Wabuskang Stands Against Laird Lake Stripping

The Chief of Wabuskang First Nation says it's time the provincial government respects their treaty. Last month, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines issued a permit to an individual allowing mechanized stripping of land in the Laird Lake area. Leslie Cameron says they were hoping the permit wouldn't go through. Cameron says they have received letters of support from Grant Council Treaty Three and the Chiefs of Ontario.

Fort William Street Fair

Fort William is hopping today as the Business Improvement Association's Streetfest gets underway. Spokesperson Tina Huk says downtown Fort William is thriving. Just down the road from Streetfest the City's Riverfest along the Kam River is being held.

Idle No More October Rally

Supporters of the Idle No More movement in Canada are looking to rally across country once again. It's calling on individuals to participate in a mass day of action October 7th. The day marks the 250th Anniversary of the British Royal Proclamation, which led to the founding of Canada.

Trans Canada Twinning Still Planned

Plans to twin the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora may be dormant, but the project isn't dead. That assurance from Premier Kathleen Wynne. Wynne admits it's taking longer than expected to start construction but says they are continuing to work with local First Nations to ensure the project can go ahead. Former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced 100-million dollars to kick start the project four years ago.

Stats Can Out With Jobs Report

Statistics Canada is out with its latest jobs report.  They say in August the number of jobs created rose by 59-thousand which is almost three times more than analysts expected.  Locally, the unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent a slight bump from 6 percent in July.  The report also shows that the national unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 7.1 per cent.

CLE Stays Mum

Rita Stoger

It appears the cone of silence is on with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   Following a noon hour meeting board president Reta Stoger says there will be no further comment on this week's events that saw one director, Linda Gambee, removed from the board.  Meantime, the board is coming out in full support of the Christmas Cheer campaign after Gambee announced her intention to resign as campaign chair.

Province Announces Rehab Money

The Provincial Government is vowing to spend 5 million dollars annually to improve the lives of kids with special needs in the region.  The investment will expand the family-centred Children's Rehab Information System to five treatment centres in Northern Ontario.  The move will mean kids will receive improved access to physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Fatal Plane Mishap Near Red Lake

A 67-year-old man from Minnesota is dead as a result of a float plane mishap just south of Red Lake.  Ontario Provincial Police say the incident took place on Dee Dee Lake yesterday morning around 10:30. Police says the operator of an amphibious plane was standing on the floats as he was coming into shore. When the plane came into contact with the shore, the pilot was thrown into the  propeller.  He was was transported to hospital in Red Lake where he died of his injuries.

Oshki & Cambrian Renew Deal

A First Nations education organization and Cambrian College are teaming up.  They renewed their working agreement for another five years.  The deal means the two will work together to enhance education and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Former Child Prostitute Speaking Out

A former child prostitute in Thunder Bay is speaking about her experiences in the sex trade industry in the City.  Bridget Perrier says she was shocked that the story she told an American researcher about being sold on a ship in Lake Superior got so much attention.  Perrier says Thunder Bay has a dirty secret and she hopes her story helps women in the local sex industry get out.

Nipigon Bridge Construction Underway

Construction is underway on the new Nipigon River Bridge.  The work on the stretch of Highway 11-17 east of Nipigon includes building two additional lanes.  The move will improve traffic flow on the Trans-Canada Highway.  A construction kickoff was held today with Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle.

New Management At ELA 2014

The International Institute for Sutainable Development says it won't actually be taking over the Experimental Lakes Area until next spring. Matt McCandless is the project manager and says there's still lots of work to do before they can assume responsibility for the ELA.  McCandless says the 2-million dollars announced by the Province of Ontario for the ELA will only cover about half of their annual operating costs, so they are still looking for more partners.

Numerous Groups Interested

The City is happy with the number of applications they've received from interested potential Event Centre partners.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they received responses from several quality organizations. Finding a tenant for the proposed facility is one of the steps towards making the project a reality.

Gambee Resigning Christmas Cheer

The Christmas Cheer campaign will have to find another chair.   Linda Gambee says she is resigning from the position following her removal from the board of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.  Both the CLE and Christmas Cheer work together during festive season.

Drug Bust In Nipigon

A 53-year old Thunder Bay man has a court date in December following a drug bust in Nipigon.  OPP seized 579 grams of marijuana, 31 percocet pills and $27,000 in cash after searching a home.  The man has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of property obtained in a crime.  Two other males were also charged.  The investigation continues and police say more charges could be laid.    

OPP Nab Escaped Prisoner

An escaped prisoner has been captured in downtown Kenora.  Kenora OPP say they found and arrested 53 Harvey Smith of White Dog First Nation.  Smith had escaped custody while at the Kenora Court House on August 20th.  Smith made a court appearance after his arrest to answer to the charge of escaping lawful custody.

Collision In Front Of Waverly Park Apartments

Police, paramedics and fire are on the scene of a two vehicle collision in front of the Waverly Park Apartments.  The collision just after 3 happened at the intersection of Red River Road and New Street. Officials say one of the people involved in the crash may have whiplash.

