Animal bite prevention week

The Thunder Bay Health Unit wants to make sure you are safe around animals. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says many people are bitten each year, and some are not reported. Animal Bite prevention week runs from May 28th to June 3rd, and aims to give people ways to be safe with animals.

North Shore Communities get cash

North Shore communities are benefiting from 686-thousand dollars in provincial funding.  The money is going to Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber, and Rossport's aging water treatment systems.   Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle made the announcement on Friday.

Kashechewan illegal booze

A shipment of illegal booze didn't make it to someone in the remote community of Kashechewan First Nation.  Nishnawbe-Aski Police assisted Band Council to seize nearly 13-thousand dollars worth of alcohol at the Kashechewan Airport.  Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Crimestoppers or Nishnawbe-Aski Police.  Kashechewan is a dry community.

Gas tax money goes to transit

Thunder Bay is on the receiving end of provincial funding.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says they're giving the city two million dollars from the gas tax fund.  The money will be used to improve the city's transit service.

LHIN doles out cash

The North West Local Health Integration Network is providing a total of 3.6-million dollars to 13 Northern Hospitals for upgrades. Over 300 thousand dollars is going towards the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre. The Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout is cashing-in with nearly 420-thousand dollars in funding. The Dryden Regional Health Centre is getting than 222-grand. The Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital in Red Lake will see just over 206-thousand dollars.

Commissioner talks OPP

Building relations is the focus right now for the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.  Chris Lewis has been on the job for nine months now and says working with area Municipalities is his primary goal.  Speaking in Dryden, Lewis says he also wants to strengthen the OPP's relationship with the media.  Lewis adds the biggest challenge facing OPP in 2011 is staffing, as they are losing 400-people this year.

OPP ceremony in Dryden

A number of OPP officers across Northwestern Ontario were honoured recently at a special ceremony in Dryden.  5-civilian staff and 4-officers were thanked for 20-years of service.  OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis says 14  officers received Commendation for their work during an incident in Pikangikum last June.  200-people forced their way into the police station, causing extensive damage and disabling power and telephone service.  The incident resulted in a lengthy and tension filled stand-off.

Domtar Fire Update

More details are being released on Wednesday night's fire at the Dryden Domtar Mill.  Domtar Spokesperson Bonny Skene says the fire occurred on the roof of one of the buildings where construction work related to the turbine installation project was taking place earlier in the day.  No one was injured and damage was minimal.  A full investigation is underway.

Police make drug bust in Attawapitskat

Over 13 thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs has been seized at a Northern First Nation.  Members of the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit made the bust in Attawapitskat Wednesday.  Police also found almost 5 thousand dollars worth of cash and arrested a 43 year old man.

Gas and Dash not rising in Thunder Bay

Gas and Dashers are on rise in Canada except in Thunder Bay.  City Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says people filling up and driving away without paying does happen here but so far there has been no increase as the costs sky rockets.  Adams says it happened 4 times last month.

Multicultural Association gets funding

Thunder Bay's Multicultural Association is getting over 37-thousand dollars.  The money will be used to provide the "My Town" program.  That program is a series of youth workshops.

Youth Dragon Boat festival hits Boulevard Lake

Over 400 kids will be competing in today's Youth Dragon Boat Festival.  It's the 11th year for the event and Spokesperson Volker Kromm says people should cheer on the teens at Boulevard Lake.  Races start at 10 am and wrap up around 2:30.

Health unit wants dog bites to stop

The Thunder Bay Health Unit wants to make sure you are safe around animals. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says many people are bitten each year, and some are not reported. Animal Bite prevention week runs from May 28th to June 3rd, and aims to give people ways to be safe with animals.

Graduation day for LU Friday and Saturday

23 hundred students will be graduating from Lakehead University this weekend. Convocation starts Friday and Registrar Brenda Winter says it will include grads from a variety of programs. 26 hundred degrees will be handed out.

Incident raises trespassing issues

CP Rail is using an electrical accident in Northwestern Ontario to show the consequences of trespassing. Spokesperson Mike LoVecchio says people should be aware that entering railway property presents a terrible risk.  A 10 year old girl received a jolt after touching an electric cable located on CP property in Terrace Bay.

Rickford has full plate

Greg Rickford's plate has suddenly become extremely full. The Kenora Conservative MP has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Secretary to Canadian Northern Economic Development and Secretary for FedNor. Rickford says overall he's pleased with the selection of Parliamentary Assistants.

Local road boards get cash

Northwestern Ontario's local road boards will be sharing 25 million dollars in provincial funds. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the money will be used to fix rural roads across the region.  The funding is part of the 2011 budget.  Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement on Thursday.

Raffery/Hyer overlooked for shadow cabinet

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty isn't upset about being overlooked in the new 39 member NDP shadow cabinet. He says it will give him more freedom to focus on his riding.  Rafferty adds  he didn't even want to be considered for a deputy critics position.   His NDP counterpart in Thunder Bay, Bruce Hyer, was also not chosen for a shadow cabinet position.

Local solar projects get thumbs up

Several solar energy projects in Thunder Bay now have the green light from the provincial government.   They include solar panels for the Port Authority Building and Westgate High School.  It's part of a government program where the province pays for power generated through green energy

Thunder Bay gets a Target

Target will be coming to Thunder Bay.  The American department store chain plans to convert the current Zellers store in the Intercity Mall.  Still no word on what will happen to the other Zellers locations in the city.  The company announced it's plan for the stores that will open in 2013.