Sharing The Healing

The healing continues for residential school survivors in Northwestern Ontario. This week in Thunder Bay many are gathering like Albert James from McDowell Lake First Nation, who says it's good to hear a lot of victims are coming to terms with their trauma. He says healing has taken place in their lives now. Walking Together, Sharing our Journey continues at the Airlane Hotel until Sunday.

Crime Prevention Through Design Training

Thunder Bay Police are taking part in a training program that looks at why crimes occur at convenience stores, public parks, and housing complexes.  Barry Horrobin of the Windsor Police Service will be teaching Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to local officers.  Horrobin says convenience stores are tricky.  Horrobin suggests convenience stores change their layout inside the store so cashiers have better visibility.  Horrobin says housing complexes need to have shrubs cleared away to make it more visible, as well as good lighting to make people feel safe.

Fire At Loch Lomond Water Treatment Plant

Thunder Bay Fire Crews are on the scene of a fire at the Loch Lomond Water Treatment Plant. The fire department got the call just after 2:30 about the blaze. Captain Kelly Patterson says fire fighters are on the scene. Patterson says there's paper filters burning in one of the tanks and it's causing a lot of black smoke.

USW Reaches A Deal

Employees at the Lac des Illes mine won't be going on strike afterall. Their union, the United Steelworkers reached a deal with the company early Thursday morning according to union rep Herb Daniher.  The union won't release the deals details until a vote is held at the mine site on September 10th and the 14th.  Meanwhile, the union also ratified it's deal with the grain handlers who operate on the waterfront.

Doors Open 2012 Thunder Bay

The doors will be open to heritage homes and buildings in Thunder Bay once again this Saturday. City Heritage Researcher Lee-Ann Chevrette says it's a great opportunity for residents to see inside buildings that are normally not open to the public. This year's sites include the Museum, Prince Arthur Hotel, St. John's Anglican Church, Hillcrest High School, the Finnish Labour Temple, and the Brodie Resource Library. Doors open is free and being held at locations across the City on Saturday from 10 until 4 pm.

Fort William Streetfest Saturday

Fort William will be busy Saturday as the fifth annual Streetfest gets underway.  Fort William Business District Spokesperson Tina Huk says downtown Fort William is thriving. Huk says many people don't realize the amount of stores the south core has.  Just down the road from Streetfest the City's Riverfest along the Kam River will be held.

Horizon Wind Submits REA

Horizon Wind is submitting it's request for environmental approval for their proposed Big Thunder Wind Park.  The company has included feedback from public input sessions, as well as studies on the Loch Lomond watershed, and area wildlife and plants.  The Provincial Government's approval of the REA is one of the steps towards construction of the wind park.

First Week Of School At Con College

The first week of the new school year at Confederation College is going smoothly. President Jim Madder says they've been welcoming about 23 hundred new students this year and expects total enrollment to hit about 8 thousand.

Moving Day At LU

It's moving day at Lakehead University. Hundreds of out-of-town students are moving into the University residence, many for the first time. The University's orientation program continues into next week.

NOIC Pats Itself On Back

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is patting itself on the back by bragging about how much of a positive effect it's had on the local economy.  Spokesperson Judy Sander says it's important to let the public know about the organization's successes.

Police Nab Naughty Drivers On First Day Of School

Thunder Bay Police nabbed a few speeders on the first day of school.  Traffic enforcement resulted in more than 60 tickets being issued to drivers. Tickets were handed out for everything from speeding to improper seat belt and child restraint use, cell phone use, and traffic light violations.

NW LHIN Online Survey

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network says more than 700 people have filled out an on-line survey about health services in the region.  Laura Kokochinski is the executive director of the LHIN's and says they want feedback on four key issues.  Kokochinski says the survey will be up on their website for another 10 days. September 15th is the deadline.

Dryden Council Has A Vacant Seat

Dryden Council is going to have a big decision to make regarding a vacant council seat.  Mel Fisher announced his resignation last week.  Acting Clerk Debra Kincaid says the process to replace Fisher will begin next week.  One option is going back to the results of the May by election and selecting the runner-up to Sid Wintle.  Former Police Chief Shayne MacKinnon finished second and already has expressed an interest in replacing Fisher.The City has 60-days after September 17th to find a replacement.

Fire and Rescue False Alarm

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service are saying it was a false alarm.  Three crews, ambulance and police were all called to the Kam River after a passer-by saw a dingy floating in the water with no one in it. District Chief Bill Kruse says the owner was on shore doing work in preparation for Riverfest.

Missing Boy Back With His Mother

A missing boy is now back with his Mother. A 3 year old boy went missing in Fort Frances yesterday after he managed to leave the backyard, even though the gate was locked. Provincial Police were called and officers were able to pick up the youngster just three minutes after the call came in. The boy was found at a nearby park playing in the sandbox.

3 People Sent To Hospital After Collision

Ontario Provincial Police are still looking into a 2 vehicle collision that happened last night on Highway 61. O.P.P. say three people were sent to hospital following a collision between a passenger van and a pick-up truck near Hocquoil Road. There is no word on the severity of their injuries but police say charges are pending. Police say the call came in at 7:20 p.m.

City's First Bike Racks For Business Installed

Thunder Bay's first bike rack has been installed in front of the restaurant "Made Fresh."  It's one of almost 30 that the Clean Green and Beautiful Committee paid for.  Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says they'll be telling the committee how well their project went.  All of the bike racks should be installed by the end of October.

LU Braun Building Welcomes Back Native Nursing

Lakehead University's Braun Building is welcoming back programs. A fire in 2008 caused the Native Nursing Program to move out of their workspace on the second floor.  The program is now back in their familiar building as of today.  Spokesperson Sandra Cornell says they're happy to be back.  Around 25 students are enrolled in this year's course.

Mayor Makes A Splash For Tourism

Mayor Keith Hobbs and the Marina's Splash Pad are going to be featured in the 2013 Thunder Bay Experience Magazine.  Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says it was fun to get the Mayor to roll up his trousers and take a dip in the splash pad.

14 Year Old Boy Reportedly Propositioned At Mall

A 14 year old boy says he was propositioned at the Grandview Mall recently. The boy told City Police at around 5 o'clock on Sunday he entered the mall's washroom where he was approached by an older man. Police say the boy was able to get himself out of the washroom and ran into the mall corridor. Officers are looking for a 50 year old man, 5'9 with an average build. The suspect is described as having salt and pepper hair, stubble on his face and wearing round glasses. He was seen leaving westbound from the mall on a mountain bike.