Forest fire update

Fire crews are doing all they can to keep fires in North Western Ontario under control. Fire crews are in communities where fire is close in proximity and they have installed sprinkler and other protection systems to protect properties in those communities. On Friday the last planned evacuation was completed with a total of 3,591 northern residents evacuated to other communities for temporary accommodation.

Wheelchair collision

Thunder Bay police are investigating a collision involving a person in a wheelchair and a taxi cab. The collision occurred late Saturday night on Memorial avenue. Its reported that a man was trying to cross the street in his wheelchair when he was hit by a taxi driver. The man has been taken to Thunder Bay hospital with serious injuries.

Police pursuit ends on foot

City police made short work of a pursuit that occurred Friday night. It's reported that Police pursued a man driving impaired in Thunder Bay's South side. Once the driver entered a residential area the pursuit was called off for safety reasons. Police later found the man parked on the corner of Simpson and Dease street. When confronted the man fled the scene and police continued the pursuit by foot. The man was caught and taken into police custody.

New fires detected

Despite some rain and cloud coverage over North Western Ontario 13 new fires have been detected. Current planned evacuations are completed for first nation communities experiencing severe smoke issues in the far North. By Friday 3,400 Northern residents have been evacuated to other communities for temporary accommodation. Ontarians who want to help with the evacuation effort are encouraged to contact the Canadian Red Cross.

More explosives found in Thunder Bay

Another Thunder Bay resident found explosives on their property. A Thunder Bay explosives unit officer was called to the 500 block of Belrose Road Friday evening after a caller located blasting caps on their property while tearing down a shed. The area was blocked off to traffic for a short period of time. Thunder Bay police are reminding the public to contact emergency services if they find any explosives on their property.

"Thunder Bay's Katrina"

Talk about baptism by fire, Mayor Keith Hobbs has experienced his first city emergency since being elected as he oversaw the city process forest fire evacuees. Hobbs says it was a quick learn for everyone adding this was Thunder Bay's Katrina and they learned a lot going through the exercise. Hobbs says the city is not out of the woods yet since the forest fires can flare up at anytime

Hay complains of operational problems

Fire Chief John Hay is confident Premier McGuinty has the message that there were flaws in processing forest fire evacuees in Thunder Bay. Hay says there weren't enough planes to fly evacuees out once they got here. At the moment the operations in Thunder Bay are at a standstill until more evacuees arrive.

McGuinty says lessons learned in Thunder Bay

Premier Dalton McGuinty calls them lessons learned. Thunder Bay officials have complained to the Premier about problems handling forest fire evacuees this week saying there weren't enough planes to fly them out.  McGuinty says he received some great advice from local officials which the government will incorporate and take into account.  McGuinty reaffirmed that his government will not call a State of Emergency as the result of forest fires in the northwest.

City buildings up for heritage designation

Nine city buildings are on the list for heritage designation. Deputy City Clerk Sheelagh Hendrick says if approved by council it'll be harder to have the buildings demolished.
Buildings on the list are:
· 8 Cumberland Street South known locally as the former Atkinson’s Jewelers;
· 27 Cumberland Street South known locally as the former Bank of Montreal/ Prospector Steak House;
· 2-18 Court Street South known locally as the Ruttan Block;
· 808 Ridgeway Street East known locally as St. Paul’s Anglican Church;
· 1918 Yonge Street known locally as the Paterson Building/TBT Engineering Ltd.;
· Iron Ore Dock located at 490 Maureen Street;
· 96 High Street North known locally as the former Hillcrest High School;
· 621 Selkirk Street South known locally as St. Patrick High School; and
· 146 Court Street North known locally as the McVicar Manor

Still no word on airport damage costs

The price tag on the damage done at the Airport during Wednesday's storm is still unknown.  President Scott McFadden says a complete assessment has to be completed before estimates are known.  McFadden says right now workers are making the terminal building weather tight.

Rydholm has deer concerns

City Councillor Linda Rydholm believes there are too many deer in the city and that's causing problems, especially in her Neebing Ward. She wants to ask city administration to look into solutions on how to possibly reduce the population. Rydholm says the deer contribute to property damage and have become a road hazard

McGuinty to meet with evacuees in T.Bay

The Premier will be in Thunder Bay this afternoon to meet with fire officials.  Dalton McGuinty is first flying into Dryden at 9 central time and will spend some time talking with evacuees.

Inflation rate drops in June

Thunder Bay's Inflation rate saw a big drop last month.  Our rate went from 4.3 percent in May to 3.7 percent last month.  That follows the national and provincial trends which dropped to 3.1 and 3.6 percent respectively.

Gas prices shooting up again

Be prepared to pay for more when you fill up your vehicle next.  According to the website www.gasbuddy.com stations in Thunder Bay are now selling regular at just under a buck 37 a litre.

Airport winds gusts were 115 kph

A meteorologist says it's unlikely that a tornado may have touched down on the Thunder Bay Airport Wednesday night. However Environment Canada's Marie-Ev Giguere says they can't rule it out either.  She says so far they have not seen any pictures or damage to prove that it was a twister. However,  Giguere says wind gusts at the airport that evening were 115 kilometres per hour

Victim of accident identified

Police now know the name of the pedestrian who was killed after being hit by an SUV on Central Avenue Wednesday. He is 66 year old Peter Paul Perkovich of Thunder Bay. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says police were able to identify him through some old fashion police work when they matched some keys found on the man to a vehicle in the area.

Jeffrey tours fire zone

The Provinces's Minister of Natural Resources is getting a first hand look at how the forest fires in Northwestern Ontario are being handled.  Linda Jeffrey says she has flown over Red Lake 85 and has spoken with the organizers on the ground.  Jefferey says she will not declare a State of Emergency saying it wouldn't accomplishment anything more than what is taking place now

City continues to receive evacuees

About 800 more forest fire evacuees are expected to pass through Thunder Bay today on their way to other host communities in the North.   That's in addition to the thousand that passed through on Wednesday.  The Confederation College hangar at the airport is being used to house the evacuees while they wait in the city.

Herman accepts apology, drops legal action

Bob Herman says his legal issues with the Mayor are over now that Keith Hobbs has made a public apology over remarks Hobbs made in March. Herman says he served his libel notice on the Mayor to protect the integrity of the Chief's office. He says it's unfortunate it took 3 months to get done but says it's in the best interests of the community to put the issue behind. Herman says all he wanted was to get an apology.

Jury roll issue still haunts inquest

Three days are set aside in the City for a hearing prior to the Reggie Bushie Inquest.   An inquiry lawyer is planning to call a total of 5 witnesses to discuss the issue of First Nations representation on jury rolls in the Thunder Bay District.   The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of the 15 year old with a hope that recommendations will be made on preventing similar deaths of First Nations students who attend school in the City far from their homes.  The jury roll issue has so far prevented inquest from going ahead.