beaten and robbed Sunday night.  Police say they found him lying in front of a home on McNaughton Street.  4 youths and an 18 year old man are charged with aggravated assault and robbery with violence.  Alcohol is thought to be one of the factors in the incident and the victim and the accused are all known to each other.