Run Bambi Run

THUNDER BAY, ON   ----  November 21, 2010  ---Lawrencia Bembenek, former waitress at the Columbia Grill on May Street across from the Royal Edward Hotel died in Portland, Oregon Saturday. She had been admitted to a hospital in recent days and then was transferred to a hospice. Her health problems included hepatitis C and liver and kidney failure. Right to the end she continued to state her innocence

The Columbia Grill at the time was a place for Senior Police office to go for their coffee break as it was a short walk from the Donal Street Police Station which is now the Thunder Bay Museum.

The extradition hearings took place in the DaVinci Centre in one of the basement rooms.  Everyone who dealt with her had nice things to say about her.  People watching her walk in and out of the hearing rooms would comment that she does not look like a Play Boy Bunny.

The prison escape of former Playboy Club bunny and Milwaukee police officer Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek popularized the phrase "Run Bambi Run" and seemed tailor-made for the TV movie it inspired.   read more.....>

Thunder Bay Rank in the top four most dangerous cities in Ontario

THUNDER BAY – October 17, 2010  -----  Maclean's Magazine has again filed in report on the most Dangerous City's in Canada.  Thunder Bay came in 23, not a number to be proud of, and ranked in the top four most dangerous city's in Ontario.

Thunder Bay is ranked #2 in Homicides in all of Canada per 100,000 populations, 99 cities were reviewed.

To be fair the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) have started Crime Mapping so that the residents can go on line and see what crimes have occurred in their neighbourhood. Except for Homicides, which are not listed on the list by the TBPS.   read more......>

 Ontario Amber Alerts on Facebook

THUNDER BAY, ON   ---    October  10, 2010   -----    Canada is the first country in the world to launch an Amber Alert Facebook page, and Facebook Canada’s managing director Jordan Banks said he is “proud that Ontario has stepped up” to find abducted children under the age of 18.

Banks and Aftab were among the spoke at a news conference on Friday to launch the Facebook page after reaching a partnership agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police.

“It’s not in the U.S., it’s not in the U.K. It’s in Canada first,” said Dr. Parry Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety.org , which is a key member of Facebook’s Security Advisory Board.

Canada is the first country in the world to launch an Amber Alert Facebook page, and Facebook Canada’s managing director Jordan Banks said he is “proud that Ontario has stepped up” to find abducted children under the age of 18.

By late Saturday afternoon almost 38,000 people have Like the Amber Alerts page. Including Lake Superior News.    read more....>

 RCMP Most Wanted Fugitives Arrested in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY, ON,  October 7, 2010  ----    Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Thunder Bay Detachment have apprehended a fugitive that was wanted on a Canada wide warrant for parole violation.

In November 2009, a Canada wide arrest warrant was issued for Paul Douglas Gallagher (age 46) for Parole Violation.  Gallagher was also listed on the RCMP most wanted list and is described as a highly manipulative individual with an extensive criminal history of fraud related offences. Gallagher has previously operated under the stolen identity and is known to impersonate others and utilize identity theft.  He is also known to have connections to organized crime.   read more.....>

$7,000 In Fines For Illegal Moose Hunting

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  August 11, 2010 --- Four Ontario men have been fined a total of $7,000 for charges related to illegal moose hunting.

Todd Risto of Golden Lake pleaded guilty to illegally hunting a cow moose and making a false statement to a conservation officer. He was fined $2,850 and his hunting licence was suspended for two years. He also forfeited his rifle to the Crown.  read more.....>

Manitoba man Void Outdoors Card fined

THUNDER BAY, ON ----- July 28, 2010 ------  A Manitoba man has been fined $2,500 for using an Ontario resident Outdoors Card.

 Paul Laderoute of Winnipeg pleaded guilty under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

 Court heard that on April 11, 2009, conservation officers on routine patrol on Osbourne Bay in Eagle Lake checked Laderoute’s fishing and hunting licences and found both a current and expired Ontario resident Outdoors Card.  read more.....>

Vandalism Cascades Conservation Area

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  August 5, 2010 ---  Officials with the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority are frustrated with the latest act of vandalism to hit the Cascades Conservation Area.
Sometime over the August long weekend someone attempted to set fire to interpretive panels which had just been installed last week. The new panels replace an identical set which were destroyed by arsonists over a year ago.

