More Evacuees Arrive

The City of Thunder Bay is now hosting a total of 260  Attawapiskat First Nation evacuees. It follows the arrival of 105 evacuees transferred from Greenstone last night. Officials says the city has now reached its capacity to comfortably support an evacuation effort of this size.  If conditions continue to improve, it's hoped that evacuees will be able to return home later this week.

Courthouse Construction Site Open

Work is back underway at the new courthouse construction site after a crane tipped over yesterday.  Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour says the area around the crane accident is the only place work is not allowed.  Blajer says the ministry investigation into the incident continues.

Fire Cause Still Unknown

City Fire inspectors are not ruling out arson as the cause of last night's house fire on 129 South  Marks Street.   Bob Vander Ploeg looked over the site this morning and says he's handing it over to the Ontario Fire Marshall.   He says it's because they cannot totally rule out that the blaze was deliberately set.  Vander Ploeg says it was fortunate that a neighbour was able alert  the occupants of the house in time to escape the fire.

Resolute Celebrates Green Energy Plan

Resolute Forest Products is launching its new green energy project.  Spokesperson Pierre Choquette says they've started to use their new wood waste boiler and condensing turbine.  Company officials will also hold their annual general meeting in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Sandy Lake First Nation Death

Provincial Police are assisting the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service regarding a death in Sandy Lake First Nation.  NAPS officers responded to a call for medical assistance, and took a man to the nursing station where he was pronounced dead.  The name of the deceased is not available at this time, and a post-mortem is being done in Kenora.

Transport Blocks Highway

City Police are confirming a transport is blocking Arthur Street at Santorelli's. An ambulance is on the way to the scene. The trailer fell off of the vehicle causing the road blockage.

Council Seeks Right To Speak At Inquest

The City wants to have the right to contribute at an upcoming coroner's inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they're going to seek the right to speak at the upcoming inquest. The hearing on who will have the right to speak at the inquest is coming up in June.

Marks Street Fire Under Investigation

Thunder Bay Fire is investigating a two storey house fire on Marks Street late last night. When crews arrived they found flames coming from the back of the house around the back porch area. It took two hours for the fire department to bring the fire under control and save two cats living in the home. No one was injured.

Matawa FN Wants Verdict Appealed

The Matawa First Nations is upset with the justice system.   They are asking that prosecutors file an appeal of the recent not guilty verdict handed down in the case of a Geraldton OPP officer.   He was acquitted of assaulting a prisoner he had in his custody.   The Chief's Council says the verdict has damaged relationships between the OPP and the First Nation people in this region.

City Demands Energy Action

The city is taking its energy battle with the province to a new level. Mayor Keith Hobbs says it's time for the Wynne government to resume the natural gas conversion of the Mission Island Power plant.  He calls the whole thing a political football and says the city will tell the minister of energy to do the right thing and get the conversion done right now.  Mayor Hobbs says even the Ontario Power Authority admits it's calculated our energy needs wrong.

Marina Opens Wednesday

The marina is set to open tomorrow even though there is still ice in the harbour.  City spokesperson Paul Fayrick says while it may be a problem now, he doesn't anticipate it will be long before boaters begin docking their vessels.  He says the slips in Pier 3 are free of ice, the only problem is getting there.   Fayrick says staff will be ready to take in boats when they start arriving.

Crane Tips Over At Courthouse

The crane at the Consolidated Courthouse construction site has tipped over.  Construction worker Mike George says the crane did not make a loud noise, and came as a shock to the workers. No one was hurt. The Ministry of Labour is investigating, and says that the 90-tonne crane was moving a concrete wall panel up to the top level of the new courthouse when the crane fell.  Meanwhile, a witness at the scene, Frank Zawadzki says the workers scattered like mice when the crane came down.  He adds it looks like the crane's weight wasn't balanced and that could have lead to why it tipped over.  As a result of the incident, Brodie Street is closed from Miles Street to Victoria.

Local Liquor Workers Set To Strike

A strike by Liquor Control Board workers is still set for this weekend.  In Thunder Bay, unionized workers have set up strike headquarters at the Labour Centre.   Union spokesperson Robert Lorkowski says the dispute centers around the increased use of part time workers.  Lorkowski says out of the province's total LCBO workforce of 7 thousand about 4 thousand are part time.

Test Your Well Water

The Health Unit is encouraging well owners to test their water this spring.  Public Health Inspector Abbey Mackie says it's important to get your water tested.  Spring run off from melting snow can bring contaminants with it into local wells.

Tourism Slowed By Late Spring

A cool spring isn't doing Thunder Bay's Tourism market any favours. Manager Paul Pepe says it's been a slow start to the tourism season. Pepe expects their outdoor experience visitors to pick up in the warmer months.

Upass Renewal Plans

The City is looking to renew its deals with Confederation College and Lakehead University for student transportation. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the Upass agreement provides students with yearly bus passes that are paid for through tuition fees. If council approves the three year term it will start this September.

Books Without Bounds In City Today

Two teenaged Oakville, Ontario sisters who collected books for kids living in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are in Thunder Bay today. Emma and Julia Mogus bought books with their own money and accepted donations leading to over 18-thousand books being sent to NAN communities. They'll fly out to Fort Severn with Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.

Crime Of The Week

Time now for our Crime of the Week. Sometime between May 3rd and 5th someone gained access to a Hydro One storage compound in Dryden. The suspects stole 17-thousand dollars in chainsaws and drills. Anyone with info is asked to call Crimestoppers.

CAW Elections Today

The local Canadian Autoworkers Union is holding its executive elections today. Voting takes place at the Lakehead Labour Centre from 10 until 8.

MNR Fire Deals With Blazes

Thunder Bay's MNR fire crews are finally seeing some action.  The first fire they dealt with was a lightning strike to a dead tree in the area south of Garden Lake.  The second blaze on Sunday was a human caused grass fire on Mountain Road at Fort William First Nation.