Ornge Heli Out of Service

An Ornge Helicopter that struck some trees just south of Kakabeka Falls this past weekend continues to be worked on. Ornge Spokesperson Steve Robinson says nothing will be left to chance. Robinson adds that its still too early to tell when the helicopter will be ready for use.

Mac's Christmas Robbery

This morning at 01:11 am Thunder Bay Police responded to a robbery at the Mac's Mart located at 745 Simpson St. An investigation revealed that a lone man had entered the store armed with a knife demanding money from the cashier. He then fled in a small blue four door car with an undisclosed amount of money. The clerk was not injured.

Charges Laid In November Auto Pedestrian Collision

Police are also charging a driver in a November auto-pedestrian collision on Robertson Street. Sgt. Glenn Porter says a 26 year old man was jay walking across the street. The pedestrian remains in hospital with serious injuries and for that reason a charge has yet to be laid. The driver of the vehicle has been charged with driving a vehicle without a clear view to the front of the vehicle.

Bus Driver Charged

Police are charging a City Transit driver with careless driving in connection with an auto pedestrian collision that occurred on Algoma Street on December 12th. Audrey Kahkonen was crossing Algoma St at the intersection of Waverley St when she was struck by a southbound bus. She remains in hospital in serious condition.

EC Calls For Snow For Christmas

It looks like the weather will be cooperative for Christmas. Environment Canada Meteorologist Marieve Giguere says an Alberta Clipper will hit the region just in time bringing some snow. Giguere adds that temperatures are expected to cool off after the holiday season.

Hobbs Calls For Help For Operation Smile

Mayor Keith Hobbs and Thunder Bay's Miss Universe Finalist Nerissa McRury, are raising local awareness for Operation Smile. The program provides free medical assistance for children with dental issues or facial deformities. Hobbs says you can help support the program by purchasing a Charmed Children's Charity Calender.

OPP Warn About Scam

The OPP's Anti-Rackets Branch is warning people of a new computer threat being used to scam people out of their money. "Ransomware" is popping up on screens across Ontario and falsely accusing users of accessing child pornography or other file-sharing sites, they then inform the user that their computer has been locked and need to pay a fee to access it again. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received over twenty-eight hundred reports from people receiving these pop up messages.

NOVA Awards Going On 2nd Year

The Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards are going to be held January 18th.  Shift, Thunder Bay's Young Professional Network is one of the organizations behind the awards and Spokesperson Keith Anderson says he's pleased they've had 72 nominations. The NOVA top 20 under 40 celebrates area residents who have accomplished great things in their community.

Christmas Memories

It's Christmas time and we've asked several prominent Thunder Bay figures about their favourite Christmas memories. Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says most of his fond Christmas memories revolve around his family but notes this year is going to be really special since he's finished his cancer treatments. Gravelle says he gets a kick out of his family members and friends feeling his new hair after going through cancer treatments. Meanwhile, Lakehead Public School Board Director of Education Catherine Siemieniuk says her memories revolve around her Mother who was a teacher at Murillo's school house number 4. Semineuk says it was extra special to receive a Christmas orange during the celebrations at the school.

Tip Lines Seeing More Action

The city's Crime Stoppers program is getting more calls this year than they have in the past decade. Crime Stoppers Coordinator Jason Disher says people are using all mediums to report incidents including e-mail and text message. There have been 839 tips this year. January marks Crime Stopper Prevention Month.

Different Drug Charge

OPP are correcting some of the charges they announced against a Longlac man and woman. Last week they charged the 27 year old and 38 year old with a variety of drug related offences but are now changing one of the charges for both individuals to trafficking meth. The two have since been released with conditions.

Lawyer Talks Road Conditions

A Toronto lawyer says governments have a legal duty to keep the roads under their jurisdiction in a reasonable state of repair. Troy Lehman says the number of cases heading to court over poor roads in the winter is increasing. In some cases, it's about monitoring the roadways. Lehman warns any lawsuit must show road conditions played a part in an accident and that the governments responsible failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the hazardous condition.

Hyer's Fave Christmas Memory

It's the holidays and we've been speaking to prominent local residents about what their fondest Christmas memories are. For Green Party MP Bruce Hyer its the Christmas Eve in 1975 when he had just arrived as a new Canadian immigrant. Hyer says as a result, that Christmas Eve was spent with a couple whose daughter, just hours before, gave birth to a baby in a cabin by the railroad tracks.

NOMA Wants More Say

Northwestern Ontario needs more of a say on it's future development. That's the feeling of the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal
Association. Dave Canfield says he'd like to see this region have more autonomy and less influence from Queen's Park. Canfield says ideally this region should have more control over infrastructure and training as it pertains to industries such as mining and forestry.

Health Care Reception Today

The City is playing host to over 100 health care professionals and students at a special reception today at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.  Organizer Cheryl Armstrong says they want to make a good impression on health care students home for the holidays.  Armstrong adds the reception is a chance for the professionals and the students to mingle and talk about working in Thunder Bay.

Costarter Announces Grants

Five technology companies are receiving fifteen-thousand dollar investments from Co-starter. The Co-starter Program is the regions first of its kind and helps companies with start up costs. The five will work from January to March at the Innovation Centre at the Confederation College campus.

Warning For Snowmobilers

The OPP and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are reminding snow machine enthusiasts to use caution when out on frozen bodies of water. The groups say that with some areas freezing faster then usual riders may be given the impression that all lakes are safe to ride on. The OPP suggest riders carry ice picks and wear buoyant snowmobile suits if they do cross over ice.

City's Snow Removal More Than Expected

This years snow removal budget is reportedly operating at a 700-thousand dollars overage. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says although the difference is significant, predicting what a snow removal budget should be is almost as difficult as predicting the weather. Johnson adds that if this figure does throw the budget off as a whole the city may need to dip into its reserves.

Experience Magazine

The city is releasing their 2014 on-line and print Experience Magazine outlining the spots to be in Thunder Bay. Paul Pepe is Manager of Tourism and says the magazine remains the top resource guide for tourists and locals. Online versions can be downloaded at www.visitthunderbay.com

Flight Issues

The ice storm currently hitting Southern Ontario is taking a toll on incoming and outgoing flights to/from the region. Roughly a dozen flights are being affected at the Thunder Bay Airport with nearly all flights to Toronto experiencing delays. Porter's 5:00 flight to the Billy Bishop airport in Toronto has been cancelled.