Police Services Act Hearing Expected To Wrap Up Friday

The Police Services Act Hearing for three local officers is expected to wrap up Friday. For several days the adjudicator has listened to testimony and today the Defense and Prosecutor will summarize their cases. The hearing comes after a 44-year old city resident alleged that the three officers assaulted and stole money from him during the course of a drug investigation back in September of last year. Detective William Wowchuck, Detective Constable Ron Popowich and Detective Constable Brad Bernst are each facing one count of Misconduct and one count of Discreditable Conduct under the Police Services Act.

Health Unit Lifts Beach Advisory

Boulevard Lake's Sunnyside Beach is getting the ok from the local health unit.  They've lifted the swimming advisory from earlier in the week.  Public Health Inspectors will continue to test beach water for E-coli up until the end of August.

Tim Horton's Promises Cash For Goals

Thunder Bay's Tim Horton stores are going to be donating money each time a local NHL'er scores a goal this season. Local Owner Brent Prepp says they'll donate 300 dollars per goal. Freedom 55 Financial is also going to donate 50 dollars per goal this season.  New York Rangers player Taylor Pyatt who is in town this week says he'll try to do his best to raise funds for the camp.Money raised goes toward sending kids to Tim Horton's summer camp.

Fletcher Wants Focus On Fundraising

Thunder Bay's Flood Relief Committee is reminding the public that they need cash. Over 500 advance claim forms were submitted to the group on Monday and Chair Wayne Fletcher says they now need the community to step up their fundraising efforts. Fletcher says there already has been some fundraising efforts in the community and is asking that any future events are brought to their attention.

L.U. Welcomes New Students

Lakehead University is welcoming future students from across Canada to their campus today. It's part of their two day early orientation and First Year Experience Leader Danielle Ruel says they'll see over a hundred students. The students and their families will take in the sights of Thunder Bay and learn about the support programs the University offers.

Great Lakes Warriors On History

Thunder Bay Tug Service is going to be highlighted on a History Channel Reality TV show. Owner Sharon Dawson says they're nervous about how it turned out since they originally were pitched the idea as a documentary. Dawson says they went ahead with the show because they hope it will show what tug boats do and showcase the Thunder Bay Port.   Show airs on July 19th.

Domestic Dispute Calls On The Rise

Thunder Bay Police are saying the number of domestic dispute calls is on the rise, dramatically. In an article written by Police Spokeperson, Chris Adams and published by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the statistics more than double in Thunder Bay in a 6 year span. Domestic Dispute calls go from just over 1,100 in 2004 to more than 2,200 received in 2010. In the article, Adams points to addictions problems as one of the primary causes for the substantial increase. Adams wrote the article entitled "A Northern Policing Perspective" to share some of the unique challenges that police face in the North.

Charity Golf Tournament Goes Hi-Tech

The Freedom 55 Financial Celebrity Hockey Golf Classic will see the Staal brothers and other local hockey players golf for a good cause. Event Chair Tom Mihaljevic says all money raised goes towards the Northern Cancer Fund. This year you can donate $10 by texting the word HOPE. Not only will N.H.L. players be taking part in the charity golf tournament but Eric Staal signed a Carolina Hurricanes jersey which is up for auction on e-bay.

Record Temperatures Set

The heat wave is setting record temperatures across the region. Thunder Bay got up to a high of 32.4 yesterday but not close enough to the record of 33.8. Dryden reached 33.5 breaking the old record of 32.1 set 1998. Fort Frances reached 32.7 breaking the old marker was 32.0 set 1998. Kenora reached 32.4 breaking the record of 32.1 set 1979. Red Lake reached 34.5 destroying the old mark which was 32.2 set 1943. Sioux Lookout reached 33.8 breaking the old record of 33.3 set 1943.

Cats Win 2 In A Row

The Thunder Bay Border Cats made it 2 wins in a row last night in Waterloo, Iowa. The Cats posted a 7-3 win over the Bucks, improving their second half record to 3-4. Game 3 of that 5-game series goes tonight in Waterloo.

LU Wrestling Coach Back From Romania

Lakehead University Wrestling Coach Brock Curtis is back from a tournament trip to Romania.  He took the Canadian U24 Women's Wrestling Team to the Country fora Memorial Tournament and the week-long training camp that was after it.  Curtis was the team's assistant coach for the trip.

Greenstone Launches Citizen Survey

Greenstone is embarking on a strategic plan for their community. They've hired a consultant that will help them define the town's priorities. You can help shape the plan by taking part in their online citizen survey which is available from now until July 31st. To have your say click here.

Sister Margaret Smith Demolition Underway

St. Joseph's Care Group is in the final stages of demolition at the former Sister Margaret Smith Centre.  President Tracy Buckler says the 2 million dollars worth of demolition should be complete by the fall.  Once demolition is complete, the site on Algoma Street will house a new mental health wing for St. Joseph's Care.

Province Provides Cash To 3 Local Groups

The Provincial Government is giving money to three Northwestern Ontario organizations.  Thunder Bay's Big Brother Big Sisters is getting just over 20 thousand dollars for their "Game On" mentoring program.  It's a school based program that helps mentor teens.  Atikokan will see 30 thousand dollars for a youth program. Meanwhile, 24 thousand dollars is going towards a Wasaya Wee-Chee-Way-Win program that promotes physical activity, injury prevention and healthy eating for aboriginal youth.

NOSM LU Welcome Physician Assistant Program

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine now boasts a Canadian Medical Association approved Physician Assistant program.  Some of those PA's are going to work in Thunder Bay at the hospital and in the community according to Spokesperson Gordon Porter.  The student doctors are coming from the University of Toronto and NOSM.

Tassone & Belisle Named Superintendents

Two new Superintendents of Education are going to make their presence felt in the boardroom for the Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board. Pino Tassone and Omer Belisle have each been named as new Superintendents of Education. Tassone has been involved with the education system here in Thunder Bay for 24 years and was the Principal at St. Ignatius High School, while Belisle has fifteen years of educational experience and was the Principal at Our Lady of Charity.

18 Year Old Woman Faces Drunk & Stunt Driving Charges

An 18 year old woman is in trouble with the law. O.P.P. were tipped off about a possible drunk driver just after 11:00 O'clock yesterday morning. The Thunder Bay Driver was caught speeding at more than 150 km/h west of Upsala. She's facing a number of charges including, impaired driving, stunt driving and underage drinking.

Staal & Pyatt Brothers Happy To Give Back

Local N.H.L.'ers are gathered for a number of fundraising events in the city this week. The Easter Seals Skate with Kids happens today. Last night six N.H.L.'ers helped raise money for cancer research by playing in the fifth annual Thunder Bay Kings Alumni game. New Carolina Hurricanes Centre Jordan Staal says he's always willing to help out the team that began his hockey career. Tomorrow the N.H.L.'ers are going to play golf in support of the Northern Cancer Fund at Whitewater Golf Course.

5 New Forest Fires

5 new forest fires are being reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources, bringing the region's total up to 11. 2 were discovered in the Nipigon district. 1 of them is just 3 kilometres west of Terrace Bay, the other is burning near the Webequie First Nation landfill. 3 new fires were reported in the Fort Frances district. Firefighters remain on high alert with conditions at "High" to "Extreme" across the region. 

Grand Slam Helps Cats Win On Road

A grand slam home run helped the Thunder Bay Border Cats to a 10-6 win on the road last night in Waterloo. The win over the Bucks improves Thunder Bay's second half record to 2-4. Game two of that 5-game series goes tonight in Iowa.