Mac's Robbed At Knifepoint

City police are looking for one person following the robbery of the Mac's Store at Balsam and River Streets.  They say it happened at around sunrise this morning when a man armed with a knife made off with a small amount of money and cigarettes.  No one is hurt. 

Fire Guts City Home

Two people are said to be safe after a late morning south side house fire. It broke out just before 11 o'clock at 848 Minnesota Street.  Eyewitness Chris Davidson was passing by in his vehicle when he noticed the fire and called 9-11.  He says two men were standing outside the home as thick smoke was pouring out.  He says they appeared ok and their pet cat was rescued..   The cause of the fire is not known.

Housing Starts Up

There's been a jump in housing starts from April to May in Thunder Bay.  The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation released it's latest figures this morning that show we had 318 new units up from 292 the previous month.

Drowning At Cummins Lake

Thunder Bay OPP are reporting the drowning death of a 76 year old man at Cummins Lake in Jacques Township.  Ernest Rumpel went out in his canoe with his German Shepard Saturday afternoon.  It's believed the dog rocked the canoe capsizing it, knocking Rumpel out of the boat.  He was not wearing his life jacket and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Boat Collision Sends People To Hospital

OPP are still investigating Saturday's small boat collision on Lake Superior near Red Rock.  The boat struck a reef near St. Ignace Island and sustained major damage.  A 37 year old man was sent to Thunder Bay Hospital with some injuries.  Two other people from Toronto were treated and released from Nipigon Hospital with less serious injuries.

Grease Fire Forces Man From Apartment

A grease fire in a south side apartment has forced the tenant out of his home.  The incident occurred last night on Lincoln Street saw a stove top fire that melted plastic furniture and damaged the floor.  The tenant will be staying with his brother until its safe to return.

Weekend Forest Fires

It was a busy weekend for Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews.  28-new forest fires were reported over the weekend in northwestern Ontario.  Most of the fires were in the Sioux Lookout, Nipigon and Thunder Bay districts.  The Ministry of Natural Resources is paying close attention to a lightning-cased fire about 35-kilometres east of Summer Beaver.  The blaze is 15-hundred hectares and is burning near several cabins in the area.

Fire Fighters Sick Leave Contract Awarded

City Manager Tim Commisso is going to tell Council tonight what the financial impacts will be from a recent Fire Fighters arbitration award.  The City is on the hook for 170 thousand dollars and an additional 3-thousand dollars per retired firefighter.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she takes issue with an arbitrator making decisions that the City will have to pay for.  The sick leave payouts go back to 2008 and involve 62 Fire Fighters.

State Of Emergency Remains

The City remains under a state of emergency despite the one year anniversary of the May 28th flood that's come and gone.  It's because the advisory can't be lifted until the City can settle all of the matters related to the spring 2012 flood of the Atlantic Avenue Water Treatment Plant.  Council will be renewing their engineering contracts for the plant at tonight's meeting.

Watermain Upgrades Up For Vote

The Northwood area could be seeing some upgrades to their storm sewer and watermain systems.  Council is going to vote tonight on whether or not to approve a million dollar contract with Prime Terra Group.  The work if approved will take place around the James Street, Limbrick areas.

Cabaret On Bay

The Finlandia Hall is going to be transported back in time to the years of cabaret shows.  Cabaret on Bay is taking place this Saturday and will feature side show acts, burlesque and live music.  Organizer Zoe Gordon says there's something for everyone and that includes someone lying on a bed of nails while another smashes a brick onto their stomach.  Tickets are available at High Tide Tattoo, Calico Coffee and the Scandinavian Deli.  

Thunder Bay Resident Helps Out In Africa

A Thunder Bay resident is headed to Uganda for the next six months. Conrad Koczorowski is headed to Africa with nine other Canadians to help improve the health of mothers and their children. This is part of an internship with the African Medical and Research Foundation, with support from the Canadian International Development Agency.

Several Roads Closed

The City is warning motorists about some temporary road closures this weekend. Waverly Street from Red River Road to Banning Street, and Waverley Street from Banning Street to Algoma will be closed. Also today until six the intersection of Secord Street and Park Avenue will be closed for the George Jeffrey Soap Box Races.

Pride Week Begins Today

 It's Pride Week in the city where the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered community put themselves in the spotlight. Organizer Cynthia Olsen says it's important to recognize because homophobia is alive and well. Next week the organization will host the city's first ever Pride Parade.

Police Crack Down On Speeders

Thunder Bay Police are continuing to nab speeders in the construction zone on the Harbour Expressway .   The latest numbers from Friday show there were 68 tickets given out for those who disobeyed the reduced speed limit in the zone. In one case, the driver was going over 100 kilometers an hour, and that allowed police to seize the vehicle for 7 days under the province's stunt driving law.  The person's driver's licence was also suspended. Police say they won't stop enforcement until drivers start slowing down on that section of city roadway.

Police Ask For Help To I.D. Suspect

Thunder Bay police are looking to identify the person in this surveillance video from a May 26th break in to Tim's Meats at Empress Avenue and John Street.   They say the person got away with a large quantity of cigarettes after putting them in a garbage can.   It's also believed a vehicle was used to pull open the door from the front of the building.

Accidents Keep Emergency Crews Busy

Court Street

A motorcycle rider is recovering from his injuries following a collision with a pick up truck.  Police say it happened at the corner of Court Street and McIntyre Friday afternoon.  Police have charged the pick up truck driver.   That was just one of several mishaps, none with serious injuries,  that took place within a span of about 4 hours.   One was a two car collision at May and Cameron, another was a three vehicle smash up at Brown and Frances and a two car collision at Frankwood and Montgomery in which one of the cars also hit a house.  

NOSM Summer Camp Coming

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is looking for high school students with an interest in medicine. Dean Doctor Roger Strasser says they are again offering their Summer Health Sciences Camps at Lakehead University. The free camp runs from July 8th to 12th.

Lake Levels Stabilizing

From the region, Water levels on Lake of the Woods are starting to stabilize. The Lake of the Woods Control Board says the lake went up four inches in the past week The Board says outflow from the Norman Dam has more than tripled since the middle of May due to all the rainfall seen in the basin.

Soap Box Derby Today

It's a big fundraising weekend for one local charity.    The George Jeffery Children's Foundation is holding its annual soap box derby at Waverley Park.   Last year the event raised over 25 thousand dollars.  The money goes to pay for programs at the Children's Treatment Centre.