Shuniah Reeve seeks re-election

Maria Harding is seeking re-election as the Reeve of Shuniah. The reeve filed her nomination application last month. Harding says she wants to continue to maintain a position of balace and reason while making decisions for the community.

T-Wolves start training camp

Hockey training camp is underway for the Lakehead University Thunderwolves. Coach Joel Scherban says there are over 25 players trying out including 19 returnees. Scherban hopes to pare down the roster rather quickly.   He says the earliest would be this Friday, but realistically it's likely to come by the end of next week.  Seven players will not be returning from last years team.

Katimavik helping in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is welcoming a Katimavik group of volunteers. 11 young Canadians will begin volunteering in the community starting this weekend.  Sarah Tamosetis is heading up the project and says they're looking forward to doing some good.  The Katmivak team is made up of 17 to 21 year olds.  The group of volunteers will be working with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the Salvation Army.

OPP lay additional charges

Further investigation has lead to Thunder Bay OPP laying additional charges in a drug and money seizure dating back to December.  Last year, police searched a Mapleward Road residence and seized 1.2 million dollars and 22-thousand dollars worth of drugs.  Marcel Breton is charged with possession of proceeds of crime and laundering proceeds of crime.  Breton will appear in court on October 22nd to answer the new charges.

Police looking for good samaritan

Thunder Bay's Criminal Investigations Branch is on the lookout for a good samaritan who helped two young men after they were assaulted.  Someone driving a pickup on Blucher Avenue in the early morning hours of August 27th stopped during the incident. Police would like to speak to the individual to further their investigation.

FASD Awareness Day

It's Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. The NorWest Community Health Centre is holding a full day workshop on FASD at the Airlane Travelodge. FASD Coordinator Maureen Parkes says people living with FASD don't necessarily understand the consequences of their actions. Lawyer David Boulding will be discussing how to help FASD clients when they are involved in the legal system.

Mining program helps Aboriginals

Aboriginal students in Northwestern Ontario are learning the ropes of the mining industry. It comes in the form of a school program backed by the industry and Cambrian College. Jonathan Kakegemic is the Principal at Cromarty High School in the city and thinks it's exciting. He says it gives Aboriginal students an incentive to continue their education once they see the program is directed towards them. 175 students are enrolled in the program at the school.

Methane gas provides renewable energy

There's more green energy on tap in the city. It comes from Thunder Bay Hydro at it's generating station on Mapleward Road. President Rob Mace says it comes in the form of methane gas from the city dump. In partnership with the city, Hydro is buying the gas that the landfill produces and turning it into electricity. Mace says the amount of energy generated can power up to 3 thousand homes in the city.

Methane machines built for safety

The city is hoping to reap the benefits of renewable energy. Two new machines are capturing methane gas from the city dump and turning it into electricity. Bruce Baxter, of Toromont Energy, helped to design the machines and says safety is priority one. He says temperature and pressure are monitored on a regular basis and that if any thresholds are exceeded it will lead to a shutdown. Thunder Bay Hydro president Rob Mace says there is potential for a third machine to be built on the site.

Ontario introduces activity tax credit

The Ontario Government is making it a little easier for parents to get their children involved in after school activities.  The province is introducing legislation creating a tax credit for those activities.  Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says its going to help both the families and kids.  If the legislation is passed, parents will be able to claim up to 500 dollars of expenses per child.

Another Candidate for Councillor at large

Former CBC host Gerald Graham will be joining the fray for this year's municipal election. Graham retired in June after 25 years as a journalist in the city and will be up against 10 other candidates for councillor at large.

Thunder Bay Kayaker sets new record

Thunder Bay's own Joe O'Blenis is the new record holder for the fastest paddling around Vancouver Island. The Kayaker made the trip in 16 days and 12 hours which beat the previous record by half a day. O'Blenis could have done even better but ran into some equipment trouble during the one thousand 140 kilometre voyage.

Police release woman's name

Thunder bay police have released the name of a woman who was found dead Friday at the Travelodge Hotel on West Arthur.

She's been identified as Verna Patricia Sturgeon of Big Trout Lake.

Police have arrested Joanee Vivier and Michele Morris in connection with the death. The two women have been charged with first degree murder.

Police airport arrest/ George Burke vandalized

Police arrested a man at the Thunder Bay Airport around 9:30 last night. They say it was in connection with a domestic dispute. They needed to use four officers in the arrest in case he refused to cooperate. The man was handcuffed at the top of the escalator without incident.

Also, police recovered a stolen, fire damaged vehicle at the George Burke baseball diamond yesterday. The vehicle was used to damage the ball field early Saturday morning before it was set on fire. Police are looking for information regarding the incident.

Anti-tobacco industry activist visits city

Errol Povah has been running and walking his way across Canada since he left Victoria, B.C . on May 31st. Povah says he's been traveling 42 kilometers a day on foot to raise money and create awareness about the dangers of smoking.

His eventual destination is Montreal and possibly New York where he plans to visit the offices of tobacco companies. Povah says someday he'd like to see the tobacco industry gone altogether.

Thunder Bay group Youth Engaged in Tobacco Free Initiatives welcomed Povah to the city Saturday morning at Marina Park. YETI brought their nine foot high puppet "Big Tobacco" to the event.

Traveling alone, Povah moves his van (which serves as his shelter) up the highway as he goes and doubles back so he can cover the distance on foot. He expects to reach Montreal by October.

 http://www.tobaccofreeworld.ca/

Police investigate murder at Travelodge

The Criminal Investigations Branch is investigating a homicide at the Travel Lodge. The murder investigation began just after 10 Friday morning, when staff discovered a 30 year old woman dead in one of the rooms. The room is being held as a crime scene and evidence at the location indicates the woman's death was related to foul play. The exact cause of death is still to be determined pending a postmortem exam. A 33 year old woman is in custody and charges are pending. The name of the victim will be held until the next of kin are notified. 

Local man takes part in Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

A Thunder Bay Man is riding his bike across Canada. Harry Fediuk is taking on the cross country trek in honour of his 2 year old son, Braeden who has cancer. He leaves Monday for Vancouver where he will join 41 other cyclists as they ride across Canada to raise money and awareness for kids with cancer. Fediuk is taking part in the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, his profile can be viewed by googling the cause.

Sudbury company awarded construction contract

A Sudbury company is the winner of a 41.9 million dollar contract with the Ontario Government. Teranorth Construction and Engineering will be improving a six kilometer stretch of highway from Hodder Avenue to east of Highway 527. Other highway improvements will include the construction of a new interchange at Hodder Avenue, and the realignment of the Terry Fox access road.

Two more file for nomination in municipal election

There is now a two horse race in the Current River ward. Andy Wolff filed his nomination forms yesterday and will be taking on incumbent Andrew Foulds in Current River. Wolff says he thinks crime will be the number one issue in the Municipal election.  In the Neebing ward its being a crowded ring with a fourth candidate filing their papers today.  Henry Wojak is up against current councillor Linda Rydholm, former councillor Gary Shchepanik and Don Sinclair.

NOSM and OPSEU will continue negotiations

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine and OPSEU are heading back to the bargaining table. NOSM staff have been on strike since August 16th and are still picketing at the university. The talks will be taking place September 14th to 17th.