Early Morning Accident On High Street

One person is recovering in hospital following a two vehicle accident this morning on the city's north side.  The woman was taken to hospital with injuries than are not considered life threatening following the collision between a car and an SUV which took place at the corner of Oliver Road and High Street just before 8:30.   Driver of the SUV is now charged with running a red light.

Mi-Zone Launched

Confederation College and the Northwest Innovation Centre are launching a new manufacturing program today.  It's called Mi-Zone and Innovation Centre Spokesperson Judy Sander says plenty of company will be using it. The college is providing the manufacturing equipment that's needed to help build products for local businesses.

Today Is Elimination Of Racial Discrimination Day

Today marks the internationally recognized Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day. The Ontario Native Women's Association is bringing attention to the discrimination they say still runs rampant among the country's Aboriginal populations. ONWA Board of Directors President Dr. Dawn Harvard says derogatory actions towards Aboriginals can result in significant psychological effects on children. ONWA is calling on Canadians to recognize that Aboriginal discrimination has become entrenched in Canadian culture. They are asking Canadians to help put an end to the issue by no longer turning a blind eye to racism.

Kenora Has Culture

An entertainment co-ordinator in Kenora calls a recent cites journal.com report cynical.  Harbourfest Chair Randy Nickle is commenting on the report that says Kenora has no culture.  Nickle says the report ignores the work of volunteers in the city.  Nickle used Harbourfest, Trylight Theatre, the Lake of the Woods Art Collective, and Winter Bites as examples of culture in they city. The report ranked Kenora as one of the top 15 Canadian communities to move out of.

Chicken Strip Recall

A possible food contamination is causing a product recall across Canada.  Fresh House Foods Limited is recalling Kirkland Signature brand Grilled Chicken Breast Strips from stores due to a possible listeria contamination. People are asked not to consume the product.  The product is known to have been sold in Ontario and Eastern Canada, but may have been sold in other provinces.

New Doctor At Hospital

The Thunder Bay Hospital is announcing a new addition to their medical staff. Dr. Naana Jumah (Na-na Joo-Mah) is a Clinician Researcher who studied at Oxford University and Harvard University and is originally from the city. Jumah says she has a passion for working with aboriginal populations, something that started at a young age when working with youth that came to the city.  Jumah will also help further develop the hospital's High Intensity Focused Ultrasound program.

T.Bay Spared From Snow Storm

Area residents can breath a sigh of relief today as an Alberta Clipper has decided to head south. Environment Canada Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says that means Fort Frances will have to prepare for some heavy shovelling with around 15 centimeters expected.  Coulson says Thunder Bay can still expect 5 centimeters of snow today, but for the most part it will be cold and windy heading into the weekend.

Loblaws/Shoppers Deal Approved

The Competition Bureau is approving Loblaw's acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.  The deal is expected to close as of next Friday.  As a result of the deal Loblaws is selling 18 Shoppers Drug Mart stores around the Country.  Thunder Bay isn't on the list.

Volunteers To Be Honoured In Kenora

The region's volunteers will be honoured at a ceremony planned for Kenora this May.  The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards will be handed out to volunteers for continuous service to an organization of between 5 and 60 years.  Youth will also be recognized for two or more years of volunteer service. The Kenora event will take place May 27.

Chamber Makes Scholarships Available

The Chamber of Commerce is giving out two 500 dollar scholarships to local high school students. Applications are being accepted from students planning to attend a business related program at a Thunder Bay post-secondary institution for the 2014-15 school year.  The application deadline is April 16th.

Local Beekeeper Comments On Report

Premier Kathleen Wynne is thanking the Ontario Bee Health Working Group for their report into the risk honey bees face from pesticide use.  Wynne adds that the province is working with the Federal Government when it comes to the use of pesticides.  Barry Tabor says 1.2-million dollars in funding from the province is a good start.  Tabor says he would of liked to see more attention given to bee keepers instead of growers, in the bee health working group's report.

Investigators Back From Ottawa

Investigators with the Thunder Bay Police and RCMP are returning from Ottawa after conducting interviews with staff and players with the University of Ottawa hockey program.  According to a release from city police the majority of players cooperated with investigators however a few chose not to speak.  The investigation continues into an alleged sexual assault that took place when the hockey team was in Thunder Bay for a pair of weekend games early February.

Hernandez Verdict May 13th

It will be another month and a half before Christian Hernandez learns his fate.  The 28 year old is charged in connection with the 2010 traffic death of 45 year old Richard Carmichael, who was a pedestrian crossing the street.  He faces two impaired driving related charges along with failing to remain at the scene of an accident where death has ensued.  After hearing closing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, Justice Joyce Pelletier will hand down her verdict in the case May 13th.

Anishinabek Nation Comments On Education Act

 

Chiefs with the Anishinabek Nation believe proposed education legislation from the Federal Government will render 18-years of negotiations useless.  Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee says that the legislation does not translate to first nation control over their own education.

Municipal League Meeting In Schreiber

Municipal League President
Larry Hebert

Municipal leaders from across the district are meeting in Schreiber this week.  The conference starts Friday morning and runs through the weekend with a variety of issues being discussed. Policing, Crown land policies, poverty, and nuclear waste are up for debate.

New Courthouse Opening Soon

We are getting closer to seeing the new consolidated courthouse open.  A spokesperson from the Attorney General's office says the Superior Court of Justice will be operational at the new building starting April 7th. The Ontario Court of Justice will be operating out of that building as well a week later on April 14th.

Stroke Forum On This Week

Health care providers from across the Northwest are in Thunder Bay this week for the Regional Stroke Forum.  Regional Stroke Educator Elaine Edwards says the region sees a number of stroke cases. Area doctors will learn from the leading stroke neurologists over the next two days. 

Trudeau Skypes With Dryden Kids

An experience that Dryden's New Prospect's Grade 5 class will never forget.  Yesterday the class skyped with Justin Trudeau and asked him 24 questions.  Teacher Mary Trist says the students may not have known who the Liberal Leader was at first but after a mock parliament they clued in. The skype session went on for a half hour.

Tbaytel Fixes Problems

Tbaytel is announcing that technical issues with their voicemail service have been sorted out and service is back to normal.  Users were unable to access their voicemail this morning but spokesperson Katie Crowe says if you were expecting an important message you will still get it. A change in software was required to fix the issue.

Bluesfest Lineup Announced

The 2014 Bluesfest lineup is out.   Among the headliners coming to Thunder Bay this summer, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Vaughn and the Wallflowers.   Community Auditorium General Manager Bob Halverson says there's several bands people should be excited to see.  Bluesfest takes place at Marina Park July 4th to the 6th.  Tickets go on sale tomorrow at the Community Auditorium.