Christmas Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public's support in finding a caucasian male who is believed to be involved in the robbery of an Arthur Street Mac's Milk Christmas Day. He is approximately six feet tall, was wearing a blue/grey DC sweater and had tan gloves on. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers or Thunder Bay Police.

Labour Negotiations Across NWO

20 local personal support workers with the Red Cross Care program head back to work today. Their union the SEIU announced that the strike was over on their website Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, more labour unrest in the region....Unifor is applying for conciliation this week after talks with Dryden's Revera Home Health Care broke down on Monday. The health care workers last contract expired June 1st and the two sides met numerous times since October in an attempt to reach a new Collective Agreement covering the 35 Personal Support Workers. Unifor will also resume conciliated talks with Revera in mid-January for over 25 office and client services staff based in Thunder Bay who are seeking their first contract.

Stabbing At Mall

A 19 year old man is recovering from two stab wounds to the leg after an incident at the Intercity Mall yesterday afternoon.  Police received the call about an altercation that occurred in the mall between a group of young people.  Officers found two accused males in the parking lot of the CLE grounds a short time later, both individuals are facing several charges.

Budget Meeting Coming To T.Bay

Northwestern Ontario residents will get their opportunity to provide input into the provincial budget. A legislative committee plans to hold a pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay in the middle of next month. Those wishing to make a presentation, must contact the clerk of the committee by January 9th.

Campbell Opposed To Gas Tax Increase

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is strongly opposing a provincial plan to raise the gas tax to 10-cents to pay for public transportation expansion in southern Ontario. Campbell notes the move would be a slap in the face to northerners. Campbell says the extra 8-cents a litre that the province has charged since the implementation of the HST should be going to public transportation across the province.

Levesque Talks Courthouse Funding Issues

Thunder Bay's Police Chief JP Levesque is going to be bringing a 36.5 million dollar budget to City Council in the New Year.  Levesque says one of the issues they continue to struggle with is a need for more funding for officers posted to the new court house.  They currently receive 522-thousand dollars for the positions but it costs over a million dollars to provide that security.  Levesque says they'll continue to ask the Province for a bigger share in funding.

ROF Priority For Gravelle

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is reflecting on 2013. Gravelle says he understands that Cliff's announcement that they were ceasing their work on the mining project will be one of the biggest events in 2013. He feels the development isn't dead in the water and will move forward in 2013.

Hyer Reflects On 2013

There's no doubt in MP Bruce Hyer's mind what the highlight of 2013 has been. Hyer says as the year winds down it's his health issues which stand out. Hyer says his move to the Green Party is the other highlight from this year.

Police Look For Suspect In Stabbing

Thunder Bay Police had a violent Christmas night to deal with. They responded to a stabbing at just after 9:15 at the Royal Edward Arms on May Street.  They say the accused had run off just before  officers arrived.. A 21 year old Thunder Bay man was taken to Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre with non-life threatening injuries where he was treated and released.  They say this appears to be an isolated event, at this time Police are currently seeking a 29 year old Thunder Bay man in relation to this stabbing.

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.