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2012-02-04 at 15:59

Crowd watches teens walk onto the ice near Marina Park

By Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com
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Three teenagers were able to walk back to shore safely after they took a stroll out onto the partially frozen Lake Superior.

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue as well as Thunder Bay Police Service officers were at the ready as they waited for the three teenagers to make it back to shore on Saturday. The teenagers had walked out onto the ice near Prince Arthur’s Landing and had made it close to the break wall.

A large crowd formed to watch as the youth were waved to come back in.

Police cautioned the youth not to go out again.

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Comments

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Yer joking says:
I guess the marvelous rink with the Sam ONI just wasn't enough for those youngsters. Well that's what happens with poor planning.the fence was on he wrong side of the Park. Wait until the hotel is there and the tourists start wandering out on the ice.
2/4/2012 7:38:11 PM
TBDR says:
Ahh yes... incvincible teen syndrome. Symptoms include random acts of stupidity. Thankfully they didn't have to learn their lesson the hard way.
2/4/2012 11:22:51 PM
Sui Generis says:
I live close to a river in the city, and it is not a large river. It is also not a completely frozen river. With the warm spell, it's not unusual to see water on top of the ice.

A few days ago, on one of the warmer days, I watched some people going down the river on cross country skis. As I watched out the window, wondering how anyone can be so reckless, I then noticed their children following along behind them.

It's one thing to risk your own safety. It's quite another to put your children (and young ones at that) at risk.

People, use your brains. Stay off the ice!!
2/5/2012 12:22:31 AM
Nitesky says:
Better send some EM to Whitefish Lake and many other lakes around here. Icefishing is still in full swing and the weather is nice
2/5/2012 6:52:14 AM
gremlin says:
Why not slap the parents with a "bill" for tying up resources (fire, police). Perhaps it will encourage them to "take parenting a little more seriously."

Does anyone remember the story from about 20 years ago when snowmobilers had gone out on the ice & went through. The family had the nerve to complain about how long it took for the resources to get out there. The typical blame game. If memory serves me correctly, I believe alcohol was involved.

Ah yes, "socialism" is a wonderful thing. You can just pass the buck. It's always someone elses fault.

2/5/2012 10:30:11 AM
Delbert Grady says:
So wheres the story?

Is it the teens?

or...

Is it the sad and obvious reality that we're living in a nanny state that reaches new levels of ridiculousness everyday?

Nothing happened except a bunch of whiners who have been indoctrinated into a culture of fear pushed the panic button. A bunch of resources were consumed in a way that only served to justify themselves and their fat budgets.

All because some teens, innocent of adopting the same culture of fear as so many of you have, decided to take a stroll out onto the ice.

4 inches of ice is lots to support a human being. 2 inches will do for small bodied, light on their feet youngsters.

Was it risky? Im not sure. Questionable? You bet.

Was it yet another over reaction by a bunch of sissies? Yes!

I remember when people used to have to go out there and cut blocks of ice so they store them in the ice houses all summer long. Its normal to see human activity on the ice, unless youve led a very sheltered life.
2/5/2012 12:29:25 PM
chezhank says:
Authorities inducing Paranoia!
They should walk out on the ice and chill!
Tbnewswatch.com

2/5/2012 1:21:50 PM
imchino says:
Agreed! ....why is the world becoming so safty-sealed for us?!?
Live & learn.
2/5/2012 2:11:58 PM
passlake says:
slow news day?

I tend to agree with you.. I don't really see how this is important..
2/5/2012 3:21:05 PM
Delbert Grady says:
Well, lets not blame the reporters, they did their job. They covered the story.

The story was how there was a major over-reaction, so thats not their fault.

Perhaps a little bit... when considering the long term effects of sensationalizing non events into much bigger things.

The big problem is the generation of sissys that basically panicked over some people out on the ice. The same thing happened last week with the hole in the ice.

Major over-reaction. A reaction that comes up next year at the budget talks about how many times they had to use the hovercraft or whatever special tactical magical dreamsicle team.

and that goes for the police and their standoffs, and other panicked stricten reasons to use flash bangs and strap on the kevlar.

anyway, Im rambling.

Cant we just get back to reality? cant we stop over-reacting? Cant we ever remain calm?

Its a whole nation of sissys these days, and I dont see it getting better.
2/5/2012 6:03:54 PM
tsb says:
What they did was illegal. Are you advocating breaking the law?
2/5/2012 5:55:46 PM
imchino says:
First...What law are they breaking???
Second....Yes, I do advocate breaking certain dumb laws. No victim = No crime.
2/6/2012 11:41:05 AM
whitecrow says:
I don't remember them cutting ice on Lake Superior for the ice houses but I saw them cutting on Boulevard Lake . The Harbour area where these teens were was always loaded with pulp wood dumped there by the truck load in winter on thickened ice . My chums father's winter job was pumping water onto the ice to thicken it . The only time we got into trouble was not because of being on the ice . We were runnung on the piles of logs and someone was afraid one would roll on us . Like all kids we survived our few stupid acts as most kids do . Why would anyone want to blame a parent because the children went on the ice ?? Almost 100% of kids grow up to be responsible adults in spite of their parents .
2/5/2012 1:49:23 PM
Delbert Grady says:
Well, I guess I should be more specific. I remember them cutting blocks of ice closer to the Kam River since I lived on the good side of town.

but nevertheless, still good memories. People have become so jaded. Im not even that old and I remember that. Refrigerators were for rich people.

Now everyone thinks the government should buy them one.

Strange days indeed.
2/5/2012 6:08:43 PM
unknowncronic says:
Where is the expensive hovercraft they bought? It would have been a great training experience...
2/5/2012 6:14:26 PM
jimmyboy says:
Why oh why are the majority of my posts not coming thru.????
2/5/2012 8:53:22 PM
harlon says:
I don't think that calling people down for the care and concern of these teenagers is necessary. What the hell is wrong with all of you for taking such a flippant attitude to a situation that could have been extremely dangerous? Safety on the ice is a big deal and you should all be ashamed of yourselves for your blatant disregard for the safety of others. Children and teens are easily tempted to do things without thinking through the consequences. These reckless and thoughtless comments are ones that should have been deemed unacceptable for this site. It's also an important issue to be brought to the attention of the public so I would not consider this a slow news item. An individual went through the ice on the river last week. I guess we're all nuts for thinking that something could have happened to these kids. If emergency services had not been there and something did happen you would have crucified them for that too!! I'm disgusted!!!
2/5/2012 9:03:51 PM
Delbert Grady says:
Ladies and Gentlemen... I present to you tonight...

a perfect example of the nanny state.

So, put your hands together and give a warm round of applause for.. Harlon!

*clap clap clap*

That comment is a perfect example of someone freaking out about nothing. Its full of "what ifs" that turned out to be "didnt happens".

Then it goes onto the extreme range of rationale dismissal where he/she claims that anyone who doesnt agree to this nanny state approach and who dares choose to voice their opinions that all those are unacceptable for this site.

So its a perfect example of leftists who all like to tell you what to do and how you must follow only their ideals.

Not much for freedom are they?

oh and tsb.. what law?
2/6/2012 2:56:16 PM
commonsense says:
As I recall, the Port Authority issues public notices in the Chronicle-Journal warning people to stay off the ice in the Harbour. Late in the season, and early in the spring, the ice breaker is out there breaking up the ice in anticipation of late ships leaving, and early spring ship traffic. So, the ice is not what would be expected.
Perhaps with all the new winter visitors to the Waterfront, notices need to be placed warning the public, and WHY it is unsafe.
2/5/2012 11:21:34 PM
spooner19 says:
I don't know what all the fuss is about with ice all the sudden. I live on a river snowmobiles go by all the time always have sure its been warmer this winter but there is still a lot of ice. I don't think there is a need for panic and big stay off the ice warnings you live in the North it is winter in February.
2/5/2012 11:47:57 PM
Sui Generis says:
Apparently, not enough ice to stop one guy from falling through last week.
2/6/2012 10:59:12 PM
truthfulsmile says:
Glad they are safe . Was the large crowd the search and rescue , the police , or the man from Glad ? Where was the hovercraft ?
2/6/2012 12:41:05 AM
whitecrow says:
harlon--- I was not calling anyone down for trying to get the kids off the ice .I was only relating how things were as kids and we did survive in spite of our sometimes risky and stupid activities . Maybe you had / have a much more protected life but everyone lives and acts differently . This comments column provides a forum for us to express ourselves . You could have expressed yourself in a reasonable manner without doing what you want others not to do -- relating a risky story we had on the ice as kids and survived it all .I have to agree somewhat with Delbert Grady although he is definitely wrong on one thing -----I lived on the good side of town.
2/6/2012 2:02:43 PM
Delbert Grady says:
Thanks very much for that chuckle and the smile you brought to my face there whitecrow.

PA vs. FW were (at least for me) the friendliest of rivalries. I remember the days where that was our biggest divide. Today things just seem so much serious.

