Speakers set for NOMA gathering

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association now has its agenda set for next week's annual meeting in Kenora. NOMA president, David Canfield says a number of provincial politicians are scheduled to be in attendance, including PC leader Tim Hudak and Andrea Horwath of the NDP. Canfield says they have confirmed appearances by Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle, Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynn. for the so-called bear pit session.

Bust nets coke and cannabis

A 30 year old Thunder Bay man is in custody following a drug bust in the city this week. The bust follows searches of a home on Hazelwood Drive and a business in Westfort. Over 175 thousand dollars of cocaine, hash and marijuana was seized in the operation. Police say he is being charged with several accounts of possession for the purpose to trafficking.

3 new officers to be sworn in

Friday will be a big day for 3 police recruits. They will be promoted to Constables by the Thunder Bay Police Service. Sgt Greg Stein says the ceremony is a right of passage. The event is at the Provincial Court on Arthur at 3 o'clock.

Police revive missing person case

It now been 5 years since the disappearance of Michael Bailey. The Thunder Bay native has been missing since 2007. Detective Sergeant Don Lewis says they are looking into the case again at the request of the family. He urges anybody who knows about the case to come forward. The Thunder Bay Police number is 684-1200 and Crime Stoppers number is 623-TIPS.

New road to Fort William Historical Park

Fort William Historical Park is creating an emergency road into the tourist attraction. Spokesperson Ed Cameron says they recently purchased two properties on Broadway Avenue and demolished the homes to make way for road work. Cameron says in the future they may consider making it another road option for the public.

Man dies in morning fire

City police confirm a 39 year old man is dead after an early morning fire at 438 West Victoria Avenue. Platoon Chief John Mill says they found a man inside the bungalow. There's heavy smoke and fire damage in the kitchen area.  The Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause. 

Cause not known in South Gillies fire

South Gillies Fire is having a difficult time pin pointing a cause for a house fire on Wednesday. Fire Chief Scott Hole says they may never be able to identify the cause because the home was completely destroyed. No one was hurt.

City wants feedback

The City is looking for resident's thoughts on the current state of the rental market in Thunder Bay. Some neighbours have complained about parking on streets and messy yards, while students have complained there's very few rentals available. To visit the City's public feedback section click here.

Sports round up

In the Dudley Hewitt Cup last night, The Soo Thunderbirds defeated the Thunder Bay North Stars 4-3. In the NHL, Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal had a hat trick in a 10-3 game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

No injuries in rural house fire

OPP are confirming a house fire in South Gillies this afternoon.  It was called in at around 1 o'clock and involved a home on Highway 595. They say it began in the attic, but the cause isn't known.   No one is hurt.

Bentz would like feds to demolish elevators

Abandoned grain elevators in the city are not only an eyesore for many, but it's causing headaches for the city's Waterfront Committee and it's efforts to spruce up the lakeshore.  Chair Mark Bentz says ideally he'd like to have the federal government play a roll in tearing down the structures.

Good grades for Con College

Confederation College continues to perform ahead or at the provincial average. A new report suggests that student and employer satisfaction has risen, as well as the school's graduate employment rate which is number one in the province. School President Jim Madder credits excellent dedication and work ethic for the success of the school.

Matthews defends addiction support

Deb Matthews

There's a renewed call for more help to those dealing with the withdrawal of Oxycontin in Ontario.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she raised the need for a substance abuse stategy for First Nations for two months. Health Minister Deb Matthews says she is responding by acting on the recommendations of a panel the government put together on the issue.  Matthews says it includes sending more doctors to support a methadone treatment program and strengthen support through Telehealth.

Crime reporting goes online

Reporting a crime is now just a click away. Thunder Bay Police Service now offer online crime reporting. Inspector Alan McKenzie says it will give people another option. The service also provides a printable copy of the reports to file insurance claims. To visit their website click here.

Dog battle brewing in Neebing

There's a controversy brewing in Neebing Township.  It's over a proposed by-law amendement and the interpretation of how many dogs someone can own before they need a kennel operators licence.  The issue comes before the public this evening at 5:30 at the Neebing municipal office on Highway 61.

Work order lifted

Work is now able to resume at the condominium construction site on Oliver and Golf Links Roads. Matt Blajer is with the Ministry of Labour and says all safety orders are now being complied with.  Work at the Thunder Bay Country Club site ground to a halt after a fatal industrial accident last week.

Early morning collision

Thunder Bay Police are investigating an early morning car collision that sent two men to the hospital with serious injuries.  Police say it occurred around 2 this morning when the two were driving in the area of Twin City Cross Roads and their vehicle rolled over.  Officers believe alcohol may have played a factor in the incident.

Summit partners united

A united front is emerging from a weekend summit on the Ring of Fire by First Nations and regional politicians.  Wilfred King of the Lake Nipigon First Nation says it shows that the group wants to make sure any development that takes place in the north must stay in the north.  Among  other things, the group agreed to support Exton as the site for the proposed chromite smelter.

Another big local lottery winner

They say it happens in threes. There's another big lottery winner in the city, the third in the last month. This time Len Carr won one and a half million dollars in the SickKids Lottery. He plans to use the money for retirement planning and will share it with the family. Len and his wife Joanne will be presented with a cheque on Friday in Toronto.

Cyclists urged to stay off sidewalk

The Health Unit is warning cyclists who plan to ride their bikes on area sidewalks. Spokesperson Marita Campbell says the three most recent cyclist related collisions occured because the bike rider was on the sidewalk. Campbell says sidewalks are dangerous because motorists leaving driveways might not see cyclists on the sidewalk.