Ainsworth Selling Barwick Mill

There's to be new owners of the mill in Barwick.  Ainsworth is agreeing to sell all of its operations, including the Barwick mill, to U-S forestry giant Louisiana Pacific in a deal worth one-point-one billion dollars. Louisiana-Pacific chief executive Curt Stevens says the acquisition provides more financial stability to weather market conditions. Stevens says it will also gives L-P greater access to the Asian market where Ainsworth is well established.

Mayor's Community Safety Awards Back

The Crime Prevention Council is looking for nominations for the 3rd annual Mayor's Community Safety Awards.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says since its inception he's noticed more grassroots groups making their neighbourhoods safer.  The awards recognize citizens and groups who work to improve community safety. Nominations close September 27th with the awards being presented at the November 4th meeting of Council.

Tbaytel Gets Award

Tbaytel keeps racking up the awards for its local digital TV apps.  They are the recipients of the 2013 Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Community Channel Award for NextBus and Flight Status.  As part of their award they've been given a thousand dollar donation for Children’s Wish Thunder Bay.

City Seeks Uses For Gardens

The City is looking for a consultant to study the future use of the Fort William Gardens.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they want the consultant to examine what possible uses the garden could have if and when an event center is built.  Smith says the deadline to apply is September 26th.

Fort William Street Festival This Weekend

This weekend marks the sixth annual Fort William Street festival.  Business District BIA Coordinator Tina Huk says they'll have plenty of food, entertainment and some surprises.  The roads will be closed starting at 9.  The festival starts at 11:30 and runs until 5.

School Stress

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out. The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it. Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.  MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Easter Seals Announces Roast

Easter Seals is getting ready to host it's 11th annual celebrity roast in November.  This year's guests of honour are the manager of the Best Western Norwester and the dealer of Performance Kia.  Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says money raised goes towards sending local kids to camp.  The fundraising goal this year is 50-thousand dollars.

Thrift Shop Party September 13th

It's time to get your thrift shopping on.  Camp Quality is throwing a "Thrift Shop Party" on Friday the 13th at the CLE Heritage Building. Organizer Boris Potoyants says it's based on Ryan Lewis and Macklemore's Thrift Shop music video.  Potoyants wants to raise 5-thousand dollars for the organization through the party.

Hockey Locals Make Their Mark

A couple of Thunder Bay hockey players are gearing up for some NHL action.   The Pittsburgh Penguins have inked 19 year old  Matthew Murray to a three year entry level deal and Carter Hutton is officially the backup goalie for the Nashville Predators.

Ministry Probes Fall

The Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident in the city yesterday.   Emergency officials were called to a construction accident on Cadillac Circle  where a 24 year old worker had fallen off the roof.  They say he sustained leg injuries.

Subway Robbed

The latest robbery in the city hit a Subway Restaurant on North Cumberland Street.  Police say a man entered the location last night around 11 o'clock wearing a mask and holding what appeared to be a black barrel.  He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.  There were no injuries.

Gambee Booted From CLE Board

Linda Gambee is no longer a member of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   The general membership voted her out at a special meeting last night.  CLE spokesperson Ralph Scharf  says it was for conduct unbecoming a member, but he did not elaborate.  Gambee believes it's because she was threatening legal action and her stand on alcohol at board meetings. She is disappointed with how the meeting was conducted and claims her supporters were not given a chance to speak.  With Gambee off the CLE board, her tenure as chair of the Christmas Cheer campaign is up in the air.  After last nights membership vote Gambee said it was too emotional for her to discuss but she will announce a decision very shortly.

Cargo Stats Down

The latest cargo stats from the Port of Thunder Bay show that grain numbers are down considerably from last year.  It says over half a million tons fewer tons of grain has moved through the harbour than at the same time last year.  Potash and coal numbers are also down.

New Law School Is Open

Lakehead University's new law school is officially opened.  A ceremony was there this morning with local politicians and dignitaries.   Confederation College President Jim Madder says he's been in conversation with the Law School Dean about cross programing between the two schools. The school is located on Red River Road in what used to be Port Arthur Collegiate.  

 

CLE Board Member Speaks Out

The general membership of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition meets tonight to decide the future of one of the board of directors.   Board member Kathy Thompson says some members want to kick the unnamed person off.  She believes it's all about removing a director who has tried to prevent what Thompson calls "criminal acts" of driving after drinking in a boardroom bar that is free of charge to board directors,  24 hours a day seven days a week.   Tonight's meeting gets underway at 7 o'clock.

NOSM Makes Changes

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is making some changes in its management.  They've announced three senior appointments that include Dr. Janice Willett as the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Dr. David MacLean as Assistant Dean of Research and Dr. Owen Prowse as Assistant Dean of Admissions.

