OPP Probe Local Police

The OPP are looking into an allegation by a 19 year old First Nation man against Thunder Bay Police Service. It's alleged that a Thunder Bay Police Service officer transported the 19 year old male to a location outside of the city limits. The man reported that he was dropped off and left to walk back to his residence in Thunder Bay. The incident is said to have occurred in the evening hours of December 2nd. The Thunder Bay Police Service is cooperating with the Ontario Provincial Police in their investigation.

Chicago Tourism Show Eyed

Thunder Bay is going to be represented at a major tourism show in Chicago later this month. City Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says we will be promoted as a stepping off point for the tourism camps in the region. Pepe says part of the plan is also to help promote the United Airlines link the city will soon have with Chicago. He adds, the trip will be paid for with provincial tourism dollars, not the city's.

No School Board Amalgamations Planned

School Boards in northwestern Ontario have dodged a bullet.  The Ministry of Education has sent a letter out indicating it will not be going ahead with any School Board amalgamations.  Phylis Eikre is the director of education with the Kenora Catholic District School board and says they weren't in favour of merging with another board. There had been talk the Kenora Catholic and the Northwest Catholic School Boards might have to amalgamate.

New Years Resolutions

Starting off the new year on the right path.  Julie Slack is a dietician with the Northwestern Health Unit, and says that a big reason why people give up on their new-years resolutions is because they are setting the bar too high.  Slack says it's important to start off small, and work your way to the top. Slack adds it's a good idea to find a friend who has the same goals.

Thunder Bay Is 43

Mayor Keith Hobbs wants the City to come together after 43 years of amalgamation.  Thunder Bay's Birthday is officially New Years Day and Hobbs says it's about time we act like it.  Hobbs is also calling on residents to drop the Fort William/Port Arthur mentality and just refer to the two sides by their ward names.  Hobbs thinks there will be an official celebration on the 50th Birthday. 

OPP Looking For New Recruits

The Ontario Provincial Police is looking for the best and brightest. The Thunder Bay Detachment is hosting an information session on January 30th.  Constable Erin Huckell says they are looking for those interested in the auxiliary program. Huckell adds that there will also be information about constable positions.

Officials To Address Assef Court Concerns

District housing officials are planning to meet with residents of Assef Court about their concerns. It follows news that some tenants are afraid for their safety and that neither police nor housing officials are listening. Bill Bradica of the District Social Services Administration Board says many of the concerns are news to him.  Bradica says tenants will be reminded of the steps they should take to make complaints.

Former ELA Director Gets Award

The former director of the Experimental Lakes Area has received a top honor.  Dr. Ray Hesslein is 8th person from the ELA to receive the Frank H. Rigler Award.  In addition, Hesslein stresses the important the research facility has not only on the country, but all of North America.

ETFO On Imposed Contracts

The local President of the Elementary Teachers Federation isn't surprised the Provincial Government is imposing new contracts on tens of thousands of teachers and education workers in the public schools.  Ellen Chambers says she's devastated.  Education Minister Laurel Broten is using Bill 115 to impose the new collective agreements on elementary and high school teachers, to freeze wages and stop strikes.

Ranger Camp Rally Set For Queen's Park

A campaign to save the Ontario Ranger Camp program is underway. The program, which operated several camps, including one at Quetico Provincial Park, was halted by the province last fall. Former Sleeping Giant Camp Coordinator Emily Kirton with the group Friends of the Ranger Program, says it brought youth in from elsewhere in the province. Former campers and workers intend to rally at Queen's Park tomorrow.

Influenza "A" On The Rise

The number of influenza "A" cases here in the city, the region and in the province are higher this Winter compared to last year. Medical Officer of Health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Dr. David Williams says the they've had 39 lab confirmed cases of inlfuenza "A". Williams says last year less than 20 confirmed cases were reported to the T.B.D.H.U. but he adds they started keeping track of cases much earlier this year.

Madder Predicts College Growth

Jim Madder predicts 2013 will bring growth for Confederation College.   In a new year's interview the college president says we should expect to see the college expand learning opportunities for students and will soon announce another partnership that involves all 6 northern colleges.  It will include sharing curriculum,  programming and delivery methods. While Madder doesn't foresee expanding any satellite campuses he hopes to expand technology to the current sites.

Idle No More Candle Light

Thunder Bay's Idle No More movement is standing behind a local woman who was allegedly abducted and attacked recently.  Spokesperson Joyce Hunter says she's worried another violent incident will happen against a First Nations person.  A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night in honour of the alleged victim at the Fort William First Nation.

A Game Of Cat And Mouse

Twitter is becoming the new reality for city police as they run their RIDE program. Over the holiday period there were 25 people charged with impaired driving. Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says though, they had to move their checkpoints from place to place to outwit people on the social network who were Tweeting the locations. ....like a game of cat and mouse.

DMTS Sale Finalized

The sale of DMTS landline and internet services to Bell Alliant has officially been completed.  Dryden City Council granted final authorization on October 3rd, and the transition to new ownership has been on going.  It will be business as usual, and if there is any changes required, customers will be notified.

It's Alzheimer Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer Awareness month and this year's theme is "See Me, Not My Illness." Executive Director Alison Denton says they want to erase the stigma attached to a diagnosis of dementia. A flag raising ceremony was held this morning at City Hall marking the awareness campaign and Alzheimer Society volunteer Bill Heibein says thankfully his friends and family treated him the same after his diagnosis 13 years ago.

6th Murder of 2012 Victim Identified

Thunder Bay Police are releasing the name of the 25 year old man who was found dead on December 29th at a Villa Street residence.  Desmond Dennis Mathews was found at the home with no vital signs and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.  Results from the post mortem exam are being withheld since they are an important element of the murder investigation.  The second man found at the home remains in critical condition in hospital.

Sexual Assault Probe Continues

Thunder Bay Police are still trying to piece together clues in connection with a reported sexual assault they are investigating as possible hate crime. A First Nations woman told police she was forced into a vehicle on Blucher Avenue by two men in their 20's and taken to a wooded area and assaulted. The woman originally told police that there were racial remarks made by the assailants. Spokesperson Chris Adams says they are still trying to build a case with the woman's help and fill in some gaps when she is available.

Lappe To Host Major Ski Races

Thunder Bay and the Lappe Nordic Ski Centre will be hosting the World Junior and Under-23 cross country ski championships starting tomorrow. Spokesperson Amanda Holdsworth says events will be held daily with a variety of race formats on the card until Sunday. Holdsworth says members of the National Team development Centre and Lakehead University will be taking part. Some 300 athletes are said to be taking part in the 4 day event.

Robichaud Looks Back

The CEO of the Thunder Bay Hospital is reflecting on 2012. Andree Robichaud says they saw many accolades last year including moving up in the rankings of research hospitals. Robichaud says in 2013 they'll strive to free up beds in the hospital.