Food For Thought

The city is receiving 100 thousand dollars in provincial tax money towards a study on the local food system. The city's Leslie McEachern is co-ordinating the research project which will see if its possible to supply locally grown food to city institutions.  The study will be completed early in the new year.

Woman Runs Red Light

A 42 year old Brampton woman is charged with driving through a red light after a collision at the intersection of the Harbour Expressway and Highway 11/17.  Two vehicles were at the intersection when the left turn signal for west bound traffic turned green.  A driver across the road going southbound, then ran the red light and collided with the west bound vehicle.  No one was hurt.

Scherban Sacked

Officials with the Lakehead University Thunderwolves Hockey program have fired Joel Scherban as Head Coach. Wolves’ Assistant Coach Mike Busniuk has been named as the team’s Interim Head Coach, effective immediately.  The team's Board of Directors decided that a change was necessary if the team was to achieve its goals for this season..

Wequedon Lodge Grand Opening

The Wequedon Lodge is now open to area First Nation patients visiting Thunder Bay for doctors appointments.  The Lodge's new 110 bed facility was officially christened Thursday.  Executive Director Charles Morris says the new building has been 12 years in the making.  The Lodge sees an average of 140 clients each week.

Police Look Into Naked Teen Pics

Thunder Bay Police are looking into reports of nude photos of teens being sent to fellow teens in the city.  Police are working with school officials to deal with this issue appropriately. Lakehead Public School Board Spokesperson Charlie Bishop calls the incident troubling.  Officers say any nude image of anyone under the age of 18 years is considered to be child pornography.

Explosion Update

The investigation is underway to find out what may have caused a huge explosion that ripped apart a house on the 800 block of St. Claire Avenue this morning. One person was hurt and is in stable condition in hospital. Fire inspector Eric Nordlund says it's a scene like he has never witnessed before. Nordlund says there's windows and doors lying on neighbouring properties.  Nordlund says the explosion was likely caused by what he calls a huge expansion of gas, but whether it was a natural gas blast, he couldn't say.

O.P.P. Release Names In Fatal Plane Crash

O.P.P. are releasing the names of three people who died in a small plane crash Tuesday night near Pickle Lake. All three people were residents of Trois Rivières, Québec. Dead is the 57 year old pilot Michel Nadeau, 54 year old passenger Bernard Mailloux and 27 year old passenger Yanick Fournier. A 53 year old male passenger also of Trois Rivières, Québec remains in a Winnipeg-area hospital in stable condition.

Boaters Rescued From Breakwall

Two sailboaters are witnesses to the quick response of the Coast Guard. They were called just after 7:30 p.m. last night to a report of a sailboat that had run aground on the breakwall near the entrance to the Kaministiquia River. Two people were rescued from the vessell with no major injuries and brought back to the coast guard station. The sailboat was left for the time being and will be recovered later. 

House Explodes On St. Claire Ave.

Police and fire crews are currenly at the scene of a house fire on the 800 block of St. Claire Avenue. Police say they received a call about a house exploding just after 4:00 o'clock this morning. One man has been taken to hospital with unknown injuries. Four pumper trucks, a ladder unit and a platoon chief were all called to the scene. Police say they will be on the scene for several hours as they look into the cause of the blast.

Steel Pre-Fab Homes To Be Built

A contracting company, a Chinese business and Wasaya Group are teaming up to provide affordable housing for First Nations and Mining Companies.  Dowland Contracting Spokesperson Don Wing says the agreement means they'll build pre-fabricated homes.  A formal signing ceremony was held Wednesday afternoon at the Fort William Historical Park.

Canadian Council ELA Poll

A new poll shows that a large chunk of Canadians are in favour of keeping the Experimental Lakes area near Vermillion Bay open.  Conducted by the Council of Canadians, the poll shows that 60 percent of Conservative voters oppose the Harper government's decision to stop funding the ELA.  In general, 73 percent of Canadians want to see the research facility stay open, and 42 percent are strongly opposed to the cuts.  Earlier in the year, the Harper government decided it would stop funding 2 million dollars a year to the ELA.

Gravelle Open To Being Leader

Michael Gravelle says he is not ruling out a run for the top job of the Ontario Liberal Party. The Natural Resources Minister says he would first like to see who decides to take a run at replacing Dalton McGuinty. Gravelle says if no candidates show any passion for the north, he will consider his options.

Terrace Bay Pulp Charged

Terrace Bay Pulp is in trouble with the Ministry of Labour after last year's fatal accident at the mill. An employee from Schreiber died when a tank used to cook wood chips exploded.  Ministry spokesperson Matt Blajer says the company will be appearing in court next month.

Health Unit Says There's A Bed Bug Problem

The Health Unit calls a bed bug problem at the Royal Edward Arms an infestation. Public Health Inspector Abby Mackie says the pests have become a problem.  Mackie says tenants need to keep their apartments clean and the landlord needs to treat the infected area as soon as possible.  The Health Unit says the District Social Services Board has been taking care of any complaints they've received.

Tbay Tel Gives Cash To Catholic Board

The Catholic School Board is on the receiving end of a 100 thousand dollar partnership with Tbay Tel.  Director of Education Joan Powell says it's a 5 year funding program.  The money will be used to buy laptops, iPads, and other technology.

Police Honour Their Own At Awards Ceremony

A number of members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service will be honored at their 5th "Honours and Awards Ceremony" tonight in Thunder Bay. They will be recognised by their peers and the Chief of Police, Claude Chum. Officer of the Year honours will go to Constable Robert McPhail, and a Diamond Jubilee medal will be presented to Constable Marc Beaparland for his work with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program. Retired Sgt. Bob Baxter will also receive a jubilee medal for his work with victims.

Joint Meeting Tonight

A joint meeting is being held between Fort William First Nation and City Council tonight.  The two communities will discuss how they can work better together.  Tonight's meeting starts at 5 and will be held at the Current River Recreation Association.

3 Dead After Plane Crash

OPP and the Transportation Safety Board are investigating a fatal plane crash last night near Pickle Lake. Police responded to a report that an aircraft went down in a densely wooded area east of the Pickle Lake airport. Three of the plane's occupants are dead, one survivor was airlifted to hospital in Winnipeg for treatment of minor injuries. The names of the dead won't be released until the next of kin is notified.

Mining Readiness Winning Awards

The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission is celebrating two prestigious awards. A conference in Denver, Colorado has honoured The Ring of Fire and Northwestern Ontario with the Strategic Project of the Year award and also the Job Creation of the Year award. More than 500 executives from the public and private sector are in attendance at the 4th annual North American Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum.

Union To Talk With Quality Market Staff

The union representing workers at Thunder Bay's two Quality Market stores is speaking out.  United Food & Commercial Workers Rep Colby Flank says they were shocked to hear that the two stores will close.  Flank says the closure will impact 80 to 90 people.  A meeting between the union and its members will be held next Wednesday to discuss employment insurance and the possibility of finding work in other grocery stores in the City.  The owners of Quality Market have declined to comment on the closure notice.