Thursday, October 4, 2012

RCMP Identify Body

RCMP have confirmed that a body found in the woods of Geraldton is a man who was facing charges of alleged confinement of a 16-year-old Nova Scotia boy. Police say Wayne Cunningham's body was found near Long Lac at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. OPP found the remains of the 31-year-old near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra he was believed to have travelled in. Cunningham had faced charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement after a boy alleged he was held captive by two men at a home last month. Police say the cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

Tina P Gets Cut

A former Thunder Bay resident competing in the Bachelor Canada has got the axe.  The 26 year old trial lawyer known only as Tina P didn't survive the show's first rose ceremony.  Tina says in her blog post on the Bachelor Canada website that she feels she was meant to go on the show, but unfortunately didn't meet her future husband.

Name Change

The City's Facilities and Fleet Department is adding transit to its name so it's now called Facilities, Fleet and Transit Services. Manager Michael Smith says the change is only on paper and doesn't affect jobs or save any money.   Smith says the change was needed to make it clear which department transit falls under.

Di Matteo Part Of The Fraser Institute

Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo is joining the ranks of senior fellows at the Fraser Institute for his research in health care spending and public finance.  This means Di Matteo can participate in research projects with assistance from the Fraser Institute.  Di Matteo is contributing one of three essays to the Institute’s series examining the state of Ontario's debt.

S.L. Flyers Take A Break

A sad day for junior hockey fans in Sioux Lookout. The Flyers have announced the suspension of hockey operations for the 2012-2013 season. President Mitch Wills says they are in a position where they are unable to continue in a competitive and professional manner. Wills says the Flyers have worked with their players to ensure they secure spots on other teams. Will adds they will take a year off to restructure. The Flyers were 0-3 this season, with 4-goals for and 23-against. The Superior International Junior Hockey League hasn't commented on the announcement.

ONWA Hosts Sisters In Spirit Vigil

The Ontario Native Women's Association is hosting a Sisters In Spirit Vigil today.  It's in honour of the 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.  Spokesperson Maryanne Matthews says Northwestern Ontario women are at risk of abuse because of our remoteness.  The group is asking the Federal Government to form a national inquiry into those who are missing or who were killed.

City Staff Kick Off United Way Fundraiser

City employees, Social Services Administration Board employees, and members of the Superior North EMS are helping to raise money for the United Way. They held their fundraising kick off Thursday. This year's goal is just over 187-thousand dollars. Tbaytel hopes to kick in another 45-thousand.

More $ell Service

There's an increase in competition for your cell service. Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile, and Teleco have all set up shop in the Intercity Mall. Bell has a new store, while Virgin Mobile has a kiosk. Bell spokesperson Claire Gillies says it's part of company plans to make a move into Northwestern Ontario.


New Phone Options  on PhotoPeach

Fundraising Deadline Extended

The deadline for the city's Disaster Relief fundraising has been extended to January 31. Committee Co-Chair Wayne Fletcher says it's because they realized that processing the claims would take longer than expected so they thought it would only make sense to extend the deadline.  The deadline to submit claims to the city for flood damage is still the end of his month.

Student Faces Charges

A 19 year old Westgate High School student remains in custody facing a number of charges.  Police say they arrested him Tuesday after reports a student had taken an axe to school and was making threats.  The 19 year year old now faces charges of possession of a weapon and three counts of assault with a weapon relating to threats made to other students.

Save Our Lighthouses

The fate of 10 local lighthouses is up in the air.  Diane Berube is championing a "Save Our Lighthouses" campaign and says pretty much every lighthouse in the area has been put on the Federal Government's surplus list.  Berube says any lighthouses that are in poor shape and on the surplus list could be removed or sold to anyone interested.  Some of the lighthouses in question include, Welcome, Thunder Bay Main, Angus, Trowbridge, #10, Battle, Slate and Lamb.  An information session is being held at the Waverley Library at 7 pm on October 11th.

Body Of Wayne Cunningham Believed To Be Found

The RCMP believe they've found the body of the lone remaining suspect in a sexual assault and forcible confinement case in Nova Scotia. OPP discovered the body of a 30-year-old man near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra that had been recovered on a logging road in Northern Ontario.  RCMP Sgt. Alain Leblanc says the body has yet to be positively identified as 31 year old Wayne Alan Cunningham. Leblanc says foul play is not suspected and a postmortem exam is taking place in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, RCMP say the 47 year-old man remains in hospital under police custody, but cannot yet be returned to Nova Scotia for medical reasons.


Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

A suspect in an armed robbery at a Shell gas station on West Arthur Street earlier this week is now behind bars. City police picked up a man last night on Highway 130 just before midnight after releasing images to the media of a man they believed was responsible for the Tuesday afternoon robbery. The arrest was made without incident. Police now say the man will make an appearance in video court today.

TBaytel Takes Over Mobility In Dryden

The City of Dryden has approved the sale of Dryden Mobility and DMTS. Council unanimously voted at last night's open meeting that TBaytel will take over mobility and DMTS services will go to Bell Alliant. Mayor Craig Nuttall says the equipment for Bell Alliant is already in place. TBaytel will claim full ownership of mobility services by October 22 and Bell will take over landline and internet services on January 1st.

Thunderwolves Take On Wesmen

The Lakehead Thunderwolves men's basketball team begins a special 2 game series against the Winnipeg Wesmen starting tonight at the L.U. Thunderdome. Tip-off is set for 7:00 o'clock. The men's team is coming off a convincing 2-game sweep of Brandon last week in front of a raucous crowd at the Thunderdome.