2/6/2012 5:14:08 PM
YoungLogger says:
Oh boy poor kids these days, can't even have the freedom to go for a walk without being supervised.
2/6/2012 7:42:01 PM
wayne says:
@ Delbert: complainers seldom experience of sense of calm.

@ jimmyboy: perhaps your cartoon that you were going to post was once again deemed inappropriate
2/6/2012 9:27:00 PM
wayne says:
i wonder how many people in the region (regardless of age), have fallen through the ice during walking, snowmobiling, whatever circumstances during winter seasons that have been warmer than normal? authorities issue warnings for a reason.
2/6/2012 9:46:39 PM
wayne says:
and if we go by Delbert's opinion that we are living in a 'nanny state'...does that mean he disagrees with seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws and reduced speed limits within school zones?
2/6/2012 9:51:10 PM
Sui Generis says:
There is a serious difference between the effects of speeding through a school zone and not wearing a seatbelt. If I don't wear a seatbelt or a helmet, I am only hurting myself with my dumb decision. If I speed through a school zone, I may hit some innocent kid who has to pay for my stupid decision.

Yes, seatbelt and helmet laws = nanny state. I don't need the government to protect me from myself. That's not what I pay them for.
2/7/2012 12:59:43 PM
Random says:
Not true. If you choose not to wear your seatbelt, pile into something and suffer serious injury, then it is now MY TAX DOLLARS paying for your medical care because of your stupid decision not to wear your belt.
2/9/2012 2:20:22 PM
harlon says:
You totally miss the point Delbert. I think it's extremely unwise to negate the point being made by authorities to stay off the ice. Teens make bad choices on their own, they don't need people like you to tell them to ignore the voice of authority and head out on the ice anyway. Public safety is an issue, that's the point of the story. For others to disagree with the warnings and possibility of death or injury is just plain stupidity.
2/7/2012 11:02:07 AM
whitecrow says:
Wayne , I think you are missing the whole point here . We all did stupid things when we were young ( Didn't you ?). This also was a stupid thing . When we were caught it was a touchy situation for us kids , but the most important part for us kids was if our parents , mostly our fathers , found out . Fathers in my day were the disciplinarians of the family . If I remember right Herman Scarneti ( Port Arthur's first motorcycle cop )was the cop that kicked us off the ice . He drove out in a patrol car and made us walk back to shore . He took our names and the warning was , "If I catch you out here again I will tell your Dads ". Port Arthur was a small town and he did know my Dad. My Dad did not find out , nor a couple of more times when I received the same warning from a police officer for doing other stupid things . Today somebody wants to blame the parents when they really had nothing to do with it .
2/7/2012 12:00:43 PM
wayne says:
Sui Generis said: "Yes, seatbelt and helmet laws = nanny state. I don't need the government to protect me from myself. That's not what I pay them for."

And if you were to get into an accident and you sustained injuries because you were dumb enough not to wear a seat belt or helmet, would you want the govt and the law-abiding taxpayers pay for your costly health bills?
2/7/2012 5:16:32 PM
wayne says:
whitecrow, I did not miss the point because what you raised was not even part of the story. Perhaps part of what others may have commented. I did not read anywhere in the story about parents being blamed. The teenagers were cautioned by police not to go out on the ice again. Just like how you were cautioned back in the day. Yes, I did stupid things as a teen and I am happy and lucky that i survived those crazy years of my youth.
2/7/2012 5:27:57 PM
jimmyboy says:
@Wayne..I was hoping to get an answer posted by Leith...are you trolling me in similar fashion to another one of my fans...that being none other than "TBDR"...LoL.!
2/7/2012 5:54:24 PM
commonsense says:
If posters would re-read my comment, they understand the likely reason for the concern. The icebreaker ship works at the start of winter, and very early in spring to break up the ice to facilitate ship traffic. SO, the ice is not what would be expected. It's understandable for people to think they could walk out; perhaps to see the lighthouse. But, it's not wise.
2/7/2012 9:41:54 PM
yer joking says:
Emegency Officials were on full alert after noticing a hole in the ige kilometer past the break wall. They fear up to 10,000 people could have fallen in the lake. If they got out could they please call and let someone know!
2/8/2012 10:16:49 AM
wayne says:
@jimmyboy: trolling you?...lol you flatter yourself...lol nope, just making an observation that you always post cartoons and that recently you apologized for one that did not get posted because it crossed a line.
2/8/2012 5:15:27 PM
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