Thursday, June 2, 2011

Police undercover alleged child sex stash in Fort Frances

A Fort Francis man is facing some serious sexual offences involving children.   OPP say the 41 year old was arrested after a search of his home turned up alleged images of child sexual abuse on computers and video devices.   They say he's also accused trying to obtain sexual services from someone under 18

Community Foundation hands out bursaries

Thunder Bay's Community Foundation is doling out almost 7-thousand dollars in post secondary bursaries.  12 students will be sharing the cash.

Friday is graduation day at Con College

Over 14-hundred Confederation College students from across the Northwest will be graduating today.  Ceremonies get underway at 9 Friday and again at 2.  The afternoon will be filled with honorary diplomas and the announcement of the Governor General's award.

Shuniah Street residents don't want a bike lane

A petition with almost 200 signatures is going to be presented to Thunder Bay City Council on Monday.  Shuniah Street residents don't want a bike lane placed on their roadway because parking will be impacted.  Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper disagrees saying they've studied the street and noted the parking wasn't always utilized.  He adds the side streets also provide ample parking spaces.

E-bike rights to be discussed Monday

Electric bike owners could soon be cruising the city's bike lanes.  Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says they think it makes sense to share the lanes with e-bikes since they're too fast for sidewalks, but too slow for regular traffic.  Council will make a decision on the e-bikes at Monday's meeting.

Youth Group speaking at council

Municipal lawmakers will soon hear about how they can help keep youth in the City.  The group will be speaking at Monday's meeting and Chair Colleen Peters says council needs to take action.  Peters says youth are leaving the city because there isn't much to do outside of work hours.  The Youth Group is looking for a councillor to sit on their board.

Hampton talks Ring of Fire

The appointment of Former Energy Minister George Smitherman is not sitting well with NDP Critic Howard Hampton.  Smitherman will try to persuade a U-S company to locate a Ring of Fire ore processor in northwestern Ontario.  The Municipality of Greenstone has hired Smitherman to convince Cliffs Natural Resources to build a chromite processor on the outskirts of Nakina and Aroland First Nation.  However, New Democrat Howard Hampton says Smitherman's record as energy minister may be his biggest hurdle.  Hampton says it was during Smitherman's tenure that electricity rates went through the roof.

Census staff going door to door

Employees with Census Canada have started going door-to-door in Thunder Bay as part of this year's Census.  Those who have not completed the questionnaire, in paper form or on-line, can do so at the door.  All interviewers have an identification card that features their photo and census logo.

Huge pot bust in Oliver Paipoonge

Almost half a million dollars worth of pot is off the streets.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit made the bust yesterday on Spence Street in Oliver Paipoonge and found 47 pounds of marijuana and 170 plants.  A 38 year old man was arrested and is facing several charges.

Horizon says Fort William First Nation Members were given false info

The CEO of Horizon Wind is saying the people of the Fort William First Nation have been misinformed about the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park. Anthony Zwig released a statement following Monday's public meeting on the reservation and says many of the concerns that citizens who spoke at the meeting have need to be corrected. Zwig says he hopes for a chance to give members proper information in the future. Meanwhile, at least one Band Councilor thinks Horizon may deserve a chance to give its side of the story. Georjann Morriseau says if its what the band members want Horizon should come back because they need all the information to make an informed decision. Morriseau says what the company thinks is consulting isn't the same as what band members think.

Ontario Legislature ends day early

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton says he's surprised, but not shocked that the Liberal government cut short the current sitting of the Ontario legislature.  Today was supposed to be the final day of debate at Queen's Park, but Hampton suggests Premier Dalton McGuinty wanted to cut his losses.  Hampton says with the legislature officially adjourned, the provincial election campaign will hit high gear.