City gets A Plus

Thunder Bay's Credit is being given an A plus ranking by Standard and Poors.  The credit ranking is based on the city's budget performance and moderate debt.

Former Border Cat now a Blue Jay

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown is a Toronto Blue Jay.  The former Border Cat was selected by the Blue Jay's on the final day of the MLB player draft.  The right handed pitcher played last year for the Border Cats. 

Police SUV in smash up

Details are now coming out about a weekend accident involving a city police vehicle.   Spokesperon Chris Adams says that a police SUV collided with a car and a pick up truck at the intersection of Oliver Road and Hill Street Friday evening at around 10 pm.  No one was injured.   The driver of the car is charged with failing to yield to traffic

"Doc Funnybone" dead at 59

The man known to most people in Thunder Bay as Doctor Funnybone has died.   Kevin Kennedy was 59 years old.  He died unexpectedly this week. Kennedy was also a retired firefighter and had a black belt in judo.

EQAO tests results released next week

We find out next Wednesday how area schools fared in the recent Grade 10 standardized literacy tests.  83-percent of Grade 10 students in Ontario who took the exam for the first time last March passed.The Education Quality and Accountability Office says the success rate was down one percentage point from last year and two points from the year before.

Shift holding Multi-Plex info session

Thunder Bay's young business leaders are being asked what they think about the proposed Multi-Plex.  The SHIFT network is holding a public information session Thursday night at the Avila Centre.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and City Manager Tim Commisso will taking part.

Housing starts are up

New housing construction is on the rise in Thunder Bay.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says single detached starts in May were 2 behind last year's levels but multi family dwellings were up by 11 compared to 2011.  Philp says that puts our year to date numbers ahead of 2010 levels. 

Forest Fires in the Northwest

Despite the wet weather seven forest fires remain active in Northwestern Ontario. 5 of the fires currently burning are in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon District and don't pose any problem. The most recent fire was sparked by lightning north of Wabakimi Provincial Park.



Confederation College expands territory

A huge milestone for Confederation College.  The College has officially opened its new campus in Red Lake.  Spokesperson Don Bernosky says they have had their eye on Red Lake for a couple of years now.  A number of programs will be offered at the School including hospitality management, pre-health sciences and early childhood education.

Gravelle introduces FedNor bill

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is making an attempt to make FedNor an independent economic agency for Northern Ontario. Gravelle is expected to table a private members bill to that effect this afternoon. Gravelle is asking for local Conservative support. The NDP member says its time for the North to have its own agency free from political interference and control.

Religious figure calls for urban deer cull in Kenora

Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources has received a strongly worded letter from a Kenora religious leader.  Anglican Archbishop David Ashdown has written a letter complaining about the deer population in the Northwest.  Ashdown says the deer have lost their fear of humans and are becoming unpredictable and aggressive.  He suggests the crown has the responsibility of protecting local residents, and suggests a cull of the urban deer population.

Brawl leaves one man with serious injuries

One man is in hospital with serious injuries after getting in a fight.  Police say the 25 year old man was involved in a brawl with several other men this morning at around 2:30.  The man was taken to hospital and the investigation continues.

Random stabbing leaves one woman in hospital

A woman is in stable condition after being stabbed in the chest.  Police say the 24 year old suffered serious injuries after an apparent unprovoked attack by another 20 year old woman yesterday afternoon on Arthur Street.  The attack happened at around 4 o'clock and police made an arrest shortly after.

Canada Post Rotating Strike not set on Thunder Bay yet

So far there are no concrete plans to hold a rotating strike at Thunder Bay's post office.  That's according to CUPW Local President Wendy Johnston who says if there was a strike they'd only be told the day before.  Victoria and Moncton will experience the rotating strikes next.  Johnston does note that some routes in the city are not getting mail delivered because the company won't put more staff on or offer overtime.

100 year old tree cut down

Thunder Bay Police are trying to get to the root of a case of mischief.  A 100 year old White Pine was cut down in its prime sometime between Saturday and Sunday. Police say the tree had survived a number of car accidents.  The person who felled the tree illegally is not known at this time.

CRIBE giving money to LU

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy is handing out more money.  CRIBE dolled out 3 million dollars to help build a partnership between Lakehead University and a Chatham company.  G2 BioChem Spokesperson Bob Benson says a portion of the funds will go towards the construction of an ethanol plant in Chatham which LU researchers will have access to.  CRIBE is also giving 150 thousand dollars to LU for a separate project.  MPP Bill Mauro says after 2 years of work CRIBE is finally ready to start announcing projects.

Rafferty says budget disappointing

A Thunder Bay MP thinks the federal budget should be remembered for what it doesn't contain. John Rafferty says it's a document that doesn't have anything for working people, but says the NDP are reaching out to the Prime Minister to make changes.  Overall, Rafferty calls the budget disappointing.

Herman being honoured Wednesday

Thunder Bay's Police Chief is being invested to the National Order of Merit of the Police Forces. The outgoing Police Chief is being recognized for his contribution to policing. Bob Herman is among three northwestern Ontario officers being inducted Wednesday.

OPP still looking for missing angler

The OPP say they still have not located an angler who has been missing on Lake of the Woods for the past two weeks.  69 year old Richard Herman from Illinois was reported missing on the evening of Monday, May 23rd.  Only the Marine Unit is still actively looking for his body.

Pat Lang receives award

The outgoing President of Confederation College is being honoured for her work in the region.  Pat Lang has received a national Award for her advocacy in getting students the advanced skills education they need in Northern Ontario.  Lang has more than doubled the apprenticeship opportunities for Northerners and developed new contract training opportunities for 50-Aboriginal communities.