Officials have re-opened Highway 17 from Raith to Goldie Township.
A collision caused that stretch of highway to shut down around 1 p.m.
The scene was cleared just before 4 p.m.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
Visit Ontario 511 for up-to-date details.
The OPP reports the Ministry of Transportation has re-opened Highway 17 from Dryden to Shabaqua.
Highway 622 from Ignace to Atikokan is open as well.
Check Ontario 511 for up-to-date details.
A snowfall warning remains in effect for a significant portion of the region including Thunder Bay, Ignace, and Atikokan with the heaviest of the snow expected to end Sunday morning.
Environment Canada is issuing a code yellow snowfall warning for Thunder Bay as heavy snow is in the forecast until early Sunday morning.
A total amount of 15-30 cm of snow is expected.
Visibility will be reduced, so allow extra time for travel. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
More details are available here. This is a developing story. Updates will be shared when available.
Happy Springtime everyone.
The Town of Fort Frances is declaring a Significant Weather Event as heavy snowfall is expected to continue throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning.
Town crews will be maintaining the roadways and walkways as required to keep residents as safe as possible.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Happy Springtime everyone.
Two members of the Thunder Bay Police Service are being recognized for exemplary work in the last year.
“Both of the recipients today were nominated by people in the building because of the outstanding work they’ve done,” Police Chief Darcy Fleury said at Thursday’s award ceremony. “We have a very difficult job. Having the organization recognize you is so important to people as they progress in their careers.”
Constable Joshua Pugh received the Lifesaving Award for acts of bravery and heroism for an event that occurred on December 24, 2025.
“It was a very, very traumatic event. What [Pugh] did that day went above and beyond the call of duty, and [he] showed what police officers are there to do,” Fleury said.
During that call, Pugh was shot at by an armed male who refused to comply with police commands. He returned fire and incapacitated the suspect before administering first aid immediately following the exchange.
“A call like that, by nature it could be very dangerous,” Pugh said. “So you’re thinking about keeping the public safe, keeping yourself safe and the other officers that are on the scene. Heading to the scene, you’re planning in your head what could happen, so you can try and be as prepared as you can when you get there.”
To Pugh, courage means doing the right thing even when you’re scared.
“It’s the reason I go to work every day,” he said.
Constable Ken Ogima received a Bravery Award for his work that day, but was not present at the award ceremony.
Fleet Manager Aaron Dowsell received an Innovation Award for saving the force over $500,000 in about two years of work by optimizing repair work for police vehicles in the garage.
“I was hired on and basically given full reins to the garage,” Dowsell said. “I didn’t do it for any kind of award. My job is just to come in and give 100% of what I can do.”
Dowsell’s biggest change was bringing maintenance and repair work in-house instead of outsourcing it elsewhere.
“It’s a trifold of benefits: it cuts costs rather than farming it out, we get discounts on the parts, and it brings the vehicles back into service way quicker,” he said.
A third individual who chose not to be named was recognized for his efforts in a fatal car crash on Highway 11/17. The officer and an off-duty paramedic attempted to pull a victim out of a burning vehicle, but were unsuccessful. The officer was able to pull the paramedic to safety as the fire intensified and the vehicle began to explode.
The Thunder Bay Public Library is celebrating the success of its third annual Library Giving Day.
TBPL passed their fundraising goal with over $11,000 in donations, a record year for the event.
All donations made on Library Giving Day yesterday were matched by local business partners Lowerys, Jones Insurance and Thunder Bay Truck Centre. The three companies contributed over $6,000 in total.
Funds will go towards expansion, renovations and new free programming for all ages.
“We’re investing in making all of our spaces bigger, more welcoming, more inclusive, and safe,” said TBPL Associate Director Meagan Ross.
The library had a 38% increase in attendance last year among children, and Ross says she expects another jump this year as well.
“Our demand is just completely outpacing what our current foundation can handle. We’re literally bursting at the seams. So this is going to go a long way, it’s really heartening to have the community support that we do,” she said.
Ross points to rising living costs and Thunder Bay’s harsh climate as reasons the library’s free, engaging programming is surging in popularity.
Among the renovations will be a transformation of the first floor of the Waverley library. About 12,000 square feet will be added to the space, which will be entirely devoted to a children and youth library. A STEM lab and extra programming spaces will be added to that location as well.
“People really showed up for the library on Library Giving Day, and that tells us something about how the city feels about the library. It’s a beloved public institution. We’re just so happy to feel that love and we can’t wait to show off our new spaces when they’re all ready for everybody,” Ross said.
