Five fire trucks, a hazardous materials response unit and an ambulance are outside of Andras Court apartments on 122 Cumberland Street South.
At least one man was being treated by paramedics.
According to eyewitnesses, they arrived on the scene around 8:50 am and left around 9:45 am.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided when available.
An individual who police declared missing on Thursday has since been found.
The police are thanking the public for their assistance.
Thunder Bay Buskers Festival is returning to Bay & Algoma on July 25 and 26.
The street will be closed off for free performances from jugglers, aerialists, daredevils, musicians and artists from Canada and beyond.
“There’s a bigger crew helping out this year and people are kind of getting behind it more,” said Buskers Festival co-founder Uriel Lubuk. “I’m excited for the excitement and the diversity and just to bring joy to people for a couple days in this crazy world.”
Buskers Fest is free and for all ages. According to co-organizer Caitlin Jeffs, it’s one of only around 15 busker events of its size in all of Canada.
“[Busking] is such a tight community around the world that once you get a group that comes and performs and they like it, then all of a sudden you get these applications from people all over the world,” Jeffs said. “It’s exciting that people want to come here to Thunder Bay.”
Without further adieu, here are the five performers announced for the 2026 Thunder Bay Buskers Festival (via Bay Media PR):
“A duo formed by Emilio and Leandro Ponce, twin brothers from Argentina who have been nomads, performers and endless students since 2014. Their knowledge and skills in the circus world didn’t come from a formal school, but from the road itself — learning from artists they met, cultures they discovered, and the countless stages they stepped on. They have performed in over 30 countries, with their work featured on TV shows including Bulgaria’s Got Talent.“
“A Canadian Beatbox Champion, a Canada’s Got Talent finalist and renowned vocal artist, Scott Jackson has performed in 18 countries and at NBA halftime shows. With nearly two decades on stage, he brings world-class beatboxing talent and unforgettable energy. Martin Short famously remarked, “There’s an insanity to [his] talent.” Scott remains a cornerstone of the global beatbox community.“
“A high-energy variety act from Winnipeg blending magic, juggling, sideshow stunts and daring escapes. Known for pushing the limits (and occasionally his own safety), he delivers a mix of jaw-dropping tricks, sharp humour, and edge-of-your-seat danger that pulls crowds in and keeps them there. Part magician, part daredevil.“
“This Ontario-based circus company brings HASA, a bold all-female aerial production inspired by outer space. Featuring hoop, straps and silks, it’s a visually stunning performance packed with strength, grace and suspense.”
“Fast, fearless and hilarious. Jay has the energy of ten puppies with none of the mess and the attention span of a goldfish (with none of the mess). He performs the fastest and most furious apple juggling you are ever likely to see, and walks barefoot on broken glass while juggling flaming torches. Pair that with tossing knives atop a terrifying tower of tables treacherously teetering on a tube, and you end up with a show that can’t be missed!”
This year’s Buskers Fest will include a beer garden, kids zone and over 50 vendor booths. Jeffs says there will be more than 10 different food options as well.
“Buskers Festival reminds people what a street can feel like when its alive, and the whole community becomes part of the show,” Jeffs said.
Jeffs mentioned she personally is most excited for Scott Jackson’s performance. She says this year’s festival should be the biggest to-date.
“It’s always been about the neighbourhood, showcasing the shops and local crafters, food vendors, and musicians. It’s heartwarming and I’m super elated that we got such a robust variety of talent applying,” Lubuk said. “We’re too legit to quit.”
Just last week, the Thunder Bay North Stars were celebrating a dramatic Game 7 overtime victory to capture the SIJHL title.
They’re not finished yet, though.
The champs are in Summerside, PEI to compete for the Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A championship tournament.
Paul Martin was Prime Minister the last time the North Stars were on the national stage. They went 2-2 and lost in the semifinal.
20 years later, they think they have the team to get it done. They’ll play Alberta’s Canmore Eagles on Friday to start the round robin. Manitoba’s Niverville Nighthawks are next on Saturday, then southeastern Ontario’s Rockland Nationals on Monday. They’ll play the tournament hosts on Tuesday as Summerside Western Capitals look to defend their barn to close out the round robin.
We’ll keep you posted as the results come in.
The second annual Red Dress Run was a success, according to founder Alana Morrison.
Morrison started the event last year on Red Dress Day to raise awareness and funds for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Thunder Bay.
“I’m a crier, so I’ve been in and out of tears all day,” Morrison said. “The donations that have come in, the support, the drumming, the food, the water. Everything has been donated and it just came together so perfectly.”
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) took part in the run. The route begins at the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground and loops around the entire lake, with participants able to walk or run.
Morrison has worked for NAPS for the last 20 years.
“This came to be as a vision. I wanted to honour the missing and murdered in Thunder Bay, and I usually run, so I just combined everything. I am not only honoured to hold an event like this, but just so touched by the compassion from the community,” Morrison said.
Morrison estimated over 100 participants showed up for the run, despite sub-zero morning temperatures and even flurries of snow.
“The City of Thunder Bay has been so supportive. As an Indigenous woman myself here in Canada, I have experienced racism. I have experienced some unpleasantries while being in the country. But it doesn’t stop me from trying to stand up for my sisters that have gone missing or been murdered,” she said.
