Union members 96% in favour of strike

Transit workers voted 96% in favour of strike action today at the CEP hall on Memorial Avenue. The vote was only see if workers are willing to strike; bus service will continue for the time being.

The Ministry of Labour will inform the union of the earliest date they are able to strike. Amalgamated Transit Union 966 president Charlie Brown says the union doesn't want to inconvenience the public and he hopes the city comes back to the table to negotiate.

Brown notes it was the largest turnout he'd ever personally seen with 90% of the workforce in attendance.

Some of the issues which concern the union are proposed changes to benefits, an increase in part time workers and how transit workers wages compare to those of other city employees.

Support for cats

The Thunder Bay Humane Society still has a lot of cats but community members have been a big help.

The organization has been receiving donations of supplies like food and litter as well as financial support.

Judy Decicco of the Humane Society says the public's response has been incredible and notes the organization receives no government funding.

No cats were abandoned last week and there were  nine adoptions.

 Decicco says the organization will continue to waive adoption fees for cats they've had over six months leaving only the $100 vet fee.

Robbery arrest

Thunder Bay police have arrested a man in connection with the August 23rd robbery of Mr. Sub on Red River.


The same man is also being charged with a mugging that happened last Friday on South May street.

Police took the 26 year old man into custody Saturday morning.

Neebing grow-op bust

Combined Forces Drug Enforcement Unit officers arrested two people and siezed 900 marijuana plants in Neebing Township yesterday.

In addition to the plants, five firearms and 565 grams of dried marijuana were also siezed.

The total street value of the of the drugs is estimated to be around 875,000 dollars.

Swim advisories lifted

There's good news if you want to take a dip to beat the heat this weekend.

The Health Unit has lifted swimming advisories for Lakeview and Sandycove beaches at Boulevard lake.

Sunnyside beach at Boulevard and Chippewa Park's Main Beach are still under advisory due to high levels of E. Coli bacteria.

Traffic Delays on Monday

Keep this in mind as you make your way to work on Monday.  If your travelling in the area where John Street becomes Oliver Road you can expect some traffic disruptions.  Thunder Bay Hydro is conducting work in that area around Algoma and High Street.  Crews will be working on hydro lines which will impact traffic flow from Banning Street, Ontario, and Second Street as well as cross traffic from intercity and the surrounding residential areas.  The closure will begin at 10 and continue through to 4 until the work is done.

Leon's store taking shape

Work continues on the new Leon's store in Thunder Bay. The building is taking shape, and crews are still working on the lot. City Council will be asked on Monday night to give Leon's some leeway on it's store front sign. It's requesting a variance to increase the size of it's wall sign.

Atikokan Generating Station gets green light to convert to biofuels

The Atikokan Generating Station jumped a big hurdle in switching to Biofuels. The Ontario government has announced that the plant has recieved provincial approval for the switch. MPP Bill Mauro says the next step is creation of a power purchase aggreement and then construction will take about three years. Mauro says he hopes that a wood pellet facility can be built in the Northwest to supply the station with fuel.

Late assignments could land students a zero this school year

Students will have to keep track of due dates on their assignments a little more closely this year. The ministry of education has put new regulations in place allowing teachers to give zero's for late assignments. Superintendant of education Sherri-Lynne Pharand says the local school board still has to create their own policy. Teachers will use their own judgement on weather or not they give students a zero for handing in late assignments.

Alzheimer Society gets money

The Alzheimer Society is on the receiving end of a 25-thousand dollar donation.  Doris Arnold provided the cash as a commitment as a Patron to the Society. Arnold first became a patron in 2007 in honour of her late husband who dies of Alzheimers.

Invasive Species in Thunder Bay

The Ministry of Natural Resources are on the look out for invasive species. The rusty crayfish was recently spotted in Cloud Lake. Rusty crayfish are highly aggressive and can consume twice as much food as native crayfish. Anyone who spots the larger than normal crayfish is asked to contact the MNR.

Kokocinski appointed NW LHIN CEO

A new person is in charge of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.  The Board has appointed Laura Kokocinski as Chief Executive Officer effective September first.  She has worked with the LHIN as the Senior Director, Planning, Integration and Community Engagement since January 2006 and was appointed Interim CEO back in February.  Kokocinski is from Northwestern Ontario and has extensive health care experience in various communities including Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.  She was selected from a large Canada-wide pool.

Former Mayor not running in Municipal election

Former Thunder Bay Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff has made it official; he's not running for the Mayor's seat in Thunder Bay.  Boshcoff says he doesn't have time to be mayor since his business advisory company has taken off.  The former Thunder Bay Mayor released the statement on Friday because he wanted to quell the rumour mill and clarify his intentions.

New First Nation Mining Program

There are ten spots open in a new first nations mining course. The program is being offered through the Anishinabek Employment and Training Service and Spokesperson John DeGiacomo says the course will run for 20 weeks. The program is being funded by the provincial government, mining companies, and the Assembly of First Nations. The program starts September 20th.

ORNGE celebrates 1 year

Ornge air is celebrating its one year anniversary in Thunder Bay.  The organization is the region's medical transport service that flies patients to medical care.  Chief Operating Officer Rick Potter says they're currently remodeling their facilities to accomodate their services.  A grand opening will be held in October. In the last year, ORNGE has carried over 2 thousand patients over a half million miles for medical care.

Species at Risk get help

Three area Species at Risk projects are being supported by the Provincial Government. The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists will be keeping tabs on the common nighthawk at the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. They'll also be monitoring Peregrine population. The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority will be looking at species at risk in the Watershed.

Cruisin for a Cause

You can grab a bite to eat and help out a good cause today from noon until 3.  Thunder Bay's two A&W resteraunts are taking part in Cruisin for a cause for the MS Society.  Arthur Street Manager Clint Shirk says a dollar from every teen burger sold today will go to support the MS Society.  Classic cars are also expected to come out to the Memorial Avenue A&W.

OPP on highway 17 accident

Three people are in Kenora Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle collision near the Ontario-Manitoba boundary this morning. O-P-P say a pair of transports collided around 5 a-m. One of the rigs caught fire and was destroyed. The driver and passenger of the other transport had to be extricated by fire crews. Police say charges are pending.

Grassy Narrows blockade

Yet another blockade has gone up on the Grassy Narrows First Nation north of Kenora.  This time the blockade is aimed at the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Roberta Keesick is one of the people at the blockade and says it was started up on Friday after MNR officials tried to shut down repair work being done by community members on the Slant Lake Road.  Keesick says the MNR wants the community to get proper permits before its begins any roadwork in the community.  She says there are no plans to take down the blockade any time soon.

MNR monitor fire

A forest fire east of Pikangikum First Nation continues to burn out-of-control. The fire has grown to 178-hectares in size but is burning in an isolated area. The Ministry of Natural Resources has 48-firefighters battling the blaze. Meantime, 64-personnel left the Dryden Airport yesterday to help in the fire fight in B.C. 21-firefighters returned home.