Boise Mill Bought

New owners for the mill in International Falls.  Packaging Corporation of America says its acquiring Boise Inc. in a deal valued at nearly 2-billion dollars. The announcement comes just four months after Boise had announced plans to shut down two of its paper machines and eliminate 265 jobs at its International Falls mill by October.

Charities Want Piece of Your Will

Six local charities are teaming up to promote leaving money in your will to Northwestern Ontario communities.  The Community Legacy Giving Partnership is made up of Confederation College, George Jeffrey Children's Foundation, Lakehead University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, St. Joe's Foundation and the Health Sciences Foundation.   The initiative asks local residents to pledge to set aside money for charities in their wills.  For more information visit the website.

Health Unit Searches For New MOH

A major vacancy for the Northwestern Health Unit. Dr. James Arthurs has announced his retirement as the Medical Officer of Health. He will be stepping down in March of 2014, giving the Health Unit plenty of time to find a replacement. Arthurs was appointed Medical Officer of Health back in 2009, after a lengthy search by the board of health.

Hudak Outlines Plan For The North

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak says his northern vision will give more decision making power to people in this part of the province.  Hudak visited the city today to unveil the PCs new policy for the north and natural resources. He says it's time we as northerners starting running our own show and stop having southern special interests say what is good for us. As an example Hudak says under a PC government northerners will have more of a say over wildlife and hunting management along with cottage development

Ice Cream Man Busted

Police claim this ice cream man had a little secret.   Over the weekend they arrested a 44 year old man who was driving the truck in Current River.  They say he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. Police say he surrendered peacefully.

Drowning Victim Found

The search is over for a 59 year old Missouri man who drowned in Northern Lights Lake after a boating accident last week.   He and a woman were thrown from their boat after it struck something.  The woman, who was wearing a life jacket, made it to shore safely.  Divers found the body of Dennis Todd of Jefferson City Sunday.

Ear Falls Search Continues

Provincial Police continue to search for a missing man in Ear Falls. Two men were duck hunting on English River last week, when their boat capsized and both fell in the water.  One of the men was picked up by a group of fishermen, but the other man was not found. The missing man's name and age isn't being released at this time. OPP Marine Units, helicopter and family members are involved in the search.

Charity Events Raise $

Another memorable Terry Fox Run in Thunder Bay.   The annual Boulevard Lake event again attracted hundreds of people who ran to raise over 16 thousand dollars for cancer research.   As well the Northern Cancer Fund is receiving 42 thousand dollars after yesterday's annual Caribou charity bike ride.

Overnight Fires

A busy night for city firefighters.  Crews were called to the Bowater Sawmill on Darrel Avenue just after midnight and discovered a blaze in a chip bin at the plant.  It appears the fire was caused by an overheated bearing.  Crews also responded to a home on Blucher Avenue just after one o'clock this morning where the back of the house was on fire.  The blaze was quickly brought under control, but not before there was extensive damage to the kitchen area.  The cause is not yet known.

Politicians Pay City Visit

Andrea Horwath is in the city this morning. She is delivering a short speech to the party's northern council which is meeting in Thunder Bay this weekend. Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is coming to the city tomorrow. He is releasing announcing his party's policy on northern development and natural resources.

Caribou Charity Ride For Cancer

400 cyclists will be taking part in the fifth annual Caribou Charity Ride today. Last year's ride raised 38-thousand dollars for the Health Science Foundation's Northern Cancer Fund. Cyclists will be taking off from the Nor'Wester Best Western Hotel.

Ruberto Pushes Pet Limit

City Council is set to rehash an old issue. Councillor Aldo Roberto has another chance to push for his request Monday, to look into developing more laws governing the number of pets a person can have. Councillor Rebecca Johnson feels another rule isn't needed. Johnson's not alone, Councillor Andrew Foulds says he doesn't want another by-law either.

Terry Fox Run

The Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research is today in Thunder Bay. Organizer Don Morrison says money raised goes towards cancer research. The 5 km walk, run and skate around Boulevard Lake starts at 2.

Horwath Blasts Government

Provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath is again chastising the liberal government at Queens Park for its foot dragging on the Thunder Bay generating station.  Horwath says it's time that Premier Kathleen Wynne tells us what the government's plans are once and for all.  She also calls the situation at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre a travesty.   Horwath says it's not acceptable that patients at the hospital have to be put in sun rooms because of the overcrowding problem.  She believes the only way to solve the problem is to improve the home care system  Horwath was in the city to speak to the NDP's Northern Council that met here over the weekend.

Hobbs Prepares For Mayor's Meeting

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he'll be at a meeting of Northern Ontario Mayors in October. The Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors next meeting will be held in North Bay. Hobbs says they'll be discussing a number of region wide issues. Hobbs says each community will also address their own issues at the meeting.

Northern Lights Lake Tragedy

OPP are searching Northern Lights Lake for a missing boater who disappeared Thursday night.   They say he was a guide from the Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais, Minnesota whose fishing boat hit something in the water and he and his female companion were thrown into the lake.  The woman was wearing a life jacket and swam back to shore, the man did not resurface.  

Public School Board Sets Goals

The Lakehead Public School Board is setting its goals for the school year. Director of Education Cathi Semineuk says staff are accountable for reaching this year's goals. Goals include increasing the graduation rate, as well as improving student marks in math, reading and writing.

Ring Of Fire Road Rejected

The provincial government is staying out of the private business dealings of the Ring of Fire mining development.  This week a government commission ruled against Cliffs Natural Resource's road proposal for the area, essentially ruling in favour of a rival company.  Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says he'll let the two companies work things out. Gravelle says he's encouraged that Cliffs remains committed to the project.

Fire Department To Update Communication System

The City's Fire Department is looking at updating its communication system. They're considering hiring a consultant to help them with the job. Fire Chief John Hay says their current system is just too old. Hay says they want to find out what type of system works best for Thunder Bay.

Hyer Goes To Bat For Longlac

The decision by VIA Rail to close its train station in Longlac isn't sitting well with MP Bruce Hyer.   Hyer says he plans to bring up the the issue with the transport minister and explain to her that it would mean people would have to wait outdoors for a train.    He says it's not acceptable that someone should have to wait in minus 30 degree weather for a train that is often late.   Hyer says he's working closely with the mayor and council on the issue.