Saturday, December 17, 2011

Special Olympics athletes robbed

Police are investigating a robbery at the Knights of Columbus. Officials say a man entered the May location and stole purses and wallets from Special Olympics athletes. The man is said to be 20-30 years old and was last seen wearing a light grey hoodie.

Impaired driving collision

A 21 year old woman is charged with impaired driving after a single vehicle collison early this morning. City police say the woman struck the center island on Arthur Street before hitting a cement barricade. The woman suffered non-life threating injuries.

Waterfront celebrations attract a crowd

Thunder Bay's new look waterfront is now open for everyone to see. Hundreds came to help the City celebrate the grand opening of Prince Arthur's Landing last night which culminated with fireworks. On hand for the festivities was Lynn Peterson who was mayor when the 60 million dollar project worked its way through council. It now means the waterfront can be a place where people can go anytime of the year to enjoy.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Hobbs to give state of the city address

The Mayor will be giving his annual state of the city address to council Monday.  Keith Hobbs says he's looking forward to outline some of the year's highlights and will also give a look ahead to the new year.  Hobbs says he thinks economic development has been and will continue to be the biggest issue in the city.

NAN supports UN Inquiry

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is supporting a decision by the UN to conduct an inquiry into the murders of Aboriginal Woman in Canada.  Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its about time an inquiry was called.  The UN made the decision after hearing calls from the Native Women's Association and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action.

Feds help people with disabilities

The Government of Canada is helping people with disabilities.  MP Greg Rickford announced the government will be giving the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay almost 600 thousand dollars.  About 350 people are expected to benefit from the funding. 

FedNor funds small business development

Judy Sander-Manager  NOIC
Two Thunder Bay organizations are benefiting from Federal government funding through FedNor. MP Greg Rickford says over three quarter million dollars is going to the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.  The Enterprise Gateway gets 450 thousand dollars while the Innovation Centre receives 320 thousand.

Police arrest 4 in drug bust

Four people are behind bars after police made a drug bust in the city yesterday.  Officers search 2 homes on Christina and Logan Streets and Black Chrome Apparel on Red River Thursday and found large amounts of drugs and Hell's Angels clothing.  Officials say the drugs had a street value of 70 thousand dollars.

Christmas charity robbed

The Salvation Army is out almost 500 dollars after someone stole a stack of bills from their counting centre.  Major Merv Halverson says a person went to the counting centre last night asked a question and then grabbed a stack of bills and left.

Another historic day on the FWFN

It's official, the governments of Canada, Ontario and the Fort William First Nation have now signed a land settlement which concludes a long standing boundary claim.  It includes a payout of 150 million dollars from Canada and also includes Pie Island on Lake Superior.  A ceremony took place on the reserve Friday morning which included MP Greg Rickford and band Chief Peter Collins.

Man on the Street: Multi-Plex

There's strong support among some Thunder Bay residents to continuing the quest for a new arena. In the wake of the federal governments decision not to fund the project right now, we asked residents, should the city still go for it.

Grand Marais shooting

A 42 year old man who was attending court in Grand Marais, Minnesota is in jail after opening fire in the Cook County courthouse.  3 people were injured yesterday including the County Attorney and two others.  Daniel Schlienz was the defendant in a criminal sexual conduct case that was being heard in the courthouse yesterday.

Westfort Apartment Fire

One woman is in hospital after an apartment fire on West Frederica Street this morning.  All of the apartment residents got out of the building.  Crews brought the fire under control, some smoke damage is reported.  Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it appears the fire started in one of the apartment's kitchen.  One woman is in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

New Brunswick company gets home contract for Atawapiskat

Maple Leaf Homes of Fredericton has been tasked with building 22 homes for the Attawapiskat First Nation. Sales Manager Jacques Roy says their homes are very energy efficient with superinsulation.  The first homes will begin the long trek to the Northern Ontario community Friday and then next week 3-4 homes will leave every day.

Singer warns against texting and driving

Local Thunder Bay singer Shy-Anne Hovorka has produced a music video about the problem of texting and driving.  The song is called “Too Young, Too Late” and was released today on YouTube.

Feds won't back down from TPM

The gap between the Attawapiskat First Nation and the Harper government is wider than ever.  The First Nation says it's going to court to try and put an end to Third Party Management.  The announcement from Chief Theresa Spence follows a meeting between her and Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan in Thunder Bay.   Duncan did not back down from the appointment of the independent manager to handle the finances of the impoverished James Bay community

MacLean's pegs us at 17 in annual crime rankings

Thunder Bay is the 17th most dangerous city in Canada according to MacLean's Magazine.  The Annual list pegs us 7th overall for violent crimes and 23rd for non violent crimes.  Prince George BC, tops the list this year with Victoria and Saskatoon rounding out the top 3.  Thunder Bay Police Chief JP Levesque says while its not good to be ranked so high, he isn't surprised.  He says until the social issues are addressed our crime rate will stay close to where it is. 

Attawapiskat meeting over

The meeting of two adversaries is over.  Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan and Chief Theresa Spence have concluded their critical meeting in Thunder Bay.  They met for about 90 minutes at the regional Aboriginal Affairs office in Fort William First Nation.  The two sides continue to struggle with how the band's finances should be handled.  The two sides were attempting to smooth over their conflicts over how to deal with the community's housing crisis.

Sketches of deceased woman released

OPP have released sketches of a woman whose remains were found in Kenora in 2009.  Sgt. Shelley Garr says they're hoping the sketch will help jog the memory of a doctor or family member.  Foul play is not suspected in her death. Investigators describe the deceased as a Caucasian female, between the ages of 35 and 55 years, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds, with shoulder length light brown hair.

Waterfront Celebrations Friday

You can tour the newly renovated waterfront Friday night.  The City is holding a grand opening celebration and Spokesperson Doug Henry says there are a number of areas of the waterfront re-opening.  Henry says public response has been great so far.  The event starts at 6:30 pm and will wrap up with fireworks at 8:30 pm.