Santa Bus Brings Tonnes Of Food

Over 2 thousand pounds of food is going to the Thunder Bay Food Bank. The goods were collected through the Amalgamated Transit Union's Santa Bus Food Drive.

Another Child Porn Bust

City police are announcing another kiddie porn bust.   Detective Constable Chris Dunnill says that in early October they discovered that a man was using an Internet  file sharing network to trade child pornography. Dunnill says that lead to a search of a South Cumberland Street apartment in late November. That's where a computer was seized.    Facing three child pornography related charges is 42 year old Terrance Roe of Thunder Bay.

LHIN To Be Reviewed

Regional health authorities will be get a review in the new year. A provincial legislative committee intends to hold public meetings in late January and February to review the Local Health System Integration Act. It include a meeting in Thunder Bay on February 3rd. The 7-year-old act led to the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks, including one for the Northwest, to oversee the planning, integration and funding of local health.

Man Killed On Highway 17

It was a tough day on area roads Sunday.  A single vehicle accident on Highway 17 claimed the life of  55-year old  John Lackey from the Barrie area.  OPP say yesterday afternoon around 3 o'clock a pickup truck rolled over, one kilometre west of Finmark Road, that resulted in the highway being reduced to one lane.   Meanwhile, a two-vehicle collision on Highway 61 near Mount Forest Boulevard sent four people to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The male driver of the Nissan truck was charged with Unsafe Lane Change contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

No Injuries In NWO Derailment

Trains are moving again on the CP rail line in northwestern Ontario. A train derailment about 10-kilometres east of Ignace forced the closure of the national line early Saturday morning. 14-grain cars left the track and there was damage to a small section of the track. Repairs were made and the investigation concluded and service was back to normal yesterday afternoon. No one was injured.

Seatbelts Save Lives

"Seat belts save lives"  is the theme of a high school campaign this week.   Judi Marton of the Health Unit says a crumpled car wreck, whose victims survived a collision,  is being taken to several schools this week. Marton says the initiative is a partnership between the Health Unit, the regional hospital and a local car dealership.

OPP Commish To Retire

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis is set to retire from the force. He made his announcement recently saying he'll end his 35 year police career on March 28th of 2014.   A search for Lewis's replacement will begin immediately.

Food Bank Use Up

The demand for food banks is growing in Ontario. The Ontario Association of Food Banks finds 375-thousand people now relying on food banks every month.  Executive Director Bill Laidlaw says there were 16-thousand new users identified this year. Laidlaw says food bank use this year has been greatest in rural areas and communities hit hard by plant closures.

Bell Let's Talk Clara's Ride Coming In June

Six time Olympian Clara Hughes is cycling across Canada raising mental health awareness.  Mary Deacon is Chair with the Let's Talk initiative and says events will kick off soon with Bell Let's Talk Day which over the past few years has raised 62-million dollars.  Clara's trip begins in Toronto on March 14th and will be in Thunder Bay in June.

Christmas Cheer Hamper Pick Up

It's almost time to pick up your Christmas Cheer hampers. If you live on the south side of the City Tuesday is your chance to pick it up, while the north ward will pick up their hampers on Wednesday. Hampers can be picked up at the CLE from 9 in the morning till 7 at night.

City Council Preview

City Council is set to clear up some administrative duties during the last meeting of 2013. Deputy Chief of Superior North EMS Ernie Kadikoff says they're asking council to approve the spending of their new ambulance for Armstrong. The Provincial Government provided 165-thousand dollars towards the vehicle. Meanwhile, A permanent memorial for Katherine Dugmore will be discussed at council tonight. Dugmore was the city's Project Manager for the waterfront development before passing away in March to cancer. The memorial would be placed at the Viewing Circle entrance at the end of Pier Two. Also up for discussion tonight, the city's Community and Cultural Funding grants are expected to remain consistent with last years. Council will review a submission tonight passing two point three million dollars in funding. Finally, an application to have the Sister Leila Greco Apartments included in the cities Charitable Tax Rebate program should be looked at favorably according to councillor Brian McKinnon. If approved the apartments would receive a full tax rebate.

