Fire destroys trailer home

No one was home when a fire gutted a tailer home early Friday evening in the city's south side. The fire took place just before 6 o'clock at the Totem Trailer Park on Chippewa Road. Witnesses say that the people who live in the trailer weren't there at the time. The cause of the fire isn't known.

T-Wolves fans go crazy for the team

LU Thunderwolves fans were out in full force Friday night at the Fort William Gardens.  They were cheering on the T-Wolves as they took on UQTR at the Cavendish Cup.  LU won 7-2.

Smaller City Council proposed

Larry Hebert is at it again. The City Councillor wants to have the size of council reduced. Hebert would like to see the number of members trimmed from 12 to 8.   He was already voted down once before when he proposed having all councillors elected at large.   He believes having a smaller council would help keep costs under control noting that other similar sized cities have fewer councillors.  Herbert wants his proposal put on the ballot in this falls municipal election.

Aboriginal Liaison presents annual report

City Councillors get the lowdown Monday from the Aboriginal Liaison. Anna Gibbon presents her annual report highlighting achievements in 2009. Gibbons says what she's most proud of is the difference the position is making in relations between the city and the Aboriginal community. She says there's a really strong feeling of good faith among all of the parties and amazing partnerships are taking place that have never happened before. Also Monday, Councillors get to debate Joe Virdiramo's proposal for a Youth Centre and Crisis Bed facility.

Online voting up for discussion at City Hall

The possibility of online voting in the upcoming municipal election gets a look at city hall Monday night. It's one of the ideas being floated by administration to help increase voter turnout. While Councillor Iain Angus says he welcomes breaking down voting barriers, he still has questions.  Also Monday councillors will be asked to consider putting a question on the ballot to reduce the size of City Council and  the Aboriginal Liaison  will present her annual report to council

Several people escape south side blaze

There is no cause to report following a house fire on the city's south side Friday afternoon. During the lunch hour a blaze ripped through the single storey home at Ironwood Avenue and North Edward Street. Fire Service Platoon Chief Manfred Rohr says several people escaped injury. He says at least one of them was a young child. Rohr says the fire may have originated in a bedroom. Damage is extensive.

3D-TV hits Thunder Bay

Move over HDTV, 3D-TV is here. The new technology has been rolled out in Thunder Bay. Greg Bagdon of the Future Shop says for now the item is a novelty, adding that for some, the price could be a barrier. He says for example, a 55 inch Samsung sells for $3,699, the 3D Blue-Ray disc player another $399 and the glasses sell for about $250 a pair. Bagdon believes the price will come down as 3D popularity increases. Pictured: Four year old Tyler Koiranen samples Monsters vs. Aliens on a 3D-TV.

Horwath says hydro decrease too little too late

Ontarios' NDP leader says it may be too little too late. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Andrea Horwath says the governments budget has finally acknowleged that industrial hydro rates are too high. However she says the 25 per cent rate reduction should have come years ago. As for the tax credit for northern Ontarians, Horwath calls it a slap in the face to northerners saying it will not begin to make up for the extra money we will pay as the result of the HST

Chamber of Commerce is pleased with budget

The Provincial Budget has the Thunder Bay Chamber of commerce happy. Chamber President Harold Wilson says industrial energy cost changes are vital for jobs in the North. He says seeing money set aside for Ring of Fire development is also a good sign.  Wilson does say however that 8 more years of deficit spending is worrisome.

Cavendish Cup kicks off with a bang

If yesterday was any indication, the Cavendish Cup is going to be an action packed tournament. Game one of the tournament saw the University of Manitoba Bisons storm back from a 4-1 deficit to beat McGill 5-4 in overtime. The second game on the night had Alberta downing UQTR 4-2. Today St Marys takes on McGill in the early game and the Thunderwolves will hit the ice tonight against UQTR.

Marathon OPP recover drugs in a traffic check

A routine traffic check led Marathon OPP to recover almost ten thousand dollars worth of Marijuana. Officers checked a vehicle on Highway 17 just east of Marathon yesterday morning that was parked in a snowplough turn. After a subsequent search officers located two bags of Marijuana and a prohibited weapon. Two people from BC were arrested and are facing several charges.

Fire hits East End home

No one is injured following a fire at a two storey house on 526 McIntosh. District chief Joe Grzelewski says it was called in around 5:30 pm Thursday. He says it was a chimney fire in a single family dwelling that started the roof ablaze. Most of the damage is confined to the exterior of the home. The cause is under investigation.

Gravelle says budget addresses key northern concerns

Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the budget is great for our part of the province. He says it addresses key northern hydro concerns. Gravelle says he's especially pleased he could get the governments attention focused on the Ring of Fire chromite deposit near James Bay. Gravelle also points to the extra 10 million dollars poured into the Northern Heritage Fund to increase its budget to 90 million dollars.

Mauro points to benefits to north in budget

Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is pumped about the provincial budget. He calls a great for northerners. He's especially happy two areas regarding higher engery costs have been addressed. 150 (m) million dollar a year program to reduce electricity prices by 25 per cent for large industrial users in the north and a new northern Ontario energy credit of up to 200-dollars for low-to middle-income families; singles would get up to 130-dollars. The government also announced 45 million dollars towards development of the Ring of Fire chromite deposit near James Bay

3Rs explained

Industry and government workers are being educated about reducing, reusing and recycling. The province will soon begin enforcing its recycling rules. Speaking in Thunder Bay, provincial inspector Thomas Hansen says his team of 10 will not be heavy handed to begin with and will not threaten violators will penatlies.  Maximum fines for repeat offenders could be 100 thousand dollars a day.

Prostate Man recruitment in full swing

The search for a new Prostate Man is going to the Cavendish Cup. Regional Cancer Care has set up a booth at the Fort William Curling Cup. It will stay up into the weekend during the university hockey championship. The job has been vacant since Ron Hell retired from the post recently. As part of the recuitment people will be able to have their picture taken as the spokesperson prostate cancer awarness in the city.

Health Sciences Centre coping with isotope shortage

There's no risk for cancer patients today in Thunder Bay as the result of a world wide isotope shortage. Regional Cancer Care V-P Michael Power says they are coping for now, but the future seems less certain. Right now the most urgent patients are getting the attention. Power says non urgent patients are being rescheduled. Power admits though, the future is less certain unless isotope levels can come back to what they were three years ago.

Hobbs takes the plunge

Keith Hobbs has made it official. He is running for mayor in the upcoming municipal election. Hobbs has been with the city police service for over 30 years. He believes running for mayor makes more sense than for councillor.  Hobbs says he plans to release his election platform over the next several months.

Top Hat ceremony kicks of shipping season

The first vessel of the shipping season has landed in Thunder Bay. The Saginaw arrived last night and is taking a shipment of Canola to Windsor. Captain Colin Lozon took part in the traditional top hat ceremony, for being the first captain to visit the city. The Port Authorities Guy Jarvis says getting an early start will give the port a boost. Jarvis says he expects a solid shipping season this year, with increases in grains and more shipments for the Oilsands.

TBaytel and Rogers wireless partners

TBaytel and Rogers Communications are joining forces to improve wireless coverage in the Northwest. TBaytel will now be adding the Rogers 3G capabilities across their territory. The partnership means Rogers customers will have coverage where ever TBaytel does.   President Don Campbell says the customers are the big winners.  Campbell says Rogers consumers will now be on equal footing with those of TBaytel.