ISSUE #124

Good morning,

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Tbay housing prices out of control

• Daily Poll - Real estate impacting you? 

• Drug seizure  

• Don’t mind the tap water

• The village that will never be built

• Lithium optimism

• Full Moon Memory Walk

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - 338 Catherine St! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Real Estate

Bids for houses are going through the roof

Thunder Bay’s resale market is seeing aggressive bidding, with local agents reporting sharp price jumps over short windows of time. Prices can climb markedly within just a few months—an indicator of a tight market where demand is outpacing available listings.

The result is more competition among buyers and a growing gap between list and final sale in sought-after neighbourhoods. While conditions can vary by property type and price bracket, the overall tone is brisk: homes are moving quickly, and buyers are having to calibrate expectations as bids rise.

For sellers, that momentum translates into stronger negotiating positions as long as pricing and presentation are aligned with market reality. For buyers, it reinforces the importance of tracking new listings closely and being ready to act when a suitable home appears.

It’s a snapshot of a city where confidence—and offers—continue to escalate, even as national markets show mixed signals.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Friday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

Police

Police seize $120K worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine

A four-month Ontario Provincial Police investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately $120,000 in illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Officers arrested a woman from British Columbia in connection with the case. While police released limited operational detail, the seizure underscores the multi-substance nature of trafficking in the region and the prominent role fentanyl continues to play in local enforcement actions.

Additional investigative steps, including analysis and potential follow-up charges, often occur after an initial arrest as evidence is processed. Authorities continue to encourage residents to share tips about suspected trafficking activity, which can help direct resources and disrupt distribution networks.

The case adds to a series of drug-related enforcement efforts aimed at curbing the supply of high-risk substances across northwestern Ontario.

Infrastructure

Tap water may be discoloured due to inspection of trunk water main

The City of Thunder Bay has advised residents that scheduled inspection work on a trunk water main may lead to temporary tap-water discolouration in parts of the system.

If water appears brown or yellow, the city’s guidance is to avoid opening any hot-water taps at first, run a single cold-water tap at a medium flow until the water clears, and then briefly flush other taps—including hot—once clarity is restored.

Short-term changes in colour can occur when sediment in large mains is disturbed during inspection or maintenance; clarity typically returns after flushing. Residents planning laundry or dishwashing may wish to wait until their water runs clear to avoid staining.

Anyone who continues to experience discolouration after following the flushing steps should contact the city for next steps. The notice is routine for this kind of work and is tied to the inspection schedule.

Community

Indecision on shelter village site could delay project past winter

City staff warned council that a reconsideration of the temporary shelter village site has already pushed the timeline back by at least two weeks—and that further delay could jeopardize having the village in place before winter.

City manager John Collin said the pause created by a motion to revisit the chosen location compresses the window for design, permitting, and setup. If council directs staff to look at alternate sites, that process would require additional analysis and reporting time, increasing the risk that construction and commissioning slip beyond the coldest months.

The stakes are significant: the project is intended to offer safer options during winter, and every week lost now narrows what’s achievable before temperatures drop.

The message to council was straightforward—without a firm decision soon, there’s a real possibility the village won’t be ready when it’s most needed.

Mining

Rock Tech Lithium hopes new MOU will drive investor confidence in northwestern Ontario

Rock Tech Lithium has signed a memorandum of understanding with German renewable-energy company ENERTRAG to help power Rock Tech’s planned lithium-hydroxide converter in Guben, Germany.

Company leaders say the agreement is also meant to signal momentum to investors considering Rock Tech’s proposed converter project in Red Rock, Ont., using the German energy plan as a model for how the Lakehead-area facility could be supplied.

The MOU outlines a pathway to supply the converter with renewable power; details such as final contracts and project investment decisions remain ahead. For Rock Tech, the alignment with a large green-energy producer is intended to bolster long-term cost certainty and demonstrate a lower-carbon approach to processing battery materials—factors the company hopes will strengthen confidence in both its European and northwestern Ontario plans.

Indigenous

Full Moon Memory Walk honours Indigenous women, girls lost to violence in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay residents gathered for the annual Full Moon Memory Walk, created by Sharon Johnson to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.