Save On Hydro Rates

Hydro One is releasing some gift ideas to help homeowner save money. Some of the gifts include cold water laundry detergents, LED and CFL light bulbs and window insulating kits.

Support For The Regional Food Distribution Centre

The Regional Food Distribution Centre is getting some help from Safeway. Customers are being asked to purchase a five or ten dollar care package that are filled with the food banks most needed non-perishable goods. RFDA Spokesperson Brendan Carlin says the partnership with Safeway is vital when stocking shelves.

Christmas Light Recall

Loblaw is issuing a voluntary recall of three kinds of outdoor Christmas lights. The company says lights may have loose or exposed wires which could provide shocks, electrocution or fire. The lights being recalled are Life at Home 70 C6 LED Outdoor White, Life at Home 70 LED Outdoor Blue and Life at Home 70 C6 Outdoor Multicolour. The lights have since been taken off the shelves, and were sold at Real Canadian Superstore locations and No Frills. No injuries have yet been reported.

Mulcair Upset With Hyer

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is upset with his parties former MP Bruce Hyer. According to reports Mulcair described Hyer's switch to the Green Party as a betrayal those who voted for him in Thunder Bay Superior-North. Mulcair then added that it would only be reasonable for Hyer to resign and re-run for his seat in a by-election.

New Equipment For First Nations High School

The Long Lake First Nation is receiving just over two-thousand dollars from Union Gas to put towards two welders that will be used by high school students. The school is encouraging students to work in the skilled trades sector.

Help Stuff A Cruiser

Todays 'Stuff a Cruiser' event will get a lot of support from local police services. The OPP, City Police, RCMP and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service will have cars parked at the Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway on Arthur and Metro's also on Arthur and River street. OPP Constable Diana Cole says that the food collected will be used for the Regional Food Distribution Association. Donations can be made at any of these locations from 10-4 today.

City Wants Ideas On Gardens

The City wants you to imagine the future of the Fort William Gardens. The request is part of a future use assessment that will look at a full range of options to use the Gardens as a non-spectator facility.  All ideas are being encouraged event removing some or all of the seats.  Two open house events are scheduled for the coming months including January 8th at the Gardens and another on February 4th.  The assessment is to be completed by March 4th.

Hyer Goes Green

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is joining the Green Party.  The one-time member of the NDP made the announcement this morning during a news conference at the Finlandia Club in Thunder Bay. Hyer says becoming a Green Party MP will allow him to maintain independence and stand up for the interest of his constituents. He adds being a part of a party will also help him better represent the North.  Hyer broke ranks with the NDP in April of 2012 over the vote to scrap the gun registry.

72 Year Old Woman Still In Critical Condition

Police are continuing to investigate a collision that saw a City bus strike a woman at the intersection of south Algoma Street and Waverly Thursday night.  Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says 72 year old Audrey Kahkonen is still in critical condition and asks the community to pray for her recovery. Porter says good progress is being made in the investigation but notes there's some additional areas that need to be explored.  Meanwhile, Transit Manager Brad Loroff says their thoughts are with the woman. Loroff notes the driver of the bus is not operating any city equipment today.

Spring Bear Hunt Takes Step Forward

The return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario is one step closer to reality.  Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro brought forward his Private Members Bill and it passed its second reading at Queen's Park.  Bill 114 was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy which would see an open season from April 15th to June 15th. The purpose of the bill includes reducing the number of aggressive bear attacks while also boosting the Province's moose population by lowering the number of calves killed by bears.

Tbaytel Gives Out Cash

Tbaytel is giving 5-thousand dollars to Nipigon-Red Rock High School. The money is through the company's "For Good" community giving campaign. The school will use the cash to help its food and nutrition classes that host weekly lunches in its school cafeteria. Another 5 organizations from the region will be receiving 2-thousand dollars each to help with their education projects.

T.Bay Writer Up For National Award

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize.  The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Charges Laid Against Beendigen

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is laying 8 more fire code charges against Beendigen Incorporated for failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The new charges come from a search of several properties operated by the company.

