Thunderwolves advance to Western Conference Final

Matt Dias was the overtime winner as the Thunderwolves moved passed the Guelph Gryphons 5-4 Friday night to advance to the Western Conference Final.  Next up for the Wolves is arch rival Western Mustangs who will be in town Wednesday for game one of the best of three series.  Lakehead split the season series with Western this year with two wins apeice.

Councillors ponder Research Institute request

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institutes' funding request comes before city councillors Monday. City administration is recommending that a capital account of 1 and a half million dollars be estabished for two major projects over the next three years. Also councillors will be asked to approve a contract worth over 660 thousand dollars to fix up the Duke Street water pumping station.

Demolition contract will pave the way for new courthouse

City councillors will be one step closer Monday to having a new courthouse build on the city's south side. They're being asked to approve the contract for the demolition of the Brodie Street bus terminal and the former King's Stereo Building. The contract is worth over 260 thousand dollars. The two buildings must come down to make way for the new consolidated courthouse.

Research Institute gets millions

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute is 6.4 million dollars richer. The Institute has been awarded the money from the McGuinty government and it will cover the operating costs in conducting new research. Scott Potts is the Institutes' Chief Operating Officer and says the research surrounds medical imaging devices and how to improve them.   Potts adds the money will be spread over five years

Students give input on provincial curriculum

There are about 40 grade 11 students in the city who have some added academic savvy. They were part of a province wide forum looking at how to improve the high school civics program. Local organizer Donna Flasza says the students are now able to give feedback on it.   The local students participated with students in London, Ottawa, Sudbury and Toronto.

HST will cause ticket prices to rise at the Community Auditorium

The coming Harmonized Sales Tax is already having an impact on a local business. The Community Auditorium has seen tickets prices increase by 8 percent for events happening beyond July 1st. General Manager says the increase isn't going to sit well with customers. Halverson says the HST will also increase rental prices and could see a lot of customers go elsewhere.

Gas Flare system begins testing at Thunder Bay Landfill

You may notice a large flame at the city's landfill when you drive down Mapleward road this weekend. The city's half of a methane generating station is beginning final testing. Project Engineer Tom McConnell says large flames will be visible at the site, but are completely harmless to the public. McConnell says this facility will be joined with a methane generator being constructed by Thunder Bay Hydro.

Pic Mobert protests HST on the Trans Canada

The Trans-Canada Highway is back to normal now after Pic Mobert First Nation was slowed traffic to a crawl Thursday. It was because the members of the band were protesting the upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax. They're worried that the tax will be an extra burden on their community adding to costs of heat and hydro. OPP were on hand to make sure that drivers slowed down while going through the protest area.

Thunderwolves take on Guelph at the Gardens

The Lakehead Thunderwolves will try to close out there second round series with the Guelph Gryphons tonight at the Gardens. The Wolves hold a one nothing series lead after scoring a 4-3 overtime win Wednesday night, puck drop is at 7:30 pm. Meanwhile a couple Thunderwolves will be boosted but some recognition from the OUA today. Fifth year senior Scott Dobben is on this year's Second All-star Team, Mark Soares is the OUA's Most Sportsmanlike Player and Victor Anilane is on this year's All Rookie Squad.

Haley Irwin wins Gold

Haley Irwin is bringing some Gold back to Thunder Bay. Irwin and the rest of the Canadian women's hockey team pulled off a 2-0 win over the US last night to win their 3rd straight Olympic Gold. She was held off the scoresheet last night but Irwin finished her first games with 4 goals and an assist. Marie-Philip Poulin scored both the Canadian goals and Shannon Szabados made 28 saves for the shutout.

Mayor and councillors lobby ministers

Mayor Lynn Peterson is expressing confidence local issues were heard by some key government ministers. The Mayor and three councillors were in Toronto this week at a conference and took time to button-hole some cabinet ministers. That included Corrections minister Rick Barolucci who was told about the need for more detox beds in the city.  Aboriginal Affairs minister Chris Bentley was also asked to locate a ministry office in Thunder Bay.

Firefighters' death recognized as work related

Sixteen years after his death a Thunder Bay firefighter has now been recognized as dying in the line of duty. Glenn Adduono died of leukemia but it was only recently the provinces Workplace Safety Board awarded compensation to his family for it. Eric Nordlund of the local Professional Firefighters Association says its a significant step.   The Association presented the Adduono family with a memorial medal to recognize the occasion.

Neebing gets marketing money

The Municipality of Neebing is getting money to market itself. Over 14 and a half thousand provincial taxpayer dollars will be used by officials to sell the community to new investors. The plan will include an inventory update of industrial and commercial land available and the development of a community profile posting on the internet.

Sustainability conference opens today

Community and First Nation groups from across northern Ontario have gathered in Thunder Bay today to discuss the sustainability of their communities.Conference co-chair Alexander Boulet says delegates are examining the issues affecting the north's ability to deliver the basic needs to area residents.   Boulet says they're hoping the event will be a way of growing a network that can share ideas on an on-going basis.

Another illegal cigaratte bust in Northerwestern Ontario

Another massive illegal cigarette bust in Northwestern Ontario. Greenstone OPP seized almost 700 thousand illegal cigarettes after a routine traffic stop in Longlac yesterday evening. 47 year old Scott Smith of Sylvan Lake Alberta was arrested in the bust.

Local video appears on the Ellen DeGeneres show

Matt Popowich is making the news again, but unfortunately for the director of the My Hometown Video, this time it was a little less glamorous. After getting international attention for the music video, Ellen DeGeneres featured a video showing Matt falling off a wind mill. Popowich says he's happy because anyone who sees the video can then go on to see his other videos like My Hometown.

Friends of Big Thunder make submission

The clock is winding down for submissions to the government for proposals on the idled Big Thunder Sports Park. Paul DeGiacomo of the Friends of Big Thunder says his group has sent in a suggestion which includes participation with some private partners. Included in the Friends proposal is to keep the nordic section of the park operating year round. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 1st, at 5 pm.

Thunder Bay OPP are taking drunk drivers off the roads

Thunder Bay OPP are taking drunk drivers off the roads. Officers pulled over a truck on the Expressway near Red River Road yesterday and smelled alcohol and handed the 71 year old driver a 3 day suspension. Later in the day officers pulled over another impaired driver who was found to be over twice the legal limit. He will appear in court in April.

Thunder Bay Police are looking for three muggers

Thunder Bay Police are looking for three men in relation to a robbery that happened over the weekend. Officers say a 16 year old was robbed around 9:15 Saturday morning in the Victoria Avenue, Brodie Street area. The three suspects grabbed the teen an robbed him of cash and personal items. Detailed descriptions of the muggers can be found at the Thunder Bay Police website.

Thunder Bay Police crack down on speeders

Thunder Bay police were out in full force this week targeting speeders. Sergeant Glen Porter says the crack down is part of an ongoing traffic managment plan. Porter says officers have been focussing on problematic areas and since the blitz began last week over 230 speeding tickets have been handed out. He says warm temperatures generally see speeds increase in the City.