18 Year Old Charged Following Collision

An 18-year-old Thunder Bay man has a court date in the New Year following a collision involving two cars early this morning at the intersection of Tupper Street and Prospect Avenue. No one was injured but the man was charged for driving with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in his blood. Thunder Bay Police want to remind people not to drink and drive.

Outbreaks at Roseview Manor and Hilldale Gardens

Officials at the Health Unit have declared an outbreak of respiratory illness at Hilldale Gardens Retirement Living along with an outbreak of influenza A at Roseview Manor. In an attempt to contain this illness, family and friends are asked to limit visits to the facilities and to contact them for more information. The Health Unit is urging people to stay at home and refrain from visiting hospitals, long-term care facilities and retirement homes when feeling unwell to avoid spreading infections to those most vulnerable.

Norovirus Culprit In Food Poisoning

The Health Unit is confirming through lab tests that the Norovirus was the cause of food poisoning at 3 events catered by Maltese Grocery. To date, 85 people have reported being ill. Now that the Health Unit has determined the source of the outbreak, Maltese Grocery will be reopening catering operations. The Health Unit says the grocer has a good inspection record and the illness is generally spread to people through contaminated food or contaminated commonly-touched surfaces.

Tourism Guide Out

The city's new tourism guide is out. There are 100 thousand of them printed at a cost of 70 thousand dollars according to Tourism Manager Paul Pepe who says advertising helps to offset the costs. Pepe says the guide is available at all hotels, motels, tourism centres and online.

Police Officer Ok After Late Night Incident

A city police officer is now out of hospital after being hurt last night while trying to arrest two men.  A man approached an officer at McDonald's on Memorial Avenue and demanded a ride home; he was arrested for public intoxication after allegedly becoming belligerent.  Constable Julie Tilbury says when the officer was getting into the vehicle, a second man opened the passenger side back door and let the arrested man out.  A 39 year old man is charged with Obstructing Police, Resisting Arrest and Being Intoxicated In A Public Place.

Toys For Tots Campaign A Success

It's another success for Thunder Bay Firefighters Toys for Tots Campaign. Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says they give the money to the ladies at Christmas Cheer who then go out and buy the toys. $153,530 was raised during this year's Toys For Tots Campaign.

Weldon Plans For Brazil 2016

Thunder Bay's Robbi Weldon is remembering a golden year. The local cyclist won the women's "B" Road Race at the London Paralympic Games back in September. Weldon says she now has new goals for representing Canada 4 years from now. Weldon will begin training with a new pilot next year as her old pilot, Lyne Bissette, is now retired.

Police Association Gives To Needy Pets

It's not just humans that need love on Christmas.  Thunder Bay's Police Association is donating 250 dollars and a bunch of food, blankets, toys and treats to the local Humane Society.  Vice President Jim Glena says they've been donating to the humane society for sometime. Two Police Constables will be delivering two cruisers full of goodies to the local humane society today.

Province Gives Cash To John Howard Society

The Provincial Government is providing 28-thousand dollars to a new Health & Wellness program in Thunder Bay. The John Howard Society will deliver the program for low income people. The program is expected to teach people how to eat healthy within a budget.

Bentley Coming To Town

Energy Minister Chris Bentley will be in town next month.  He'll be meeting with Mayor Keith Hobbs about the Ontario Power Authority's decision to halt the conversion of the Mission Island Power Plant.  Representatives from the OPA, and MPP Bill Mauro will also be invited to the discussion.  A Spokesperson with the Minister says Bentley will spend the day talking with officials about the conversion.

Flood Makes Top 10 List

Thunder Bay has the dubious distinction of making it to the top 10 list of weather events in Canada for 2012.   Meteorologist Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says, at number 8,  we joined other communities under the title; the year of the urban flood.  Coulson notes the event shattered weather records and was one of a kind for the kind of damage it caused.

Book Of Condolences For Newtown

Thunder Bay residents are being given the chance to reach out to the people of Newtown, Connecticut. City Clerk John Hannam says a book of condolences is open at City Hall to allow you to express your sympathies following that tragic shooting. The book will then be sent to the Mayor's Office in Newtown. 

Christmas At The Airport

Have patience at the airport if your travelling during the Christmas season. Manager Scott McFadden expects it to be busy. McFadden says it's a good idea to arrive early and expect to wait in line. 

Venshore Mechanical Raise 10-Thousand Dollars

Venshore Mechanical is presenting 10-thousand dollars to three local charities.  Spokesperson Jamie Murphy says Shelter House, the Dew Drop Inn Centre and Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief Committee will share in the funds.  Murphy hopes city residents will be able to donate cash to the community groups as well.

Roll Over Near Mount Baldy Road

A 48 year old woman is recovering from  injuries after she rolled her pick-up truck this morning. O.P.P. say the single vehicle crash happened just before 9 o'clock  this morning on Highway 527 near Mount Baldy Road.   Provincial police say the woman was ejected from the truck.

Rickford On Red Lake Airport

The Federal Government is investing in another airport in Northwestern Ontario.  The announcement was made earlier this week by Kenora MP Greg Rickford, that the Red Lake airport will receive over 32 thousand dollars in funding for the purchase of an electronic runway condition reporting system.  Rickford adds that it will be beneficial for the region.  This funding is in addition to the over 261 thousand dollars announced earlier this year to replace a snowplow truck and sand spreader and for cabling for lighting systems.

NAN Treaty Unity Day

They're calling it a day for Treaty Unity.  Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs and Councils will be holding a day of support tomorrow for Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence.  NAN is hoping to raise general public awareness of the impacts of the federal government's omnibus budget bill.  Chiefs are also upset the Harper Government has made funding cutbacks for First Nation programs.  NAN is calling on the Prime Minister to have a conversation with First Nations on treaty issues.

Resolute Forest Products

Some help today for workers impacted by the idling of the kraft mill and paper machine at Resolute Forest Products mill in Fort Frances.  The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union has set up information sessions at the Legion in Fort Frances to provide workers with advice on employment, training and education opportunities.  Representatives from Service Canada, N-C-D-S and the provincial Ministry of Training ,Colleges and Universities will be on hand first this afternoon and again tonight.

Soccer Club Donates Food

The Lakehead Express Soccer Club is presenting over 900 pounds of food to the Regional Food Distribution Association.  Players collected the canned goods throughout the year.

Thunderwolves Announce New Recruits

Head Coach Jon Kreiner and the Lakehead University women's basketball team are announcing two more players are committing to their program for next year. Point Guard Abeer Farhat will join the team from Algonquin College after averaging more than 15 points and 4 assists per game last season. Meanwhile, Gillian Lavoie, a 6'0 Forward who averaged 11 points and 13 rebounds last season, will join the team from Hammarskjold.