No Outdoor Skating Yet

Thunder Bay's warm weather is putting a kink in the city's plan to open the skating rink at Prince Arthur's Landing.  The rink opening is being postponed until later this week.  The ice is still not ready for use as the edges are not fully frozen.  Staff will re-evaluate the situation Friday morning when temperatures are forecasted to be cooler.

Mayor Backs Murray For Liberal Leader

Mayor Keith Hobbs is endorsing Glen Murray for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Hobbs calls Murray a visionary for the ideas he has laid out for northern Ontario.  Hobbs is especially impressed with Murray's idea of  a regional government for the north.  He says the south doesn't understand the north and sites the example of the Mission Island generating station and the "mess with" the Ontario Power Authority that proves we need people from the north governing the north.   Hobbs is one of four northwestern Ontario mayors backing Murray, the others are: Dave Canfield of Kenora, Rick Dumas of Marathon and Dennis Brown of Atikokan.

Police Make Arrest in Dog Attack Investigation

 City police say they have made an arrest in connection with a weekend dog attack on an 11 year old boy. Police say a man who appeared to be the owner of the dog did not remain at the scene. More details are expected to be released later today. The attack occurred just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Tarbutt Park when the boy entered the hockey rink not realising there was a large dog and five smaller dogs behind the boards. A man reportedly left the scene without offering any assistance to the boy, who will require reconstructive surgery.

O.P.P. Re-open Highway 588

Highway 588 in Kakabeka Falls is back open to motorists today after Ontario Provincial Police had to close it early yesterday morning. A two vehicle collision occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. near MacLean's Road. Police can't confirm a report that two people were sent to hospital with serious injuries. Police have not said if charges are pending.

Women's Volleyball Defeats Ryerson

Sarah Reid, Vanessa Chorkawy and Jorie Daymond led the offence for Lakehead University's women's volleyball team as they beat Ryerson 3 sets to 1 yesterday at home. The trio of attackers has 12 and 11 kills respectively as L.U. improved to 2-4 in the regular season despite having some of the province's best team and indivudual statistics. The team is off to London next weekend to take on the Western Mustangs.

Possible Re-Hab Facility Draws Opposition

There's potential controversy brewing as city administrators say the old Oliver Road School is being considered as a possible site for a drug rehab facility. City Administration is telling councillors that the request is appropriate, but that there is strong opposition from residents in the area who are concerned about public safety. Also at City Hall tonight councillors will be asked to approve the purchase of a new fire truck at a cost of almost 600 thousand dollars.

Highway 588 Closure

The Thunder Bay detachment of the OPP are advising drivers that highway 588 is closed at Mclean Road. A serious car collision shut down the area overnight and will continue to be closed to traffic until further notice. Police will be releasing more information as it becomes available.

Dog Attacks Child

Thunder Bay Police are investigating an incident which left an eleven year old in the hospital. The child was attacked by a dog at Tarbutt Park yesterday and now requires reconstructive surgery for his injury. The dog was among five other dogs inside the hockey boards at the park. The dog's owner left the park without leaving his information or assisting the child. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Thunder Bay Police.

School Replaces Security Guard

The Public School Board is confirming reports that a security guard at Superior Collegiate has been replaced after an incident at the high school this week. Spokesperson Bruce Nugent says it involved an inappropriate comment made by the male guard to a female student. There's no word on exactly what was said. Security guards have been placed at all public high schools this week because of job action by the teachers.

Christmas Parade All Set

The annual Christmas parade takes place Saturday morning. it starts at 10 o'clock at the Community Auditorium and moves along Memorial Avenue to the CLE grounds. Organizer Volker Kromm is hoping the good weather will attract up to 30 thousand spectators.Kromm says there will be about 50 floats in the this years event.

Police Release Robbery Details

City police are out with new details concerning an overnight robbery at a Mac's convenience store on Simpson Street.  Just before midnight, a masked man carrying a knife entered the store and demanded money from the clerk.  The suspect made ofF with some money. The clerk was not injured. Police are looking for a caucasian man approximately 5-foot-6 inches tall with a medium build with blond short hair. He was wearing black and white checkered pants, a grey hoodie and a blue toque. He had a Toronto Maple Leafs bandanna covering his face and he was wearing ear phones.  Anyone with information about the identity of this male is asked to call the Thunder Bay Police or Crimestoppers.

Four Laning Continues

The government is announcing the next phase of twinning the Trans Canada Highway between here and Nipigon.   Work will being later this year on a 13 kilometre stretch east of Highway 527.   It will be completed in 2015.    Aecon Construction and Materials Ltd. was awarded the contract.

Wynne-ing Over The North

Kathleen Wynne is unveiling a 4 point plan that she hopes will resonate with northern Ontarians.  While campaigning in Thunder Bay, Wynne met with a number of groups to hear their concerns.  Part of Wynne's plan would be to create a northern Ontario Cabinet Committee within 30 days if elected.

Lappe Search Called Off

O.P.P. are calling off a ground search for a suspicious man in Lappe and Gorham township. Staff Sergeant James Graham says provincial police made the decision instead to issue an arrest warrant for the suspect. Police are asking residents in Lappe and Gorham township to call them if they do notice anyone wandering around the area looking suspicious.

Murray Promises Regional Government

Glen Murray has some bold plans for the north if he becomes premier of Ontario. The Liberal leadership candidate says his number one priority for the north is to set up regional governments. Speaking in Thunder Bay Murray says it's all about taking control.  Murray says the process would begin with discussion then it would be put to a public vote in the form of a referendum.

McGuinty Proud Of Ring Of Fire

 As he gets set to leave his job in the new year Premier Dalton McGuinty believes his government's greatest accomplishment for the northwest was the Ring of Fire mining project. He calls the Ring of Fire an exciting new frontier in economic development for the northwest. McGuinty also points to the new hospital in Thunder Bay along with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the new law school

Mac's Store Robbed Overnight

City police are expected to release a full description of a man later today. They are currently on the hunt for a man who robbed a Mac's convenience store on the 700 block of Simpson Street just before midnight last night. Police say the man entered the stored brandishing an edged weapon and demanded cash and then took off. Police say no one was hurt and more details are to be released later today.

Manhunt Continues In Lappe & Gorham

O.P.P. are expected to be continuing a ground search later today for a man in Lappe and Gorham township. Police tried to pull over a vehicle early yesterday morning when the man took off on foot into the bush. The Emergency Response Team and the Anishnabek Canine Unit were scouring the bush yesterday for the man who allegedly showed up at a residence in Gorham township. Provincial police say the man is not considered a threat or dangerous but are advising residents in the area not to pick up hitchhikers.

Thunderwolves Weekend

The Lakehead University men's and women's basketball teams host their home opener tonight at the L.U. Thunderdome. The women's team tips-off against the Queen's Golden Gaels at 6:00 with the #7 ranked men hitting the hardwood at 8:00. Meanwhile the women's volleyball team are also at home this weekend. They take on the University of Toronto Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. and then against Ryerson on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the #8 ranked Thunderwolves men's hockey team travels on the road this weekend for games against Brock tonight and Wilfred Laurier tomorrow. You can watch live games by clicking on www.ssn.ca

McGuinty Sticks To His Guns

Premier Dalton McGuinty will not budge. He's standing by a decision to put a hold on the conversion the Mission Island power plant to natural gas for what experts say could be energy savings of 400 million dollars. Speaking in Thunder Bay, the outgoing premier says it's all about meeting the energy needs of the north. McGuinty says it would be reckless to proceed without looking at the advice of those experts.