Fort William First Nation Chief Election

Fort William First Nation residents go to the polls today. 5 people are vying for Chief, and 59 people are looking to win a Council seat. Electoral Officer Paula Hyslop says they saw a decrease in the number of people running for council this year. Voting is open from 9 am until 8 tonight.

Bombardier Introducing Healthy Choices

Bombardier employees will have more healthy options in their cafeteria. The local plant is taking part in the health unit's Eat Smart, Workplace Cafeteria Program. Employees will dine on more whole grains, lower fat milk choices, and at least 3 out of the 4 food groups.

Mary Rose And AJ Jump In The Lake

Our Mary Rose Jensen and AJ Leite took the plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Superior on Saturday. Here's the video: 

Polar Plunge 2013

This year's Polar Bear Plunge is today. Spokesperson Warren Giertuga encourages people to come out to Prince Arthur's Landing and watch if they're not comfortable with taking the plunge themselves. The event is in support of the Special Olympics.

Rotary House Ready

The Rotary Club is back with it's annual house lottery. Spokesperson Gordie Garriock says the 415-thousand dollar home is located at 242 Sunflower Drive and will be open to the public this weekend. Part of the money raised from the raffle will go towards the Regional Hospital.

No Foul Play In Kenora Death

Police in Kenora say it appears a recent death in the city was a tragic accident.  They found the man lying on the street under a broken forth floor window.   He was identified as a  construction worker from Toronto.  Police say a post mortem shows there was no evidence the death was the result of foul play

PSAC Ponders Legal Route

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is looking into legal action against the Treaty 3 Police Service. Judith Monteith-Farrell from PSAC, who represents officers in the service, says changes to employment conditions were made without consultation. Monteith says they had no options but to look at legal action. Monteith says the changes affect officers salaries, parental leave benefits, and include the laying off of 7 officers. However, Chief of Police Operations Terry Armstrong says the force was forced to take these actions, due to a lack of provincial and federal funding.

Elderly Man Struck By Car

An 83 year old man is recovering in hospital after police say he was hit by a car on the city's north side this morning.  They say the man was crossing on a green light at Balmoral and Beverly when he was struck by a car making a right turn.  The car driver, a 74 year old woman, is charged with careless driving.

It's Shoes And Champagne 2

A reality TV star in Canada is coming to Thunder Bay to help Habitat for Humanity raise money.   Jody Claman of the Real Housewives of Vancouver will be here on June 20th to take part in the second Shoes and Champagne event.   That's where designer shoes, signed by celebrities,  are auctioned off.

Readiness Strategy A Great Game Plan: Mason

The city's mining czar thinks our new mining readiness strategy puts Thunder Bay on the right track.   The strategy is a comprehensive blueprint of what needs to be done to prepare and promote the city for the anticipated mining boom.  John Mason says the report should make mining officials sit up and take notice calling it a great path forward and a great game plan. The report says 10 mining projects in the region will inject 1 billion dollars a year into the city's economy.

Sachigo Lake Teens Walking To T.Bay

Teens from Sachigo Lake First Nation are walking from their community to Thunder Bay starting today.  The youth are on a fundraising walk for the new Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School's residence.  They hope to be in Thunder Bay by April 27th by walking 60 km a day.

Bombardier Gets More Work

Southern Ontario will be getting another 28 Bi-Level Go Trains from Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant. Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says the purchase will boost the City's economy. Design of the cars is already underway, with production scheduled to begin this summer. The first delivery of the new fleet will arrive in 2014.

Greenstone Mayor Pleased With Mill Talk

The Mayor of Greenstone says nothing is a done deal yet when it comes to the reopening of Longlac's former Buchanan mill.  Ron Beaulieu says he's hopeful talks will go well between the parties involved in the deal. Beaulieu says Buchanan has already applied for a licence to open the mill.

Chief Collins Says Farewell

It's the last week in office for Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins. Fort William is holding it's election this weekend, with a new chief being crowned Monday afternoon. Collins fondly recalls his years as Chief. Collins will be saying goodbye to Thunder Bay city council Monday night.

Pick Up Truck Fire

City Police and Fire Crews are looking into a vehicle fire on South Algoma Street.  The pick up truck was parked behind an apartment complex and sustained extensive damage.  The call came in around 4:15 this morning and forced residents to vacate their apartments while the fire was put out.  Foul play is not being ruled out at this time.

Inspectors To Return To Derailment Site

Investigators will be back at the site of this weeks train derailment near White River Friday.   Rob Johnston leads a team of government safety inspectors who are trying to figure out what happened to thrown 22 CP freight cars off the track.   Johnston says some evidence at the scene will be sent to Ottawa for inspection and he doesn't expect to know the cause of the derailment for some time yet.

Police Make Arrest In Charity Theft

One person is charged in connection with the theft of a charity cash collection in the city last week.  Police say they nabbed the suspect while he was riding his bike in Westfort this morning.  The 28 year old is to make a court appearance tomorrow.   The charity jar was taken from the Frederica Street Robin's coffee shop. 

Power Company Formed With First Nations

Thirteen First Nations and mining giant Goldcorp say they now have an agreement to incorporate a new power company called Wataynikaneyap Power.   This new company is developing a transmission line that will connect remote First Nations communities in the northwest currently powered by diesel generators.   The eventual aim is to have the First Nations ownership at 100 per cent.

MOE Says Oil Spill Didn't Harm Environment

Government scientists say there is no harm to the environment as the result of a train derailment and oil spill on the CP rail tracks near White River. Kate Jordan of the Environment Ministry says there is no impact to the nearby river, which is the source of the communities drinking water.  She says the spill has been contained and that ministry personnel are at the site. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation by authorities.

Campbell Calls For Help For Libraries

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says public libraries are more important than ever before. However, Sarah Campbell says that funding for libraries has been ignored by the province. Campbell is calling on the provincial government to come up with a new funding strategy to make sure libraries can thrive despite tough times for many municipalities.