Paramedics vote to accept new contract

There is labour peace among local paramedics. The 90 employees of Superior North EMS have voted to accept a new two year contract with their employer. The deal will see them get a wage increase of 3 per cent over the life of the contract. There are also improvements to some benefits. They are members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union.

Pharmacists continue attacks on local MPPs

Thunder Bay MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle continue to be the targets of a campaign by Ontario pharmacists. It's the latest salvo in the war over so called professional allowances. Donnie Edwards,  of the Community Pharmacies Coalition,  says a poll shows the local MPPs are in danger of losing their seats over the issue.  He says the Angus Reid poll in both the Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Atikokan ridings indicates that roughly two thirds of those surveyed say that failure to speak out on the issue will negatively impact their chances of being returned to Queens Park in the next provincial election. 

Cats sign local pitcher

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown gets to pitch in front of his family and friends this year at Port Arthur Stadium. The Border Cats say they have signed the local righthander for the 2010 Northwoods League season. As well the club has signed three other Canadian pitchers in Corey Pappel, Paul Barton and Nathan Kennedy.

Motorists ignoring Expressway speed limit

OPP say drivers are still having problems obeying the posted speed limit on the Thunder Bay Expressway during construction periods. Constable Diana Cole says many are speeding when there are workers present. She says motorists have to be aware of when the limit is 70 kilometres per hour and reduce their speed. Cole says fines are doubled if you're caught speeding through an area under construction.

Fatal accident kills one man

OPP are investigating a fatal accident on the Trans Canada Highway at Kenora. They say that a tractor trailor unit drove off the road, crashed and caught fire. The 47 year old man driving the truck was killed. He was from Cardinal in Southern Ontario.  Police say the accident took place early this morning. There is no indication why the truck veered off the highway.

Cabbies on edge after third robbery

There are nervous cab drivers in the city. For the third time in two weeks a Roach's Taxi driver has become the victim of an armed robbery. In all three cases the taxi was stolen, but the driver wasn't hurt. Roach's owner Dennis LeBeau thinks the robberies may be isolated and hopes police can get those responsible off the street.  He says the drivers have come up with ideas they hope can be implimented to help prevent future occurances.

John Howard Society in its new home

The local John Howard Society is celebrating the opening of it's new location. The new digs are located at 315 Syndicate Avenue. Executive Director Liisa Leskowski calls it a dream come true for the organization that provides a transition for those who come out of the justice system. She says it marks a new era for not just the residents but for the Society as a whole. They were forced out of the former location, the old YMCA, when the Archibald Street building was demolished to make way for the new courthouse.

Another cab is stolen in the city

For the third time in two weeks a city cab has been stolen. The driver picked up two men at a bar on Cumberland street last night and took them to Waverly Park. Once there police say the men demanded money, and the driver and the men got out of the cab. The men then stabbed one of the cab's tires. The two men then drove away with the cab which was found shortly after on Pearl Street.

Housing starts hold steady in April

New housing starts in Thunder Bay continue to hold steady. April saw 5 single detached starts down one from 2009. So far this year there has been 18 starts in the city which is up one over the same period last year.