Meeting To Tackle Beds Issue

The Thunder Bay Health Coalition isn't letting a long term care home on James Street close without a fight.  Coalition spokesperson Suzanne Pulice says the closure would mean a longer waiting list for such care in the city  The Coalition along with the Service Employees Union, is holding a public meeting tonight at the Lakehead Labour Centre to discuss the issue. It starts at 7 pm.

Lakehead Schools Alternative Policy

The Lakehead Public School Board is in the process of developing an alternative school policy.  Superintendent of Education Colleen Kappel says it's going to come in handy when they receive requests to develop an alternative school.  Thunder Bay had an alternative school but it was forced to close down due to a lack of funds.

The Great Cat Giveaway

The Humane Society is trying to avoid a catastrophe.  Spokesperson Maryann Kleynendorst says they've got too many cats at their shelter so they have decided to give them away. She says they are taking care of 110 felines where they normally handle 60 to 70 cats. In an effort to ease that pressure they've decided to waive the 75 dollar adoption fee.   Kleynendorst says even though they are giving away the cats it's hoped some people will provide the society with a donation.

FCM Infrastructure Report

Thunder Bay is joining the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' call for more Federal funding for infrastructure.  Councillor Larry Hebert says the City has an infrastructure defecit and there's a need for more funding since every day our infrastructure ages.  The FCM report card on infrastructure was launched today in Ottawa and here in Thunder Bay. 

One Man Dead In Apartment Fire

One man is dead after last night's apartment complex fire on Limbrick Street. Fire Deputy Chief Greg Hankkio says two others are injured. Hankkio says they're waiting for an investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office and the investigation will start this afternoon. The cause of the fire is still not known.

Police Make Arrest In Grandview Incident

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 52 year old man with invitation to sexual touching and assault.  It comes after a 14 year old boy told police he was approached by an older man in a washroom at the Grandview Mall.  The man was released and will appear in court on October 9th.

Manpower Releases Quarterly Survey Results

There will be a respectable hiring climate over the next three months in Thunder Bay.  Manpower's quarterly survey shows that 20 per cent of employers surveyed planned to hire for the upcoming three months.  The employment services company says another 70 per cent plan to at least maintain their staff levels.

Conservatory Future Back Up For Discussion

City Council is putting the breaks on buying 76-thousand dollars in netting for the Conservatory.  Council made the decision at it's Monday night meeting calling for the original report to come forward at their September 24th meeting.  Councillor Brian McKinnon says he wants all the options to be discussed.  McKinnon as well as five other councillors voted against spending the money on the netting.

Bear Breaks-In For Sloppy Joe's

By now we know that bears are wandering into the city for food but who knew they had such high standards. Police say a bear sighting was called in to them on King Road as a family was preparing dinner. By the time police arrived, the bear had entered and left through an open window and the sloppy joe's on the stove was gone.

Three Victims In South Side Fire

3 people are in hospital after an apartment complex fire on Limbrick Street. The blaze broke out just after 8 o'clock Monday night. Fire Chief John Hay says 2 men and a woman were sent to the hospital with injuries that vary in severity. Hay says so far there's extensive damage to one apartment building and some smoke and water damage in near by units. Hay adds they evacuated the building and hope to have the residents back in sometime Monday night.

Fire At Limbrick Town House Complex

3 people are in hospital after an apartment complex fire on Limbrick Street.  The blaze broke out just after 8 o'clock Monday night.  Fire Chief John Hay says 2 men and a woman were sent to the hospital with injuries that vary in severity. Hay says so far there's extensive damage to one apartment building and some smoke and water damage in near by units.  Hay adds they evacuated the building and hope to have the residents back in sometime Monday night.

City Looking For New HR Head

The City is looking for a new Director of Human Resources and Safety.  Allan Hjorth is set to retire this February.  City Manager Tim Commisso suggested a member of City Council sit on the recruitment committee.  Most of council said politicians should stay out of the hiring process.   Councillor Rebecca Johnson however says council should be involved since it's for a high level job.

Terrace Bay Wants Full Time Ambulance Service

Terrace Bay Mayor Mike King is speaking out against the Superior North EMS new response times.  The new response targets were approved by Thunder Bay City Council Monday night. The new response target times are based on 2011 statistics.  King says the current level of service from Superior North EMS isn't good enough for the surrounding small communities. King wants the City to consider staffing a full time ambulance in his community for two years. Council is considering bringing back staffing levels to the North Shore communities back to the 2008 levels.  A report will be brought back to Council on the matter in the near future.

Lybster Township Man Faces Charges

A 35 year old Thunder Bay area man is facing several serious charges including forcible confinement after an incident on Monday morning.   Police say a woman in Lybster Township was held against her will by a man and threatened at gunpoint.   The incident ended after the man gave himself up peacefully to police.  No one is hurt.

Rainy River Hotel Destroyed

Fire has destroyed a Rainy River landmark.   The fire at the Canadian Northern Hotel started early this morning and was spotted by passers-by. Firefighters from Rainy River and Baudette, as well as support from Williams, Minnesota, were called to the blaze.The town office, located across the road, had to be shutdown because of smoke.

Waterfront Hotelier To Be Announced

The City and the developer of the waterfront hotel are expected to make an announcement on Wednesday.  They'll be making an announcement on Wednesday at 11.  Representatives from the Re Solve Group and senior representatives from the hotelier will be on hand.

Lakehead University Launches ESL Program

A new English Language Program is helping students attend Lakehead University.  LU International Director Leigh-Ellen Keating says the program will being hundreds of international students to both Thunder Bay and the Orillia campus.  Keating adds they'll also offer English conversation classes in the evening for members of the community who would like to improve their English speaking.

Firefighter Looks Back On 9-11 With Pride

The memories are still vivid of the day that changed the world.   Brant Kiessig of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says on  the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the United States, he is remembering the firefighters who lost their lives at the Twin Towers that day..  He says he looks back on the day with pride knowing the men are still looked on as heroes. Kiessig says there will not be an official commemoration.

Pickle Lake Standoff Ends Peacefully

More Details are are now being released by Pickle Lake O.P.P. concerning a standoff over the weekend. Provincial police Constable Kenneth Stableford says they were called to a residence within the community on Saturday after a report of an assault.  It was then the man inside refused to give himself up to police and kept them at bay Saturday and Sunday.    Eventually a 35 year old man was arrested and taken into custody peacefully where he has been charged.

Officer's Trial Underway

The trial of veteran OPP officer Darryl Storey is underway in a Thunder Bay courtroom.  Storey is charged with criminal negligence in the 2008 traffic death of 18 year old Jasmine Veneruzzo.   About 20 witnesses are expected to be called by the prosecution in a trial that could take 3 weeks.   Storey is being tried by a judge alone.  Both, Jame Palangio, the crown lawyerand the judge, Cas Herold, are from out-of-town.  On the stand this morning was a courier driver who was one of the first people at the accident scene.