Sandy Lake School Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall is investigating the Sandy Lake First Nation school fire as an arson.  The fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School caused extensive damage but no cost estimate is available yet.  The investigation is continuing.

Red Lake death investigation closed

Red Lake OPP have closed the book on a death investigation.  46-year-old Bertha Quill of Pikangikum was found outside near Howey Street last July unconscious and unresponsive.  She was transported to Hospital in Thunder Bay where she succumbed to her injuries.  Detective Inspector David Hillman says Quill died of natural causes and no further criminal investigation is needed.

Memorial to be held for former Mayor Dusty Miller

Its a chance for residents and politicians alike to pay tribute to former Mayor Dusty Miller.  A memorial will be held Friday afternoon at the Community Auditorium and Councillor Ken Boshcoff says when he was a rookie on council he was really impressed by Millers leadership.  Councillor Iain Angus says Miller is the reason why he got involved in politics and Mayor Keith Hobbs says she was a tough leader who fought hard for what she believed in.  The service will start at 2 o'clock.

Missing man found

It's a happy ending to a missing person's case.   Police Constable Julie Tilbury says 84 year old Norman Johnson was found on a road in the Dog Lake-Monday Lake area this afternoon by a passing motorist.  It turns out he became lost when he drove there in his truck and spent three nights in his vehicle before walking out today.  He'll be back with his family once he gets checked over by a doctor.

Rainy River doc to leave sooner

The town of Rainy River is losing its only full-time doctor sooner than expected.In an open letter to the community, Doctor David Singleton says he'll be ending his practice in the middle of April instead of June of next year. He cites a need for more control over his work and its conditions as reasons for his departure.

Outage affecting Current River

Thunder Bay Hydro crews are working hard to restore power to 500 customers in Current River.  Spokesperson Eileen Dias says an equipment problem is affecting the area of Current River and Norther Cumberland and at this time there is no timeline when power will be restored.

Chamber not happy with city's budget

The Chamber of Commerce wants the city to be a little more efficient.  President Harold Wilson says he isn't happy with the 2.67 percent tax increase in this year's budget.  Wilson says administration should be able to find enough savings through the Core Services Review to take some of the pressure off the tax payer.

French day care now open

The French speaking community in Thunder Bay now has its own day care centre. It's a 20 year dream come true says President Chantal Bohemier along with a big step for Fracophones,  as their pre-school children now have access to the French language all day.  The day care centre is located in Ecole catholique Franco-Superieur on Elgin Street.

Officials hold "urgent" Oxy meeting

The end of the Oxycontin era is causing concern among city police. They held an urgent meeting of local health and drug agencies to discuss the ramifications when the drug is taken off the market at the end of the month. Deputy Chief Andy Hay says they wanted to come up with a strategy to deal with the potential problems that could arise among addicts when their supply gets cut off suddenly. Hay says it's possible different drugs may come into the city which will replace the Oxycontin.

8 local athletes competing in Winter Games

Thunder Bay has eight Special Olympic athletes competing in the 2012 Canada Winter Games next week. Thomas Boyes is competing in Snowshoeing and says he's excited to travel to St. Albert, Alberta.  The Police department and Children's Aid Society helped raise 20-thousand dollars towards the trip.  8-thousand will be used towards travel expenses and the rest will go towards local sports programs.

OPP wrap up distracted driving campaign

OPP are still pulling people over for distracted driving.  Provincial Police recently cracked down on the illegal driving habit and Sergeant Shelley Garr says they charged 21 people in the Northwest.  The distracted driving campaign ran from February 13th until the 19th.

Torch relay coming

A cross-province campaign to increase the number of organ donors in Ontario will begin in Northwestern Ontario next week. The Step by Step Torch of Life relay kicks off in Kenora and will be in Dryden on March 5th and Thunder Bay on March 9th.  In total the relay will travel through 75 communities in four months.

Police seek missing senior

Thunder Bay police are asking for your help in finding a missing 84 year old man. They say that Norman Johnson was last seen on Monday when he drove away from his home. He was driving a black 2005 Ford F150 extended cab with Ontario plate number 500 5AC

Missing woman sighted

The police are looking for a missing 20 year old year woman. They say Danielle Lawson was reported missing by her family February 7th, but was seen in public on Friday in the company of a man at the OLG Casino

Robbery times two

Police now have a suspect in connection with Sunday night's Mac's Convenience Store robbery Syndicate Avenue and they didn't have to go far to find him. They say it's the same 20 year old they arrested on Tuesday in connection with Mac's robbery on Beverly Street.

Consultation process sbould be tweaked

The city's public consultation methods could use some updating.  That's the opinion of one city law maker.  Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds says the city is doing a good job of consulting with the public, but the fact that very few people attended recent budget meetings makes him think more can be done to reach residents through the use of the Internet and social media.

Syrian situation gets even bloodier

If it wasn't yet the situation in Syria is becoming an massive international human rights issue.  Lakehead University Political Science Professor Laure Paquette says the deaths of 2 international journalists will lead to more talk on the international stage but unfortunately for the Syrian people she doesn't expect any western military intervention anytime soon. 

City delegation heads to TO to lobby

A delegation from Thunder Bay is once again heading to the Ontario Good Roads Association Conference.  Mayor Keith Hobbs will lead the group that includes 5 councillors, City Manager Tim Commisso and the Economic Development Officer of Fort William First Nations Ed Collins to the conference that kicks off Sunday.  The delegates will be meeting with several provincial ministers including Energy Minister Chris Bentley and Deb Matthews the Minister of Health and Long Term Care.  The 3 day conference wraps up Wednesday. 

Gravelle supports colleague

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle is standing up for his fellow colleague in cabinet in the wake of the Ornge financial scandal. Gravelle says calls by the opposition for Health Minister Deb Mathews to step down are uncalled for saying she is on top of the situation.   It's so serious, the government has called in the OPP to investigate what's been going on behind the scenes at the province's air ambulance provider.

"Iconic" event set for March 3rd

It's back for another year. The 35th annual Sleeping Giant Loppet takes place March 3rd at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Organizer Marianne Stewart says they're hoping for up to a thousand participants. Stewart calls the loppet an iconic winter event in Thunder Bay saying many cross country skiers train all year for it.