ISSUE #136

Good morning,

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

In today’s issue we cover:

• New roundabout delayed a montI

• Daily Poll - Roundabout fan? 

• New Hoito coming 

• Another drug bust

• Fort Frances Christmas cheer 

• Transmission line delaed

• New emergency first response team

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Custom built Kakabeka! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

City Hall

A Roundabout Way of Saying 'Almost Done'

Thunder Bay motorists eager to navigate the city's newest circular sensation will have to hold their applause for just a little while longer.

The grand debut of the Cumberland Street roundabout, which was tentatively penciled in for the end of October, is now being gently pushed back to the first week of November. This isn't a case of major infrastructural collapse, but rather a scheduling squeeze.

The city's project engineer noted that the top coat of paving is currently underway, but there's a laundry list of finishing touches still to check off. This includes the installation of rumble strips, some final landscaping, and a whole lot of line painting to ensure drivers, baffled or otherwise, know exactly where to go.

It seems contractors are simply in high demand across the region, and there's just not enough of them to go around. So, while the roundabout itself is tantalizingly close to completion, drivers are politely reminded that it remains an active construction zone.

As for the rest of the Cumberland strip between the new circle and Tupper Street, it will be getting a base layer of asphalt to get traffic moving by mid-November, but the final, pretty top coat will have to wait until the construction season of spring 2026.

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).

Do you love Thunder Bay Digest so much you want to donate to it to help keep it running?

Or are you interested in:

• Creating your own poll for the readers to respond to? ($2)

• Having an event highlighted? ($5)

• Showcasing your house ($10)

• A full ad ($25)

Then click the coffee cup below to find out how and get in as soon as the next issue!

Food

The Great Finnish Pancake Expansion Continues

Pancake fans, rejoice! The Hoito, Thunder Bay's beloved institution of Finnish comfort food, has announced it is blessing the city with a second location.

Following the devastating fire at its historic Finnish Labour Temple home, the restaurant has been operating a small-but-mighty stall at the Thunder Bay Country Market. While that spot has kept the pancake flame alive, its tiny kitchen limited the menu.

Now, the Hoito is setting up a new, more expansive shop in the Goods & Co. Market. This north core location comes equipped with a full commercial kitchen, which means exactly what you think it means: the return of the heavy hitters.

Get ready for giant pots of the legendary Mojakka soup and the triumphant comeback of hot turkey sandwiches, items that were simply impossible to create on stovetop burners. The new location is expected to have a soft launch sometime in November, just in time for the holiday rush.

The Hoito's president noted that this expansion is not just about slinging more pancakes; it's part of a larger strategy to raise the necessary funds to, one day, hopefully, return to their original, rebuilt home in the Bay and Algoma neighbourhood, proving that the Hoito is, and always will be, about community.

Crime

An Alleged Enterprise Gets Punctured

A 32-year-old Thunder Bay man's alleged entrepreneurial efforts were brought to an abrupt halt this past Wednesday.

Acting on information that the man was possibly running a mobile distribution service for illicit substances, members of the Thunder Bay Police intelligence unit decided to pay him a visit. Officers intercepted the man outside a north-side apartment complex and, upon searching him, reportedly discovered a significant inventory.

The haul included over 120 grams of suspected cocaine and over 28 grams of suspected fentanyl. This discovery prompted a follow-up investigation at the man's residence in the 300 block of Spofford Street. There, police executed a search warrant and allegedly found an additional quantity of suspected crack cocaine, along with various items of paraphernalia consistent with the drug trafficking trade.

The man's business day ended there. He was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of an opioid for the purpose of trafficking, and, as an added bonus, failure to comply with a probation order. He was held in custody pending a future court appearance.

NWO

Fort Frances Is About to Get Merry and Bright

After a long, dark hiatus that predates the pandemic, Fort Frances is officially plugging in its holiday spirit.

The town is enthusiastically reviving its community tree lighting ceremony, a tradition that had flickered out when its original tree, a specimen on the post office property, was removed during landscaping.

But the town's business improvement area has solved this problem with a modern upgrade: a brand-new, large artificial tree, which will serve as the festive centerpiece in the Rainy Lake Square outdoor market. This isn't just a one-night affair. The town is rolling out a full three weeks of holiday cheer, all centered around a whimsical "elf training" theme, beginning on Nov. 3.

Residents can look forward to a slew of community programming, including gingerbread house making, ornament creation, and, of course, letters to Santa. The celebrations will culminate in the grand lighting of the new tree on Nov. 21.