Alana’s daughter Tawnee Thompson is a lead organizer of the event. She said her mother realized there are many injustices towards Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people during her time with the force.
“We have Deborah Anishinabe in mind, actually,” Thompson said. “she’s quite recent in the news, and she lost her life very tragically. We were looking to make a donation to her family.”
Deborah Anishinabe was declared missing on December 5, 2024. On December 18, the missing persons case ended, and the Thunder Bay Police Service charged a 24-year-old man with indignity to a human body. Police in Thunder Bay never officially confirmed the cases were connected, but the Nishnawbe Aski Nation linked the death and charge.
Alana Morrison says she plans on continuing the Red Dress Run next year on Red Dress Day. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.
On the agenda for Wednesday’s Special Committee of the Whole meeting is a report that recommends three designated encampment sites for the homeless.
Six sites were initially proposed. Three sites were recommended out of that group based on their history of encampment activity, proximity to transit and social services, and flat terrain to support emergency response, operational feasibility, and year-round operability.
The three recommended encampment sites are:
Poll rankings and findings are from Thunder Bay’s 2026 Growth Strategy & Engagement Report. Data was taken from public drop-in sessions held in March.
Encampment sites at Island Drive, the Kam River Heritage Park and McKellar & Vickers were not recommended, generally due to environmental sensitivity and safety risks.
Council will also discuss investing $208,500 to install fencing and privacy screening around these encampment sites.
“Designated encampment sites are a temporary, managed response to outdoor sheltering,” the report reads. “They are not a replacement for housing. Their purpose is to improve outcomes, coordinate services, and better manage the use of public spaces while longer-term housing solutions continue to advance in the community.”
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) has launched a syphilis awareness campaign as rates are skyrocketing across the region.
In 2024, the TBDHU reported an average of 33.6 cases per 100,000 people in Thunder Bay. The provincial rate is 18.0.
The syphilis awareness campaign will run on print posters in health care provider offices and bars, bus ads, and digital ads on Instagram, Snapchat, Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook. Most syphilis cases have been reported between the ages of 20-49, so the ads will target sexually active members of that demographic. The core mantra is “get facts, get tested and get treated.”
“Syphilis isn’t a disease of the past, it affects people in our district today,” said Kandace Belanger, TBDHU Manager of Sexual Health. “Unless it is caught and treated appropriately, the impacts can last a lifetime. Fortunately, anyone can reduce their risk of syphilis through education, testing, and treatment.”
Symptoms of syphilis can be mild and easy to overlook. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems, potentially affecting the brain, heart, bones, and blood vessels, and may even be life-threatening.
Treatment of syphilis can be simple. When caught early, a single penicillin shot can cure the disease. For those who caught it later, three or more penicillin shots at weekly intervals are required.
The TBDHU encourages everyone who is sexually active to talk to their primary care provider about testing for syphilis. Testing is also available to those without immediate access to primary care by scheduling an appointment at the TBDHU Sexual Health Clinic on 999 Balmoral Street.
Learn more about syphilis infection, testing and treatment at GetTestedTbay.ca.
A third batch of items from the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (TBCA) are up for auction from now to May 8 at 8:00 pm.
The TBCA 40th Anniversary auction serves as a fundraising initiative for the iconic local event space, with all proceeds supporting renovations and new additions to the auditorium.
“We have a lot of history over the last 40 years,” Edwards said. “We don’t want (valuable items) collecting dust in our archives. It felt right to celebrate our past and let items go into the community where they can appreciate them.”
The first round highlighted artists who had an extensive history of playing at the TBCA. It featured signed guitars from regulars Alan Doyle, Jim Cuddy, Greg Keeler, Paul Brandt and Johnny Reid.
The second round featured a surfboard signed by the Beach Boys, a longboard signed by Cheech and Chong, and a guitar signed by Megan Patrick among other memorabilia.
Here’s what’s on the block for round three:
Winners of the auction will be able to pick up the items at the TBCA Box Office.
Visit http://tbca.com/auction for more information.
A 40-year old man from Thunder Bay was the suspect in two separate incidents in February and March.
On February 28, a Thunder Bay Police Service officer approached his blue Dodge pickup truck after it was seen exiting a parking lot with invalid plates.
He allegedly put the truck in reverse and sped towards the officer at a high speed, hitting a police cruiser before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported.
His truck was later found in a snowbank on the Arthur Street East and Syndicate Avenue South intersection but the man was not found.
One week later on March 6, police say he was sleeping behind the wheel of a running vehicle with incorrect plates. He fled the scene again when officers tried to speak with him.
On Tuesday, officers with the Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit arrested him in the Pearl Street area after a brief foot pursuit.
He faces the following charges:
He was remanded into custody after his first court appearance.
The police say they would like to thank the public for assistance with identifying the accused following an appeal for information.
A 43-year old man and a 31-year old woman from Thunder Bay are charged with drug trafficking after a bust in Northwood on Monday.
$81,600 of cocaine and opioids were seized from a home and vehicle on Limbrick Street.
Both of the accused were released from custody following their first court appearance, with a future court date.