Old Library To Be Converted

The old Mary J-L Black Library on Brock Street is going to get a new tenant. The city is allowing it to be used as a martial arts school. City official Mark Smith says while parking in the area could be an issue he believes it will work with only parking allowed on the street.  Councillors voted unanimously to allow the change.

It's Festa Time Again

The 22nd annual Festa Italiana takes place this weekend.   The two day event is happening on the Italian Cultural Group's grounds at 132 South Algoma. Highlights of the event include music, a draw for a trip for two on a Mediterranean cruise and of course the food. Non-profit groups are serving up homemade food from the northern and southern regions of Italy.  Organizers say there will be activities for all ages including the kids. Admission is free.  Musical acts from Thunder Bay and Toronto will also be on stage.  You are asked to bring a lawn chair and admission is free. The 22nd Annual Festa Italian wraps-up with a fireworks display each night at 11 o'clock.

Strathcona Invitational This Weekend

The 82nd edition of the Strathcona Invitational takes place this long weekend, as it does every August long weekend. Robert Cumming is the defending champion. He'll be in tough against the likes of 7 time champion Barry Caland who is out to re-claim his title and add to his record number of titles. Regular division qualifying takes place tomorrow. Today in Senior qualifying Randy Fossum shot a 5-under 67 to lead the way. 4-time champion Tony Stokaluk posted an even par round of 72 to lead the Super Senior division. The tournament concludes Monday at Strathcona Golf Course.

Suspicious Fire Scary For Neighbour

A resident near Carrie Street and Kenogami says she is concerned about the area after a garage fire next door to her. It's a blaze that officials deem as suspicious. Marlene Salmonon says it's scary to think there could be a fire bug around. The fire happened around 4 this morning. Investigators don't know the exact cause but suspect it could be arson.

City Teen Promotes Helmet Use

Thirteen year old Mason Dean won't mind if his mother nags him to wear his bike helmet anymore. The helmet is credited with saving him from serious injury when he was hit by a car this week. He realizes how fortunate he is.   Dean received a new helmet from the city police.

Fire Hazard Low

The forest fire hazard is low for Northwestern Ontario as we head into the long weekend. Thunderstorms and rain continue to track across the region, bringing lightning. But the Ministry of Natural Resources says that lightning is less of a concern now because of the heavy rainfall associated with it.  To date, there have been a total of 492 fires in the Northwest, burning a combined area of 84-thousand hectares.

Conversion Moves Along

Another step in the conversion of the Atikokan coal-fired generating station to burn biomass has been taken. Ontario Power Generation has signed a contract with Aecon for the design and construction work on plant modifications and new fuel storage and handling systems. The contract is worth about half the 170-million dollars project. The plant will make the switch to biomass in 2014.

Early Morning Garage Fire

The City's fire service still doesn't know the cause of an early morning garage fire on the city's North side. The fire occurred just before 4:00 a.m. this morning at the corner of Carrie Street and Kenogami. One unit was called out to fight the fire which was extinguished quickly. One fire official says they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a near by residence which suffered only minor melting of the siding.

Canadian Little League Baseball Championships

At the Canadian Junior Little League Championships in Lethbridge, Alberta, Thunder Bay gets back on the field today after a day off yesterday. They take on B.C., tryiing to improve to 2-0 in the tournament. The Canadian Senior Little League Championships opened yesterday in Regina. The Thunder Bay All-Stars lost their opener 5-1 to the team from Fraser Valley, B.C. Thunder Bay will try and get back on track as they take on Sydney, Nova Scotia today.

Cats Doubled-Up On Road

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have now lost 2 in a row after winning 8 straight. Last night they were doubled-up 8-4 by the St. Cloud Rox to fall 3 1/2 games out of first place in the North Division. The Cats 5 game road trip continues tonight in St. Cloud.

B.C. Man Charged In Fatal Crash

A 25 year old British Columbia man is now charged in connection with a fatal traffic accident at Sistonen's Corner  on July 4th.  It resulted in the death of a 60 year old Kenora woman.   OPP Constable Diana Cole says Paul Mikhail is charged with careless driving and is expected to be fined.

Caught!

Police have their man.   OPP have ended their manhunt in the Pass Lake area after they captured the 27 year old man they were looking for this afternoon.   The suspect, of no fixed address, was charged with various offences including assault and sexual assault along with uttering death threats.  He is expected in court tomorrow.

Genivar Searches For New Home

An engineering and architectural firm is planning a move into new and larger digs in the city.   Genivar Incorporated currently has an office on Syndicate Avenue, but a local spokesperson says they are scouting some available locations for a move planned for sometime in the next year or so.  The company employs about 150 people in the city.

City Promotes Boy's Generosity

A nine year old boy in the city is being held up as the poster child of fundraising for disaster relief. Alex Atwill didn't want presents for his birthday, instead he asked for donations for flood victims. His mother, Monica Atwill,  is proud of her son's generosity, but says she is not surprised because he often shares with other.  Former Mayor Lynn Peterson hopes others in the city are inspired to fund raise by the example.

N.O.S.M. Gets Maximum Accreditation

The Northern Ontario School Of Medicine is celebrating full accreditation. The medical school was put through the ringer by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools back in May. N.O.S.M. received full accreditation for the maximum allotted time of 8 years. Dean of the med school Dr. Roger Strasser says" This is a significant achievement for not only for a newer medical school, but even amongst Canada's oldest medical schools." N.O.S.M.'s next full survey will take place during the 2019-2020 school year.

S.E.I.U. Starts Door-To-Door Campaign

A door-to-door campaign is being launched by the Service Employees International Union to try and save 65 long term care beds that are scheduled to disappear this fall. Volunteers will be going door-to-door throughout Thunder Bay asking you sign a petition urging MPP's Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to stop the closure of the Interim Long-Term Care Facility on James Street. The S.E.I.U. says the shut down couldn't come at a worse time as wait times for beds in Thunder Bay rose almost 60-percent last year to 269 days. The closure of the facility is also expected to mean 140 front line workers will be laid off.

Canadian Little League Update

Thunder Bay boasts two provincial champions at the Canadian Little League Championships. In the 13 and 14 year old Junior Little League Championships taking place in Lethbridge, Alberta, Thunder Bay opened with an 8-3 win over Saskatchewan. They have the day off today and will take on B.C. tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Canadian Senior Little League Championships, featuring 15 and 16 year olds kicks off today in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Thunder Bay All-Stars, who won here at home on Sunday to advance to the nationals, will play Fraser Valley, B.C. in their opening game today.

Border Cats Win Streak Snapped At 8

The Thunder Bay Border Cats had their 8-game winning streak snapped last night as Mankato scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning and posted a 3-1 win. The Border Cats are now 3 games back of first place Willmar in the North Division and are on the road tonight in St. Cloud to kick off a 5 game road trip.

Minister Touts Fund

Local organizations are being encouraged to take advantage of the province's Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund. Environment Minister Jim Bradley says anyone interested in taking advantage of the 1 and a half million dollar fund can attend an information session at 10:30 tomorrow morning at the government building on Red River Road. The fund support local projects with funding up to 25 thousand dollars to help protect the Great Lakes.

City Operating At Capacity

The city says it can't accept anymore evacuees. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says the 550 we received from Sandy Lake this week are all that can be handled right now.   He says we are operating at capacity. Hankkio says the situation is being re-evaluated all the time with the help of Emergency Measures Ontario