CLE Possibly Losing A Member

The membership of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition is getting set to possibly kick off a member of the board of directors.   Board president Reta Stoger refuses to identify the person involved but says it's the first time this has happened in the CLE's history.  In a letter to members Stoger says that the board member has demonstrated unbecoming conduct.   The vote is expected to take place Wednesday night.

Con College Welcomes Students

Orientation at Confederation College and Lakehead University is this week.  229 students moved into the Sibley Residence on the college campus over the weeekend.  Meanwhile, LU's experience Lakehead week starts on Thursday.

NDP Calls Premier Visit Photo-Op

The NDP is taking a shot at the premier claiming her trip to northwestern Ontario is nothing but a photo op.   MPP France Gelinas feels the premier has some nerve coming here when there are still promises to be kept. Wynne's northwestern Ontario visit brings her to Thunder Bay today and tomorrow.

ELA Saved

The Provincial government has formally announced funding to keep the Experimental Lake Area west of Vermilion Bay open.  Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement in Kenora.  Wynne says she's not sure why the federal government decided to pull out of the ELA, but her government is committed to the scientific research being done there.  Wynne says the provincial government is committing up to two million dollars per year to keep the ELA open.  The International Institute for Sustainable Development will be responsible for operating the freshwater research facility.

Shoreline Hotel Catches Fire

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to a blaze at the Shoreline Hotel yesterday. There was heavy smoke pouring out of the fifth floor of the building. Searches of the fourth and fifth floors confirmed everyone made it to safety.

Government Aiding ELA

The Ontario government is dedicated to keeping the Experimental Lakes Area open. Michael Gravelle says the provincial government is giving 2 million dollars a year to keep the facility running. Gravelle says premier Wynne was visiting the ELA area during her Kenora visit.

County Park Knife Attack

Officers were called to an address on Wentworth Crescent on Friday night, finding a man with a knife wound. He was taken to the hospital to get stitches. A 34 year old woman is in custody charged with assault with a weapon and will be attending court later this week.

Hospital Cracks Down On Smoking

The hospital is going to start better enforcing it's "Smoke Free Grounds Policy". The crackdown begins September 30th and comes after staff complained people were smoking near the doors to the hospital. CEO Andree Robichaud says they're also going to help their staff who want to quit. Robichaud says it makes sense for the hospital to promote a healthy lifestyle to the public.

Catholic School Board Anticipates Decline

Thunder Bay's Catholic School Board is expecting a decline in their enrollment this year. Spokesperson Tom Mustapic says they're not letting it get them down. School starts September 4th for Catholic Board students.

Ruberto Returns From Sister City

City Councillor Aldo Ruberto is still pumped after a recent visit to Jiaozuo, China. Ruberto believes Jiaozuo has the best opportunities for connections than any of our other sister cities. Ruberto believes the visit laid the groundwork for an economic relationship between the two cities.

Local Company Nominated For Innovation Award

A Thunder Bay company is vying for a Canada Post E-commerce Innovation Award. 3Ride BMX Bikes is up for the Best Multi-Channel Retailer. Winners gets a shipping contract with Canada Post up to 100-thousand dollars. The awards are handed out September 25th.

OPP Recovers Stolen Vehicle

Nipigon OPP have recovered a pickup truck stolen from Alberta. The vehicle was stopped by officers, who then realized it was stolen. The thief will be in court today.

Highway 17 Crash

A Honda civic and Mercedes crashed into one another on highway 17 last night. The highway was closed down for two hours, and the drivers were taken to hospital for their injuries. The driver of the civic is being charged with "failure to share roadway with meeting vehicle".

ATV Fatality Probed

The Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident near Marathon Saturday. OPP say that an employee of Stillwater Mining was  riding an all terrain vehicle on a trail when he lost control and went down a hill.  Police say that 63 year old James Buckner of Ear Falls was thrown from the vehicle and was killed.   He was not wearing a helmet.

OPP Seizes Drugs In Traffic Stop

Nipigon OPP have arrested a man and seized his drugs near Lake Helen First Nation. The man was carrying several grams of cocaine and marijuana at the time he was pulled over. He is in police custody and is going to Court on September 3.

Forest Fire Update

There are 17 active fires in the Northwest Region. Of the 17 active fires, 16 fires are being monitored. There are no fires posing a threat or risk to human safety or property and these fires are showing minimal fire behaviour at this time. With the heavy rain that has fallen across the region lately, the forest fire hazard remains low for all of northwestern Ontario.

Marina Park Kidney Walk

Marina Park will be hosting the Kidney Foundation's fundraising walk today. The walk gets underway at 10 this morning with registration a half hour before. Money raised goes towards education, patient support programs and research.

Premier Pays Cities Visits

Ontario's Premier is in Kenora today/Sunday. It's the second time since being sworn-in that she's visited the City. She'll be in Fort Severn tomorrow and Thunder Bay Tuesday.

