Energy Retailer Issues Raised At Queen's Park

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is declaring war on door to door energy retailers.  Campbell brought the issue up during Question Period and asked the Provincial Government to take action against companies that sign residents up for higher electricity rates.  The Minister of Consumer Services says she's been in discussions on how they can better inform the public about what they are purchasing when they sign a contract with the retailer.

Driver Died Of Natural Causes

An autopsy has confirmed that Vermilion Bay stock car driver Bill Reimer died of natural causes. Provincial Police were called to the Emo Speedway around 8 o'clock last Saturday night. Police say Reimer was pronounced dead after his race car left the travelled portion of the raceway. No other details are being released.

No Booze For CLE?

A city council member of the CLE board of directors thinks it may be time to rethink having alcohol available during board meeting nights.   Speaking on Giant Mornings with John Ongaro, Ken Boshcoff reaffirmed his stand that alcohol is not served during actual meetings, but admitted, there's merit to discussing removing it altogether.  He says in changing times it's something that should be considered and he was planning on raising it.

Quiet Hiring Climate Expected

It doesn't look like the coming months will be good for job seekers in Thunder Bay.   In the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey local employers felt it was going to be a slow fourth quarter of 2013.  10 percent of employers plan to hire, while 13 percent expect to make cutbacks.  Another 73 percent plan to maintain their current staffing levels and only four percent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

Welcome Path Video Launched

Thunder Bay's Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force is launching a new video they created to welcome first nation students from the far north to the City.  The orientation video entitled "Welcome Path" was created after consulting over 250 youth.  The video was created with the hopes of addressing and alleviating some of the students anxiety being in a new place away from home.

Council Speaks About CLE Issues

The City is going to review the fine print in its lease agreement with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.  The decision comes after Council was briefed on the recent controversy surrounding the CLE's Board of Directors. Councillor Ken Boshcoff who sits on the CLE Board says he's never seen anyone drink in the Cardinal room or during a board meeting.  However, he doesn't rule out people drinking after the meeting.Boshcoff says it's legal for members to drink after the meeting in a bar that is paid for by the general revenue of the CLE Board.

New Green Space Project Underway

The City is getting ready to start work on a new green space project this fall.  The property is located at the corner of Memorial, Beverly and High Street.  Part of the project is being funded through a grant and the rest will be covered by the City.

Approval For New Laptops

The City is approving the purchase of a new Panasonic laptops and tablets for City Police.  Council gave its approval Monday night.  The cost of the new technology is over 95-thousand dollars.

CLE Board Releases Vote Count

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board is now releasing more details of last weeks membership meeting that resulted in the ouster of director Linda Gambee.  It says that the membership voted 56 to 22 to remove Gambee.  It also released board minutes and an e-mail that members were given that night to try to strengthen the case that Gambee's conduct was unbecoming a member.  

Horwath Brings Up Local Plant In Q.P.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling on the Liberal government to come clean about their plans for the Thunder Bay Generating Station.   Horwath brought the plant's future up at the first session of Question Period.  The Premier responded but only spoke about the funding for roads and the Experimental Lakes Area.

Rafferty In Saskatoon For NDP Caucus

NDP MPs from across the country are meeting in Saskatoon this week.   Thunder Bay's John Rafferty is among them and says the caucus meeting is expected to focus on being ready for the next federal election and to make sure they have the strategies in place to make sure Stephen Harper is defeated.   Rafferty says he plans to meet with northern Ontario MPs during the gathering to deal with issues of concern to this region.

Rainfall Warning Ended

Environment Canada has called off the rainfall warning it issued earlier this morning.  They are forecasting heavy rain at times today and throughout the night.  50 millimeters was expected.

Gull Bay Education Program Gets Funding

A former Fort William resident and philanthropist is donating 300-thousand dollars to an education program in Gull Lake First Nation.  Margaret Anderson who has a foundation in Oakville, Ontario says she's more than happy to help with the program and could keep funding it for the foreseeable future. The program will see 10 students finish their grade 12 education.  The program will officially be launched next Monday. 

Reduced Speeds Near Schools 24/7

It seems some people may not be obeying the reduced speed limits near schools in Thunder Bay.  Police Sgt. Bill Pollock is reminding motorists that lower speed zones near schools are in effect 24 hours a day. Pollock says some people believe that the reduced speeds are only during school hours but that's not the case.

Hunter Trapped By Bears

A long ordeal for a hunter at a camp in the Dryden area.  Provincial Police received a report from a camp owner that a hunter had left for a tree stand around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and had not returned.  The camp owner checked on him and found 4-cubs and 3-adult bears around the stand not allowing him out of the tree.  Officers arrived and managed to remove the hunter from the tree without incident and without any shots being fired.  No injuries were reported.

NOSM New Research Chair

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is welcoming a new Research Chair.  Dr. Sheldon Tobe is the new Heart and Stroke Foundation chair in Aboriginal and Rural Health.

Speedway Death In Emo

Provincial Police have confirmed the death of a Vermilion Bay race car driver. OPP say 67-year-old Bill Reimer left the track of the Emo Speedway Saturday night and was found unresponsive inside the vehicle. Emergency crews removed Reimer from the race car and tried to resuscitate him. Police are treating the incident as a sudden death.

Dryden Woman Injured In Crash

A Dryden woman is in Thunder Bay Hospital with very serious
injuries following a collision on Highway 17 in Wainwright Township. Provincial Police say a small compact car struck two horses around 8:30 Friday evening. Family members say 37-year-old Crystal DaSilva is in critical condition.  Another passenger in the vehicle was treated and released from hospital.

Orazietti Outlines Priorities For North

MPP's are back to work at Queen's Park starting today. Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti says his priorities will include how the ministry can support more jobs in northern Ontario through areas such as the Ring of Fire and the forestry industry.  Orazietti notes the forestry sector has seen a rebound and notes the government will continue to work with companies to help them modernize and get access to crown fibre that they need.

FASD Awareness Day Today

It's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day today. The Health Unit is helping put on the 5th annual Honouring Mothers Mini Pow-wow at Marina Park today. Organizers of the event will be talking about the preventable disease and spreading the message that it's not ok to drink while your pregnant.