Gravelle on Wood Allocation Process

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says he understands Atikokan Renewable Fuel's disappointment.  The company had hoped to receive it's wood allocation rights already, but instead had to lay off employees because of a lack of wood.  Gravelle says he's working towards getting word out soon.  Gravelle says he met with Forestry officials in Toronto and he hopes to make more wood allocation announcements in the near future.

Credit Union Robbed

The Northern Lights Credit Union on Red River Road was robbed Friday afternoon.  Just after 1:30 a man armed with a gun demanded money from a teller.  He made off with an unknown amount of cash and fled in a tan coloured SUV.  The suspect is described as a six foot tall man with dark hair and facial hair.

Status of Women Committee coming to TBAY

Violence against aboriginal women will be discussed in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay this week. The Status of Women committee is traveling across Canada, and B.C. MP Cathy McLeod says they want to hear from community members.  McLeod says they realize that the issue is prevelant across the country and they want to hear about community based solutions.  McLeod says they will be releasing a report with recommendations to the Federal Government in the Spring.

No playing favourites

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is clearing the air.  The Thunder Bay Superior North MPP says he's not playing favourites when it comes to the future site of a Ring of Fire processing plant.  Gravelle is reacting to the Mayor's recent comments saying the MPP should heavily promote Thunder Bay.  Keith Hobbs stated recently that Gravelle should push for his riding rather than the entire North.

Two charged with robbery

Two people are facing charges after the Memorial Avenue Shoppers Drug Mart was robbed on January 4th. Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says officers arrested a 24 year old woman last night and a 26 year old man this morning.  A large quantity of pills was seized as well.  The two are charged with a variety of offences including robbery with threats and possession of a controlled substance.  Adams says officers are still investigating the robberies of Jansen's Pharmacy and the Red River Shopper's Drug Mart and have released a picture of the suspect of the Red River Suspect.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels waits

A partner in the company Atikokan Renewable Fuels says they were forced to lay off most of their employees.  The company is still waiting for a wood allocation from the Province so they can make pellets for the OPG plant.  Ed Fukishima says the process is flawed and he's disappointed.  Fukishima says time is working against them and they continue to wait to hear word on the allocation.

Meetings streamed online well received

75 people have tuned into the first four City Council meetings broadcast online.  City Clerk John Hannam says they're tracking unique visits to the live streaming site.  Hannam says the next step will be to narrow down where the viewers are from.

TBAY Medical Hostel proposed

A member of the Atikokan General Hospital board feels there's a need for an affordable place to stay in Thunder Bay for regional patients and their families traveling for medical purposes. Marlene Davidson says a medical hostel could be an alternative to those who can't afford the 75 to 100 dollar a night hotels. Davidson envisions the hostel being similar to one in Thunder Bay set up for aboriginal patients.

Horwath makes election promise

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continues to attack the McGuinty Government's failure to remove the HST from hydro, and home heating bills. Horwath says Northerners are struggling and need a break. Horvath says if her party is elected she would remove the HST from home heating oil and natural gas.

Air Bravo deal falls through

A deal between Air Bravo to purchase Thunder Airlines has fallen through.  President Ken Bittle says Air Bravo was unable to meet the deadlines and stipulations set out in the contract.  The two companies announced the deal in November. Bittle says it will be business as usual.

Accused teens in court

The two teenage girls who are accused of second degree murder will be back in court next month.  The 14 and 15 year old were lead into court in hand cuffs Thursday morning.  The accused were remanded into custody until their next court date.  The charges stem from the death of a 16 year old Sachigo Lake First Nation girl

Another attempted robbery at local drug store

No one was hurt after a third armed robbery of a drug store.  Police say a woman tried to rob the Shoppers Drug Mart on Red River at about 7 o'clock last night. The woman was armed with a syringe and when she was denied pills she fled on foot.  At this time police are not connecting this with a similar robbery that happened Tuesday night on Memorial.

Ndrangheta expert sheds more light on organization

Thunder Bay's cocaine trade could be on the rise. Italian Author Antonio Nicaso has written several books on Ndrangheta and in an exclusive interview with our newsroom says this organization is one of the biggest cocaine traffickers in the world and view Canada as a great place to invest money and as a conduit to the US cocaine market. Nicaso says Thunder Bay's port could be very attractive to Ndrangheta because laws and regulations in Canadian Ports are Lax in comparison to the US.

Charlton case ends

The trial of a Thunder Bay driver involved in a fatal car accident has come to a close. Thomas Charlton is charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.  The charges stem from an accident that claimed the life of a 14 year old boy two years ago.  Judge Helen Pierce will make her verdict on February 14th.

Tainted Turkey cause of illness at Slovak Legion

It was tainted turkey that caused many holiday goers to become ill after dining at the Slovak Legion.  The Thunder Bay Health Unit found bacteria in the samples collected earlier in the month.  34 people came down with stomach flu like symptoms after eating a Christmas dinner on December 14th.

NAN Grand Chief in New Zealand

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is traveling to New Zealand next week.  He'll be taking part in a conference that will look at environmental issues.  He'll be one of the panel speakers representing First Nations living in the boreal forest.

Bombardier's LRT favoured in report

A national think-tank is favouring Bombardier's light rail transit over extending Toronto's subway line. The Pembina Institute compared costs and benefits of the proposed subway with the LRT plan in a recent report.  Author Cherise Burda says she hopes Mayor Rob Ford will take heed and see the LRT plan provides better service for less money.  The report says the four L-R-T projects would deliver more than twice as much service for every dollar invested than the proposed subway extension.

Council updated on pricey lawsuit

The Horizon Wind lawsuit was the main topic of a closed door session of city council Tuesday night.  City administration provided an update on the 126 million dollar claim.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says the meeting dealt with the legal processes available to the City.  Meanwhile, Boshcoff says they are looking at ways of letting people know what their closed door sessions are about.  An arbitration hearing in Toronto will be held next Wednesday.

Another armed robbery at a local drug store

No one was hurt in another armed robbery of a drug store.  Police say a woman armed with a syringe made off with some pills after holding up the Memorial Street Shoppers last night just before 6 o'clock.  The robbery followed a similar one December 28 involving a man at the Janzen's Pharmacy in Westfort.

Passengers stranded in White River for 14 hours

Greyhound passengers are upset with the company after being stranded in White River for over 14 hours on Sunday. Thunder Bay resident and passenger Elaine Legarde describes the situation as abuse. She says they didn't receive any information from Greyhound itself, and notes she received updates by chasing down OPP officers and talking to locals. Some passengers are considering a lawsuit. Greyhound is vowing to review its protocols.