Johnson started the event in memory of her sister, Sandra Johnson, who was killed in 1992, and the walk has grown into a yearly community-led reminder of the urgent need for safety, accountability, and justice.

Participants share stories, drum, and reflect as they move together through the city, centring families while calling attention to unresolved cases and ongoing violence. The walk’s endurance speaks to its impact: it provides space to grieve, to support loved ones, and to underscore that these lives are not forgotten.

This year’s gathering continued that tradition, reaffirming the community’s commitment to remembrance and change.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

September 10

Thunder Bay Country Market (Afternoon Market)
Mid-week market with local makers, bakers, and growers
3:30–6:30 pm
CLE Dove Building, 425 Northern Ave
Free entry

CEN-CAN Expo 2025 (Central Canada Resource Expo) — Day 1
Mining, energy, and resource-sector trade show
10:00 am–5:00 pm
Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles St E
$25 general admission

PIEROGI DAYS!!!
Weekly fresh & frozen pierogi sale at the Polish Combatants’ Association
9:00 am–4:30 pm
Polish Combatants Assoc. Br. No. 1, 209 N Cumberland St
Free entry; menu pricing

City of Thunder Bay — Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting
Public committee meeting on accessibility/AODA matters
1:00 pm
Thunder Bay 55+ Centre, 700 River St
Free

City of Thunder Bay — Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee
Standing committee session (virtual)
4:00 pm
Online (MS Teams)
Free

McKellar Ward Meeting (Councillor Brian Hamilton)
Ward updates and community Q&A
7:00–9:00 pm
Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Ave
Free

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar (Live Wednesdays)
Sing-along with Thunder Bay’s “piano man”; weekly series
8:00 pm
Shooters Tavern, 377 Memorial Ave
Free / no cover

Stonehocker — “Hello Mr. Hyde” Tour
Indie/alt songwriter tour stop at Howl at the Moon
8:00 pm
Howl at the Moon, 8 Cumberland St S
Free / no cover

Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Fort William) — Club Meeting (Hybrid)
Weekly Rotary meeting; guests welcome
5:30–7:00 pm (in-person) / 6:15 pm (Zoom)
Daytona’s (Fuse), 965A Cobalt Cres
Free for guests (meal optional/own cost

TBPL — iPhone for Beginners (Waverley Library)
Hands-on basics class for Apple iPhone users (registration required)
1:00–3:00 pm
Waverley Library — Auditorium, 285 Red River Rd

September 11

Central Canada Resource Expo (CEN-CAN 2025 — Day 2)
Mining & heavy equipment trade show — final day.
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens (Miles St. E), Thunder Bay
Price: See registration (trade-show admission)

Annual Fall Charity BBQ (for RFDA)
BBQ fundraiser hosted by Bay Credit Union benefiting the Regional Food Distribution Association.
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Bay Credit Union – Cumberland Branch, 406 N Cumberland St
Price: $5 for food (+$1 beverage)

Thursday Group Run (Metre Eaters)
Friendly 5K group run — all fitness levels welcome.
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Fresh Air (meet inside the store)
Price: Free

Karaoke at Bar Polonia (Polish Combatants’ Association Branch No. 1)
Weekly community karaoke night — everyone welcome.
Time: 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Location: 209 Cumberland St N, Thunder Bay
Price: By donation

Woodhawk — “Love Finds a Way” Tour (with Vape Dealer, Son Hound)
Calgary stoner-groove rock trio on tour; local openers in support.
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Location: Black Pirates Pub
Price: $18.52 (Showpass)

Baby Prints (Thunder Bay Public Library)
Make a baby hand/footprint craft, with songs and social time (ages 0–12 months).
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Waverley Library — Auditorium
Price: Free

Seniors’ Coffee Chat (Thunder Bay Public Library)
Drop-in social for older adults with activities and refreshments (Age Friendly TBay partnership).
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Mary J.L. Black Library — Community Program Room
Price: Free

Lakehead University — MHSc Thesis Defense (M. Bryson)
Graduate Health Sciences thesis defense: “Prevalence of Pain and receipt of Pain Management in Persons Receiving Inpatient Psychiatric Services in Ontario.”
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: AT 3004 (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay)
Price: Free

