Thunder Bay Humane Society on hard times

The Thunder Bay & District Humane Society could close by the end of this year if the $180 thousand dollar deficit is not met. The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to the announcement that the TBDHS could be shutting its doors, saying they will offer support where they can. Currently the Ontario SPCA is assisting the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society by providing funding for the wages of their investigation and enforcement officer.

Council to learn about TravelSMART Plan

Councillors will get a look at the TravelSMART Plan tonight.  Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says the plan is designed to encourage people to shy away from driving vehicles by themselves.  Mauro says he hopes to get a good reception from council.

Rydholm wants to support snowmobile trail

Councillor Lynda Rydholm is hoping to add councils support to a proposed snowmobile trail from Thunder Bay to Kakabeka.  Rydholm says she wants council to give their support to the Ontario Federation Snowmobile Clubs.  Rydholm says a groomed trail would be much safer for riders and motorists alike and would also give snowmobilers better access to businesses in the area.

New CT Scanner in Sioux Lookout

The new CT Scanner at Sioux Lookout's Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre is now being tested. Almost 1.8-million dollars was raised in just over 4-years and the Wasaya Group accounted for over half-a-million dollars according to it's President Tom Kamenawatamin.  The unit should be ready for operation early in the new year.

Murder suspect back in court

It's back to court in 10 days for the man charged with the city's latest murder.   22 year old Kyle Rae of Thunder Bay made a brief appearance in a city courtroom Friday with his lawyer Chris Watkins. Rae is charged with second degree murder in last weekend' s death of his friend, 21 year old Jimmy Monias.  Rae has  been order to appear in court again November the 15th. Until then,  he remains in custody at the District Jail.

City picks up 3 awards

The City is doing a good job to promote Waste Diversion and they have the awards to prove it.  Solid Waste Diversion and Recycling Co-ordinator Jason Sherband says the city picked up 3 awards from the Ontario Municipal Waste Association.

Sawmill remains obstacle for new reserve

It's a tough job to get a new community off the ground.  That's what J-P Gladu is finding out about building a new reserve for the former Sand Point First Nation (Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek).   Gladu says the construction of the sawmill has been a challenge and has fallen behind schedule by about a year,  but it should now be up and running by this time next year.

Hobbs is fighting for the Northwest

His first preference is Thunder Bay but our Mayor says if not here a chromite processing plant needs to stay in the Northwest.  Keith Hobbs will be heading to Cleveland next week and hopes to convince Cliffs Natural Resources to build a processing plant for the Ring of Fire Development in our area. Hobbs says if Thunder Bay doesn't get the plant he thinks it should go to Greenstone.

Shannon receives highest civilian honour

It's a big day for Thunder Bay lawyer Dave Shannon. He has received the Order of Canada from the Governor General in Ottawa. It's in recognition for his work in the area of human rights and the disabled. Shannon, who is disabled himself, has also made his mark in other areas including being the first paraplegic to reach the North Pole.

Man suffers several cuts in knifing incident

A 55 year old man is recovering from several knife wounds after being attacked last night.  Thunder Bay Police say the man suffered a number of slashing cuts from a 30 year old woman during an altercation outside of a Ambros Street residence just after 7 pm.  The man was taken to hospital but later released.

T.Bay's jobless rate goes up

Thunder Bay's unemployment rate has gone up.  It went from 6 percent in September to 6.9 percent last month.  Canada's unemployment rate was 7.3 per cent in October.  Statistics Canada released the figures Friday morning. 

SIU clears OPP officer of wrong doing

The Special Investigations Unit has cleared an OPP officer involved in a car chase on Highway 17 near Marathon.  A 14 year old driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a rock cut causing injuries to himself and his passenger.  The SIU feels the officer didn't commit a criminal offence.

Hyer is putting punishment behind him

Bruce Hyer isn't letting his recent punishment for voting down the gun registry slow him down.  The Thunder Bay Superior North MP re-introduced his cell phone lock ban bill today in the house of commons.  Hyer says the bill will require cell companies un lock their phones at the end of contracts or when a phone is purchased outright.   

Rickford defends Thunder Bay MP's

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is defending Thunder Bay's NDP MP's.  Rickford says the party's decision to punish John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer for voted to end the long gun registry is very disappointing. Rickford says its a hypocritical move to punish the two MP's for voting for what their constituents want.

Mayors form new lobby group

Northern Ontario mayors are banding together to form the Council of Northern Mayors. Keith Hobbs says it follows this week's northern mayors meeting in Sault Ste. Marie. He says it's another way for our region to lobby governments.  Hobbs says the Council is now coming up with terms of reference.

Changes at the Health Science's Centre

There's a shake-up taking place at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. President Andree Robichaud says they are moving to a new program management system and changes are taking place from the senior level on down. Robichaud says the the changes are not intended to save money but to fall into line with the way other top hospitals are managed.

Arbitrator's award called fair

Kari Jefford

There is labour peace for 600 healthcare workers  employed at  Pioneer Ridge, Dawson Court and Grandview Lodge senior's homes.  Their union boss Kari Jefford has taken the wraps off of the abritrator's award and it shows a three year deal that gives the workers a 6 per cent wage increase.  Jefford calls it a fair deal.

Ministry probe continues in Terrace Bay

The work continues to help find the cause of the fatal explosion this week at Terrace Bay Pulp. William Lin of the Ministry of Labour says inspectors remain on the scene which remains closed.  He says that four work orders have been issued.   The orders include stopping all work at the mill and making sure the scene is not disturbed until the investigation is completed.  One person was killed and two others were injured in the blast.

Hyer and Rafferty receive support

Thunder Bay residents seem to be on the side of MP's John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer.  The two were stripped of their critic positions after going against party policy and voting for the long gun registry.

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Brown talks Green

Atikokan's Mayor is responding to a report by Greenpeace saying biomass will put our forests and climate at risk.  Dennis Brown says that's not so.  Brown says the biomass project in his community is going to help keep his town employed.