Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Passengers stranded in White River for 14 hours

Greyhound passengers are upset with the company after being stranded in White River for over 14 hours on Sunday. Thunder Bay resident and passenger Elaine Legarde describes the situation as abuse. She says they didn't receive any information from Greyhound itself, and notes she received updates by chasing down OPP officers and talking to locals. Some passengers are considering a lawsuit. Greyhound is vowing to review its protocols.

Gravelle provides an update

A Thunder Bay office for the Ring of Fire should be open by February or March.  Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle provided the update on Tuesday.  Gravelle adds he'll be creating an advisory council that will include aboriginal stakeholders, the mining industry and post secondary institutions.  The aboriginal consultation stakeholder Director will be announced in February or March as well.

Charlton in court

Three days have been set aside for the Superior Court Case of a Thunder Bay man.  Thomas Charlton is charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.  The charges stem from an accident two years ago that claimed the life of a 14 year old boy.

Ramped up Festive RIDE program comes to an end

The Festive RIDE campaign has come to an end and almost 24 thousand vehicles were stopped in the Thunder Bay area. OPP Sergeant Dave Bell says its disappointing to see people still drinking and driving.  Bell says between the OPP and Thunder Bay police 17 people were charged with impaired driving. 

School Bus Accident update

Charges have been laid in connection with yesterday's bus accident.  Thunder Bay Police Traffic Sergeant Glen Porter says one man was charged. The incident involved a stopped bus at the intersection of River and Algoma.  Porter says the driver of the vehicle which rear ended the bus is charged with careless driving.

Cold weather with us for a while

2010's weather turned out to be mild compared to normals for the region. Thunder Bay's average temperature for the year was the warmest it's been in 10 years. Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says unfortunately the New Year isn't going to be warm. The wind chill will make temperatures around minus 30.

Busy RIDE Program

It was a busy holiday season for Thunder Bay police.  Over 17-thousand vehicles were checked with 10 people being charged with impaired driving.  6 people received 3 day licence suspensions and one person was nabbed for driving under the influence of a drug.  More people were checked and charged in 2010 than the previous year.

RCMP charge Dryden men

The RCMP have charged 2-Dryden men in relation to last month's weapons seizure.  RCMP say 71-year-old Robert McGillivray faces a total of 66-charges including unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and possessing a prohibited weapon for the purpose of trafficking.  70-year-old Roger Nordlund faces 1-count of possessing a prohibited weapon for the purpose of trafficking.  The two were arrested at a gun show in Brandon, Manitoba, where police seized several illegal and improperly registered knives and guns.  Dryden Police laid 11-charges against McGillivray in an investigation and search of a Park Crescent home.  A total of 150-weapons were seized in Dryden and Brandon.

Baby Boomers at risk of getting Alzheimers

Baby boomers turn 65 this year, and according to the Alzheimer Society they're not ready to fight against the disease. Alzheimer's Society Spokesperson Jason Rasevych says over half of Thunder Bay's population is at risk. Rasevych encourages people to visit their office or website for information on the early warning signs of the disease.  January is Alzheimer Awareness Month.

Ring of Fire update on the way

We'll know more about a local office for the Ring of Fire later today.  Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is in town today to provide an update on the mining project.  In early December it was announced that an office was to be opened and staffed starting this month.

Stolen vehicle lands 4 in jail

Thunder Bay police arrested 4 people this morning after a short car chase.  Officers spotted a car just before 3 o'clock and found that it had been reported stolen.  Officers signaled the car to pull over but the driver kept driving.  After following the car for a few blocks the car stopped and the driver fled on foot.  Officers managed to arrest the 36 year old Thunder Bay man and also arrested 3 women who were in the vehicle.  The driver is charged with possession of stolen property and driving while disqualified.