Thunder Bay Rainy River Candidates discuss election issues

Jobs for Thunder Bay's youth was one of the topics discussed at the Thunder Bay Rainy River Riding all candidates debate.  Liberal Ken Boshcoff says he would use his previous experience to create jobs.  NDP Incumbent John Rafferty says his party would provide incentives to small businesses.; while Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann says her party's corporate tax cuts will help provide jobs for our youth.

Cocaine seized from Thunder Bay home

Two Jamaican men are charged with a number of drug related offences after a search of a Thunder Bay home.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit seized 441 grams of cocaine and 15 thousand dollars in cash.  The drugs have a street value of 44 thousand dollars.

Area First Nation upset over exploration

Yet another northern First Nation is complaining about mining exploration on its traditional land. The Constance Lake First Nation and its Chief Arthur Moore say they are fed up with not be consulted and are taking legal action. Chief Moore says they are going to court Friday to seek a court order to stop Zenyatta Mining  from exploring.  No one from Zenyatta has returned our call.

Small quake confirmed in the region

Natural Resources Canada is confirming that a minor earthquake struck near Devlin last month. The 1-point-9 magnitude quake happened around 2 in the morning on March 25th. Seismic activity is not uncommon to northwestern Ontario, although most of the minor quakes over the past year have been around the Atikokan area.

Infrastructure plan to include Ring of Fire

Saying the north is different, Ontario's infrastructure minister says our region will be taken into account in his 10 year plan. Bob Chiarelli tells municipal delegates in Thunder Bay that it must include the Ring of Fire mining development.   He says that will include building roads, the electricity grid and communication links.  His infrastructure plan for the province will be released next month.

City receives tbaytel dividends

The city is getting a big contribution from tbaytel.  Over 20 million dollars in dividends is being handed over to the city.  Tbaytel saw record revenues last year exceeding 131 million. 

Hat found near the Kam belonged to missing teen

The hat found near the Kam River earlier this year has been confirmed as Jordan Wabasse's.  Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the confirmation was done with DNA testing.  Police will be continuing the search next week in the area of the James Street bridge.

Thunder Bay Superior North Candidates duke it out

 Liberal candidate Yves Fricot may not be the incumbent in this election , but he sure has to defend himself like he is.   At Wednesday nights all candidates debate for the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding,  Fricot was taking heat from NDP MP Bruce Hyer.   It was over Fricot's involvement as a Buchanan Forest Products Company executive during the forestry crisis.  The audience also got into the act,  taunting Fricot over the issue several times.  Conservative hopeful Richard Harvey tried to make his mark by claiming Hyer has not represented the riding effectively.   Scot Kyle of the Green Party also participated.

Cancer Care award for local Dr.

A Dr. with the Northwest Regional Cancer Care in Thunder Bay is one of six winners of the Human Touch Awards.  Dr. Kenneth Gehmen is being recognized for the work he's done that made a difference in cancer patients lives.

No junk food in local schools this fall

Thunder Bay students are getting ready to say goodbye to sugary pop and poutine.  The Lakehead Public School Board is putting an end to junk food on their cafeteria menus.  Education Officer Charles Bishop says they're removing their fryers from high schools and installing steam machines instead.  The Provincial Government is imposing the new food and beverage guidelines that will take effect in the Fall.

No ban on two Findley books

Two books by Canadian author Timothy Findley are staying put at public school libraries in Thunder Bay. School board trustees agreed, that a parent's complaint over the book's graphic violent and sexual content didn't  warrant a ban.  The books in question  were "The Wars" and "Not Wanted on the Voyage"

Jimi gets a new leash on life

"Jimi the Dog" gets to live. His owners were facing charges after another owner's pet chihuahua died at a city owned dog park last year. Defence lawyer Mary Bird says the city dropped its demand Jimi be considered a pitbull.   In return her clients agreed to a control order, meaning that Jimi must be muzzled when out in public. Bird says the result is not considered a guilty plea, but rather,  is similar to a Peace Bond.

College close to naming new Prez

The search for a new president at Confederation College, to replace Pat Lang,  is inching closer to an announcement. Board of Governors chair Marilyn Gouthro says they will make the decision public sometime next month.  She says over the next week they'll be conducting interviews with a list of candidates.  She says they have narrowed the short list down to six hopefuls

Province providing funding for court security

Thunder Bay Police is getting some help to cover court security.  The provincial government is providing 25 million dollars to help municipal police cover costs.  Inspector Andy Hay says while the money is good, it still falls short.  Hay says costs already hover around a million dollars and with the construction of the new consolidated court house, costs will rise even higher.

New crane for the port

The Port of Thunder Bay is getting 1 million provincial tax dollars to buy a new crane to unload ships. CEO Tim Heney says it's a necessary piece of equipment to make our port more competitive.   He says there is no other piece of equipment like it at the head of Lake Superior, in fact not having a crane has been one of  the port's deficiencies.  Heney says they should have the new crane by the fall.

Cause of fatal fire released

The cause of a fatal fire has been deemed accidental.  Last week's fire on McPherson Street killed an elderly woman and fire officials have determined it an electrical fire.  Officials also say smoke inhalation was the cause of death.

First Nations welcomes wood supply

Whitesand First Nation will soon be home to a new sawmill thanks to the provincial government.  The community recieved a Wood supply from the province that will allow the construction of the mill and will create 62 full time jobs. 

Clement talks smack and FedNor

Opposition parties keep saying FedNor will be gutted if the Harper Conservatives are back in government. Speaking in Thunder Bay, the minister responsible, Tony Clement repeated that the program is safe and says it's the local NDP members who seem to be sending mixed messages.  He says they take credit for federal announcements in the region, but vote against those projects in the House of Commons. Clement was in the city to lend his support to candidates Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann and Richard Harvey

False Alarm

Thunder Bay Police and fire officials have confirmed a false alarm. Someone called police around 1:30 this afternoon saying they thought they saw a body floating on the Kam River near the James Street Bridge, but searchers found nothing.

Wabasse search continues

Thunder Bay Police will be conducting another ground search for Jordan Wabasse. City police spokesperson Chris Adams says even though the area of shore was previously investigated by helicopter officers will now have a chance to walk the shore lines and search in better conditions. Police will scour the area of the Kam River near the James Street Bridge where the teen may have been last. Adams says the search will take place one day next week.