Vincent not guilty

Not guilty is the verdict in a city assault case.  Judge Helen Pierce has dismissed an aggravated assault charge against 27 year old Michael Vincent.  It's in connection with a fight outside a Wesfort bar in 2009 that left another man with a serious head injury.   Judge Pierce said that Vincent was not the aggressor in the case and did not start the fight. 

Drugs seized at airport

Another person is charged with possession of a Controlled Substance following a raid at the Thunder Bay Airport.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime unit charged the 39 year old woman after seizing Oxycodone and Hydro-Morphine pills.  Police believe the drugs were headed to Cat Lake First Nation.

Two kids dead in house fire

Two kids under the age of five are dead after a house fire in Summer Beaver First Nation.  Another child is being treated for injuries.  Nishnawbe Aski Police Sgt. Jackie George says not much information is known at this point.  Officers were called to the house fire late Thursday afternoon. 

Horizon lawsuit awaits judge's ruling

It's now a waiting game. A judge in Toronto will decide which direction the Horizon Wind farm case will be taking. The company wants to sue the city over the changes council made to a contract. City Manager Tim Commisso says the city's position is solid.   He says they want the case to go to arbitration.  If the judge rules against the city the 126 million dollar lawsuit will continue.

Nelson heads NOMA...for now

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has a new interim president today. Ron Nelson has been chosen to lead the lobby organization until April's annual meeting. He's no stranger to the position having held it ten years ago, so he'd like to have it back again. Nelson adds, that he's ready to mobilize the group in this election year to make sure Northwestern Ontario is looked after.   Dave Canfield of Kenora is the interim executive vice-president.

Towns take up police costing with Gov't

Kenora City Council is endorsing a resolution drafted by Fort Frances about the cost of policing. The resolution says the cost of policing has increased dramatically over the past decade, exceeding the cost of living. They want the Provincial Government to cover all the increased costs of the recently negotiated OPP contract. That includes a 5-percent increase for this year.

New technology at Con College

Confederation College is putting the final touches on its new high tech REACH centre. Nursing Professor Barb Morrison says the skills labs for paramedics and other health related fields will have EMS technology.  The EMS technology will allow students to watch themselves performing tasks, and will help grade them.  The REACH centre is expected to be open in the Spring.

RAP at council Monday night

Thunder Bay's Remedial Action Plan Coordinator will be speaking to City Council Monday night.  The group was formed in the 80s and helps clean up sites that are contaminated such as the harbour.   Aaron Nicholson says they'll be pointing out future locations that need help.  Nicholson says they want to introduce the program to the new councillors and Mayor.

EMS contract on council agenda

The contract for the new Emergency Medical Services station has come in at a million dollars under budget. Administration is recommending council award the contract to Tom Jones Construction.  Chief Norm Gale says they're happy the contract came in lower than expected.  The contract came in at 10.6 million dollars.

Mixed emotions about Zellers takeover

Shoppers in Thunder Bay have mixed reaction to this weeks big news that Target is buying Zellers stores in Canada. Our newsroom spoke to a few of them.

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Thunder Bay is a good fit for Target

A Target in Thunder Bay makes a lot of sense, that from Lakehead University Professor Livio Di Matteo. He says Thunder Bay should be an attractive location for the US retailer because it is a fair size city and a hub in the Northwest.  Di Matteo also believes Target would be great for the consumer by providing more competition for Walmart and Superstore.

DSSAB waits for more info on fatal fire

An official with the District Social Services Administration Board says the death of a tenant in one of it's apartments is tragic. The blaze Wednesday night in room 113 at 120 South Cumberland killed one man. Don Tront says they are trying to reach out to any concerned tenants. He says in this case staff made contact with the Tenants Association and offered any assistance to reduce the impact. Tront says he's waiting to get more information about the incident.

NOMA meets Friday

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association plans to appoint an Interim President Friday.  NOMA is meeting in the City Friday afternoon.  Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is the current acting President and says he would like to keep the job if no one else wants it.

Mills in receivership

Two Northwestern Ontario mills are now in receivership.  Spokesperson Yves Fricot says a Toronto court has put a receiver in charge of Atikokan Forest Products, and Northern Sawmills.  A Bankruptcy Trustee is now in charge of Buchanan Northern Hardwoods and Great West Timber.

Still no bail hearing for Hernandez

The earliest that Christian Hernandez can be free on bail is Monday.  The 25 year old Thunder Bay man's bail hearing is being delayed by a legal issue. The prosecution wants the lawyer for Hernandez, Chris Watkins, taken off the case citing a possible conflict on interest. Justice Joyce Pellettier will make a ruling on that Monday morning. Hernandez is facing a charge of impaired driving causing death. It follows a traffic accident just days before Christmas which killed 45 year old Richard Carmichael.

Forest reform on the way

The provincial government is introducing legislation that would modernize the forest tenure system.  The system would include a pilot project of an organization that would oversee the sale of timber.  Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson says he's pleased with the changes.  The other initiative is a new company that would include a number of mills and forestry stakeholders that would manage the forest licence system.  OFIA President Jamie Lim is commending the changes and says Minister Gravelle is going where no other Minister has gone before.

RFDA Chair Steps Down

The Regional Food Distribution Association is saying goodbye to its Chair.  Executive Director Volker Kromm says Larry Brigham is stepping down to deal with his health.  Kromm says he will be missed and no one can rival his passion for the RFDA's programs and services.  Vice Chair Kelly Hicks will be stepping into the role.

Target could be coming to Thunder Bay

Will Thunder Bay soon be the home of Target? That's too early say company officials. The US retailer is purchasing over 200 Zellers stores for 1.83 billion dollars. Spokesperson Amy Riley says the company is really excited about coming to Canada and will now be contacting land owners.  Riley says once that process is complete, the company will begin evaluating possible locations with the goal of opening as many as 150 locations by 2013.

Fatal fire claims one man's life

One man is dead after an apartment fire late last night.  Just before midnight Thunder Bay Fire and rescue responded to the blaze in apartment 113 of 120 South Cumberland street.  Crews quickly dealt with the inferno and discovered the body of the man in the apartment.  Officials believe careless smoking is the cause of the fire and are investigating.

Dryden only regional stop for health panel

A provincial panel examining rural and northern health care is due to stop in Dryden next month. That's the only stop in the region for the panel according to co-chair Rick Johnson. They want to get feedback on a report on the issue.   Johnson says all the information relating to the process can be found online