This time vandals attempted to set fire to one of the panels, causing some fire and smoke damage to a corner of the panel but did not destroy it.  read more.....>

City Introduces Community-Based Crime Prevention Council

THUNDER BAY, ON   -------   September 29, 2010 – Community leaders and citizens from across various sectors gathered today for the introduction of the Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council. The Crime Prevention Council is currently being established at the direction of City Council. Its working mission will be to engage the community in the task of preventing crime, increasing safety and fostering the well-being of everyone in Thunder Bay.

“This is such an important step forward for Thunder Bay,” said Mayor Lynn Peterson. “We are taking an innovative, problem-solving approach that works because it involves the entire community.”   read more....>

Crime Mapping Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----  June 29, 2010 ----  Thunder Bay Police  are providing the public with the location of incidents involving crimes of violence, property crime and motor vehicle collisions (Other calls for service are not displayed). Similar to what the City of Duluth have been doing for sometime. The aim is engage the community in crime prevention. For example, most property crimes can be prevented by taking simple steps such as locking doors and removing valuables from plain view.  If you know that these crimes are being reported in your neighbourhood, you can better prepare to protect your property.   read more.....>

 $9,000 Fine and ordered to comply with work permit conditions

THUNDER BAY, ON   ----  May 31, 2010 -----  A Winnipeg, Manitoba, resident has been fined a total of $9,000 and ordered to comply with the conditions of his work permit after attempting to construct a building illegally

Ian Rentz was fined $1,000 for constructing a building without a work permit. He was also fined $4,000 for continuing construction after receiving a stop work order from the Ministry of Natural Resources and another $4,000 for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of a work permit. He was ordered by the court to comply with the work permit by June 30, 2010.   read more....>

Big Fines for Illegal Deer Hunting

THUNDER BAY, ON  ------  May 26, 2006 ------  Two Atikokan men have been fined a total of $4,500 for charges relating to illegal deer hunting.

 Mike Krassey was fined $3,500 for illegally hunting white-tailed deer, being party to the offence of attaching a seal to a deer killed by another person, and making a false statement to a conservation officer. Cecil O’Flaherty was fined $1,000 for attaching his seal to a deer killed by another person and possessing illegally killed game. Both men had their hunting licences suspended for two years.  read more.....>

Hunters Fined $3,500 For Deer Hunting

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 24, 2010 - Two Americans have been fined a total of $3,500 for illegal deer hunting.  Michael Kautz of Hiles, Wisconsin, and Jeffery Kautz of Embarrass, Wisconsin, both pleaded guilty and were convicted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act for unlawfully hunting and killing a white-tailed deer during the closed season. They were fined $1,500 and $1,000 respectively, with an additional fine of $500 each for making false statements to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.  read more...>

Anglers Fined for Setting Up Illegal Camp

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 24,  2010 - Eight men have been fined a total of $3,100 for offenses related to an illegal camp on Crown land.  Otto Klassen, John Loewen, Peter Schaan, Garry Loewen, John Rempel, Ozzie Rempel and Reinhardt Penner of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Peter Hamm of Calgary, Alberta all pleaded guilty and were charged under the Trespass to Property Act for illegally setting up a camp on Crown land north of Werner Lake in Kenora District.  Each man was fined $150. In addition, Klassen, Penner and John Loewen were fined $500 each under the Public Lands Act for disobeying a posted sign. Hamm and John Rempel were fined $200 each under the Ontario Fishery Regulations for fishing without a licence. The group must remove the camp and all of their belongings by the end of June, 2010.  read more...>