DSSAB Budget Passes

The Social Services Board's proposed budget for the new year has passed.  The seventy-three million dollar budget will also include some financial relief for area municipalities according to CAO Bill Bradica. Bradica adds that the reduction comes because of a lowering case load for Ontario Works.

Mauro's Bill Bear Being Debated

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill is still waiting to be voted on today.  It was debated this afternoon in the Ontario Legislature. Mauro called on members of the opposition to support his bill.  NDP Timmins James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson called Mauro's bill nothing but a re-election ploy.  Mauro says he won't comment on Bisson's statement in the legislature.

Minor Damage At Silver City

City fire officials believe the cold weather could be responsible for a water problem at the Silver City theatre complex this afternoon.  Kelly Patterson of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says the problem is minor though,  and involved the sprinkler system malfunctioning and sending water pouring onto the floor.  The problem occured at the south exit of the building.  The damage not enough to effect business operations.

Local Author Gets Recognition

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize. The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Director Set To Retire

The Catholic School Board's Director of Education Joan Powell is retiring. She made the announcement at Monday night's school board meeting. Powell will be retiring at the end of April.

Cold Weather Equals Collisions

City Police are being kept busy with the cold weather we're experiencing.  Over the last four days officers attended 119 collisions on area roads.  One of the accidents involved an ambulance enroute to a call, thankfully no one was injured and the crew was able to proceed to their call.  Police are again reminding drivers roads are icy and tires are rock hard because of the cold temperatures.

Vacancy Rate Up

The vacancy rate in Thunder Bay is up. According to the latest government figures, the rate in October was about 2 and a half per cent. A year ago at the same time it was about 1 per cent. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says it reverses a long downward slide.  Philp says the increase can be attributed to, among other things, more people moving from renting to owning their homes.

OPP Get New Gear

OPP in northwestern Ontario are benefiting from new technology. Sgt. Shelley Garr says that our region is getting some of the new cruisers that are equipped with licence plate scanners to catch suspended drivers.  Garr says the new cruisers should arrive by next month.

United Way Welcomes Donation

On the charity beat, city workers from librarians to paramedics are showing their generosity. They have given almost 220 thousand dollars to this year's United Way campaign. That comprises about 10 per cent of the United Way's 1.2 million dollar objective.

Gravelle Announces Health Care Network

The Provincial Government is creating a new new health care network for high needs patients in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle says the new program will offer seniors and patients with complex conditions better care through more coordinated support. The program links together the various health care providers in the City.

Slippery Conditions Bring Collisions

OPP are warning motorists about the slippery driving conditions on area highways after several collisions occured in the region Wednesday.  A driver of a GMC Jimmy was west bound on Highway 11/17 when the driver lost control and rolled the vehicle into the ditch.  A two vehicle collision also occured yesterday at the intersection of Gronroos Road and Copenhagen Road.Finally, police were called to another vehicle rollover on Highway 11 after the driver lost control of his truck. OPP say the cold weather is causing area roads to be covered in ice and frost.

Drug Charges Laid

Two Longlac residents and a Geraldton man are charged with a variety of drug related charges after a search of a Longlac home by police. OPP located an amount of marijuana, morphine, and drug paraphernalia inside the home. Charged are a 37-year old man from Longlac, an 18-year old male from Geraldton and a 26 year old woman from Longlac.

Mandela Memorial

Thunder Bay residents get a chance to pay their respects to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.  St. Paul's Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street is hosting a memorial this morning at 11 o'clock. Organizer Brent Trudell says it will be a community service featuring songs and memorable quotes from the former South African President.
A book of condolences will be there for anyone to sign and it will be sent to the Mandela family

Cold Snap Continues

Don't expect our deep freeze to end before the weekend.  Jeff Coulson of Environment Canada says we are in the grips of a cold snap out of Western Canada that is bringing with it temperatures that are well below what we normally get this time of year.  Our normal daytime high for this time of year is minus 6.  Coulson adds we might see a break from the deep freeze early next week but expect another cold snap in the week leading up to Christmas.

