ISSUE #128

Good morning,

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Trail shrinkage?

• Daily Poll - Sad about the trails? 

• The nose knows  

• Dog Lake goes blue-green

• Mother Nature is confused

• Road construction to take even longer

• SIU clears OPP

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Shuniah area side-split! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

City Hall

Honey, I Shrunk the Trails

Well, snowmobilers, it looks like you’re about to get a whole lot cozier on the trails this winter.

The Thunder Bay Adventure Trails and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs have announced a “downsizing” of the local trail network. And by downsizing, they mean a whopping 40 per cent reduction.

It seems the rising costs of just about everything have finally caught up to the winter wonderland. Permit sales, which are supposed to fund the grooming and maintenance of these snowy highways, have been on a bit of a downhill slide. Apparently, not everyone is chipping in for the cause, with a “quite a number” of riders enjoying the trails without a permit.

The OFSC is trying to balance the budget, and unfortunately, that means some of our beloved trails have to go on a diet. But don’t despair! The trails that remain will be in “pristine condition.”

So, while you may have fewer kilometers to explore, the ones you do have will be top-notch. It’s all about quality over quantity, right?

Plus, it’s a great excuse to get to know your fellow snowmobilers a little better as you all squeeze onto the remaining trails. Think of it as a winter-long party on the snow.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Friday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments and there are a lot of them!) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

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A HUGE shoutout to ROGER, for buying Thunder Bay Digest a coffee last issue! We appreciate you!

Police

The Nose Knows: Canine Cop Saves the Day

In a heartwarming tale of four-legged heroism, Thunder Bay’s finest K-9 officer, Lucek, has once again proven that a dog’s nose is worth a thousand drones.

When a person was reported missing and believed to be at risk of self-harm, the police deployed all the modern gadgets you can imagine, including a fancy drone. But in the end, it was good old-fashioned police work, or rather, police dog work, that saved the day.

Despite the rain and the uncertainty of the missing person’s whereabouts, Lucek put his super-schnoz to the test and successfully tracked them down. The person was then able to receive the medical assistance they needed.

It’s a reminder that even in our high-tech world, there’s no substitute for the incredible senses of our furry friends. While the police didn’t disclose the exact location of this dramatic rescue, we can all sleep a little sounder knowing that Lucek is on the job, ready to sniff out trouble and bring our loved ones home safely.

It just goes to show, when you’re in a tough spot, you can always count on a good dog to have your back.

Environment

Dog Lake Gets the Blues (and Greens)

Well, it’s official. Dog Lake has joined the not-so-exclusive club of local lakes sporting a trendy new accessory: blue-green algae.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has confirmed the presence of this potentially toxic party crasher on the east side of the lake. This marks the fifth time this year that a blue-green algae bloom has been identified in a lake in the Thunder Bay region.

It seems our lakes are really getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, just a little late. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks tested a sample from Dog Lake and gave it the green light, or rather, the blue-green light.

As a result, the health unit is advising everyone to avoid the water whenever a bloom is present, and for about two weeks after it’s gone.

The algae has already made appearances at Hazelwood Lake, Icarus Lake, Kenogamisis Lake, and Hattie Cove on Lake Superior, so it’s clear this is a popular trend.

Weather

Mother Nature's a Little Confused, But We're Not Complaining

Somebody might want to check the calendar, because Thunder Bay just experienced a weekend that felt more like July than October.

The city didn't just break a temperature record; it absolutely shattered it.

We're talking about a high of 28.4 degrees Celsius, which left the old record of 24.4 C from 1967 in the dust. Even the overnight low was record-breakingly warm.

Sunday was also a scorcher, coming just shy of another record. While we're all enjoying this extended summer, meteorologists are calling it "remarkable." It's not every day you see records broken by a full four degrees.

The forecast for the coming days is a little more seasonal, with highs in the mid-teens, so don't pack away those sweaters just yet. But for now, let's all bask in the glory of this unseasonably warm weather and pretend that winter is still a long, long way off.

It's a little taste of summer in the fall, and who are we to argue with that?

Construction

The Long and Winding Road... Just Got Longer

If you've been navigating the obstacle course that is Highway 11 through Fort Frances, we've got some good news and some bad news.

The bad news is, the construction that's been turning your daily commute into a real-life game of Frogger is going to continue into next year. The good news is... well, there isn't really any good news.

The two major roadwork projects that have been causing "consternation" among residents are behind schedule and won't be finished until the 2026 construction season. However, the roads are expected to reopen to traffic as this year's season winds down, so at least you'll have a brief reprieve.

In a plot twist, the contractor responsible for the delays has been given the boot from a third project, with the town council opting to go with a different company. It seems patience has worn thin, and the town is ready for a fresh start.

So, while the end may not be in sight just yet, there's a glimmer of hope that one day, you'll be able to drive through Fort Frances without feeling like you're in a demolition derby.

Indigenous

Special Investigations Unit Clears OPP

It appears the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has closed the case on an incident involving the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Sabaskong First Nation.

The SIU, which is the civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault, has cleared the OPP of any wrongdoing.

The details of the incident itself remain under wraps, but the outcome is clear: the officers involved have been exonerated. The SIU’s mandate is to maintain public confidence in the police, and they do so by conducting independent and thorough investigations.

In this case, they’ve determined that the officers acted within the bounds of the law. While the specifics of what led to the investigation may never be public knowledge, the conclusion of the SIU’s involvement brings a sense of closure to the matter.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 8

The Price is Right Live 
The live, non-televised stage show version of the classic game show. 
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Dr, Thunder Bay, ON

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Thunder Bay Country Market 
A vibrant market featuring dozens of local farmers, producers, and artisans. 
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: CLE Dove Building, 425 Northern Ave, Thunder Bay, ON

October 9

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Karaoke Every Thursday 
A weekly karaoke night. 
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: Bar Polonia, 209 Cumberland Street North, Thunder Bay, ON

October 10

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Laurier Golden Hawks 
The Thunderwolves men's hockey team faces off against the Golden Hawks. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay, ON

Bar Polonia - Fridays Live Music 
Enjoy live musical performances. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: Bar Polonia, 209 Cumberland Street North, Thunder Bay, ON

October 11

Thunder Bay Country Market 
A vibrant market featuring dozens of local farmers, producers, and artisans. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: CLE Dove Building, 425 Northern Ave, Thunder Bay, ON

Diwali Night 2025 Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. This is more than just a cultural festival – it’s a community gathering that fosters understanding, connection, and unity.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay, ON

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Laurier Golden Hawks 
The second game of the weekend series between the Thunderwolves and the Golden Hawks. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay, ON

Home of the Day

34 Velva Ave

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

3 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
1,205 sqft

$589,900

Large-lot, side-split, all brick, rec room in basement