Thursday, September 9, 2010

Police nab school zone violators

Thunder Bay drivers still aren't slowing down in school zones. During this first week of school police handed out almost 100 speeding tickets. In total this week there have been 122 traffic violations in school zones.

Johnson seeks reelection

Rebecca Johnson has made it official and is running for her third term on City council.  Johnson has launched a website for her bid for councillor at large.  Johnson's website outlines her priorities noting city services, infrastructure, and public and private partnerships being in the top three.

Victim died from beating: Police

Police say the latest murder victim in the city was beaten to death. They say that a postmortem on the body of  30 year old Verna Sturgeon shows she died of blunt force trauma. Her body was found in the room at the Travelodge Airlane on Friday. Two women who were charged in the case, 33 year old Joanne Vivier and 28 year old Michelle Morris,  will be back in court on Monday.

More road work; another road closure

City of Thunder Bay crews are busy at work today. Walsh Street between Kingsway Avenue and Waterloo Street is closed to through traffic at the rail crossing. Motorists will need to find an alternate route up until September 19th when the roadwork and rail construction is complete.

PM to visit Thunder Bay

The Prime Minister is coming to Thunder Bay. A Conservative Party official says that Stephen Harper will be here for a party rally Friday, September 17. It will be taking place late in the afternoon at the Victoria Inn. It's not known if Harper will be making any funding announcement while he's here.

Pullia seeks Mayor's chair

Frank Pullia is running for mayor. The City Councillor says recent changes in the economy create new challenges which he believes requires a new style of leadership. This would be Pullia's fourth shot at the city's top job. He lost out in previous elections to Lynn Peterson and Ken Boshcoff.

20 new jobs created

A Thunder Bay industrial contractor is growing its pipe fabrication business.  The expansion will create 20 new jobs.  Venshore Mechanical has purchased extra production equipment and a custom designed building with overhead lifting capacity.  The money used to buy the equipment was provided by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Superior North EMS wants to save more lives

Thunder Bay's Emergency Medical Services wants to save more lives. Superior North EMS will be leading a coalition of groups to increase the survival rates from sudden cardiac death. Chief Norm Gale says they want to train the public in CPR and public access defibrillators. Gale will be asking for City council's support on Monday. Gale says if bystanders can help with CPR and public access defibrillators they could save an extra six lives each year.

Extra 47 thousand dollars needed

Thunder Bay City Council is going to be asked to provide an additional 47 thousand dollars for a series of sewer and watermain replacements.  Engineering Manager Pat Mauro says the money is needed to cover the increased costs associated with the contract.  Mauro says they have the money in their budget they just need council to approve it.

Greenstone Mayor not running

The past president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is stepping down from municipal politics. Greenstone Mayor Michael Power has announced that he will not be running in this year's municipal election. The 68 year old is going to use his time away from office on his family.

Pow-Wow for FASD

The fight continues to prevent women from drinking alcohol while they're pregnant. As part of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder day, there was an annual Pow-Pow at Marina Park. Kelly Hicks of the Native Friendship Centre says it remains a critical issue here. She says awareness and support are key to helping resolve the problem.

Boshcoff running for Councillor at Large

After saying he doesn't want to run for the city's top job, former Mayor Ken Boshcoff now say he intends to run for city councillor at large. Boshcoff doesn't call it a change of heart, just a change of priorities involving his private business. Boshcoff is also the federal Liberal candidate for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

CAA pays visit to Thunder Bay

CAA's Worst Roads Campaign paid a visit to Thunder Bay this morning.  The 8th annual campaign is used to to prod governments to invest more to repair roads, highways and bridges.  Spokesperson Korey Kennedy says Northwestern Ontario residents can help fix area roads and highways just by voting.  Votes will be accepted up until September 30th.

RV Parking examined by council

Councillor Ian Angus wants the city to consider a by-law banning overnight RV parking at large retail stores. Angus says he's not targetting Walmart or any one particular store. Administration is going to be asked to look at what power the city has over parking on private property. Angus feels its hurting business for local RV campgrounds and municipally owned camp sites.

LU opens up orientation for new students

New students at Lakehead University will be getting a crash course on post secondary life this weekend. LU's Brendan Hughes says it kicks off Thursday and will give students a number events to take in. Hughes says the events will cover the academic, athletic and social aspects of campus life. Orientation wraps up with the President's Dinner Saturday night.

Missing Kayakers found safe and sound

Everyone is safe and sound. That's the word from the Canadian Coast Guard who conducted an air search this morning for 9 missing Kayakers from Lakehead University. Coordinator Erin Vincent says fears arose when the group couldn't be reached by radio, but once the search plane flew over the group they made radio contact. Vincent says the group was located in the Nipigon straight and are expected to arrive in Redrock sometime tonight.