Beyond the fun, the events are also focused on giving back. The three-week celebration will include benefit drives to support the local Salvation Army, which recently suffered a flood, and other area food hamper programs, ensuring the entire community gets to feel the warmth.

Infrastructure

A Very Long Extension Cord Sees a Slight Delay

The ambitious plan to build the Waasigan Transmission Line, a massive power-up for Northwestern Ontario, has hit a minor speedbump, but it's still very much on track.

Hydro One has confirmed that the first phase of the project, which will run from Shuniah to Atikokan, is now expected to go live by the end of 2026. This is a slight shift from the original, more optimistic goal of late 2025.

The delay is being blamed on Mother Nature, who delivered a one-two punch of a late spring thaw followed by early forest fire activity near a work camp. Despite this, the first poles for the mighty 230-kilovolt lines were successfully planted in October, and the overall project, including the second phase to Dryden, is still targeted for full completion by the end of 2027.

This isn't just about building towers; it's about fundamentally changing the region's energy landscape. The new double-circuit lines will be able to transmit 350 megawatts of power, allowing electricity to flow in two directions. This opens the door for Atikokan to become a hub for new power generation projects, something it was previously unable to consider.

Indigenous

Help Is on the Way, and Now It's Just Down the Street

Wapekeka First Nation is celebrating a massive leap forward in community health and safety with the launch of a new, fully equipped Emergency First Response Team (EFRT).

This community-led initiative is a game-changer for the remote First Nation, providing 24/7 on-the-ground emergency care until professional help, such as an Ornge air ambulance, can arrive.

The new program, supported by Ornge, is a significant evolution from an older, volunteer-based model. This team is now paid and will be provided with essential medical equipment, a dedicated patient transport vehicle, and culturally relevant, hands-on training.

The goal is to empower the community to manage its own urgent medical situations, bridging the critical gap between an emergency call and the arrival of paramedics. Team members will be trained to respond to emergencies, stabilize patients, and provide safe transport to the local clinic or to the airport for airlifting.

This development is being hailed as a crucial step toward health equity, ensuring that when an emergency happens, skilled help is not hours away, but right there in the community, ready to respond.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 27

Anakay Meekwewin 2025 - The Passing of Gifts Gathering 
The 5th annual grassroots healing initiative gathering.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 2080 Highway 61

Discovery Club 
A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: All day
Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Preschool Storytime 
A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. 
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Baby and Me Storytime 
A drop-in program for babies and caregivers, featuring songs, rhymes, and stories to support early literacy. 
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Location: County Park Library - Children's area

North - Thunder Bay - Teen Game Night (bilingual) 
A free event for autistic teens (ages 12-18) to play board games and socialize. Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Location:
Carlito's Café, 301 Simpson Street

Magic The Gathering: Draft A
scheduled night for playing the "Draft" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Jingle and Mingle with the Sounds of Superior 
An event to join the Sounds of Superior chorus for a rehearsal and learn about performing. 
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, 707 James St. S.

Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Presentation 
A presentation by Dr. Brent Patterson titled "Wildlife Population Distribution and Dynamics." 
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Lunan Hall, St. Paul United Church

October 28

Anakay Meekwewin 2025 - The Passing of Gifts Gathering 
The 5th annual grassroots healing initiative gathering (Day 2). 
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: 2080 Highway 61

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Tales for Twos A program for children ages 24 months to 3 years with a caregiver, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes.Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Family Storytime A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes to support early literacy. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Community Program Room

Growth Standing Committee A public meeting of the City of Thunder Bay's Growth Standing Committee. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM Location: City Hall - 3rd Floor

Magic The Gathering: Commander A scheduled event for the "Commander" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Tuesday Group Run A friendly 5km group run or walk for all fitness levels, hosted by the Metre Eaters. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Location: Boulevard Lake (meet at the Rita Street parking lot)

Star Wars Unlimited A scheduled event for the "Star Wars Unlimited" trading card game. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Adult Learn to Curl An 8-week session for adults to learn how to curl. Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Kakabeka Falls Curling Club

October 29

Anakay Meekwewin 2025 - The Passing of Gifts Gathering The 5th annual grassroots healing initiative gathering (Day 3). Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: 2080 Highway 61

PIEROGI DAYS!!! A recurring event offering pierogi for sale. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM Location: 209 N. Cumberland Street (as listed on event calendars)

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Family Storytime A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Location: County Park Library - Children's area