Gravelle Acclaimed

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is going to be back for another provincial election.  Gravelle was acclaimed at his nomination meeting last night at the Italian Cultural Centre.  He'll face the NDP's Andrew Foulds and P-C candidate Tamara Johnson in the fall of 2014.

Forest Fire Hazard Low

 Rain over the weekend, is helping fire fighting efforts in northwestern Ontario.  No new forest fires were reported over the Labor Day long weekend, and Saturday's precipitation has reduced the fire hazard to low across most of the region.  The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

Rickford Upset With Province

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has mixed feelings over the new deal to keep the Experimental Lakes Area open.  While he's pleased they've come to an agreement with Ontario, Rickford is fuming mad with the way the provincial announcement was handled.  Rickford says all three parties agreed on a joint media release and the province turned around with a complete different version and with no mention of the federal Government.

Innova Park Not Zoned For Costco

The city owned industrial park is being talked about as a possible site for a new Costco store.  With the retail giant pondering new Canadian locations city spokesperson Mark Smith says unless city council votes otherwise, Innova Park isn't zoned for such a development.  Smith says Costco has not contacted the city about locating a store here.

Power Plant Still Up In The Air

It's more of the same message from the Premier on the future of the conversion of the Mission Island power plant.  When asked about where the conversion of the local plant stands, Wynne says Thunder Bay's two MPPs have stressed to her how important the plant is.  Wynne made the comments at a news conference yesterday in Thunder Bay.  She also talked about the fate of the Ring of Fire project and money for the City's proposed event centre.

OPA Launches Energy Saving Program

Two Remote First Nations are participating in a new energy saving program through the Provincial Government.  Andrew Pride is the Vice President of Conservation with the Ontario Power Authority, and says Keewayin and Wunnimin Lake will have access to the resources they need to help save energy in their communities.  A total of 12-Aboriginal Communities will participate in the first year.

FASD Awareness Day Monday

The NorWest Community Health Centre is teaming up with the City's four LCBO stores to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  FASD Awareness Day is set for September 9th and reps from the health centre will be speaking to people shopping at the stores that day.  The group's message is that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.

Sousa & Wynne Talk Economy

Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Premier Kathleen Wynne are listening to local residents concerns about the economy.  They held a roundtable event at the Valhalla Inn this morning and Wynne says what she hears today will be used in the future.  City officials, members of the education sector, and business representatives took part in today's event.

Fire Hazard Back To Low

All the rain over the weekend, is helping fire fighting efforts in northwestern Ontario. No new forest fires were reported over the Labor Day long weekend, and Saturday's precipitation has reduced the fire hazard to low across most of the region. The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

Missing Woman Found

The missing woman who was last seen in Geraldton is safe after being found in Thunder Bay.  Audrey Wright's daughter reported her missing and Police say she's ok and in the City.

TSB Looking Into Crash

Two people have walked away from a plane crash in the Kenora area.  The Cessna floatplane reportedly went down in the LacLu area Friday afternoon.  The pilot and a passenger sustained only minor injuries in the mishap.  Some anglers who were fishing nearby managed to rescue the occupants of the plane. Transportation Safety Board says it will be looking into the crash.

Police Seize Drugs In Longlac

Greenstone OPP are charging two people with trafficking cocaine as well as possession of other drugs after a search of a Longlac home.  On Friday, police searched the home and found cocaine, meth, and cannabis resin.

Police Deal With Man With Rifle

It was not a good wake-up call for a Tarbutt street man over the weekend.  Police say a resident in the 1300 block of Tarbutt noticed a man ransacking his vehicle early Monday morning.  When the resident went outside to approach the intruder, the thief pulled out a rifle.  The resident returned inside his home and called police.  The thief escaped and no one was injured.  Police are looking for a native-Canadian male in his early 20's, who was wearing a light blue hoodie.

Poverty Free T.Bay To Rally Tonight

Poverty Free Thunder Bay plans to rally at MPP Michael Gravelle's nomination meeting tonight.  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.

School Board Ready For New Year

The Lakehead Public School Board is ready for the new school year.  Director of Education, Cathi Siemieiuk says they made major technology upgrades over the summer.  The board is also celebrating having full day kindergarten classes in each of their schools.  School starts tomorrow for public school kids.

Gravelle Nomination Meeting Tonight

Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle is holding his nomination meeting tonight for the Thunder Bay Superior North riding.   Gravelle says he feels good and wants to continue to represent the interests of his constituents.  The meeting will be held tonight at 6 at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Bay Street Film Festival Is Back

The Bay Street Film Festival is back for another year.  The 9th annual event kicks off Wednesday with a gala.  Organizer Zoe Gordon says they'll have 39 films this year. The movies will be shown above the Hoito with the exception of one movie being shown on the waterfront this Friday.

ATV Deaths Prompt Safety Reminder

OPP are reminding ATV users to follow the rules of the road or get off the trail.  Police are telling riders to wear a helmet, never drink and drive, and always let someone know your trip and where you plan to go. OPP are investigating two recent ATV related deaths.