Text To Increase Wage's

The Ontario Federation of Labour is encouraging people to speak up about the current minimum wage and make a push to see it raised to 14 dollars an hour. People can now text "14now" to 807-788-1784, the text will automatically have their name added to a petition list. It is also sent as an e-mail to the three provincial party leaders.

Red Lake Woman Faces Six Charges

OPP are laying charges six charges on a Red Lake woman following an incident on February 8th. That evening police responded to two noise complaints from the woman's home. Police were refused entry but forced their way in when they discovered the woman was on an unknown amount of medication out of concern for her safety. An altercation then took place and an officer fired their weapon. The woman is being charged with two counts of assault of an officer with a weapon, two counts of carrying a weapon, one count of assault and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Chippewa Park Winter Viewing

The City is opening up it's Chippewa Park Wildlife Exhibit for the first ever winter viewing. The park is open from 11-3pm Saturday and Sunday. Parks Manager Paul Fayrick says it's something they have wanted to do for a long time. He adds that visitors will have the unique opportunity of viewing the animals with their full winter coat.

Three Hurt In Collision

Three people are recovering in hospital after a three vehicle mishap on the city's south side.   The collision took place at Edward and Redwood around 5:30 pm on Friday.    It was just one of dozens of  traffic accidents since the Thursday's snowstorm.

Missing Women March Held In T.Bay

The Chiefs of Ontario are calling on the Federal Government to address the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women through a vigil and march held today at city hall. Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy says its an issue that has gone addressed for too long. Marches took place across the province today including Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie and Orillia.

Neknomination Charges Pending In Atikokan

The OPP are warning about a potentially deadly drinking game called Neknomination.  The game involves drinking a large quantity of alcohol at once while doing a risky activity then a video is posted on-line with a challenge to someone else.  Constable Ann McCoy says police believe one video involves young people from the Atikokan area.   Police say the game has been known to cause serious injury and even death.

OFAH Reacts To The Fed Budget

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is reacting positively to the recent Federal budget. The organization is pleased with an additional 15-million dollars over two years for a recreational fisheries conservation partnership program.  The initiative was formed last year to help support local projects that benefit the conservation of fisheries habitats. The OFAH says the new money will allow for dozens of new projects to proceed.

Four Dead In Northern House Fire

Four people are dead at the result of a house fire this week on the Mishkeegogamang  First Nation south of Pickle Lake.   The Assembly of First Nations revealed the death toll in a news release which National Shawn Atleo expresses condolences to the community following the tragic blaze.  The Ontario Fire Marshall is expected to begin its investigation today.

Deloitte LLP Joins ROF Mix

The provincial government is solidifying the establishment of  the development corporation for the Ring of Fire mining project. The professional services network Deloitte LLP is now in charge of making sure goals and timelines are set for the project.   In addition the government says  Deloitte will act as a neutral, third-party resource for key partners, including First Nations, the provincial and federal governments and industry.

Rural Schools Closed

The large dumping of snow has led to the cancellation of all rural school buses today.  As well, there are rural school closures.  The following schools are closed today.  Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham and Ware, Kakabeka Falls, McKenzie, Nor'wester View, Valley Central and Whitefish Valley.  Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed today. All city schools for both school boards are open and city school buses are running, although there could be delays due to the weather. For more information call the Snow Closure Hotline at 625-1661.

LU Official Praises Budget Dollars

The Harper government's promise of 1 and a half billion dollars for university research over the next 10 years is making Lakehead University officials ecstatic.   LU Provost and Vice President of Academic  Dr. Rod Hanley calls this week's budget announcement welcome news.  He calls it an acknowledgement of the roll research plays in the Canadian economy.  Hanley believes it will ultimately mean an increase in grant dollars for Lakehead.

Hwy 61 Reopened

Highway 61 is now open after being closed when several motor vehicles were  involved in an accident near the train track overpass between Airport Road and Broadway Avenue. One person was injured, but police say not enough to be life threatening   Meanwhile, City Police are warning motorists about the slippery conditions on our roadways.  They are asking drivers to stay off the roads if you don't have to drive.  Police have dealt with 15 collisions since just after 7:30 a.m. this morning.

NAPS Investigating Possible Fatal Fire

Nishnawbe-Aski Police are investigating what is believed to be a fatal house fire in New Osnaburgh First Nation. Sergeant Jackie George says the blaze was reported around 3 o'clock this morning. George says the Ontario Fire Marshall is scheduled to arrive in the community tomorrow and at that time more information will be released.  Police can't confirm fatalities but George says officers are currently searching for the residents.

