Former Fire Chief dies

A World War 2 and Korean naval veteran and former city Fire Chief is dead. John Bryant was 86 years old. He passed away at the Health Sciences Centre. Les Newman is with the Thunder Bay Fire Service. He says Bryant was one of a kind, giving his working life to public service.   First as a member of the Naval Reserve and secondly as a firefighter.  A full naval funeral service takes place at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Everest Chapel on West Gore Street

Power failure hits south downtown

The power is back on in the city's south downtown core. It follows an outage this morning that started at 10:12 lasted for over half an hour. Thunder Bay Hydro says about 3 thousand customers were affected. The cause was a stray bird.

Ottawa man surrenders to police

City police have a mystery on their hands. They're trying to figure out why a 52 year old Ottawa man turned himself in Monday claiming that he attempted to rob a city bank. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says they don't know what he was doing in the city or what his background is. Adams says while there was an incident at the Dawson Road TD Bank on Monday afternoon, employees never thought the suspect was any threat.

Chiefs of Ontrario meet in Fort Frances

First Nation Leaders from across the province are gathering in Couchiching First Nations today for the start of the annual Ontario Chiefs Conference. Three days of talks will focus on issues such as First Nations rights and jurisdiction, health, education and the HST. Nishinawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief Angus Tolouse will be speaking at the event.

Monopoly shuts out Northwest

Northwestern Ontario won't be represented when the Canadian version of Monopoly hits store shelves Monday.
After being considered for a spot, Thunder Bay has been left off the board. The spaces were filled by public voting.  Chatham-Kent claims the coveted Boardwalk spot, while Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, Quebec takes the Park Place property.  Winnipeg has also been left off the Board.

City and LACL toast a partnership

The city and the Lakehead Association for Community Living are celebrating a birthday. The Inclusion Services program for Association clients has been operating for 5 years. Executive Director Ken Pickard says it's allowed the clients to be involved directly in the community.  He says it means people with mental disabilities don't need to take segregated recreation classes, they can take them with everyone else.   Pickard calls that achieving citizenship.   There are 80 Association clients in the program.

SIU investigates death at Regional Health Center

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has been called in to investigate a fatality involving a 41-year-old man from North Spirit Lake First Nation.  The SIU says the man was picked up by the OPP from the Red Lake Detachment last Monday.  Later in the day he had to be taken to the hospital in Red Lake and then was transferred to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Yesterday, the man died.  The SIU says 4 of its investigators are being sent to Red Lake to look into the incident.

City streamlines zoning by-law

Business leaders and community members can have their say on the City of Thunder Bay's new comprehensive zoning by-law. A special council meeting on the legislation is being held Wednesday night. City Spokesperson Leslie McEachern says they want feedback on the new by-law. McEachern says the comprehensive zoning by-law will be streamlined and user friendly.

Taylor Pyatt re-signs in Phoenix

Taylor Pyatt has signed a two year extension with the Phoenix Coyotes.  Pyatt is coming off a season where he scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in the desert and finished with a career high plus 13.  Pyatt joined the Coyotes last year after spending 3 seasons in Vancouver.

Northern Hearts wrapping up Walk with Doc

Thunder Bay's Northern Hearts is wrapping up their Walk with Doc Campaign this week. The month long event raises awareness about heart health in a fun way. Organizer June Bjorn says exercise is vital for heart health the program allows people to walk with other people and learn more about a heart healthy life style. Anyone can head down to Birch Point Park at Boulevard Lake to take part from today until Thursday from 7-8 in the evening.

Harbourview Funeral Centre creating a parking lot

The Harbourview Funeral Centre wants to build a parking lot for its facility.  The City of Thunder Bay rezoned the property at 179 MacDougall Street from light industrial to highway commercial.  Owner Chris Lent says they plan to make changes to the property to allow for proper water drainage.  The City is currently in the process of selling the land. Most City councillors were in favour of the rezoning application, but Joe Virdiramo wanted it written into the legislation that the property could be used as a parking lot only and not a Methadone clinic.

Methadone Clinic phobia

Clinic phobia is making the rounds of Thunder Bay. Councillor Joe Virdiramo made mention of the methadone clinic being proposed for Frederica Street at last night's council meeting. Virdiramo asked Development Services Manager Mark Smith if the City has any say on what types of clinics set up shop in the City. Smith says there is a phobia amongst the public in regards to clinics popping up in their neighbourhoods. Smith adds they typically just have say over the zoning but not what forms of clinics can be operated on that property. The rezoning of a piece of property on high street sparked the conversation on methadone clinics. A local union office and a possible future community clinic is being proposed for high street.

Open Spaces proposed for Kam River area

More open green spaces are planned for the Kam River area. A draft report on the area was presented to City council last night and the public will have their chance to weigh in on it this summer.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith says once the final report is in place; council can decide what forms of infrastructure they would like to put in place.  Councillor Ian Angus would like to see a mixed use residential area on the waterfront with the possibility of a condominium.

Local Tories show interest in running

Some north side Conservatives appear to be anxious to have a shot at federal politics. Mike Auld has stepped down as the candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North for health reasons. Riding Association President Michael Picard says the buzz has already started.  He says interest has been shown but he wouldn't say who those people might be until it's formalized.   Picard hopes to have a candidate chosen before the end of the summer.

Public School Board gets good grades

The Lakehead Public School Board is happy with its students test scores in the Ontario Secondary School literacy tests. The tests are handled by the Education, Quality and Accountability office and results were released last week.  Director of Education Kathy Seminieuk says their students scored 81 percent, just 3 percent below the provincial average.  Hammarskjold high was above the provincial average with 85 percent.  Meawnhile, Sir Winston Churchhill scored 80, Superior Collegiate came in with 69 and Westgate scored 87 percent.

Ride for Dad sets record

The final numbers are in. The annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad on the weekend set a new record for participation. Michael Pedri of the Health Sciences Foundation says over 78 thousand dollars was raised by the 346 riders. Pedri says organizations have no complaints. He calls support for the community oustanding especially the assistance from the corporate sponsors. In the ride's 10 year history, 628 thousand dollars has been raised for the Foundation.

Counselling Centre gets thumbs up

The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre is celebrating. It's received it's accreditation, essentially a stamp of approval from counselling experts. Executive Director Nancy Chamberlain says it gives them continued credibility.  She says it assures  the community that they are following accepted practices in everything from administration, to finance to programming.   Chamberlain credits her staff and the board for the achievement.

Still no deal for Superstore workers

The workers at the Real Canadain Superstore are yet another step closer to striking. Not only have they already voted in favour of a walkout, now comes word that conciliation talks aimed at getting them a new contract broke off Monday. The major stumbling block in negotiations are company concessions that include wages and benefits. The countdown to any strike action will begin with the release of a conciliators report.

Native merchants sell their wares at Chippewa

Ruth Stebens was one of the many merchants who were selling First Nations jewerly at the Aboriginal Day celebration at Chippewa Park.  

Thousands take in Aboriginal Day

Aboriginal Day is another success. About 3 thousand people took in the festivities at Chippewa Park. This year's ceremonies were special for the Metis. Thunder Bay Council President Wendy Landry says it's the Year of the Metis. She says under the constitution Metis are considered Aboriginal People and so it's a huge statement for the local committee to recognize them. Landry says the contribution the Metis made to Canada can't be ignored.   Organizer Stephanie Feletto says Aboriginal People have come together to celebrate the day for generations.   She says it's a time to celebrate life and meet new friends.