Workers Strike At CCAC

The union representing striking Public Support Workers at the Red Cross says the cold weather isn't deterring local picketers. Bill Joblin of the Service Employees International Union says the workers here are willing to pound the pavement in bone chilling temperatures in an effort to get a settlement with the employer.  The 21 workers in Thunder Bay are part of a province wide walk out that involves 45 hundred PSWs.

Four Vehicle Accident

A 51 year old man is charged after several vehicles were involved in a collision at the intersection of Balmoral and the Harbour Expressway. The crash took place just before 2 this afternoon and resulted in two drivers being taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Traffic was snarled for about a half hour today and has since been cleared.

Hospital Imposes Interview Sanctions

The Regional Health Science's Centre denies it's treating city news outlets differently when it comes to granting interviews.   Our newsroom was not allowed an interview with Peter Myllymaa the head of corporate services, over possible plans for parking expansion,  unless we provided questions in advance.   A hospital spokesperson says Myllymaa was caught off guard by questions from an earlier interview with another news outlet, and so the sanctions were put in place for subsequent exchanges.  However it's Acadia Broadcasting's policy not to provide questions in advance of any interview.

New Health Links Program In T.Bay

The Provincial Government is creating a new new health care network for high needs patients in Thunder Bay.  The new program will offer seniors and patients with complex conditions better care through more coordinated support.  The program links together the various health care providers in the City.

St. Pat's Closed

St. Patrick High School is closed and students are going home.  The athletic director with the Catholic School Board says the school has a boiler issue that's forcing the entire school to be sent home.  All sports games at the school today are being rescheduled.

Big Changes For Canada Post

It's a new dawn for Canada Post.  Our national mail service provider is going to be phasing out door to door mail delivery for a third of Canadians who live in urban areas.  Over the next five years those people will be converted to so called  community mailbox delivery.    As well the corporation is increasing the cost of mailing a letter to 85 cents from 63 cents starting on March 31st.

Red Cross Working With CCAC

Thunder Bay's Red Cross Personal Support Workers are striking to back demands for a new contract. Red Cross Care Partners Spokesperson Tanya Elliott says they're keeping a close eye on the job action. Elliott says they will be finding other organizations who can provide care for their clients during the strike.

Matawa Holds Education Conference

Matawa First Nations are hosting an education forum this week. Topics up for discussion include what needs to be changed or added to the First Nation education system, and what systems are already in place that are working well. Matawa Ring of Fire Negotiator Bob Rae will be the guest speaker today and is expected to talk about what training needs to take place for area residents to take part in the mining project.

Doctor Shortage Included In Report

Northern Ontario's doctor shortage is drawing the attention of Ontario's Auditor General. In her annual report, Bonnie Lysyk says while the province has increased the number of physicians, only 5-percent are practicing in rural areas where 14-percent of Ontario's population live. Lysyk notes that locum doctors, meant to cover short-term vacancies in eligible communities, are instead being used for long periods of time. At the time of the audit, there were about 200 specialist vacancies in Northern Ontario, and a third of the hospitals had been using temporary physician services continuously since 2007.

NOMA Looking Forward To Future Meetings

Leader's throughout the region will get to discuss issues every three months with the provincial government.  Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Dave Canfield says the promise was made to some key figures at the Northern Leaders Forum.  Canfield says last weeks meeting opened up discussions on a variety of topics including forestry, infrastructure, and the Ring of Fire.

Rickford Announces New Fund

Businesses throughout the region could get some much needed help by the Federal government. FedNor Minister Greg Rickford has announced the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which will spend 200 million dollars over the next 5 years. Rickford says he's focused on one industry close to home. He says 2 local companies are taking a serious look at the program.

Camping On Crown Too Long

An Ignace man is 400 dollars lighter in the pocket-book for leaving his camper on Crown Land too long. The MNR says it responded to complaints of a number of campers parked on Sturgeon Lake north of Ignace this past summer. Conservation officers posted notices that camping on crown land is limited to just 21 days. The MNR managed to track down the owner who didn't move his camper and Leon Ray was charged.