Memorial sinkhole fixed

A water main break and subsequent sinkhole closed off a section of Memorial avenue yesterday. The break happened in the morning at Memorial and First causing a several meter wide hole in the street.
A crew began repairs after the water main break was brought under control.

MMA Comming to Ontario

Ontario will be allowing Mixed Martial Arts to take place for the first time. The province could be hosting the popular sporting events as soon as next year.

Premier Dalton McGuinty previously declined the idea of allowing mixed martial arts inside the province, saying it wasn't a priority for Ontario families.

It seems the money was the motivation in the debate. It's estimated M.M.A events could generate nearly six million dollars a year into Ontario's economy.

CLE drawing crowd

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition continues today at the fairgrounds by Silver City.

CLE president Lawrence Timko says attendence is looking good so far and the couple cloudy days didn't seem to hurt much, although exact numbers won't be known until the close of the fair.

The CLE will be happening until midnight, tomorrow is the last day for the exhibition.

Comuzzi-Stehmann nominated

It's now official, Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann is the Conservative candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.
The announcement was made yesterday by Patrick Doherty, president of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative Electoral District Association.Comuzzi-Stehmann will most likely face Ken Boshcoff for the Liberals as well as sitting NDP MP John Rafferty in the next election.

Police release more info on robbery suspect

Thunder Bay Police are still trying to find the person responsible for a Mac's store robbery from August the 8th.   That's when the Simpson Street store was robbed by a man wearing a disguise.  Police say he confronted the clerks and demanded money.  They say the man had a weapon but no one was hurt. Police describe the suspect as Native Canadian, 17-22 years old,  just over 200 pounds and over 6 feet tall with an open scab below his left eye. A surveillance picutre of the incident has also been released.

Social Services Board CAO retires

Thunder Bay's Social Services Board's CAO has announced her retirement. Mary Lucas spent 35 years working in Thunder Bay, and joined the DSSAB in April of 1999. An executive search firm has been hired to look for Lucas' replacement.

Mayor set for AMO conference

The City of Thunder Bay has a number of meetings set up with ministers at the coming Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference. Mayor Lynn Peterson says they're asking the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to set up a regional office in Thunder Bay. Other sit down meetings with ministers include: Energy and Infrastructure, Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources, and Transportation. Peterson is joined by councillor Joe Virdiramo and City Manager Tim Commisso.

Four new officers join city force

There's a new breed of constable that is working with the Thunder Bay Police Service. The four newest constables are a little older than what the service used to hire even 10 years ago according to Deputy Chief J-P Levesque, having what he calls "life experience". He says they are seeing more and more of this as people are choosing second careers. The newest officers were sworn in at the Ontario Court of Justice. Pictured: Andrea Megan MacInnis is one of four new city constables.

Ignatieff NWO tour a no go

Tragedy in the Liberal family has resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled trip of Michael Ignatieff to Dryden and Kenora. Mario Lague, Ignatieff's top aid, died Thursday when his motorcycle struck an SUV. Kenora Liberal Candidate Roger Valley says despite the cancelled trip, Ignatieff remains committed to this area. The Grit leader was scheduled to arrive in Dryden Saturday night.

Terrace Bay Pulp slight delay

Terrace Bay Pulp is going to start up before the end of the month.  It's a slight delay since 400 employees were expected to start back on the job on Monday.  United Steelworkers Union Spokesperson Herb Daniher says their plan is not off track.  Equipment needed for the start up is arriving at the mill this week.

NAPS graduates cops

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is welcoming 6-new Graduates. The constables were sworn in at a ceremony in Thunder Bay Friday. The new recruits will be stationed in Moose Cree First Nation, Fort Severn, Sachigo Lake First Nation, Attawapiskat and Fort Albany.

Hudak wants to get rid of LHINS

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is making a number of election style promises.  Hudak says if elected premier he will scrap the local health integration networks.  The Ontario PC Leader was in Thunder Bay on Thursday.  Hudak says the decision making progress is taking place at Queen's Park and McGuinty is using the LHINS as a shield.

NAN wants far north act scrapped

Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities could put up blockades and protest in the far north. Grand Chief Stan Beardy says that's what will happen if the McGuinty Government pushes the Far North Act through. Beardy says they do not like the proposed legislation and want the Liberal government to scrap it altogether. NAN communities are concerned about how the act lays out jurisdiction of land.

Worst Roads Campaign back for another year

CAA is looking for nominations for its annual worst roads campaign. Spokesperson Kory Kennedy says its a very successful and popular program, with over 90 percent of the roads nominated since 2003 being repaired or are slated to be repaired. You can cast your vote by visiting the CAA website.

Forest firefighting crews return home

The first of 41 Ministry of Natural Resources personnel working in Saskatchewan are expected back home later today.  Forest Fire fighting crews and support staff from Northwestern Ontario have ended their deployment.  A second group from Northeastern Ontario will be sent home Friday.  The MNR still has 288 personnel helping with the fire fight in British Columbia.

Wanted man may be in the area

City Police believe that a man wanted in Southern Ontario may be in the Thunder Bay area. Spokesperson Chris Adams says 22 year old Troy Moulton is wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Brampton.  Adams says if you see Moulton you should not try to apprehend him, but call police immediately.  Police say Moulton may be driving a Grey 2000 Chevy Impala.

Minister of Natural Resources visits Tbay

Minister of Natural Resources Linda Jeffrey is defending her governments far north act.  Jeffery paid a visit to Thunder Bay on Thursday and spoke with the Nishinawbe Aski Nation.  Jeffrey says she had a good discussion with NAN and they hope to come up with a document that both the government, business and first nations are comfortable with.  NAN is holding a news conference about the issue on Friday.

Hudak promises to scrap Far North Act

Ontario's Opposition leader says if he's elected, say good-bye to the Far North Act. Tim Hudak is promising to scrap the controversial legislation if it's passed. Hudak says the act does nothing for job creation.  He says if the act would have been passed years ago we would never have heard of the the Ring of Fire or the Victor Mine.  He says Dalton McGuinty basically wants to turn the far north into a park and kiss all those opportunities good-bye.  Hudak says the bill has been rammed through the Legislature without consultation.  Pictured:  Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson speaks at news conference as Conservative leader Tim Hudak looks on.  Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources Linda Jeffrey disagrees with Hudak and notes she's willing to alter the act to accomodate first nations and northern businesses.  Jeffrey was in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Aviation camp comes to close

Confederation College is hosting a group of aboriginal high school students interested in learning about flight. Aviation Dean Joe Vieria says they hope to inspire students to become pilots. There's a lack of first nations people in the skilled labour force. 26 local first nations youth took part in the week long camp. Wasaya Airways, Local First Nation Councils, and the Kenney Family Foundation help fund the week long flight camp.

Local dogs flying high at Canadian Dog Agility Nationals

A pair of Thunder Bay dogs had a successful showing at the Canadian Nationals for Dog Agility. The event happened in Calgary last weekend and Jessica Dubinsky says her and dog Jersey had a very solid showing winning 2nd once and 13th. Nancy Laser also of Thunder Bay and her dog placed 2nd twice, 4th once and also had a 5th place finish.