Fines For Attempting To Smuggle Live Bait Into Ontario

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 9, 2010 - Two Minnesota residents have been fined a total of $1,300 after attempting to smuggle live bait into Ontario through the Canada Customs Entry Station on Sand Point Lake, Rainy River District.  Arthur Eggen, of Crane Lake, and Thomas Bergman, of North Oaks, were fined $900 and $400 respectively for bringing live minnows into Ontario for use as bait. read more...>

The door that’s not locked - New Internet Safety Website

WINNIPEG, MB – February 8, 2010 - Canadian parents will receive a new tool to help keep their children safer on the Internet today with the national launch of The Door
that’s not Locked (www.thedoorthatsnotlocked.ca).  This unique, one-stop-shop for Internet safety information will provide parents, teachers and anyone else interested in keeping kids safe online with the tools and resources they need to do so. The Door that’s not Locked refers to safety concerns regarding the unlocked door of the Internet.   In time for Safer
Internet Day on February 9th 2010, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has partnered with the Government of Canada to help families understand the good, bad, and ugly about the web.  read more...>

Richmond North Property Corp. Fined $37,500 For Asbestos Violation

LONDON, ON - December 18, 2009 - Richmond North Property Corp. pleaded guilty and was fined $37,500 on December 14, 2009, for asbestos violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). read more...>

Penalties Toughened for Serious Traffic Offences

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 10, 2009 - Ontario is cracking down on some of the most persistent, dangerous driving behaviors.  
Effective January 1, 2010, penalties for the following offences will increase:  read more...>

$2,500 Fine and Hunting Suspension for Illegal Moose Hunting

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 9, 2009 - A Winnipeg man has been convicted of hunting moose in Ontario without a licence.  Barry C. Arnason was charged under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and fined $2,500 for hunting moose in Ontario without the authority of a licence.  Arnason is also prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years.  His firearm was seized and will be returned once his fine is paid.  read more...>

Ontario Conservation Officers Receive Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 9, 2009 - Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medals were presented to 17 conservation officers from across northwestern Ontario in recognition of 20 years of exemplary service.  read more...>

Man Nabbed For Over-Limit Of Walleye On Lake Of The Woods

THUNDER BAY, ON - November 26, 2009 - A Minnesota angler has been fined $3,025 for possessing more than his limit of walleye.  James Merton Neilson, of Andover, Minnesota, was convicted of possessing 11 walleye over his legal possession limit of four and fined $275 for each over-limit fish. read more...>

Fined for Failure to Report Acquisition of Wildlife Parts

THUNDER BAY, ON - November 13, 2009 - A Dryden resident has been fined $250 for failing to report the acquisition of a carcass and $500 for making a false statement to a conservation officer.  On October 20, 2009, Lee-Anne Corbin pleaded guilty to failing to report the acquisition of moose and deer antlers and other wildlife parts, and making a false statement to a conservation officer. read more...> 

Four teenage females arrested in Duluth 

DULUTH, MN ---   October 18, 2009  ----  Duluth Police arrested four teenage females today Duluth in connection with Friday’s robbery on Duluth’s Lakewalk. On Friday, October 16th, 2009, at 10:48 AM, Duluth Police responded to the Lakewalk, in the area of the Fitger’s complex,
on a call from a 55 year old woman who stated she had just been robbed by four teenage females as she was walking on the Lakewalk. During the incident, the victims’ fanny pack was taken. Some of the contents were recovered a few blocks
from where the assault occurred. The victim suffered minor injuries, including bruises and abrasions, but did not require medical treatment.   read more......>

Hunter Fined $1,500 For Shooting Moose From Roadway

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 14, 2010 - A hunter from Tweed has been fined for illegal hunting.  Jamie Palmateer was fined $1,500 for shooting a moose from the roadway.

Court heard that on October 10, 2009, a conservation officer doing a routine patrol on Highway 105 in Perrault Falls near Kenora came across Palmateer and others retrieving a cow moose from the east side of the highway. Palmateer claimed he shot the moose from the ditch. The next day conservation officers and a canine unit returned to the site and found casings over 100 metres away from where Palmateer said he shot the moose. Forensic testing matched the casings to Palmateer’s gun. read more...>