Tales for Twos A program for children ages 24 months to 3 years with a caregiver, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes.Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Baby and Me Storytime A drop-in program for babies and caregivers, featuring songs, rhymes, and stories to support early literacy. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Community Program Room

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Ultimate Burger Battle Tasting Party A tasting event related to the Ultimate Burger Battle. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM Location: The Outpost, 955 Oliver Rd

Board Game Night A weekly community board game night where you can bring your own games or play ones from the cafe's collection. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Yu-Gi-Oh: Edison A scheduled tournament for the "Edison" format of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

40th Anniversary Community Showcase A free event to celebrate the TBCA's 40th season, featuring local talent. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Danny Johnson's Piano Bar at Shooters Tavern A live music event featuring Danny Johnson. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: Shooters Tavern, 377 Memorial Avenue

October 30

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Online Information Session - Regional Tariff Response Initiative An online information session hosted by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: All day (listed as a full-day online resource) Location: Online

Preschool Storytime A program for children ages 3-4, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Play Day at County Park A drop-in time for independent, self-guided free play with toys and activities. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: County Park Library - Children's area

Blissful Beading A drop-in beading circle for all ages and skill levels. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM Location: County Park Library - Outreach Table

Thursday Group Run A friendly 5km group run for all fitness levels, hosted by the Metre Eaters. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Fresh Air

Kill Team A scheduled event for the "Warhammer 40K Kill Team" miniatures game. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Page Turners A book club for kids in Grades 3-6 to discuss books and participate in activities. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Magic The Gathering: Modern A scheduled event for the "Modern" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game.Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Flesh & Blood A scheduled event for the "Flesh & Blood" trading card game. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A live theatre performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

KARAOKE EVERY THURSDAY A recurring weekly karaoke night. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: 209 Cumberland Street North

October 31

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Family Storytime A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Game On! with the interactive projector A drop-in time to play physically engaging games on the interactive projector.Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Commons

Play Day A drop-in time for independent, self-guided free play with toys and activities. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

PUP - Snotty Nose Rez Kids (Loge Seats On-sale) This is not an event, but the on-sale time for loge seats for a future concert. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (Box Office/Online)

Dagwood's Slightly Batty Halloween A Halloween-themed event at the bakery. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Dagwoods Bakery

Jazz and Old Fashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo A recurring live jazz music event. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Anchor & Ore

Magic The Gathering: Commander A scheduled event for the "Commander" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Magic The Gathering: Standard A scheduled event for the "Standard" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game.Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Slate River Slaughter A spooky walk-through Halloween display. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Slate River

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A live theatre performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

BAR POLONIA - FRIDAYS LIVE MUSIC A recurring weekly live music event. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: 209 Cumberland Street North (Polish Combatants Association)

The Hunger 18th Edition A massive annual downtown-wide Halloween festival featuring 56 acts across 8 venues. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM Location: 8 venues in the downtown north core (e.g., Black Pirates Pub, The Foundry, Red Lion Smokehouse, etc.)

November 1

Country Christmas Craft Fair 2025 The 30th annual craft fair featuring over 75 local vendors. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road

Craft Sale A craft sale to support the replacement of the church roof. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 564 North May Street

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM concepts. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Game On! with the interactive projector A drop-in time to play physically engaging games on the interactive projector.Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Commons

Magic The Gathering: Draft A scheduled event for drafting the latest Magic: The Gathering sets. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Heroclix A scheduled event for the Heroclix miniatures game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A matinee performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM (Doors at 1:00 PM) Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

Halloween Spooktacular A fun-filled family concert featuring the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Location: Avila Centre (Lakehead University)

Pokemon A scheduled event for the Pokemon trading card game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Western Mustangs Lakehead University men's hockey game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Fort William Gardens

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford An evening performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:30 PM) Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

Baile de los Muertos A Day of the Dead dance event. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM Location: Atmos

November 2

Country Christmas Craft Fair 2025 The 30th annual craft fair featuring over 75 local vendors (Day 2). Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road

Lorcana A scheduled event for the Lorcana trading card game. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Yu-Gi-Oh A scheduled event for the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Stepping Out for Foot Health A free seminar on foot health presented by the Thunder Bay CARP Chapter. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, 700 River St.

Foreigner - The Juke Box Hero Tour - A Special Canadian Event A concert by the rock band Foreigner. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Home of the Day

468 Mokomon Rd W

$599,900
2+2 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
1,874 sq/ft

Custom built home in the Kakabeka area!