Runner Raising Money For Sick Kids

Thunder Bay is going to play host to a man running across Canada alone to raise money for Sick Kids in Toronto and two childrens' hosiptals in Britain. Jamie McDonald is expected to be in Thunder Bay at the Terry Fox Monument on Tuesday. To find out more about his journey and his stop in the City you can go to the Facebook page "Get Ready Tbay Jamie's On His Way".

St. John Ambulance Safety Tips

Kids of all ages are heading back to school this week. St. John Ambulance is calling for back to school prep to include safety tips. The organization wants parents to remind kids of the dangers of walking and riding to school as well as how to ride the bus safely.

More Politicians Admit To Past Pot Use

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is weighing in on the recent announcement by various politicians that they partook in smoking pot. Gravelle is reacting to Premier Kathleen Wynne's admission that she last smoked weed over 35 years ago. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford have also come out saying they've smoked marijuana in the past.

MNR Trains Teen Trappers

A new program in Northwestern Ontario targeting youth with an interest in trapping. It was introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and will be available to those age 12 to 15-years old. Shannon Gutoskie is a spokesperson with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and says it's great news for the region. Gutoskie says there's a course youth must take, and they also need their parents or guardians consent.

Unifor President Elected

Jerry Dias is the first president of Unifor in the merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers into the country's biggest private sector union. He was chosen at the founding convention in Toronto,   The new superunion has at least 9 thousand members in Thunder Bay and across northwestern Ontario.

No Winning Ticket In Thunder Bay

There is no 30 million dollar winner in Thunder Bay this time around.  The Ontario Lottery Corporation says someone in the Hamilton area is the winner of this weeks big prize.

OPP Gives Safety Advice For Long Weekend

People boating irresponsibly is one of the many things Provincial Police will be on the lookout for this long-weekend. Sergeant Shelley Garr is also reminding motorists to slow down and not drive distracted. OPP will also be cracking down on impaired drivers across the region.

Cross Canada Rollerblader Visits Thunder Bay

A cross Canada rollerblader is stopping in Thunder Bay this weekend. Kevin Ebra is following the footsteps of Terry Fox and is determined to travel from Toronto to Vancouver in 120 days. Ebra leaves our city on Sunday with his next stops being Kaministiquia, English River, Dryden, Vermillion Bay, and Kenora.

Blind Man Bikes For Charity

Thunder Bay is going to be a popular stop for people on cross Canada fundraisers. Craig Aucoin is doing a back to back bicycle tour across the nation in support of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Aucoin is blind and will be riding his bike through Ontario this weekend.

Pigeon River Border Backup

You can expect long line ups at the Pigeon River Border Crossing this weekend. Canada Border Service Agents say the peak traffic times are Sunday from 4 pm to 7 pm and Monday from 11 am to 7 pm. To help move the process faster your asked to bring your travel documents and receipts.

LU Looks For Homestay Hosts

Lakehead University is looking for people in the City who want to host an international student coming to Canada to learn English. It's part of the Homestay program which last 15 weeks at a time from September to December, January to April or May to August. Homestay hosts receive 700 dollars per month when they provide a room and meals or 475 dollars a month when just providing the room

Coast Guard Rescues Boaters

Two people are safe and sound after a water rescue on Lake Superior Friday.  The rescue coordination centre in Trenton says that the Canadian Coast Guard in Thunder Bay brought the two back to shore after their 26 foot boat took on water about a mile south of the city.

Forest Fire Update

There were no new fires reported in the Northwest Region August 30. The forecast is calling for more rain for the next several days and the forest fire hazard is expected to be low across the region. The rain will help with lightning strikes that have started fires. The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program has a lightning-locator system that helps track strikes of lightning that have potential to start new wildfires.

Water Rescue On Superior

A water rescue on Lake Superior.    A spokesperson at the rescue coordination centre in Trenton says that a 26 foot Bayliner boat started taking on water Friday about a mile south of the city and the two people in there called for help.   A rescue unit from Thunder Bay picked them up and brought them to the yacht club unharmed.

Poverty Free T.Bay To Rally

Poverty Free Thunder Bay plans to rally at MPP Michael Gravelle's nomination meeting Tuesday night. Chair Terri Carter believes Premier Wynne will be in attendance and she wants to greet her with three demands.  Carter is looking for the Premier to demonstrate a commitment to reducing poverty.

NOHFC Programs Under Review

The Provincial Government is conducting a review of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.  It means new programs will be created and launched at the end of October.  Applications for funding through the old program will be accepted up until September 30th.  The changes are being made to reflect the priorities set out in the Northern Ontario Growth Plan.

Hospital Family Rooms To Become Patient Rooms

The overcrowding problem at the Health Sciences Centre is at a new level.  The hospital is now renovating family lounges to make more room for patients.  The fire department told the hospital they could no longer house patients in hallways which spurred the decision.  CEO Andree Robichaud says the rooms only need a little tinkering.  The decision will mean 14 patient spots, which is two more than what the hallways were providing.  Robichaud hopes to have the new patient rooms ready by mid-October.

