MADD praises anti-drinking law

The local head of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is loving a new provincial law. There's high praise coming from the president of MADD in Thunder Bay for the new anti drinking and driving law for young drivers in Ontario. It forbids drivers under 21 from having any alcohol in their system. Carole Sawchuk calls the law "marvelous" adding, the organization has been pushing for this for a number of years. Sawchuk says it looks like the message is getting through and its a good step in the right direction.

Fort Hope teen charged with murder

A 16 year old boy from the Fort Hope First Nation north of Sioux Lookout, is facing a second degree murder charge. Ontario Provincial Police say it follows the stabbing death of a 17 year old boy in that community last week. The accused will be appearing in a Thunder Bay court on August the 3rd.

Water crisis at Constance Lake

Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst, has declared a state of emergency. 900 residents have been without water for over a week. Officials say a layer of algae has formed over the lake thick enough to block accesss to the main water supply for the community. Chief Arthur Moore and the band council are demanding action from the federal government.

Quality Market opening new store

A local business is sporting a new look. Quality Market is going up against the big boys with its new store on Golf Links Road near Oliver. Manager Dan Stezenko says unfortunatly the store at County Fair Mall had to close after they couldn't negotiate a contract with the landlord. It will be opening it's doors at 7 o'clock Thursday morning.

Staal still waiting for a contract

Marc Staal and the New York Rangers continue to sit apart in contract negotiations. The big blueliner is a restricted free agent and says he can't say to much about how talks are going but says he wants to stay in New York. Staal says he loves the city and thinks his team looks good moving forward. Marc says the recent addition of Alexander Frolov is another good move that will help the solve the teams scoring woes.

Police on the lookout for a missing girl

Thunder Bay Police are on the lookout for a missing 12 year old girl.  Shae-Lynn Masik was last seen yesterday evening when she left her house on Rupert Street.  Anyone who has information on her where abouts are asked to call the police. 

Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit hands out some charges

The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit has laid charges in a massive 2 year drug investigation in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Officers with the help of Toronto OPP arrested and charged Jabir Khan of North York after seizing 360 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone over the course of the investigation. Police believe Khan is a major figure in the Northwestern Drug trade. Also facing charges is Twenty year old Clinton Netemegestic of Thunder Bay, 36 year old Bazil McIntosh of Toronto and 32 year old Brandie Mosher of Toronto.

Thunder Bay International Baseball Federation launches bike "Staal"

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Federation is encouraging people to Bike down to Port Arthur Stadium instead of driving. Organizers have converted the off leash dog park into a bike corral and the Staal brothers are helping out. The four were on hand yesterday to bike around and encourage people to use a more active mode of transportation to get down to the ball park. Eric Staal says anything that gets people active and outside is a great idea.

Morning Sports Recap

At the World Junior Baseball Championships Team Canada cruised to a huge 9-2 win over Panama.  Korea came up with a huge 5-3 win over Cuba to join Canada and Cuba in a three way tie for top spot in Pool B.  Elsewhere the US downed Venezuela 14-7, Chinese Taipei beat Italy 13-4, Australia beat France 16-1 and the Netherlands made short work of the Czech Republic winning 13-4.  Tonight Canada finishes off the round robin against the Czech Republic.  

In the Northwoods League the Border Cats had their game with St Cloud postponed due to rain. and in the Majors Toronto hammered Baltimore 8-2.

McDonald's fire appears accidental

It appears arson is being ruled out as the cause of a McDonalds Restaurant fire in the city. The blaze started in a garbage bin at the Memorial Avenue location on Monday afternoon. Fire inspectors say that there is no indication that the fire was deliberatly set. The exact cause remains a mystery though

Terrace Bay Pulp set to open within weeks

A date has now been set for the re-opening of Terrace Bay Pulp. Thunder Bay's Buchanan Forest Products owns the facility and company lawyer Yves Fricot says the latest court decision means the plant can open August 16th. 

Outbreak hit seniors home

There's a sickness outbreak at a north side seniors home. The Health Unit says that only the Primrose Wing at Roseview Manor is affected. Admissions, transfrers and discharges have been cancelled until further notice.

NDP health critic takes our temperature

The NDP are criss-crossing the country getting information on health care. Halifax MP Megan Leslie says as the party health critic she is trying to find out ways to change the system, and getting advice from people in Thunder Bay. On Tuesday, Leslie spent time with seniors and aboriginals.

Famous WW II bomber visits city

A Lancaster bomber from World War Two is in Thunder Bay this week. The public will be allowed to see it at the Confederation College School of Aviation from noon until 5 Wednesday . Pilot Leon Evans says the aircraft always creates a buzz where ever it goes. He says it's because it's the only Lancaster left in the world that is still flying. Evans says the plane is an important part of this country's war history.

Vets on hand to view the Lancaster

One of the many veterans on hand to greet the Lancaster when it arrived in Thunder Bay was 92 year old Jack Lourie.    He says he flew 30 bombing missions over Germany in the Lancaster in 1944.  Lourie calls the plane very reliable and a joy to fly.

We could see a light show in the sky today

Thunderstorms could cause a delay for tonight's Team Canada game against Panama tonight. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says right now intense Thunderstorm activity is passes south of town but it could move north. Coulson says if they do develop into severe storms they will bring heavy rain and potential damaging winds. On the positive side Coulson says by the weekend we should be back to the sunshine and warm temperatures.

There won't be a strike at Superstore

Employees of the Thunder Bay Real Canadian Superstore voted to accept a new 5 year contract with Westfair Foods. The union representing the workers says 98 percent of employees voted in favour of the new deal. The contract covers over 300 full time and part time employees.

Another house woken up by a break in

Four teens have been arrested by the Thunder Bay police after breaking into a house this morning. Officers say the group broke into a house on the 500 block of Piccadilly Ave and were scared off when the home owner woke up. 3 boys and a girl were arrested with the help of the K-9 Unit and will appear in court today.

Morning Sports Recap

There was three games at the World Junior Baseball Championships yesterday. The US pounded Chinese Taipei 10-0 after seven innings to improve to 3 and 0 at the tournament. Italy downed France 14-8 and Korea just got past the Czech Republic 4-0. Korea was coming off a tough loss against Canada on Sunday. Tonight Canada battles Panama at Port Arthur Stadium.

In the Northwoods League the Border Cats fell to St Cloud 6-0. The Cats are in St. Cloud again tonight for the second of a three game sereis.

Wind farm saga plods along

The city of Thunder Bay is taking the next step in the Horizon Wind Farm project. Following yet another post midnight meeting, councillors have approved a submission to Horizon Wind on the proposed turbines for the Nor' Wester Mountains. The submission is part of the provinces evironmental process. There are several areas that are being questioned, from input by the Fort William First Nations to the affects on the Loch Lomond ski area. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says Horizon's proposal is incomplete in those areas and more.