Nipigon Bridge Construction Starting

It's going to be the first of its kind in Ontario.    The provincial government has announced the work on the new Nipigon River Bridge will start this month and be completed in 2017.   The 106 million dollar contract is going to Bot Construction.  The bridge will be unique on the provincial highway system because of its cable supports.

Teddy Is The Star

Another successful Teddy Bears Picnic.   Hundreds of children and their parents enjoyed an afternoon of music, games and food at Vicker's Park.   The annual children's event is put on by the city.

Man Seriously Injured

Thunder Bay Police say a 47 year old man is in hospital after being seriously injured last night on Fort William Road.  He was assaulted in an outdoor area which is known for the use of intoxicating substances by transients.  Police are trying to determine the cause of the man's injuries.

Boshcoff Wants T.Bay Included In Report Card

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff feels the City will ace the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Municipal Report Card if the City is included next year.  The CTF left the Thunder Bay off this year's report on Municipal finances.  Boshcoff says that doesn't surprise him since most organizations have a big city mentality when they compile lists.  Boshcoff says the City's finances are in good shape thanks to the City Lean program.

Rally Planned For Treaty Three Police

First Nation communities are rallying around the Treaty 3 Police Service.  The force has announced it will cease August 19 because of financial issues.  Public Service Alliance of Canada's Sharon DeSousa says they were shocked by the decision.  Petitions to keep the force alive are now circulating among communities effected with a rally planned in Kenora July 23.

More Info Collected At Border

Some of the information gathered from travelers at Northwestern Ontario's border crossings is now being shared.  It's part of an initiative between the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Program director Andrew Lawrence says it expands on a pilot program.  Lawrence says data collected is already contained in documents such as a passport.

Day Of Peace

Today Thunder Bay is celebrating peace around the world by ringing the bell at City Hall.  City councillor Aldo Ruberto says the peace bell concept originated with the government of  Japan and as such, our sister city relationship with Gifu, Japan plays an important role in the ceremony.  The bell ringing takes place at 11:40 this morning.

Transit Gets Gas Tax Money

The Provincial Government is doling out 2 million dollars to the City in the latest installment of money collected from the gas tax.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says the City needs that cash to keep transit up to date.  To date 16 million dollars has been provided to the City through the Provincial Gas Tax fund.

CMHC June Housing Starts

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is out with its housing start figures for the month of June.  Thunder Bay saw 44 starts last month up from 41 the year before.  In total 128 new starts are being reported so far this year which is a jump from 87 at this time last year.

City Hears Options

City Council is preparing for it's upcoming battle with Resolute Forest Products over the company's decision to appeal their property tax assessment with the Municipal Property Corporation.  A special closed door session meeting of Council was held last night to discuss the City's options going forward.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they're getting a game plan together.  Resolute wants to have their assessment dramatically lowered from 72 million.

City "Entrepreneur" Dies At 53

Thunder bay businessman Don Wing is dead.   His wife Gwen Dubois Wing confirms that he died suddenly this morning.   Funeral arrangements are pending.    Dubois Wing says while her husband was well involved in the construction industry, he was also part of the city hospital foundation and airport authority boards and was an all around entrepreneur.  Don Wing, dead at the age of 53.

Bear Spray Sprayed In Hotel Room

The suspect had his face covered and fled the scene.  No one was seriously injured.  Anyone with information should contact police or Crime Stoppers.  City Police are reporting a strange incident that happened at the Shoreline Motor Hotel Sunday.  A man entered a hotel room and sprayed bear spray.  4 men and one woman was in the room at the time.

Bluesfest A Success

The organizers of Bluesfest are deeming the three day music festival a success.  Organizer Trevor Hurtig says they don't have final attendance numbers but says it looks good.  Hurtig says they're already starting to plan for next year's event.

CLE Returns

The organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition are again expecting big crowds for the annual fair.  Chair Ralph Scharf  says for entertainment they have everything from Shy-Anne Hovorka to Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute bands.   On the midway there's a new ride for the adventurous called Typhoon.  He says attendance normally hovers around the 60 thousand for the five day event which begins August 7th.

Teddy Bear Picnic Back

Thunder Bay's Teddy Bear Picnic is going into its 30th year.  The afternoon event is taking place from noon until 3 at Vickers Park tomorrow.  This year's entertainment includes Rodney Brown and the Grumpy Grampas.

Con College Enrollment Looking Good

Confederation College is looking forward to higher enrollment numbers this fall.  President Jim Madder says early enrollment confirmation numbers are up 5 percent.  He adds there are a number of courses that could see an increase in applications.  Madder notes the health care courses are also very popular with some already full.

Assault At Campground

A man and a woman will be in bail court today after a weekend incident at Trowbridge Falls Campground.  Police say two sisters in their 20s were assaulted while camping on the weekend.  The man faces an assault charge while the woman was charged with two counts of assault.

Dilico Workers Striking

350 Dilico Anishinabek Family Care workers are on strike.  They walked off the job just after 8 this morning and are picketing the Dilico office on Anemki Drive.  Marvin Pupeza of Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union says they have a number of issues with the employer.  The workers have been without a new contract for over a year.

Taxi Meeting Up In The Air

Thunder Bay's Police Services Board, the City and local Police are hoping to sit down soon and work out a solution to who will govern the taxi service.  Police Chief JP Levesque says meetings will be held but he's not sure when since summer is keeping people busy.  Police Board Chair Joe Virdiramo wants a decision to be made on the taxi matter by September.

Treasure Hunt Across NWO

Parks Canada wants to make the best out of your road trip across Northwestern Ontario.  They have launched their "Heritage Hide'n'Seek Geotour", which guides folks to various locations to learn more about the people and events that helped shape this country.  Communications Officer Nancy Saunders says it covers a wide area from Algonquin Park all the way to the Manitoba border.  All you need to to take part is a GPS or smart phone!