LRCA On The Watch

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is on alert.   Chair Bill Bartley says with a lot of rain predicted over the weekend there is the possibility that some isolated flooding could occur. Bartley says the Authority will be monitoring the situation all weekend.

Very Rainy Long Weekend In Store

Get ready for a potential soaking this long weekend.  Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says it's not far fetched to say we could get up to 100 millimetres of rain when all is said and done on Monday.   He says however, that for now the heavier amounts of rain are more likely to our west in places like Dryden and Fort Frances.  Coulson says most of the rain is expected to fall Sunday night into Monday.

Yesno Calls Elijah Harper A Role Model

Elijah Harper

Nishnawbe Aski Nation  Grand Chief Harvey Yesno  calls Elijah Harper  a friend, a confidant who was an inspiration and his role model.  Harper died this morning at the age of 64.  He became a symbol of power for Canadian aboriginals when he scuttled the Meech Lake constitutional accord.

Strong Support For Class Action Suit

There's huge support for an 800 million dollar class action lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Apotex which originated with a Thunder Bay lawyer. Sandy Zaitzeff started the action after the company recalled the birth control pill Alysena.   Zaitzeff says 3 women in northwestern Ontario are part of the action which is on behalf of all women who took the pill and could now be  facing an unwanted pregnancy or be fearing an unwanted pregnancy.

FWHP Continues To Promote In Grand Marais

The Fort William Historical Park continues to promote themselves in Grand Marais.  That's despite a contract with the Canada Gateway Centre expiring.  Spokesperson Marty Mascarin says they hope to get their heritage items back soon.  Mascarin says they already have an existing presence in the community and are looking for new ways to continue to promote the park.

Parks Open For The Season

The May long weekend means provincial parks will be opening for the first time this season. Bruce Van Staalduinen (Stall-Din-in) from Ontario Parks says you can get great information on campsites from their website. Van Staalduinen says the majority of parks in northern Ontario will be open as of tomorrow.

Movie Nights In The Park Returns

Movie Nights in the Park is back for another year. Organizer of the city event Sophie Best says they'll be putting up their movie selections for future shows on Facebook. Tonight's movie selection at Prince Arthur's Landing is E.T. and show time is just after sunset once it's dark around 9:30.

Firefighters Arbitration Begins

Thunder Bay firefighters are  one step closer to getting a new contract, but the head of the union is reluctant to talk  about it.    Dennis Brescacin is going into today's arbitration hearing knowing that it has the potential for controversy.     City firefighters haven't had a new contract since the end of 2010,  which brings with it talk of retroactive pay.  Brescacin says the issue is so sensitive he will not comment on it.    

Students Get Social Media Warning

A Canadian Social Media guru is taking his message to elementary school children this morning.  Chris Vollum is speaking to students at Kakabeka Falls Public School about how to safely use Facebook, Twitter and other Internet social sites.  Vollum says he also plans to alert the students to recent events in the news regarding the use of Facebook.

The Future Of Garbage Collection

The city is  about to look at the way it collects your garbage.   Roads Division manager Brad Adams says its part of developing a detailed plan to handle solid waste which may even include changing the way it's collected from your home. An open house is planned next month at the Italian Cultural Centre to get your feedback.

Eric Staal Injured

Bad news for Thunder Bay hockey fans. Eric Staal suffered a knee injury at the World Hockey Championship in Sweden today.   The captain of the Canadian squad was helped off the ice wincing in pain after a knee on knee collision with a Swedish player.  There is no immediate word on the extent of his injury.

Plan Your Return

Getting across the border into Canada this Victoria Day weekend could be a long process.   Tracey Gagnon of Canada Border Services says to expect long waits on your return and recommends arriving outside of peak times. She says the start of the fishing season in Ontario normally attracts a lot of Americans on Friday night and all day Saturday. Long lines are also expected Sunday and Monday afternoons because of returning Canadians.

More Upgrading At Thunder Bay Hydro

Fresh off the annual general meeting,  Thunder Bay Hydro boss Robert Mace says the utility is poised for renewal.   Mace says they will continue to modernize and upgrade any aging equipment or property in 2013. He says since 2007 they have more than doubled the amount of money spent on fixing aging infrastructure.

Hydro AGM Posts Good Results

Thunder Bay Hydro is finishing the year off in the black.  That's according to figures released at their annual general meeting last night.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff took in the AGM and says they've been able to finish in the positive due to cost saving measures and new revenue streams.  Boshcoff says of the 70 municipally owned hydro companies Thunder Bay is in the top third finishing in the black.

Resolute Reacts To Greenpeace

Resolute Forest Products is reacting to allegations made by Greenpeace. Spokesperson Seth Kursman says in the past the group has twisted the truth about them. Kursman is reacting to Greenpeace speaking about their company's environmental practices at the annual general meeting today.

Rickford Speaks With Resolute

Celebrating the work Resolute Forest Products has done in Northwestern Ontario. Kenora MP Greg Rickford attended the company's Annual General Meeting this week, where he offered comments on how important their developments play in this district. Rickford says while the forest industry has taken a hit, the towns and communities in the Kenora riding are benefiting from developments that Resolute is making, such as the mill in Ignace that's set to open.

CAA Asks What Roads Are The Worst

Representatives of the Canadian Automobile Association are promoting voting for their Ontario Worst Road Campaign. Spokesperson Korey Kennedy is asking residents to vote on local roads. Kennedy points out that 90% of the roads that make the Top 20 Province-wide, have either been repaired or are slated to be repaired.

Stabbing At Shelter House

A 21 year old man is charged in an assault in the City's south core.  Police were called to the Shelter House on George Street to investigate the stabbing of a 27 year old man.   The victim told police he was approached around 11 o'clock last night by three men and was chased into the Shelter House entrance way where he was stabbed.  Police are charging a 21 year old with assault with a weapon.

Greenpeace To Speak At Resolute AGM

The environmental group Greenpeace will be in Thunder Bay today taking in the Resolute Forest Products annual general meeting.  Greenpeace says the forest company's logging operations aren't as sustainable as they claim to be.  Spokesperson Shane Moffatt says their promises fall flat.  Moffatt will tell shareholders today about the company's logging practices that endanger caribou habitat.

Volunteers To Be Honoured

Over 200 people from Thunder Bay and the region are being honoured by the province tonight for their volunteer work.  The Volunteer Service Award will be given to those with anywhere from 5 to 50 years of service.   The ceremony is taking place at the Valhalla Inn starting at 7 o'clock.