City Hosts Fun Day At Chippewa

Chippewa Park is a buzz with people today during Family Fun Day. With events and entertainment organizers are hoping to draw those people who rarely or never go to the city owned park.   Organizer Bonnie Shipston says they'll be offering an educational scavenger hunt.  There is also a vintage car display and free cake. Shipston says it's great to see new families taking part and learning about the park.

Dogs Killed In Hit And Run

Thunder Bay police are asking for your help in solving a hit and run that resulted in the death of two dogs.   A 17 year old girl was walking the Labs on Poleline Road on Thursday afternoon when she says a green pick up truck drove by an hit the dogs who died at the scene.   The driver of the truck drove away without stopping.

Groups Get EA Grants

The Federal government is allocating more than 126-thousand dollars to four groups to allow them to participate in an environmental assessment of the proposed Goliath Gold project in the Wabigoon area.
Eagle Lake First Nation is getting more than 41-thousand dollars, while the Metis Nation of Ontario is welcoming 40-grand. The Aboriginal People of Wabigoon is seeing nearly 35-thousand dollars.
Wabauskang First Nation has received more than 10-thousand dollars.

Swimming Safe At Boulevard Again

Just in time for the weekend health officials are lifting the swimming advisory for Boulevard Lake.   It was imposed earlier this week after high e-coli bacteria levels were discovered.  However subsequent testing has shown the levels are not a concern anymore at any of Boulevard's three beaches.

Kenora Officer To Stand Trial

A Kenora OPP officer will have to stand trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing death. Constable Troy Bender was charged by the Special Investigations Unit last fall after the cruiser he was driving collided with a semi tractor trailer unit at the intersection of the Redditt Road and the Kenora By-pass on September 23rd, 2012. A prisoner in the back of the cruiser, 42 year old Gloria Assin, was killed in the collision
So far, no trial date has been set.

TBPS Officer Charged With Assault

A Thunder Bay police officer is being charged by the Special Investigations Unit. In May, the OPP brought a man into Thunder Bay Police custody where the SIU says Constable Andrew Johnstone used subsequent force with him. Johnstone is facing one charge of Assault and will be in Ontario Court of Justice on August 20th. .Meanwhile, Thunder Bay Police say Johnstone is on desk duty and isn't suspended.  He's been with the Police force for 9 years.

Woman Dies After Tuesday Collision

One person is dead as the result of Tuesday afternoon's traffic accident at Brock and Ford.  City police say 80 year old Ellinor Christiansen was a passenger in one of the two vehicles involved in the mishap.  They say she died Thursday morning in hospital.  Police say so far no charges have been laid, but they haven't finished the investigation. 

MNR Crews Out Of Province

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending some of its fire crews out of province.  Twenty firefighters, along with support staff, are being dispatched to lend a hand in the Northwest Territories and Quebec.  There are 41 active fires in northwestern Ontario, the largest being an 11-thousand hectare blaze, 50 kilometres northwest of Red Lake.

Winnipeg Man Victim Of Fatality

OPP are releasing the name of the man who died in a collision on Highway 17 west of Ignace. 53 year old Cordell Majcher of Winnipeg was the driver of the pick up truck that hit a transport. Police are continuing to investigate the collision.

Treaty Three Speaks Out

The Treaty Three Police Service board has finally broken its silence surrounding its decision to close down the aboriginal police department.  A week after announcing the closure, the board has issued a press release saying government underfunding and not financial mismanagement were responsible for the decision.  The board says a number of factors played into their decision, including an arbitration ruling which gave the Treaty Three officer wage parity with the OPP.

Paxton Out On Bail

A 46 year old Thunder Bay man is due back in court next month on numerous sex related charges involving young boys.  Jeff Paxton is now free after a bail hearing in court yesterday.   Police say the charges stem from incidents that took place between 1983 and 2004.

March At Dilico Today

There's a move on to get both sides back to the bargaining table to end the strike at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.  Tannis Smith runs an Aboriginal counselling agency in the city and says the strike is hurting families in the region.  Smith is organizing a protest in front of the Dilico offices on the Fort William First Nation at 10:30 this morning. 

Good & Bad News For Bombardier Workers

It's a mix of good and bad news for the local Bombardier plant.  Waterloo has decided to purchase 14 light rail transit vehicles from the company at the cost of 92.4 million dollars.  However, CAW Union President Dominic Pasqualino says they also found out the Company is laying off 130 workers starting at the end of next week.  50 of the 130 employees laid off will be called back in the fall.

Reeve Says Little About Dorion Decision

Shuniah Reeve Maria Harding  is saying very little on the decision by Dorion not to amalgamate with her community.   Harding says since her council hasn't even had a chance to even discuss it seriously, it wouldn't be right to express her opinions on the issue.  Dorion officials have decided they will be able to run the township after all,  since  a hiring crisis has been averted.

Cross Canada Bike Ride For Alzheimer Society

 

Two brothers are riding their bikes across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver in 30 days.  It's all in support of raising awareness and money for the Alzheimer Society.  They'll be stopping in Thunder Bay today.

E-Charts Used By Nurses

Nursing staff in Northwestern Ontario will now be using electronic charts.  It's part of the the Northwest Health Alliance's paperless medical record program. It involves 13 hospitals in the region including the Health Sciences Centre.

Energy Meeting In August

A chance for leaders across the northwest to bring concerns about a looming energy shortage forward.  The provincial government has started 2-months of consultations on a long-term energy plan.  Local leaders have been warning for months about an energy crisis and the potential for rolling blackouts.  Members of the public, aboriginal leaders and municipal reps are encouraged to chip in their opinions through information sessions or by submitting comments through the Ministry of Energy's website. The only information session in the north is August 7th in Thunder Bay.

Citizen Tries To Save Treaty 3 Force

It appears some communication channels have been opened with the Chief of the Treaty 3 Police Force.  It's all thanks to a concerned citizen who is leading an independent crusade on the issue.    Tania Cameron says she's working to make sure that there is transparency between all of the parties involved with the planned closure of the force. She says she's had one meeting with Chief Conrad Delaronde.  Cameron is on a campaign to have the public more involved in efforts to save the Treaty 3 Police Force.

Lyme Disease In NWO

A bug expert is warning Northwestern Ontario residents about the threat of lyme disease.  Dr. Curtis Russell says people should cover up bare skin if they’re walking through bush or tall grass, to avoid ticks that cause Lyme Disease.   Russell says while these blacklegged ticks are most common in Eastern and Southwestern Ontario, they make their way north as well. Russell adds the Lyme-carrying ticks are highly prevalent as well in the northeastern United States.   

Port Says Grain Shipments Are Down

Thunder Bay's Port Authority says they're experiencing a slower than normal shipping season.  Grain shipments are down so far this year and Spokesperson Time Heney says it could be due to the changes to the Wheat Board.    Heney says it could also be due to the cooler spring and a late planting season.