Training At Airport

If you noticed a plane circling Thunder Bay's Airport, don't be alarmed.  The Canadian Forces are training today and could be seen flying over the airport as well as having people parachute out of planes.  Airport President Scott McFadden says training takes place periodically over the summer at least once or twice a month.

United Airways Service To Chicago Comes To T.Bay

Thunder Bay's Airport is gearing up to offer service with United Airways to Chicago.  President Scott McFadden says they've wanted to offer this new daily service for sometime.  The daily run into Chicago's O'Hare Airport will start in February 2013.  The flight leaves Thunder Bay at six in the morning and comes back into the city at 8:40 at night.

Swimming Advisory For Sunnyside Beach

Bad news for swimmers.  The Health Unit has placed Boulevard Lake's Sunnyside beach under a swimming advisory.  The advisory doesn't close the beach or stop people from swimming it's just a warning the beach water has high levels of E-coli.  High levels of that bacteria can lead to skin, eye, nose and throat infections.

Drinking & Driving Incidents

Thunder Bay Police are dealing with a rash of drinking and driving incidents recently.  Police says they charged a 45 year old man with driving his scooter intoxicated.  It stems from a report that he fell off his scooter on Waverly Street after traveling the wrong way on the street.  In the other incident, a 58 year old man was charged after an early morning stop on Red River Road and Junot Avenue.   The final call was for a 75 year old woman who hit a guard rail at the Hospital. The woman was at the hospital to pick up a patient who wasn't involved in the accident.  She was charged with drinking and driving as well.

CMHC Releases Housing Stats

Thunder Bay's experiencing a boom in it's second quarter housing starts.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Analyst Warren Philp says the 39 single detached housing starts in June is 13 higher than the 10-year average.  In contrast, housing construction of semi-detached, row and apartment construction is still negligible, leaving total starts off 12 percent from 2011.

Province Invests In LU Researcher

The Provincial Government is investing more than 2-hundred thousand dollars in the Thunder Bay Research institute. The Government is making the investment in research being conducted by Lakehead University's Dr. Rudip Rakshit who is researching the production of biofuels and renewable chemicals from organic materials.  The research project aims to overcome our dependance on petro-based products.

Police Services Act Begins Today

All three officers charged under the Police Service act are pleading not guilty.  The Thunder Bay officers are involved in a Police Service Hearing this week at the Valhalla Inn. The charges stem from an accusation of the unlawful arrest of a 44 year old man last fall. All three officers are charged with misconduct, unlawful use of authority and discreditable conduct.  The hearing is expected to last throughout the week.

Teddy Bear Picnic

This year's Teddy Bear Picnic is being deemed a success.  The 29th annual event was enjoyed by parents and kids this afternoon at Vicker's Park.  City Festival and Events Coordinator Meghan Shanks says they want to educate parents as well as provide a free fun family event.  One of the educational highlights included a group of parents showing others how to properly wear a baby carrier.

Forest Fire Update

A total of nine forest fires are burning in the Northwest region. Dryden, Fort Frances and Sioux Lookout each have one in their districts. The fire in Dryden is the only one classed as "not under control". Three fires are burning in the Kenora district, two of them are deemed "not under control." Three fires are also burning in the Red Lake district with two of them classed as being "not under control." There are no fires currently burning in the Thunder Bay, Nipigon and Geraldton districts.

Highway 11 Near Atikokan Re-opened

Motorists can once again use Highway 11 West of Atikokan. Provincial Police had to shut it down yesterday to deal with an incident involving tractor-trailor carrying a wide-load. Highway 11, five kilometres west of Atikokan has since re-opened.

Kings Host Annual Alumni Game

The fifth annual Thunder Bay Kings Alumni Showcase takes place tonight at the Tournament Centre. Local N.H.L.'ers scheduled to lace them up include Eric, Jordan and Jared Staal, Taylor and Tom Pyatt and Robert Bortuzzo. The game starts at 6:00 O'clock with doors opening at 5:00. Tickets are $10 for adults and just $3 for kids 12 and under.

Cats Struggle In Second Half

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are leaving Subway field with their tails between their legs. They lost 7-2 last night to Alexandria, dropping their record to 1-4 in the second half. The Border Cats are now on the road for the next six games against Waterloo and Duluth.

CLE Gives Back To The Community

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition is back for another year. Each year the CLE gives back to the community by offering a day that's free for kids in Children's Aid and for those seniors who can't afford to attend. Spokesperosn Al Law says it's a great feeling to provide tickets to their event.

DSSAB New Elevator For Seniors Apartments

Thunder Bay's District Social Services Board is welcoming a new elevator for their set of senior apartments in Nipigon. 10 units are now accessible for seniors who have mobility challenges. The new apartments are being opened to the public later this week.

School Board New Superintendent

The Lakehead Public School Board is making some changes to it's executive. The board recently appointed David Wright as the Superintendent of Business. The Chartered Accountant starts his new gig on August 20th.

Highway 11 Closed

Highway 11 is closed this afternoon just 5 kms west of Atikokan. It's due to a traffic blockage involving a transport hauling a wide load. Police are estimating it will be several hours before it reopens.

City Buys Watering Bags

The city is using a 15 thousand dollar grant to start a new tree watering program. The money is from the TD Green Streets initiative and it's the second year the City has received cash from them. Urban Forest Specialist Rena Viehbeck says they'll be buying 400 tree watering bags for local boulevard trees.

Wabigoon Lake First Nation Death

Provincial Police say foul play is not suspected in the death of a Wabigoon Lake First Nations man.  The body of 51-year-old Stanley Shabaquay was found on the shoreline of Wabigoon Lake last month.  The incident was reported to police on June 14th.  A post mortem examination has been completed.  The cause of death hasn't been released.

Blues Festival Called A Success

The Blues Festival is being called another success. Comunity Auditorium General Manager Bob Halvorsen says the 11th annual event drew approximately 15,000 people and this event is gainnig a reputation for being of high quality for travelling blues bands, such as "The Tudesci Trucks Band." Halvorsen says reasonable ticket prices and good luck with weather have all contributed to the growing success of the Blues Festival.

Closed Tourist Centre Serves As Garbage Dump

A new and dirty twist to the closing of the Visitor Information Centre at the Ontario-Manitoba boundary. Upkeep of the area has been questionable following the Provincial move. Complaints have been forwarded to Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell.