All Aboard! Inside the Chief Commanda II, Bulldogs Football, & Investigating What Hit Samuel De Champlain Park?
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
All Aboard! Inside the Chief Commanda II, Bulldogs Football, & Investigating What Hit Samuel De Champlain Park?
Echo Podcast Roundup
Sunset Cruises, Superstitions & Life on the Lake
For over 50 years, the Chief Commanda II has cruised Lake Nipissing — carrying locals, tourists, wedding parties, and blues bands across the waves. But what’s it like to actually run this iconic North Bay ship?
In this episode, Lisa hops aboard with Captain Rich Stivrins to talk about the history, sailor superstitions (yes, bananas are bad luck), and the unforgettable experiences people have on board!
What Kind of Storm Hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park?
What hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park wasn’t a tornado. It was something else…
Chris Piekarski sits down for a call with Dr. David Sills, Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, to talk about the storm that devastated part of Highway 17 East of North Bay, and how his team investigates extreme weather events across Ontario and Canada.
From Fighter Jet to Final Tribute: A Cold War Story Comes Full Circle
This week’s episode revisits a previous podcast where Bill and Ben talked with Denny Treu who’s father Gaylord crashed his fighter jet during a training exercise in Northern Ontario during the Cold War.
They discuss the planned trip for Bill and Brian Emblin, friend of the show, to take Denny and his family up to the crash site so they could honour his father’s memory with a plaque, but the trip gets halted with an unexpected passing.
The lead story in today’s Echo Sportscast sets up football playoffs as the North Bay Bulldogs U12 Tykes and U14 Bantams host playoff games.
Also highlighted are tournament results for the North Bay Minor Girls Softball Blaze teams, there’s a promo for the U18 Panthers baseball tournament and 3×3 basketball league results. And there’s a full Spotlight interview with Mike Dupelle, departing U17 coach of the Spartans basketball team that finished fourth in Division 1 play this spring.
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Nipissing–Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort and MPP Vic Fedeli have both expressed strong concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. Rochefort urged Ottawa to pursue market diversification to reduce U.S. dependency. Rochefort was cited sating that the "trade uncertainty brought on by the President of the United States is difficult for business, workers and communities in Canada and in the United States. All Canadians, including citizens in Nipissing-Timiskaming, want a resolution that restores the certainty and confidence we have enjoyed under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli described the emerging Canada–U.S. tariff dispute as akin to “being at war,” highlighting its impact on manufacturing workers and consumer awareness of domestic supply chains. He noted the current one-month tariff pause underscores the urgency for Canadian industries to advocate for fair treatment.
Local cricket advocate Romy Ghumman, who’s played in North Bay for five years, is leading efforts to secure a proper, regulation-sized cricket field in the city. Currently, the North Bay Cricket Club uses makeshift venues with non-regulation balls and undersized fields, which prevent hosting official tournaments and pose risks like lost balls and uneven surfaces.
The City of North Bay has earmarked $140,000 in the 2024 capital budget to identify and design a suitable site, aiming for construction around 2026. Officials have narrowed potential locations to the Steve Omischl Sports Complex, favoring it due to existing infrastructure, transit access, and synergies with the planned community centre. City council has approved initial studies (topographic, geotechnical, environmental) and cost estimates. Cricket is increasingly popular in North Bay, mirroring a national trend and driven by immigration, with participation expected to grow dramatically
Environment Canada has issued an official heat warning for Greater Sudbury and North Bay, as well as neighbouring communities like Espanola, Killarney, Massey, Mattawa, Powassan, and Sturgeon Falls. Starting Tuesday (July 15, 2025), daytime temperatures are expected to soar into the mid to high 30 °C range, with overnight lows staying in the uncomfortably warm mid-teens. The heat wave could pose serious risks for vulnerable populations, including seniors, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.
Local public health officials are advising residents to take precautionary steps: stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak afternoon heat, seek air-conditioned spaces, and check regularly on at-risk friends and family. Additional advice includes using sunscreen, wearing light-colored, breathable clothing, and avoiding tanning beds. The warning will continue through Friday, with authorities promising updates if conditions worsen.
On the morning of July 9, 2025, around 8:16 a.m., North Bay Police responded to an incident at the Volkswagen dealership located at 332 Airport Road, discovering that tires on over 40 vehicles in an adjacent lot had been deliberately slashed. This act is part of a widespread vandalism spree in North Bay that began in August 2023, with numerous similar incidents across various locations city-wide.
Police are actively investigating these cases and believe them to be connected, suggesting a repeat offender. No injuries were reported. Authorities are requesting assistance from the public, urging anyone with surveillance or dash‑cam footage from overnight July 8 to early July 9, especially between Stockdale Road and O’Brien Street, to come forward. Those with information are encouraged to contact the North Bay Police Service or Crimestoppers anonymously.
The Story Behind One of Canada’s Most Beloved Comic Strips Echo Podcast Roundup Drawing Real People! Lynn Johnston didn’t just draw comics: she drew real life. As the creator of For Better or For Worse, one of the most beloved syndicated comic strips in the world, Lynn reached over 220 million readers by turning ordinary family moments into something unforgettable. In this episode, Lynn shares the story behind creating For Better or For Worse, how she navigated certain situations with...
A Love Not Forgotten: The Story of the Canadian Ecology Center Echo Podcast Roundup A Love Not Forgotten: The Story of the Canadian Ecology Center 100 episodes of the Backroads Bill Podcast has seen Bill and Ben talk to a number of high profile and educated guests focused on the outdoors, nature and Northern Ontario. For episode 100 Bill talks about the Canadian Ecology Center. How it started and how it turned into the hub for education and outdoor events that it is today. Bill also looks to...
Echo Essentials Host and Newsletter Author Bids Farewell to Podcast Network Echo Podcast Roundup Sayonara Dave Dale – A Legacy of Truth, Tenacity, and Stirring the Political Pot In this unforgettable episode of Echo Essentials, we say farewell to the legendary Dave Dale as a permanent co-host of the Echo Essentials podcast. From fierce city hall controversies to the inside story of the Echo Podcast Network’s inception, Dave tells all! Watch Now Picnic Perfect: How North Bay Is Serving Up...
