Local racer takes on the world at Monte Carlo

A Thunder Bay woman is the only Canadian driver in the 100th Monte Carlo car rally that starts Thursday in Glasgow, Scotland. Joan Hoskinson says the 6 day race is her third and it never grows old.   She says it feels special to be accepted as part of the centennial celebration.   Hoskinson says she is the only driver representing Canada.

Jimi's owners back in court

Still no decision made in the Jimi the dog saga.  His owners will be back in court in March in connection with the dog park death of Gus the Chihuahua.  Defence lawyer Francis Thatcher says his clients are facing breach of the dog owner's liability act.  Fletcher says they'll be arguing that Jimi is not a pitbull and he did not kill Gus.

Smith to carry Canadian flag

A big honour for Lakehead University's Jordan Smith.  The Thunderwolves hockey star has been chosen to carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies at the World University Winter Games.  They are taking place in Turkey starting on Thursday.

Board "banks" new age learning

The Public School Board isn't ready to test out a "new age" educational idea. Board Director Cathy Semieniuk says they're not going to consider opening a school to be run by the Northern Lights Education Initiative just now.  She says they have banked the idea and doesn't rule out bringing up the initiative in the future

10 year sentence for Gregorchuk

A Thunder Bay man is going to jail for 10 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Christopher Gregorchuk was originally charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of Richard Quimet in 2009. Court was told after Quimet was beaten to death, his body was taken to a remote area up highway 527 and burned. His co-accused, Eric Lindstrom will be back in court next month.

Wilson talks Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire mining development remains a hot topic for the Chamber of Commerce.  President Harold Wilson tells a pre budget committee in Thunder Bay, the government must get back what it spends on the project.   Wilson posed the question what if the smelter isn't in Thunder Bay or the region.  The Chamber head wants the government to track the infrastructure expenses that are put into bringing the project to fruition.  Wilson says if the smelter is moved out of the Province the government should hand them a bill for the work that was done. 

Beardy at Pre-Budget Consultation

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation wants the province to improve police detachments in NAN communities. Stan Beardy made that plea to a pre-budget hearing in the city complaining that many detachments are in dilapidated states. Beardy also asked for an infrastructure program so reserve housing and water issues can be addressed.

Electricity concerns highlight hearing

Electricity concerns are high on the list of many community leaders in the northwest. That was made clear at a provincial pre-budget hearing in the city. Committee chair Pat Hoy says the worries were about the reliability of future supplies of electricity.   Hoy calls the energy issue a long term concern.  The committee will now take the local input and try to make it a part of their budget recommendations to the finance minister.

Lim speaks at Pre-Budget meeting

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is calling on the government to change the provincial building code.  President Jamie Lim spoke at the Pre-Budget Consultation session in Thunder Bay Wednesday.
Lim wants contractors to be able to use lumber in six storey buildings.  She feels the move would help the local Abitibi Bowater mill and other sawmills, and OSB facilities.  Lim says that's just one way the Province can help the region's forest industry.

Canfield speaks at Pre-Budget hearing

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is calling on the Provincial Government to upgrade the region's electricity transmission line.  Vice President Dave Canfield says the Northwest is going to need an increase in power to deal with the Ring of Fire and other emerging opportunities.  Canfield says Southern Ontario wouldn't stand for an outdated electricity system, yet the government expects the North to accept one.  Canfield spoke on behalf of NOMA at the Pre-Budget consultations in Thunder Bay.

Hillier and Mauro work it out

PC Northern Development Critic Randy Hillier tried to call out the local Liberal MPPs at a Pre-Budget consultation session yesterday in Thunder Bay; but had the tables turned on him.  Hillier sent out a news release asking why there weren't any Thunder Bay area MPP's at the pre budget consultation.  But only moments after the making the release public, MPP Bill Mauro showed up.  He was late because he was attending a Health Science Centre news conference but took it all in stride. Mauro and Hillier were spotted later having a friendly chat.

Research Institute going to MaRS

The dollars signs are starting to show in the eyes of those at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.  They've entered into a deal with MaRS Innovations, a company that takes medical inventions and tries to sell them.  The first idea to be put on the market from here is a new X-ray technology.   The Institute hopes it's the first of many patents developed at the Health Sciences Centre to be commercialized by the company. 

Police looking for robber

Police are looking for a mugger this morning.  Officers say a women was opening her car at the McIntyre Centre yesterday when a man in his 20's grabbed her purse and ran off.  The K-9 unit was brought in but no arrests have been made.