Careful With That Axe...

A Dryden man's quest has resulted in some trouble with the law.  City Police were contacted on Monday regarding a man, who appeared to be drunk, wandering around Wilson's Trailer Park carrying a long handled axe.  Police arrived, and say that the man told officers he was looking for someone and was " going to chop them up into little bits".  As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Richard Halverson with uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

Rickford Reacting To NDP MPP

The MP for Kenora is reacting to comments made by MPP Gilles Bisson that both levels of government need to start thinking about relocating some First Nations communities in the far north because of annual spring flooding.  Greg Rickford says moving some communities would be part of a long term plan.  Rickford says the feds are currently helping impacted communities by investing in significant building and residential upgrades.

More Pigeon River Border Tales

A recent report from the Canada Border Service Agency tells of how two Canadian Residents picking up packages in the United States were left with a hefty fine.  The traveller was told to go into the office and pay the duty and taxes on their parcels when they told the border agents they didn't have their receipts and they would go to their car to look up the details on their cell phone.   Instead of returning to the office they ran away without paying.  OPP caught up to the man and as a result he was charged a thousand dollars on top of the taxes and duty on his goods.

Charge Laid In Tuesday Accident

Police say a 57 year old man is now charged in connection with a traffic accident at Ridgeway and Syndicate on Tuesday.  They say he's the driver of a pick up truck that collided with a motorcycle.   Police say the 60 year old motorcycle driver is recovering from a serious injury.  Police say the charge relates to a stop sign violation.

Centre To Become Fire Station.

The North Neebing Community Centre is about to be transformed into a fire hall.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says it's so the current Neebing Fire Station can be rebuilt.  Hankkio says the coverage area will not suffer as a result of the move since the community hall is only a block away.  Hankkio says the new Neebing fire hall should take about a year to complete.

Evacuees Set To Return Home

The stay is almost over for 150 residents of the Kashechewan First Nation.  They've been living in the city since the weekend after being evacuated from their flood stricken northern community.   City officials say the planning process is underway to bring them home within the next few days.

EMS Boss Admits To A Busy Monday

The city's top paramedic is playing down a report that ambulance service was delayed Monday night.   Norm Gale of Thunder Bay Emergency Medical Services says while his crews were busy,  all urgent calls were prioritized and answered immediately.  Gale stresses that at all times an ambulance was available that evening,  and there were no long responses to any call.  

Suicide Prevention Task Force Updated

Thunder Bay has seen an increase in support for youth suicide prevention. Youth suicide prevention task force co-chair Sheila Hansen says over thirty organizations are partnering up to help tackle the issue. This partnership includes ten more organizations than the original, signed in 2009.

CMHC Low Housing Starts

The poor weather conditions in April are having an impact on the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Statistics. Analyst Warren Philp says so far 2013 has seen 11 housing starts compared to 24 last year. Philp says we saw four new housing starts last month.

Construction Closes Roads

Officials with the City say Central Avenue to Fanshawe is closed today while construction crews work in the area. Local traffic can still get to the College and Fanshawe via detours. Central Avenue to the Harbour Expressway also continues to be closed.

City Can Host 300 More Evacuees

The city says it will be able to handle an additional 300 northern flood evacuees if necessary.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says  the decision follows a meeting of emergency officials this afternoon.   He says it means if Emergency Measures Ontario needs to evacuate more residents, then Thunder Bay has the room for 300 of them.  The city is already hosting 150 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.

McHappy Day In Thunder Bay

Today is McHappy Day in Thunder Bay. McHappy Day is a fundraising event that gives one dollar from most McDonalds purchases to Ronald McDonald house and Easter Seals. Spokesperson Kathy Bukovy says they've raised millions of dollars nationally. Bukovy says that in the last month, three local families have gotten help from the Ronald McDonald house.

RFDA Asks You To Give It Up

The Regional Food Distribution Association is asking you to "Give It Up" today for Hunger.  The Hunger Awareness day will include local residents giving up food by fasting for the day.  RFDA Spokesperson Volker Kromm says it will help teach people what it's like to go hungry.  Kromm says besides fasting you can also donate food to your neighbourhood food bank.

Collision Sends One To Hospital

One person is recovering from injuries sustained in a south side traffic mishap.   Police say it happened Tuesday afternoon at Syndicate Avenue and Ridgeway when a motorcycle and car collided.  The motorcycle driver was sent to hospital with injuries that are not considered a threat to his life.

City Can Host 300 More Evacuees

The city says it will be able to handle an additional 300 northern flood evacuees if necessary.  Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says  the decision follows a meeting of emergency officials this afternoon.   He says it means if Emergency Measures Ontario needs to evacuate more residents, then Thunder Bay has the room for 300 of them.  The city is already hosting 150 evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation.

Street Sweeping Starts

City street sweeping is underway.   Officials say it takes approximately six weeks to complete the work along main roads and other major streets. Once these roads are done, crews will move into residential areas.

Sgt. Defends Police Checks

 A concern is being raised about how police inspect vehicles heading to the city's Solid Waste and Recycling facility on Mapleward Road.  A listener believes police are being too intrusive and overstepping their boundaries, but City Traffic Sgt. Glen Porter says not so.    Porter says officers are going by the book as they check drivers who are taking advantage of free dumping this week.

Victim's Condition Improves

City police say the 36 year old victim of a weekend assault is now in fair condition.   He was originally listed in critical  after being found injured outside an East End house on Sunday night.  Five teenagers are charged in connection with the violent incident.

Rickford In Kapuskasing

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is in Kapuskasing today on behalf of the Prime Minister overseeing the evacuation of flood victims from Kashechewan First Nation.  600-people have been forced from their home and have been relocated to Thunder Bay, Kapuskasing and Cornwall.  Rickford says it's been a fairly smooth transition.  Rickford says it's not yet known how long the evacuation order will remain in place.

Habitat For Humanity Women Only Build

Local women are trading in their heels for work boots.  It's part of Habitat for Humanity's first ever women build in the City.  CEO Diane Mitchell says often women are intimidated by men at the build sites and that's why they are holding a women's only build.  The Mary Street East home is going to a single mother with four sons.  The single mother came from Burma seven years ago with her husband and the boys but shortly after arriving in Canada her husband passed away.