Campbell Talks Resolute

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is among those who is still hopeful that operations in Fort Frances will get back to normal at a later date. Campbell says she met with Resolute representatives as early as yesterday, but indicated they weren't asking for any provincial assistance at this time. Campbell says the company isn't marking a date as to when operations may resume, but says she did come away with a sense that it will happen.

Kenora Train Pedestrian Accident

A 36 year old Kenora woman is recovering from injuries sustained after she was hit by a train. Kenora Police were called to a train crossing Tuesday night. Two people were walking along the tracks when the 36 year old woman was struck by the westbound CP Rail train. She was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Work To Rule In Rainy River

Elementary teachers across the Rainy River district are expected to begin a series of work-to-rule job actions to back demands for a new contract. The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says it's received the no board report from a Ministry of Labour conciliator regarding its stalled negotiations with the Rainy River District School Board.

Layoffs Still Loom

The prospect of more downtime still looms at the local Bombardier plant. Union Spokesperson Dominic Pasqualino says it's because workers voted to continue their strike at the company's Quebec plant. The facility makes walls and roofs for the rocket subway line Thunder Bay's plant works on. Pasqualino says they'll start running out of parts by Christmas. He adds layoffs could be avoided if the Quebec plant resolves their labour issues or the company finds another supplier.

Ski Hills Could Open December 1st

With no snow on the ground yet, you might think local ski hills would be suffering. Ward Bond, Owner of Loch Lomond Ski Area says memberships for him are actually up in numbers from a year ago. Bond says they'll start making snow with 20 machines starting tomorrow and hope to open as early as December 1st.

Snow On The Way

Travellers taking to the road tomorrow will need to know about an incoming weather system that is expected to bring varying amounts of snow to the region overnight. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says 15 to 20 centimetres could hit along the North shore of Lake Superior but other areas around the region, including Thunder Bay will see less accumulation. Coulson says the tail end of the system will bring much cooler temperatures over the coming week with highs of minus 5 and 6.

Liberal Leadership Debate Coming To T.Bay

The Ontario Liberal Leadership debates will be making a stop in Thunder Bay. Northwestern Ontario will get it's chance to ask questions to the candidates on Sunday, December 9th at 1 in the afternoon. A location for the debate has yet to be selected.

Golf Courses Still Open

Golf in November? With the temperatures as mild as they have been, golfers are still swinging their clubs at Northern Lights Golf Course. Clubhouse Manager Billy Shewchuck says the driving range and the full course are still open for business. Shewchuck says it's been really busy this week with above normal temperatures and they'll be open again today. Dragob Hills Golf Course is open today as well.

Over 300 People Attend Multiplex Meeting

Around 350 people attended Wednesday night's public meeting on the City's proposed event centre.  Opportunity Thunder Bay held up signs in favour of the downtown waterfront project. Meanwhile, the Concerned Taxpayers group asked people to sign their petition calling for a vote on whether the project should go forward and if it does at what location.  City Council will discuss the full report on the proposed waterfront event centre at its meeting Monday night.

Fednor Gives Sachigo Lake Help

Improvements are on the way for Sachigo Lake First Nation.  Fednor Minister Tony Clement announced today that the federal government is providing 490 thousand dollars to the community.  The funding will allow the First Nation to construct a small business center which will house a number of businesses and provide a space for entrepreneurs.  Clement adds that it will allow for new investments in the area and allow existing businesses to grow and prosper.

Paterson Park Public Meeting

The City wants to hear your thoughts on what to do with Paterson Park.  A second meeting on the green space is being put on Thursday night at McKellar Park School by the non-profit group 8-80 Cities.  City Spokesperson Werner Schwar says 8-80 Cities will be sharing their findings from their first visit to Thunder Bay.  The goal of the project is to make the park more user friendly for users of all ages.

Koltun In, Evans Out

The City has appointed Nadia Koltun as their new lawyer.  Koltun acted as Rosalie Evans replacement over the last year.  City Manager Tim Commisso says after 9 years in the job Evans decided to pursue other opportunities.

Nickle Seeks Nom for Kenora Rainy River PC party

Making Ontario a have province.  That's the goal of Randy Nickle who has declared his intentions to run for the provincial PC party.  Nickle says Northwestern Ontario needs to take advantage of the resources we have.  The PC's will select a new representative for the Kenora-Rainy River riding on December first.

Black Friday Deals

More and more retailers in Thunder Bay are jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon. They are hosting their own promotions to counter the Black Friday in the United States, known for huge sales. Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson notes it's a growing trend, especially in the 3 years he has been with the Chamber. Wilson says the move may help to prevent people from cross border shopping and show prices here are comparable to the States.

Report Isn't Walmart Bashing

They say it's not Walmart bashing, but a new study predicts there will be a loss of jobs in the retail sector as the result of the expansion of the retail giant in Thunder Bay.  Consultant Keith Wootten  says they aren't trying to paint a negative picture with the results of their study. The Lakehead University study for Thunder Bay Ventures also says that most residents felt more Walmarts weren't needed, but they prefer the cheaper prices.  

Generic Oxy's Causing More Concern

The opposition continues to mount against the federal government's decision to allow generic Oxycontin on the market. Bob Herman of the Nishawbe Aski Police Service says it's a big step backward in the fight against addiction in First Nation communities.  Herman believes the feds should be taking a leadership role on the issue by banning the product.

Ontario N.D.P. Launch Healthcare Survey

The Ontario N.D.P. want to hear from you and your concerns about the healthcare system. A new survey has been launched by the provincial New Democrats. Party Leader Andrea Horwath says she and her MPP's will be hosting a series of town hall meetings in the coming weeks across the province. A link to the survey is available here.

Events Centre Gathering Tonight

The proposed multi-plex takes centre stage at tonight's public meeting at the Community Auditorium.   Consultant Conrad Boychuk will be giving a detailed presentation on his recommendation that the city's north downtown core be the site of a new events centre.  If you wish to watch the program the city is streaming it live, you can link up to it here. 

Police Seize Drugs & Weapons Worth $10,000

Two Sioux lookout residents are facing drug and firearm charges after O.P.P. executed a search warrant just over a week ago. Police say a 25 year old man and a 26 year old woman will next appear in court on December 18th after cocaine, Oxycodone and marijuana were found. Provincial police say they also seized two firearms as well. The value of the drugs seized is said to be worth $10,000 dollars.

Shutdown At Fort Frances Mill

A big blow to the Northwestern Ontario economy. Resolute Forest Products in Fort Frances is shutting down its paper machine number 5 and the kraft mill displacing 230 workers. The company says the shutdown is indefinite.