The library is still accepting donations. Click here to contribute.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service protected and served the St. Pat’s seniors a loss on the basketball court Thursday afternoon.
St. Patrick’s senior girls team held it close in the first half, but the game slipped away when the senior boys subbed in for the second. The police won by 15.
The gym was buzzing as students got off class to fill the stands, with all proceeds from the $3 buy-in supporting the Special Olympics. Local Special Olympics athletes also played a game at halftime as well.
“It’s been a while [since I’ve played], but it was a lot of fun,” said TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury. “Everybody’s here to support the Special Olympics, it was a great crowd and it’s a really good feeling just being a part of it.”
The police vs. seniors match is an annual tradition, with the force facing a different school each year.
“It’s fantastic. Our seniors love it. Not too often do their whole peer group get to see them play, and they’re also playing the Thunder Bay police force,” said St. Pats Vice Principal Julie Beach. “Just a great way to end a short week with school bonding and raising money for an incredible cause.”
Michael Boyechko, police constable and chair of the TBPS Special Olympics Committee, was a main organizer of the event. He says the goal is to encourage young athletes and Special Olympians and communicate the core values of the police force.
“We see nothing but smiles, motivation from our service, and handshakes and laughs all around with the students and the Special Olympians,” Boyechko said.
The City of Thunder Bay is asking you to continue following posted calendar parking signs until the snow stops.
Even though official restrictions end in April, our snowy springtime calls for extra precautions.
Keeping one side of the roadway clear of vehicles assists in snow clearing, emergency access and traffic flow when snow is on the ground.
Residents are also reminded that priority route parking restrictions continue to apply between 2am-7am nightly through April 30. Learn more about parking regulations at www.thunderbay.ca/parking.
NOSM University is getting a federal investment to establish and grow training facilities.
87 medical centers in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario will receive a piece of the $1,968,386 grant. With this funding, NOSM’s Doctor of Medicine program expects to double its enrollment from 425 to 852 students within the next four years.
“This is to support the hospitals,” said NOSM President Mike Green. “They’re taking in a lot more medical students as a result of this expansion, and they need things to support having our learners on-site that wouldn’t be in their normal budget.”
The grant comes from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)’s Northern Ontario Development Program. The initiative invests in projects led by municipalities and First Nations that support economic development, job creation and self-reliant communities in the region.
“This will create healthcare jobs, obviously, but it will also make sure we have a region that people don’t just come to work, but to stay,” said FedNor minister and Thunder Bay MP Patty Hadju. “Healthcare is a critical ingredient to growing the north strong and so this is a great fit for FedNor.”
People living with chronic disease in remote northern communities often have to fly in to see a practitioner who might not speak the same language. Hadju says she hopes this grant will attract more medical students from these communities to account for these shortfalls.
“Across Canada, when people have access to education [in their community] and then become doctors, they will choose to practice closer to home,” Hadju said. “That provides better access to care throughout our region.”
An additional 13 medical centers will be classified as Comprehensive Community Clerkship sites, where students will travel to a smaller community and practice family medicine for up to 8 months.
“It’s the longest experience like that in Canada, and those communities will get support through this announcement,” Mike Green said.
Local bookworms have a chance to give back to the Thunder Bay Public Library during Library Giving Day on Wednesday.
Thanks to local business sponsors, all Library Giving Day donations will be doubled (up to $4,500).
“The generosity of businesses like Lowerys, Jones Insurance and Thunder Bay Truck Centre makes it possible for us to keep doing what we do best,” said Richard Togman, CEO of Thunder Bay Public Library. “On April 1, your donation gets doubled. That’s a pretty good deal.”
Library Giving Day is an international campaign launched in 2019. It has raised over $16,000 since its adoption in Thunder Bay in 2024. This year’s goal is $10,000. Funds will help the library introduce new free programs and collections, from innovative children’s programming to research services.
The library received glowing praise from the initiative’s business sponsors:
“Thunder Bay Public Library is a resource that touches every corner of this city, and we’re glad to help make Library Giving Day a success.” — Dave Mack, President and General Manager of Thunder Bay Truck Centre.
“The Library serves everyone, and that’s exactly the kind of institution we want to support.” — Shawn Christie, Vice President of Lowerys Office Supplies.
“Thunder Bay Public Library is a place where community comes together. It supports learning, sparks curiosity, and creates access to opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.” — Jeff Jones, President of Jones Insurance.
Click here to donate.