Baby Boomers Not Ready For Retirement

More and more seniors in Northwestern Ontario are digging deep to make ends meet.  Recent studies show that debt levels are on the rise across the country, especially for the elderly.  Frank Fabiano is a local trustee in bankruptcy, and says many seniors depend on their old age security or pension plans.  At the same time, Fabiano says baby-boomers are also feeling the crunch, as many of those born between 1945 and 1964 say they haven't saved enough for retirement.

Transit Still Experiencing Problems

Thunder Bay's Transit Service is still having technical difficulties with their scheduled arrival time phone line isn't working.  Bus riders are being asked to use the paper schedules, the transit website and Nextbus dot com.

 

NOSM Gets Award

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is on the receiving end of an award that recognizes good work in medical education.  The ASPIRE award was given to NOSM at a medical conference in Prague.

Victim Fleeced For 25K

Police in northwestern Ontario are releasing details about a scam that has left one resident owing 25-thousand-dollars. The victim was told to cash a cheque for the scammer without realizing it was a trick designed to leave her on the hook for the entire amount. Police say the sender of the cheque had befriended the victim over several months, gaining her trust.

Police On School Buses

Kids of all ages will be heading back to school Wednesday. City Police are reminding motorists to pay close attention to students crossing streets and getting off buses. Sgt. Glenn Porter says they'll be on area school buses looking for bad drivers.  Porter reminds college and university students that they'll be staging RIDE checks as well to look for drunk drivers.

Man Gets 60 Days For Breach

A 32 year old Murillo man is  serving time for disobeying a Manitoba court order not to be in the company of anyone under 18.    In a Thunder Bay court this week Tony Barnes was given a sentence of 60 days in jail and a years probation on the charge.  Barnes was also given credit for the time served since he was taken into custody in late April.

LU Prof Says Syrian Attack Certain

A Lakehead University Professor says it's  almost certain that Syria will be attacked.  Laure Paquette, who sometimes does research for the U-S military,  says that the only question is how the United States will lead the attack and when. She believes it will come in the form of a drone or stealth  attack.   Paquette says there is no other option but for the world to react to a chemical weapons attack.

LRCA Flood Watch

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is issuing a flood watch for the Thunder Bay area including O'Connor, Conmee, Gillies, Shuniah and Dorion.  The LRCA is putting the watch in effect because of the heavy amounts of rain expected tonight.  Staff are continuing to monitor the weather conditions.

Fed Funding For Mining Project

The Federal government is handing out 87-thousand dollars to two groups to allow them to participate in the environmental assessment for the Griffith Iron Ore redevelopment project in Ear Falls.  Wabauskang First Nation is receiving 50-grand, while the Metis Nation of Ontario is getting 37-thousand dollars.  Both groups will be able to review and provide comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.  Northern Iron (Corp.) is hoping to reopen the once prosperous Mine, with hopes of cementing a 20-year mine life.

No Cause Yet In Moose Death

There still isn't a cause of death for Chippewa Park's seven year old bull moose.  A post mortem exam is done but some tissue samples were taken and sent to a lab in Guelph for analysis.  The moose was found by staff at the zoo early Tuesday morning.  Analysis of the tissue samples is expected to take seven to ten days to complete. 

Summer Sounds Well Received

It's over.  The summer's final City Hall Sounds event wrapped up Thursday at City Hall.  The program was put in place to liven up the area around the City's South Core which saw live music, arts and crafts and local food.  Crime Prevention Coordinator Amy Siciliano says since the program was well-embraced they're going to look into how best to move it forward next year.

CEDC Celebrates Summer Company

Thunder Bay's Community Economic Development Commission is heralding the benefits of the Summer Company program.  Organizer Stacia Kean says they had 11 businesses created by local youth. The provincially funded program is for students between 15 to 29 years of age.   A wrap up ceremony was held on Thursday for the local students who took part in this summer's program.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The Thunder Bay area is under a severe Thunderstorm watch.  The storm cell started last night in North Dakota and is making it's way into the City this afternoon.  Environment Canada Meterologist Geoff Coulson says it could become a doozy of a storm with hail and strong winds.  The forecast is calling for up to 20 to 30 millimetres of rain.

Gravelle Happy With Remediation Plan

The Ministry of the Environment and the owners of the defunct Superior Fine Papers have come to an agreement over the clean up of their Thunder Bay mill.  MPP Michael Gravelle says there have been concerns over industrial waste on the site for several years and he's happy the site will be remediated.  Gravelle says making sure we have a clean source of water is vital and the clean up of the former mill site will help ensure that.

Cellphone Sting Round 2

City police say Thunder Bay drivers still don't get it.   Sgt. Glen Porter says they conducted another series of traffic stops on the James Street bridge Wednesday afternoon and over a hundred drivers were charged. Porter says the number of cell phone violations were also up from last week.