Friday, March 11, 2011

Local man says aftershocks continue in Japan

A Thunder Bay man who works in Tokyo, Japan says the first night of sleep after the big earthquake wasn't too good. Tyler Ried says he was kept awake throughout the night.  He says ever since the 8.9 quake there have been numerous aftershocks.  He says many were quite large with his building shaking and doors and windows moving in their panes. Reid says when the quake broke out he was working at his office.  He says he doesn't know how he will get around since the train system in the big city has been shut down.

Plant site of Monday announcement

Next week looks to be starting off on a positive note for the local Bombardier plan.   A political insider tells our newsroom that there will be a big announcement being made on Monday morning.    Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle will be on hand and so will MPP Bill Mauro along with the Vice-President of the company.

T-Wolves lose quarterfinal to Trinity Western

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves men's baskeball team managed to narrow the gap to 6 points in the final two minutes at the national championships today.   However they lost the quarterfinal match to Trinity Western 82-74 in Halifax this afternoon.

Red Rock eyes nuclear storage

The Mayor of Red Rock is excited about the potential of new opportunity. Gary Nelson says his community is exploring the possibility of become the site of a nuclear waste storage facility. Nelson says it would be a big boost for his economically starved town. He says it will create a lot of employment and get people back to work. Nelson says public meetings will be held to explain the concept and what it would mean

Local lab expands with tax dollars

A Thunder Bay company is a million dollars richer thanks to your tax dollars. Activation Labs is getting the money from the provincial government for it's new building on Walsh Street. Primarily the company provides lab services for mining companies. President Eric Hoffman says the expansion is a direct result of the Ring of Fire development. The company will purchase new tech equipment in Thunder Bay and also build new lab facilities in Timmins and Red lake.

Seismic activity not on the rise according to LU Professor

It may seem like earthquake activity is on the rise, but according to a Lakehead University Geologist that isn't the case. Doctor Phil Fralick says when big events happen, media starts reporting other minor and often very common minor events, when normally the minor events are ignored. Fralick says even an earthquake the size of the Japanese quake isn't that uncommon with 4 in the past 40 years.  

Thunder Bay woman's parents caught in quake

With the death toll in Japan rising at least one Thunder Bay resident is hoping her parents are safe and sound. Hiroko Bekki-Moller's parents live near the heavily hit area near Sendai.  She says she has tried calling and sent e-mails, but phone lines are out and for now she has to wait and hope.  There has been more than 50 aftershocks many registering higher than magnitude 7.

St Patrick students suspended

A group of students at St Patrick High School were sent home after sporting pro choice stickers.  The students were protesting a pro life event at the school and were sent home yesterday when they refused to remove the choice stickers taped to their shirts.  Reports say 35 students were given 2 day suspensions for wearing the green tape.

Schaeffer inquest to wrap up

The Levi Schaeffer Inquest is set to wrap up today.  The Peterborough man was shot by OPP in 2009 after allegedly pulling a knife on officers who were investigating a stolen boat at Osnaburgh Lake.  Schaeffer's mother Ruth took the stand yesterday and said he was diagnosed with a personality disorder.  Constable Chris Wood fired the shots that killed Schaeffer and says he had no other choice.

Judicial inquiry ordered into local jury rolls

The top court in the province, the Court of Appeal,  is ordering a judicial inquiry into how juries are selected in Thunder Bay.  Specifically,  why First Nations don't have a chance of being part of a jury.  It was all sparked by a complaint when it was discovered that aboriginal people were not represented in two coroners inquests that involved the deaths of two native people.   The first was the jailhouse death of Jacy Pierre, a 27-year-old who died of an overdose and the death of 15 year old Reggie Bushie.