Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Thunder Bay Hydro wants dibs on solar projects

Thunder Bay Hydro is asking city council to make them the exclusive developer of solar power.  Council will decide the matter at Monday night's meeting.  The agreement would mean Thunder Bay Hydro would be given first dibs on city owned buildings that could host solar panels on their rooftops.

Police cruiser in a smash up

A city police cruiser is out of commission after being involved in a traffic accident. Police say that the cruiser collided with a car at the corner of Tupper and Peter at around 11:30 Tuesday night. Police were responding to an emergency call at the time. A woman and a baby were taken to the Health Sciences Centre as a precaution. The officer driving the vehicle was not hurt, but has been charged.

OPG updates workers on plant's future

Ontario Power Generation is being tight lipped about the immediate future of its coal powered station in Thunder Bay. Spokesperson Ted Gruetzner says employees were given a wide range of scenerios this week, on how the plant will be winding down its coal operations. Gruetzner wouldn't say if possible layoffs were discussed with the workers, but stresses no decisions have been made.

Habitat cashes in with celebrity shoes

Habitat for Humanity is back with a new fundraising event. It's called Champagne and Shoes and it's a both a designer shoe sale and an auction of celebrity shoes according to CEO Dianne Mitchell. She says that includes shoes from Governor General Michaëlle Jean, Jessica Simpson and Mike Weir. The event takes place October 6th.

Jack Irving dies in New Brunswick

A sad note to pass on about the parent company of Northwoods Broadcasting today, its chairman Jack Irving passed away in Saint John New Brunswick after a short illness. He was 78. Among other accomplishments, Jack Irving was a member of the Order of Canada. In 1952 he joined his father's businesses and worked all his life, along-side his brother Arthur in Irving Oil. In addition, he was a Director of all Irving businesses and was responsible for and managed a number of the companies within the varied Irving enterprises.

Highway Improvements on the way

The McGuinty Government has increased the funding for the Northern Highway program.  An extra 125 million dollars was added to this year's budget.  Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says four laning the highway will help our economy and our safety.  Highway 61 between Broadway Avenue and the Neebing River, and Highway 11/17 between Balsam Street and the Current River are next to be improved.  Bruno Contracting won the 9.9 million dollar tender.

New scoreboard highlights stadium improvements

Preparations continue at Port Arthur Stadium for the World Junior Baseball Championship. The tournament begins on Friday with games at the stadium and at Baseball Central. The new stadium scoreboard has now been installed and there are other numerous preparations that are taking place to get both locations looking good for the event.

Bad news for an unfortunate bear

Residents on Lambert Island are on the lookout for an unfortunate Black Bear. The bear was seen yesterday wandering around with some sort of container stuffed over his head. Rob Peterson says the MNR has been called in to rescue him but he's proving to be rather illusive. The MNR has set up  traps in the area in an attempt to capture the Bruin.