Rotary Club Launches House Lottery

The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay is launching its 28th Annual House Lottery today. The club is also announcing a five year five-hundred thousand dollar commitment to the hospitals cancer care campaign. Club President Dr. Richard Khoury says they expect ticket sales to increase this year to ten-thousand. This years grand prize is a new home valued at over four hundred-thousand dollars. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Canada Day celebrations at the Marina Park.

Special Visit Next Week

Thunder Bay is getting a visit from a federal cabinet minister next week.   Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt is the guest speaker at a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Tuesday.   He will be here to promote the Harper government's new budget as well as the proposed changes to First Nations education.  

Collision Leads To Mischief Charge

City police say that thanks to the publicity surrounding a collision last week they've come in contact with the driver of a pick up truck involved in the traffic mishap at Clarkson and Windsor Streets.   They say his version of events differs substantially from that of the driver of a mini van involved.  As a result,  they say the van driver has been charged with mischief after police allege he misled them about exactly what happened.

Secret Shopper Scam

OPP are warning area residents about a secret shopper scam. A local victim was the successful candidate for a secret shopper position and was forwarded a fraudulent cheque.  They were told they were investigating Western Union security procedures by choosing two friends to receive money transfers in the US. The victim transferred 2 thousand dollars and was later told two men claiming to be friends picked up the money.  Police are reminding the public if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Macs Robberies Video Released

City Police are looking for the person they believe is behind two Macs Convenience Store robberies Wednesday night.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they think the suspect is a 25 to 35 year old man.

Truck Driver Charged

Provincial Police have released the name of the transport driver who narrowly missed an oncoming tractor-trailer unit on Highway 11 in Greenstone last month. The incident generated over a million hits on Youtube. Police allege 31-year-old Akmal Hayat of Milton, Ontario tried to pass a snow plough and confronted a north bound transport. The driver of that vehicle was forced to the side and struck several guard posts. Police say Hayat drove off without stopping. OPP were able to identify the driver through the Youtube video. No one was injured. Hayat faces 3-charges.   View video HERE

Party Reserves Comment On Posting

The Progressive Conservative party says it's not in a position to comment yet on a news report regarding a social media posting by Tamara Johnson, the PC Candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North.   It indicated her views on businesses on the Fort William First Nation having advantages over those in the city.   While the original posting has been removed, Johnson continues to defend her opinion on her Facebook page. Meantime a spokesperson for the PC's tells our newsroom that they may not be able to comment today because of the provincial byelections in Thornhill and Niagara Falls. .

More Charges Against Lamont

A Thunder Bay manwho is already facing charges related to historic sexual assaults in the city and Warnica Lake, is now facing additional charges.   OPP say that after further investigation, 52 year old Gary Lamont is charged with two counts each of Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm, and Sexual Assault.  There is also a charge of Sexual Assault With a Weapon.   Police say, as with the previous charges, there are a number of male victims connected to the case who were between the ages of 17 and 24 at the time.

Gun Involved In Three Arrests

Thunder Bay Police made three arrests in connection with a bizarre incident Wednesday afternoon.  Officers responded to a report of a man being chased on foot by three other males in the vicinity of Ravenwood Avenue. It was believed that one of the males may have been armed with a gun.  One of the suspects was taken into custody when he was located behind a residence on Trillium Way.  That suspect had to be taken to hospital when he went into medical distress at the Balmoral Street Police Station.  City officers along with the OPP K-9 unit then located the other two suspects at an apartment on Academy Drive where a gun and ammunition were found.  The Special Investigations Unit continues to investigate the incident.      

Pair Of Overnight Robberies

Another night and another pair of robberies at Mac's Stores in the City. The first took place just after 2:30 this morning at the Balsam and River Street location, where a man entered the store brandishing a knife and got away with cash and lottery tickets.  The thief drove off in a blue vehicle.  The second heist occurred around 4:20 at the Mac's Store on Arthur Street West.  Again, a lone male was armed with a knife, and ran off with money and lottery tickets.  There were no injuries in either robberies.  

City Solicitor Budget Jumps 20%

The City Solicitor's budget is seeing an increase of twenty percent from the year before.  Solicitor Nadia Koltun says they decided to maximize her time by hiring more legal staff who can handle smaller court matters. The 2014 budget for city lawyers came in at 989-thousand dollars.