Many fires Thursday morning

Fire crews were stretched thin this morning. With most of the city's crews busy fighting the blaze on Simpson street, a second call about a house fire at Queen and High street, then shortly after another call came in for a fire in the Ogden area. The 3rd fire proved to be false. Fire Chief John Hay says additional staff had to be called in to provide service to the rest of the city.

Police make appeal after hit and run

Police say an 18 year old city woman is fighting for her life after being the victim of a hit and run.  They say that Amy Neumueller was walking on Leslie Avenue near Arundel at around 3 o'clock Thursday morning,  when she was hit by a compact car.  Police say the driver didn't stop and left the scene.   They're hoping the driver or someone with information on the incident calls them.

Kenora OPP find explosives

Kenora OPP have more than just firearms and knives to deal with, apparently they also have to deal with explosives.  After searching a house yesterday officers discovered a small amount of explosives with some pills and other drug paraphernalia.  Two men were arrested and are facing charges.

Huge fire guts south side hotel

A raging inferno tore through the West Hotel this morning.  Fire crews are still on scene keeping control of what is left of the building.  There are no reports of any injuries but fire officials say it'll likely take days before any cause could be found.  Chief John Hay says the fire was probably going for a while prior to them getting the call at 4 o'clock.  Hay says since the building was abandoned the cause is likely suspicious.  According to the city the building was pegged for demolition. 

Meanwhile fire crews were stretched thin this morning.  With most of the city's crews busy fighting the blaze on Simpson street, a second call about a house fire at Queen and High street came in.  Shortly after another call came in for a fire in the Ogden area but it was proven to be false. Hay says additional staff had to be called in to provide service to the rest of the city. 

West Hotel Slated for Demolition

A fire at the West Hotel won't change the City's plans for the building. The vacant hotel was recently acquired by the City because the owners didn't pay the taxes. Taranis Contracting group has been awarded the demolition contract for the building and work will start next week. The building's neighbour the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Hall is also set to be demolished. The city acquired the buildings as part as their plan to improve the appearance of neglected properties. The West Hotel building was under security watch at the time, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Global National Anchor live in Thunder Bay

A former Thunder Bay broadcaster is making a return visit.  Dawna Friesen the new anchor of Global National will be broadcasting at Marina Park on Monday.  She'll broadcast live starting at 5 on election day. 

Hit and run leaves one woman in hospital

A woman is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle this morning.  Just after 3 o'clock the woman was hit while walking down the 400 block of Leslie street.  Police say the driver of the vehicle fled the scene and the victim was taken to the Health Sciences Centre. 

Federal Opposition Leader paying Thunder Bay a visit

Michael Ignatieff will be making a stop in Thunder Bay next week.  The federal Liberal leader will be bringing his open mic town hall meetings to Confederation college next Thursday from 11:30 to 1.  It'll be at the student commons area of the Shuniah building.

Many Thunder Bay winners at NADF

Several Thunder Bay based businesses won at last night's Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund business awards. Janet Furoy took home the Youth Entrepreneur award and is proud of her Spa Euphoria and Wellness Retreat. Clayton Clace won the Busniness Man of the year award. Clace is originally from Sioux Lookout and maintain's heating systems in the far north. Clace hopes he will inspire other first nations residents to start businesses. Gabriel Cross won best new business for her Gabby's Spudz and more.

Tough talk from City Manager

The city says it will not be intimidated by a 126 million dollar lawsuit fromy Horizon Wind. The company launched the suit this week over changes made to it's lease agreement with the city over wind turbines. City Manager TimCommisso says the city will file a defense and will seek arbitration to resolve the dispute.

Levesque blames drugs and poverty for ranking

The second in command at the City Police Service says  vices and social conditions are contributing to a new dubious distinction for our city.  MacLean's Magazine has pegged Thunder Bay as the 23rd most dangerous city in the country and number 2 in the murder rankings.  Deputy Police Chief J-P Levesque blames drug addiction and poverty for many of our crime problems.

Katimavik looking for billet families

Katimavik is looking for host families for October and November.  Spokesperson Sarah Tamosetis says they have enough billet families, but they're still looking for back ups. Katimavik teens will be living in the City from October 28th until November 7th.

Hannam says no to hand count

The City of Thunder Bay is saying no-way to a petition demanding a hand count of election ballots.  Returning Officer John Hannam says even if they wanted to do a hand count, it's too late.  Andy Wolff launched the petition this week.

Report targets NW LHIN

An Auditor General report shows the Northwest Local Health Integration Network paid for consultants. The three LHINs studied spent anywhere from 224 thousand dollars to 1.4 million per year on consultants.  NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she isn't surprised.  The report also states the LHINs didn't have an adequate process in place that would ensure consulting services were planned for.

No delays for waterfront development

Preparations are in place for the city's waterfront development project as winter approaches.  Manager Katherine Dugmore says they've already set the stage for how they'll handle the colder temperatures.  For instance,  building construction has been timed so that all the indoor work can take place during the harsher winter months.  Dugmore says the development remains on schedule.

Casino cut inches to 600 K.

The city's latest cut of the casino revenue works out to almost 600 thousand dollars.    That's close to 6 thousand dollars more than what was given to the city in July and almost 30 thousand more than the spring dividend.   Every three months the city gets 5 per cent of the revenue from the slot machines at the government run gambling casino.

Special Olympics are coming together

Thunder Bay is just 90 days away from hosting North Western Ontario's first ever Special Olympics Winter games. Games Manager Julie Tilbury says things are really shaping up but they are still short of their fundraising goal. She says one way people can donate is by sponsoring an athlete.  Chair JP Levesque says they have raised about 3 quarters of their 800 thousand dollar fundraising goal.

Habitat for Humanity is going to school

Habitat for humanity is getting a huge helping hand from Confederation. Students are volunteering to build the latest Habitat house and will get some hands on experience. Habitat's Dianne Mitchell says its a great partnership for the organization because it will help ensure the house is completed in time for the family to move in by Christmas. Student Michael Kehler says there is no better way to learn than to actually get your hands dirty and build.

Thunder Bay 2nd in the country in murders

McLean's Magazine has pegged Thunder Bay as the 23rd most dangerous city in the country. The real bad news for the city came in the murder rankings where we ranked 2nd in the country behind only Abbotsford BC. Thunder Bay also ranked 12th in robberies.

Community Safety debated

Thunder Bay ranks as the 23rd most dangerous city in Canada and second highest for murder according to McLean's magazine.  That was one of the topics buzzing around the mayor's debate last night.  Keith Hobbs feels one way of making our community safer would be to restructure the police.  Lynn Peterson says the restructuring process is not in the police service board's hands.  Peterson also feels a detox centre and the crime prevention council will improve community safety.  Hobbs disagrees and feels they can play a role.  Hobbs would like to change the police officers shifts from 10 hour to 12.   Around 300 people attendend the last mayors debate before the municipal election.