Local Praise For Angelina Jolie

There's praise for Angelina Jolie from one health professional in Thunder Bay. The famous actress admitted to having both her breasts removed to prevent cancer.    Dr. Heather McLean works with the regional cancer program and believes the revelation can make more woman take a serious look at their health. McLean believes Jolie will make a good role model for the cause.

Collision Leads To Charge

One person is charged in connection with a traffic mishap on the city's south side last night.  Police say that an SUV collided with a parked truck on South Edward Street causing the SUV to flip.   The driver of  the SUV, a 38 year old woman,  is now charged with careless driving.

Grass Fire Close By

A city fire crew didn't have far to go to put out a grass fire this last half hour.  It was right in front of the fire hall on Water Street and Pearl next to the train tracks.    They had it out in minutes.

Hyer Wants Senators Charged

A Thunder Bay MP is upset two Conservative senators aren't being treated harshly enough for their financial faux pas's.    A Senate committee has ordered Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb to pay back the housing allowance they had been claiming because they weren't eligible. Bruce Hyer says that's not enough, he believes the senators should face criminal charges.

Cancer Report Card Out

The Regional Cancer Care Northwest Program is working on improving their patient services.  Regional Cancer Care Director Joanne Lacourciere says the Province's annual cancer score card gives them poor marks for integrating their cancer services.  The report card also shows the Northwest has higher incidence of prostate, colon, lung and breast cancer than the rest of the Province.

Evacuees Heading Back

Flood concerns are easing up North and that is allowing some residents to return home.  Emergency Management Ontario says 90-Attawapiskat First Nation residents currently staying in Greenstone will return today, and another 260 will be flown back from the city tomorrow. Sixty evacuees who were moved to Fort Frances will have to stay there awhile longer until their homes are cleaned and repaired.  Altogether in Northwestern Ontario nearly 400 members of the Kashechewan and Pic Mobert First Nations remain evacuated.

Youth Corps 20th Anniversary

The teens of the Thunder Bay police youth corps. are hanging up their uniforms for the year. Today is the final parade of the year for the teens, some of whom will be receiving awards tonight. Tonight also marks the 20th anniversary of the Youth Corps, who have invited past members to the event as well.

City Officer FBI Trained

FBI Director Robert Mueller
and Sgt. Neil Herman

Thunder Bay city police are hyping up one of their own.   Sergeant Neil Herman has completed the FBI National Academy Program.   It was an intensive  10 week course that took place in the United States.   Herman is only one of 8 Canadian officers who are accepted into the program every year.   Herman is an 18 year veteran of the Thunder Bay Police Service.

Thunder Bay Asked To Join Lobby Effort

Dryden and Thunder Bay are listed in a resolution adopted by Kenora Council to try to tackle the problem of the urban deer population. Kenora Councillor Sharon Smith says the three will lobby the Ministry of Natural Resources to reduce the cost of deer hunting permits within city limits. Smith suggests if they can convince the MNR to reduce the cost of deer hunting permits to 10 dollars, more people might be willing to take part in the annual fall hunt.

OPP Out With Weekend Warning

The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure everyone stays safe this Victoria Day Weekend. Sergeant Shelley Garr with the Northwest Region says this year's theme is "Take Charge Of Your Own Safety".   Garr says officers will be out looking for distracted and aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and those not wearing their seatbelts.

More Evacuees Arrive

The City of Thunder Bay is now hosting a total of 260  Attawapiskat First Nation evacuees. It follows the arrival of 105 evacuees transferred from Greenstone last night. Officials says the city has now reached its capacity to comfortably support an evacuation effort of this size.  If conditions continue to improve, it's hoped that evacuees will be able to return home later this week.

Courthouse Construction Site Open

Work is back underway at the new courthouse construction site after a crane tipped over yesterday.  Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says the area around the crane accident is the only place work is not allowed.  Blajer says the ministry investigation into the incident continues.

Fire Cause Still Unknown

City Fire inspectors are not ruling out arson as the cause of last night's house fire on 129 South  Marks Street.   Bob Vander Ploeg looked over the site this morning and says he's handing it over to the Ontario Fire Marshall.   He says it's because they cannot totally rule out that the blaze was deliberately set.  Vander Ploeg says it was fortunate that a neighbour was able alert  the occupants of the house in time to escape the fire.

Resolute Celebrates Green Energy Plan

Resolute Forest Products is launching its new green energy project.  Spokesperson Pierre Choquette says they've started to use their new wood waste boiler and condensing turbine.  Company officials will also hold their annual general meeting in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Sandy Lake First Nation Death

Provincial Police are assisting the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service regarding a death in Sandy Lake First Nation.  NAPS officers responded to a call for medical assistance, and took a man to the nursing station where he was pronounced dead.  The name of the deceased is not available at this time, and a post-mortem is being done in Kenora.

Transport Blocks Highway

City Police are confirming a transport is blocking Arthur Street at Santorelli's. An ambulance is on the way to the scene. The trailer fell off of the vehicle causing the road blockage.

Council Seeks Right To Speak At Inquest

The City wants to have the right to contribute at an upcoming coroner's inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they're going to seek the right to speak at the upcoming inquest. The hearing on who will have the right to speak at the inquest is coming up in June.

Marks Street Fire Under Investigation

Thunder Bay Fire is investigating a two storey house fire on Marks Street late last night. When crews arrived they found flames coming from the back of the house around the back porch area. It took two hours for the fire department to bring the fire under control and save two cats living in the home. No one was injured.

Matawa FN Wants Verdict Appealed

The Matawa First Nations is upset with the justice system.   They are asking that prosecutors file an appeal of the recent not guilty verdict handed down in the case of a Geraldton OPP officer.   He was acquitted of assaulting a prisoner he had in his custody.   The Chief's Council says the verdict has damaged relationships between the OPP and the First Nation people in this region.

City Demands Energy Action

The city is taking its energy battle with the province to a new level. Mayor Keith Hobbs says it's time for the Wynne government to resume the natural gas conversion of the Mission Island Power plant.  He calls the whole thing a political football and says the city will tell the minister of energy to do the right thing and get the conversion done right now.  Mayor Hobbs says even the Ontario Power Authority admits it's calculated our energy needs wrong.