Local beekeeper calls world situation a crisis

A Thunder Bay beekeeper is applauding a move by the United Nations to restore world bee habitats. The world agency is urging governments to offer incentives to farmers.   Barry Tabor, the vice-president of the Beekeepers Association agrees it's no less than a crisis.  He says we can't lose honey and native bees because they pollinate a third of our crops.  Tabor says Thunder Bay remains fortunate that bees here have not been hit with diseases or mites

No rescue required

It's not only dangerous, but it's illegal to walk on harbour ice.  But don't tell that to a couple of people who were spotted there Thursday afternoon.   Fire officials had their hovercraft out at the marina to find the people, but by the time they arrived there they were nowhere to be found.

Mob expert says locals are breaking no law

It's not likely the 7 people from Thunder Bay reported to be named in an Italian warrant will ever be extradited to Italy. Antonio Nicaso, a Mafia expert, says while the men may be accused by the Italians of alleged association to the ‘Ndrangheta, they aren't breaking the law in Canada.  That's because he says being associated with the Mafia is not something that is recognized in our criminal code. Nicaso says the only way they would ever be arrested is if they go to Italy

Strategic plan gets Johnson's support

One city councillor is saying it's about time. Rebecca Johnson says she's happy there is now a 10 to 20 year strategic plan in the works for the city. Johnson says it's the first time that she can remember than such a plan has been contemplated. She believes it's much better than lurching from term to term.  The public will have it's say on the plan at open houses next month.

Merger may not happen says local expert

The proposed merger of the Toronto and London Stock exchanges is getting a rough ride. Several Canadian banks have come out against the idea. That doesn't bode well for the marriage according to Thunder Bay investment expert Blake Cameron. He says with 4 of the big banks likely to oppose the deal, it will decrease the likelihood the whole deal will go through. Cameron says a possible federal election may also play into the deal being nixed

Rotary back with house lottery

The Rotary Club is back with it's annual house lottery. Organizer Gordie Garriock  says like always thousands of dollars will be doled out to local charities.This year the home being offered is worth 350 thousand dollars and is located in Sherwood Estates

Local man joins class action suit

Students who attended a government run school for the blind 50 years ago are now speaking out. They're launching a 225 million dollar lawsuit claiming abuse. One of the names on that statement of claim is Thunder Bay's Robert Seed.  He says the abuse suffered by the students was similar to what was suffered by in the native residential schools.  None of the claims have been proven in court

Rafferty's bill passes 2nd reading

Another hurdle has been passed for John Rafferty's workers severance termination bill.  It passed second reading in the house of commons by a 164-119 margin.  The Bill will protect severance and termination pay in the case of a company bankruptcy.

House fire on highway

A portion of Highway 11/17 was reduced to one lane after a house being moved on a transport truck caught fire.  Crews from the Conmee Station along with MTO crews dealt with the blaze that happened last night about 2 kilometres east of highway 102.  No one was hurt.

Local businessman denies involvement in Ndrangheta

There is total denial from a Thunder Bay man who is one of several named in a warrant by police in Italy. The warrant accuses Rocco Minnella of being a part of the organized crime group called the Ndrangheta. As the owner of a local business Minnella says he would never jeopardize his family or friends by being involved in such a group

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Destroyed truck was due for replacement

The city is not sweating the loss of a garbage truck in a Tuesday night fire. The blaze at the Mountdale yard facility completely destroyed the 200 thousand dollar vehicle. However the city's Mike Miron says it just so happens that truck was ready to be retired in May and replaced with a new one.  Miron says the loss only means the city will be without a spare garbage truck until May.

SIU clears Dryden police

Dryden police are breathing a sigh of relief.   They have been exonerated in the death of a man who became sick in a police jail cell. The province's Special Investigation's Unit says the man was taken into custody after being released from hospital last May for being too drunk. He became sick in jail  and was taken back to the hospital, where he passed away.  The S-I-U says the cause of his death isn't known, but police did nothing wrong while he was in custody.

Cancer prevention program launched

The Health Sciences Centre is back with an in-your-face campaign to promote colon cancer prevention. Households will be getting a screening kit in the mail.  There is also an intense advertising program planned.  It's designed to get people over 50 to get tested for the disease. Thunder Bay is below the provincial average when it comes to colon cancer screening.

Thunder Bay men wanted by Italian police

7 Thunder Bay men have arrest warrants issued against them by Italian Authorities.  The warrants are part of the latest crack down on the Ndrangheta.  Officials with the Department of Justice declined to comment because this is a matter of extradition.  Thunder Bay police spokesperson Chris Adams says there has been no formal request from Italian authorities at this time.

Power back on at LU

Lakehead University along with a stretch of Oliver Road was without power this morning.  Officials at Thunder Bay Hydro say an equipment failure caused the outage that kept the school in the dark for most of the morning.  The cause of the failure isn't known at this time.

Gas prices rising again

Expect another stiff shot to the wallet today if you have to fill your tank. Prices are on the rise again and already some stations in the city are posting regular at a buck 33 a litre. The increase is being blamed on oil prices sky rocketing in the wake of Libyan Civil war.

Fire destroys garbage truck

A garbage truck was destroyed after a fire inside a city owned garage.  Fire officials say the blaze started in the truck just after 7 last night on Mountdale Road.  There was minimal damage to the building and no one was hurt.

Outbreak at Grandview Lodge

There's an illness outbreak at a local seniors residence.  Officials at the Health Unit say Grandview Lodge is restricting access to the C-Wing of the facility until further notice.  

Housing starts slow in Thunder Bay

Data released from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation suggests that housing starts in Thunder Bay were lower than usual during the month of February. Only one single-detached unit was built throughout the  month which was slightly below the ten year average for the month.

Salvation Army Centre hit by fire

Operations for the homaeless at the Salvation Army Centre on North Cumberland are back to normal after a Monday fire. Executive Director Merv Halvorsen says the blaze broke out in the laundry room of the basement in a dryer.  Halvorsen says half the food supply at the centre was lost as a result of the smoke damage. He says the laundry is now being contracted out everyday.  No one was hurt.