Little Change To NWO Federal Ridings

Little change to the boundaries in northwestern Ontario. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has submitted its final report to the Chief Electoral Office There are no changes to the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River which pleases MP John Rafferty who says the commission wanted to include a portion of the Kenora constituency in his riding. Thunder Bay-Superior North will be expanded to include Manitouwadge

Campbell Lauds Accountability Office

The Provincial Government is one step closer to having a financial accountability office. The bill has passed third reading in the legislature, and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it will make sure instances like the scandal with the gas plants in southern Ontario, never happens again.  She believes the office will make sure money is distributed equally across the province.  The creation of an accountability office was a key demand from the NDP in the 2013 budget.

OPP Nab Drug Traffickers

Nipigon OPP have charged three people involved in drug trafficking. Officers arrived at the Nip/Rock High School friday and noticed a young man who appeared to be selling drugs to students. A search yielded several grams of marijuana. He remains in custody at a Youth Detention Facility in Thunder Bay pending a bail hearing.

Rickford Addresses Ring Of Fire Delays

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire. Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas was critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project. Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project. The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Gravelle Back's Mauro's Bill

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he's going to back his fellow Thunder Bay area MPP's private members bill. Bill Mauro's proposed legislation looks at reducing the number of nuisance bears in the region. Gravelle says he's got Bill's back. Mauro's bill also looks at expanding the hunt as well.

Thunder Bay Shout Out

After 5 seasons the Breaking Bad series finale airs tonight.   Thunder has had a small part to play in the series.  In season two episode thirteen,  one of the shows stars, RJ Mitte gives a shout out to the Lakehead.
Its not the first time the city has been immortalized in a popular North American TV show.  An episode of Prison Break mentioned Thunder Bay in a 2005 episode.

Police Memorial Service Sunday

A memorial Service to honour men and women of the force who died in the line of duty is today.  The service is part of Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.  A march at 1:30 will take place from the Provincial Court house to the service at St Paul's Church.

The "Thunder Bay" Visits Thunder Bay

A new Great Lakes freighter named after our city made it's first visit to our port. Special ceremony was held Friday at Keefer Terminal. Canada Steamship Lines President Louis Martel says it's not the first CSL ship to carry the name Thunder Bay. He says the freighter is designed to last at least 25 years.

Dawson Road Home Catches Fire

Fire and Rescue are looking into the cause of a fire on Dawson Road around 1am. The blaze was too intense to battle from within the building, which suffered heavy smoke and fire damage. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated. No one was home at the time of the blaze, and no one was injured.

FedNor Funding Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon. During an event Friday the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed. Hobbs says he has high hopes. Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

Retail Sector Declining

The North Superior Workforce Board is giving Municipal leaders a sneak peak of how the region's labour sectors are faring. Executive Director Madge Richardson gave an update to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association recently and says an area that is showing a decline includes the retail sector as well as personal services such as housecleaning, and cooking.

Hall Of Fame Induction Tonight

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of fame is inducting its a-class of 2013 tonight.  In the athletes category it will be paralympic athlete Andrea Cole, former NHLer Tony Hrkac and Canadian women's hockey star Katie Weatherston.   In the building category it's Brian Mallan and Brian Mclean...in the team category Sailor Jim Cameron gets the nod.

Rickford Defends ROF Process

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire.  Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas was critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project.  Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project.  The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Tbaytel Reaches Safety Milestone

Tbaytel is patting itself on the back for reaching a safety milestone.   The workers have gone half a million hours without a workplace injury.  The city run utility credits the dedication of the staff for keeping it a safe working environment.   A special  ceremony to mark the occasion was held today.

New President At George Jeffrey

Firedog Communication's Stephanie Ash is George Jeffrey Children's Centre's new President.  Ash was previously a Board Director, and replaces long-standing President, Bob Speer.  Ash says her goal is to help get service to as many children as possible and to reduce the waiting list which currently stands at about 200 children.

Hobbs Hoping For Fed Funds For Event Centre

Thunder Bay's Mayor Keith Hobbs is hoping FedNor Minister Greg Rickford will be announcing some funding for the proposed Event Centre soon.  During an event today the Minister refused to comment on funding applications that are currently being reviewed.  Hobbs says he has high hopes for the project and will keep pushing for Federal funding.  Hobbs says the Event Centre would be the crowning jewel in the waterfront development project.

LU President Going To Queen's Park

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is going to visit Queen's Park on Monday and Tuesday.  It's part of the annual Lobby Days. Stevenson will be joined by VP of External Relations Deb Comuzzi, and Director of Government Relations Richard Longtin.  They'll be meeting with key ministers, critics and party leaders.

3 Million Dollars In FedNor Funding Announced

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is in Thunder Bay today and he brought his cheque book with him.  Over 3 million dollars was announced for several area projects including over a million for the City to renovate the Whalen Building and the Delaney Arena.  Rickford says the investment in Thunder Bay is going to improve the economy.  49-thousand dollars is going towards the Friends of Chippewa Park and another 49-thousand will go towards hosting the Canada Rural Revitalization Foundation's national conference in Thunder Bay.

MV Thunder Bay Welcomed

It's a proud day for Canada Steamship Lines.   The freighter MV Thunder Bay made its first stop at Keefer Terminal today.  A special ceremony was held to welcome the ship to the city. CSL President Louis Martel says the ship was built to fill a need for the company on the Great Lakes. This is the fourth ship named after our city in the company's history.

LRCA Budget Set

The operating budget for the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is set.   Chair Bill Bartley says after a modest increase of 1 and a half per cent it works out to about 1 and a half million dollars.  He says while nothing special is planned the Victor Street erosion project will continue to be a priority.  The budget was approved at this weeks authority meeting