OPP Drug Bust Near Marathon

OPP in Marathon have made a significant drug bust in a routine traffic stop. Police stopped the vehicle for speeding, and found just over nine kilograms of marijuana in the trunk. A 25-year-old Timmins man has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

New Helpline For Children's Aid Services

Local children's aid groups are working together on a new Ministry funded help line.  Dilico Family Care, North of Superior Counselling and the Children's Centre signed an agreement yesterday dealing with a new "Access Network" toll free phone number and website.  The site and phone number will provide a single point of access to local children's mental services.

Auditorium Disturbance Results In Charge

City Police are charging a man with being drunk in a public place. It stems from Mayor Keith Hobbs taking the man out of a the Community Auditorium last night. Hobbs told police when they arrived the man had become verbally abusive in the meeting. The man is facing a 65 dollar fine and a notice was issued to not allow the man back onto the auditorium property.

Thunder Bay Woman Wins One Million

A Thunder Bay woman is the city's newest lottery winner. Sherida Ward won one million dollars on the Lotto 649 Encore draw last month. Ward bought the ticket at the Good Luck Lottery Shoppe.

Hospital Graded A C

A media website ranking the quality of care at hospitals is giving Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Centre a C.  It shows poor grades for readmissions and the number of patients who die after undergoing major surgery.  The report is based on information found in the Canadian Institute For Health Information.

Pigeon River Border Activity Down

The Canada Border Services Agency is reporting a decrease in traffic in February.  CBSA officers at the Pigeon River border crossing processed nearly 18,000 vehicles, a decrease by one and a half percent compared to the same time last year.

NAN Signs Education Agreement

The provincial government and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation have signed an agreement on First Nation Education.  The agreement focuses on supporting NAN students in reaching their full academic potential.  It also aims to improve student support services and enhance human resources.

Bike Van Collision Leads To Charges

A 19 year old cyclist is charged after being involved in a collision with a mini van Monday night.  It happened at the intersection of High Street and Kenwood Avenue.  Police say she was wearing headphones and listening to music at the time of the incident.  The woman is facing a charge of failing to make a turn safely, which could result in a fine of 110 dollars.

Mayor Removes Man From Public Meeting

Police are confirming Mayor Keith Hobbs removed a man from the Community Auditorium last night.  They say a man was causing problems at the Mining Readiness Strategy Public Meeting, when the former Police Officer Hobbs took him out of the room.  Police were called and they brought the man into the Police Station for public intoxication.

Border Cats Add Six

The Thunder Bay Border Cats have added six new players to their roster. Second baseman Michael Foster, outfielders Geoff Jimenez and Alex Bautista, catcher Dylan Goodwin and pitchers Zach Thiac and Blake Smith will join the Border Cats for the upcoming season. The Border Cats open their season on June 1st.

Gorjann Morriseau New FWFN Chief

Fort William First Nation's new Chief is Georjann Morriseau.  She received 243 votes.  Runner up Michael Joseph Pelletier received 238.  Elections were held on Sunday with 711 valid ballots cast for chief. Morriseau says she is humbled by the election and will take office on April the 15th.

Tall Ship Sorlandet Coming To T.Bay

Lake Superior Day this summer will welcome the Norwegian Tall Ship the Sorlandet.  Eco Superior Spokesperson Ashley Priem says she lucked out on booking the vessel.  Thunder Bay's Pool 6 Cruise Ship Dock will accomodate the tall ship on Sunday, July 21st from 10 until 5.

LU Steel Bridge Team Moving On

Lakehead University's Steel Bridge Team is moving on to a national competition. The team finished first at a regional competition last month, and will take part in another competition in Seattle at the end of May.

CMHC Out With Housing Stats

The Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation is out with its latest housing stats.  In March, Thunder Bay saw 3 new housing starts compared to only 1 last year at that time.  CMHC Analyst Warren Philp says after a long winter housing starts should take off in the coming months.  Philp says so far this year they've had 7 housing starts compared to 4 at this time last year.

Car Hits Shopper's Drug Mart

City Police are reporting someone drove into the window of Shopper's Drug Mart on Memorial Avenue.  The incident happened at 4:30 this morning.  No one was injured.

18 Million Dollars In Road Work Approved

Let the work begin.  City councillors have approved 18 million dollars worth of road and sidewalk construction for this year.  The city's  Darrell Matson says we are getting a good bang for our buck this year because some bids came in lower than predicted.  The approval include 7 million dollars worth of work on Junot Street and Golf Links Road

Resolute To Appeal Assessment Of City Mill

The City is preparing for a tax fight against Resolute Forest Products.   Resolute is appealing it's property assessment from the province and wants a reduction of 60 per cent,  retroactive by four years.  If successful the amount of taxes Resolute pays to the city would drop by 1.8 million dollars a year. Mayor Keith Hobbs calls it ridiculous and says the city has already contacted a lawyer with the aim of taking  the company on. The company's appeal is expected to go before a government review board in June.

Treaty 3 Has Big Crime Problem

Financial pressure is hurting the Treaty 3 Police Service in their battle with high crime rates. The Treaty 3 Police service area currently has the worst crime severity index in the province. Terry Armstrong is the Deputy Chief of Police in charge of operations, and says they are doing everything they can to lower the numbers.  Armstrong says the force has also seen a 41 percent increase in calls for service.

NWO Man Charged In Website Hacking

Dryden Police have charged an 18-year-old Ear Falls man after the website of a local business was hacked.The business contacted police in February, and told them that someone had targeted their website, causing it to crash, and threatened the employees and their family members. With the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police Intelligence Unit and Red Lake O.P.P, police arrested the man. He is charged with Mischief to Data and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. He was released from custody, and is due in court next month.

New Strategy Gets FedNor $

The Harper government is helping the city and the Fort William First Nation with the newly minted Mining Readiness Strategy.   FedNor minister Tony Clement announcing a grant of 75 thousand dollars today in support of the strategy.