Council hears River Terrace plans from Art Lannon

The developer of the River Terrace area says he is willing to address residents concerns.   Art Lannon laid out his plan for a proposed expansion of the subdivision.   He says he wants to add 71 lots to what he has right now.   Lannon has an agreement to purchase the 13 and a half hectare property from Lakehead University.  He says that in order to ease the concerns residents have about the loss of trees, he would plant a six metre buffer of trees to make up for what will be lost.

River Terrace residents state their case

The residents of the River Terrace area of the city don't want an expansion of their subdivision .  One by one opponents pleaded with city councillors not to approve the proposal.   As part of the plan, the developer will be removing the trees that separate the area from the Health Sciences Centre.  They think the trees that are removed will do away with the buffer they have against the hospital noise.  In addition Lakehead University students and faculty voiced disapproval since the land in question is in the process of being purchased from the institution.

OPP constable resigns, avoids hearing

There will be no police act hearing for a Nipigon OPP officer. Constable Lynn MacKay was to have had the disciplinary hearing this week in connection with a marijuana seizure in 2007. Sgt. Shelley Garr says MacKay faced a charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. Garr says the hearing was cancelled on April 16th when MacKay officially resigned from the OPP. MacKay was a 17 year veteran of the force.

Locals take part in the Boston Marathon

Michael Wood of Dryden is the top northwestern Ontario finisher in this years Boston Marathon. Wood is one of at least 18 runners from the northwest who ran in the famous event. Wood ended with a time of 2 hours 45 minutes and 23 seconds. Wood says it was his best time ever.  Jim Keyes is the top Thunder Bay finisher. He clocked in with a time of 2 hours 57 minutes and 33 seconds. Drydens' Christine Smith was the top female finisher from the northwest with a time of  3 hours, 25 minutes and 3 seconds.  Sixteen people from Thunder Bay were entered this year.  Here are the results for the regional competitors:
Men: Michael Wood-2:45:23, Jim Keyes-2:57:33, Scott Douglas-3:07:11, Michael Tassotto-3:05:37, Peter Lovis-3:13:57, Rory Cava-3:25:19, Dan Tipple-3:32:35, Claudio Pietrobelli-3:34:06.  Women:  Christine Smith-3:25:03,  Isabel Pacheco-3:25:30, Betty Annela-3:34:00, Christine Bociurko-3:40:33, Donna Ostrom-3:43:59, Monique Welbourne-3:51:38.

Council chamber access restricted

The public is being restricted on when they can enter the city council chamber before an evening meeting. City spokesperson Sheelagh Hendrick says the doors to the meeting room will be closed between 4:30 and 5:45. She says there isn't any staff available to monitor the room during that time. Hendrick wouldn't say if the decision is related to the wind farm debate last week when opponents occupied the chamber.

No injury in bus incident

A pedestrian isn't hurt after what was originally a report of a person being hit by a city transit bus.   The incident took place this afternoon just before 1pm on Red River Road at Regent Street.   Police, fire and paramedic crews responded but police say the victim did not require treatment.   

Union official delivers hospital closure warning

Major hospital health issues are being discussed in Thunder Bay this week. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is meeting for three days. President Michael Hurley says one major topic is the provinces plan to tender some services like knee replacements. He says smaller northern hospitals will be defenseless because of it and could close because they won't be able to compete with bigger hospitals like the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to deliver services. About 200 delegates are attending the gathering.

Mayors race is getting crowded

The race for Mayor is now a three headed battle. Jeff Irwin has thrown his name into the ring along with incumbent Lynn Peterson and former police association president Keith Hobbs. Irwin says seeing the massive amount of opposition to the proposed Horizon Wind farm led him to run for the position. He says council is clearly failing to listen to the people and a change is needed.

New Tanning Legislation could impact local business

Tanning Salons in Thunder Bay could soon be facing new regulations. A Bill outlawing tanning services for people under 19 years old passed first reading in Queens park last week to protect teens from UV exposure. Owner of Ozone Terry Gallant says he thinks profiling skin types is a safer way to approach tanning instead of age. Gallant says people under the age of 19 make up about 5 percent of his clientele.