TRC hearings underway

The healing is starting for those taking part in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing in the city. About 20 native residential school survivors are expected to tell their story according Sam Achneepineskum of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.   He says it takes about 2 or 3 hours for one person to give their statement,  meaning that about 7 people are heard in a day.  All statements are videotaped.  The Commission is here until Friday.

More snow to fall

Thunder Bay could see anywhere from 10 to 20 centimeters of snow in the next two days.  Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says it's a slow moving low pressure system.  Laidlaw adds the snow falling will be wet and heavy.  The snow is expected to stop by Friday.

Bill Mauro weighs in on opposition

Everybody's a critic.  That's the thought of the Liberal Government when it comes to their long term energy plan.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's time to put up or shut up.  Mauro says it's easy to knock a party's plan without providing your own ideas.

Angus cool on curfew idea

If our mayor-elect is looking for support for a curfew for city youth,  he won't get it from Councillor Iain Angus. Keith Hobbs says he supports a midnight curfew for kids under 16. Councillor Angus says the new Crime Prevention Council should be allowed to get it's work done.   He calls the idea premature and that it's not right to do an "end around " on the process.

The future is now at the Health Sciences Centre

A ground breaking medical procedure is now available in Thunder Bay. The Health Science Centre is partnering with Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto to offer ultrasound surgery. Vice President Michael Power says the clinical trial doesn't require any cutting.  Power says eventually he hopes the procedure can be used to remove tumors in hard to reach areas like the brain or liver.

Jimi the dog's court date postponed

 Jimi the dog will get to have Christmas with his family.  His fate will be decided in court in two months time on January 26th.  Lawyer Francis Thatcher says Jimi's owners purchased him from the Thunder Bay Humane Society in 2007 and are now facing accusations that he's a pitbull. Fletcher adds the court will look into whether or not an attack took place between the two dogs and if Jimi's DNA shows he's a pitbull. Jimi supporters gathered outside the court house this morning.  Lawrence Hurd says they're pleased with today's decision.  Jimi's owners have been ordered to keep him muzzled.

Thunder Bay police deal with two early morning incidents

Thunder Bay police were kept busy this morning.  Just before 3 o'clock officers responded to a break and enter on Victoria Avenue and managed to arrest one man.  Then shortly after 4:30 police responded to a Mental Health Act call, when a man was spotted with a knife on Simpson street.  Officers managed to subdue the man and apprehend him. 

Murder suspect will stand trial

Micheal Earl Kelly will stand trial for murder. The Alberta man is charged with first degree murder in the November 2000 death of 57 year old Judith Thibault.  Thibault's body wasn't found until 2004.  Kelly will have a pre-trial hearing sometime in the new year.

AbitibiBowater clears major hurdle

AbitibiBowater could be on the verge of exiting bankruptcy protection.  The company has been given the green light by an American court to go ahead with a restructuring plan that will shed 5 and a half billion dollars in unsecured debt.  Part of the deal ensures the company will meet all pension obligations in Canada.

Hospital staff use donor dollars

The Thunder Bay Health Sciences Foundation is spreading 30 thousand donor dollars to various hospital departments.Chair Brian McKinnon says the money is used to purchase items that staff chose.   McKinnon says its the Foundation's way of giving back to the staff at the hospital.

CEDC outlines goals

The city's Economic Development Commission is out with it's goals for the next two years. Commission boss Steve Demmings says they hope to build on past successes such as stemming the flow of young people out of the city.   The plan outlines about 10 areas to focus on.  Meantime mayor-election Keith Hobbs say the organization has his backing.  As mayor, Hobbs will have a seat on the board. He says he plans to support the Commission at the budget table.   Hobbs says the Commission has to be aggressive in it's approach to getting businesses.

No Book Banning in T BAY

It appears two Timothy Findley books will not be banned by the Lakehead Public School Board. Trustees are being asked to keep the books by the Canadian author, in the system. Board vice-chair Karen Wilson, says the issue came up after one parent complained about the content. A special board committee concluded the books reflect real life.

Survivors have "historic opportunity"

The heartbreaking stories of abuse are being told in Thunder Bay starting Wednesday. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is here to listen to the stories from residential school survivors. Commission spokesperson Alvin Fiddler says it's part of the healing for First Nations people. He says many have waited a long time for what he calls this "historic opportunity" to tell their story. The Commission was invited here by officials of the Nishawbe Aski Nation.

Natural Gas Conversion announced

Thunder Bay's generating station will have a new manager and power source. Chris Fralick takes over the job on December 1st, and in 2011 the facility will convert to natural gas.  Union Spokesperson Gary Shchepanik says it's nice to know what the future holds. The project is expected to be complete by 2014. MPP Bill Mauro and Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement Tuesday morning. 

Thunderwolves hockey back in CIS top ten

A 5 game winning streak has vaulted the Thunderwolves Men's Hockey team back into the top ten in the CIS.  The wolves completed a weekend sweep over Nipissing Saturday and are now 9th in the country.

Mac's Mart robbed again

City police are looking for a man after a Mac's Mart was robbed.  Police say a man in his late teens robbed the Waterloo Street store just after 5 o'clock yesterday.  Officials say the suspect fled on foot with some cash.

Weekend collision turns fatal

A 23 year old man has died as a result of Sunday's two car collision on Dawson Road.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says Justin Enge was the driver of one of the vehicles and succumbed to his injuries early yesterday morning.  Adams says Enge lost control of his vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic and was hit by a mini van.  The other four people involved received non life threatening injuries.

Charges laid in Loch Lomond death

The owner of the Loch Lomond Ski Resort has been charged in connection to a fatal accident.  Last year a father and son were shocked when their ladder came into contact with a live power line while they were working on a roof.  The son died of his injuries and Ward Bond has been charged with failing to ensure the workers didn't use a metal ladder and with not providing proper safety information.

Council bids farewell

Mayor Lynn Peterson hasn't decided if she will pursue politics again. She says it's been an honour to have been involved in municipal government and she's proud of her track record.  Peterson says the new city council will continue to do good work.  It was Councillor Robert Tuchenhagen's last meeting as well.

Council supports Special Olympics

Thunder Bay will support the 2011 Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games. Council decided Monday night to waive the charter fees for three buses to transport athletes and coaches within the city.  Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he's happy to support the games.  The cost to provide the buses to the athletes for free is just over 9 thousand dollars.