Lakehead International — Immigration 101 for New Students
Information session for new international students at Lakehead.
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: International Student Lounge (ground floor, Chancellor Paterson Library)
Price: Free

September 12

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo
Weekly waterfront jazz at Anchor & Ore (Delta Hotels)
6:00–9:00 pm
Anchor & Ore, 2240 Sleeping Giant Pkwy
Free entry; menu pricing

Sara Kae — “Do You Think of Me?” Pre-Release Party
Local artists celebrate Sara Kae’s new single at the Paramount
7:00–9:30 pm
Paramount Theatre, 24 Court St S
$25

BAR POLONIA — Fridays Live Music
Weekly live band at the Polish Combatants’ Association (Bar Polonia)
8:00–11:00 pm
Polish Combatants Assoc. Br. No. 1, 209 Cumberland St N
$10 cover

OAKLAHOMA w/ Dual Black, Along The Lines & The Vertebrakers
Noisegrind + hardcore/punk lineup at Black Pirates Pub
9:00 pm
Black Pirates Pub, 215 Red River Rd
$10; 18+

Back to School White Out — Fusion Fridayz (NV Music Hall)
All-white attire dance party with DJ SUPA; drink specials
10:00 pm
NV Music Hall, 228 Red River Rd
Cover TBA; $5 drink specials

Throwback — Live at The Wayland
High-energy cover band in Westfort
10:00 pm
Wayland Bar & Grill, 1019 Gore St W
$5 cove

Live Music ft George Kalousian (Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.)
Solo acoustic set at the brewery taproom
7:30 pm
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., 712 Macdonell St
Free

Fundraiser for the Dew Drop Inn — The Barn at Windy Lane
Community benefit with live music (Back Forty), prizes & food
4:00–11:55 pm
The Barn at Windy Lane, 273 Everett Dr, Murillo (Thunder Bay area)
$10 cover at the door

September 13

Thunder Bay Health & Wellness Expo
Local wellness makers, demos, and community activities at Goods & Co.
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Goods & Co. Market (downtown Port Arthur)
Price: From $22.63

Rockin’ Recovery
Family-friendly live music and recovery-support organizations—free community event.
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (Coliseum Building)
Price: Free

Storytime with Mz Molly & Friendz
Drag storytime followed by a kids’ crafting session; all ages welcome.
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mary J.L. Black Library (901 Edward St S)
Price: Free

The Honest Heart Collective – LIVE at Lakehead Beer Co.
Intimate full-band hometown show on the outdoor stage.
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Lakehead Beer Co.
Price: Not listed

ALFIE ZAPPACOSTA LIVE
JUNO-winning singer-songwriter in an intimate Club Room concert.
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Port Arthur Legion Branch 5 (229 Van Norman St)
Price: $35

Whiskey Club: Japanese Whiskey
Red Lion’s quarterly tasting night featuring Japanese whiskies.
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: Red Lion Smokehouse (16 Cumberland St S)
Price: Not listed

GET SCHOOLED! A Lesson on Local Music
Local band showcase (Jordan Humeniuk, The Shapely, Ezra, Dongy).
Time: Doors 9:00 pm; show 10:00 pm
Location: Black Pirates Pub (215 Red River Rd #101)
Price: $10 at the door (19+)

September 14

Good Harvest Farmers’ Market
Downtown street farm fair with local producers, kids’ activities & corn boil
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Goods & Co. Market, 251 Red River Rd (Red River Rd closed Court→St. Paul)
Free

Rotary Peace Day Ceremony
Community gathering for peace at the Tai Chi Garden
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Tai Chi Garden, Marina Park (Prince Arthur’s Landing)
Free

Celebrating Racing in Thunder Bay
Motorsport heritage displays, race cars & live music
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, 3190 Hwy 61
$5 (12 & under free

Village Mercantile Market
Handmade vendors & local craft market in the pioneer village
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, 3190 Hwy 61
$5 (12 & under free

Thunder Bay Terry Fox Run (Boulevard Lake route)
Non-competitive community run supporting cancer research
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (run starts ~2:00 pm)
Current River Recreation Centre, 450 Dewe Ave
Free; donations welcome

Home of the Day

338 Catherine St.

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

7 bedrooms
4 bathrooms
4,293 sqft

$999,500

Century home!