Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Ring of Fire announcement expected

The Chief and Council of the Webequie First Nation are planning to make an announcement Wednesday related to the Ring of Fire chromite project.   They say two independent documents related to the development will be released as part of the news conference that has been scheduled for 10:30. 

Stabbing suspect appears in court

It's back to court next month for the city man who is charged in connection with a stabbing rampage at Andras Court last month.   29 year old Eli John remains in custody at the District Jail following this weeks court appearance.  Several people were stabbed in the incident,  one of them very seriously. 

OPP take us for a R.I.D.E.

The OPP's Festive R.I.D.E. program is going to begin on Friday. Sgt. Shelley Garr says it's during the holiday period that drinking and driving seems to spike with police statistics showing it's worse this time of year.  She says last year 22 impaired driving charges were laid by the Thunder Bay OPP.

ER stays busy

The Emergency Room at the Health Sciences Centre is still hopping. Director Dr. Andrew Affleck says visits this year are up about 3 per cent. Affleck says contrary to what some may think, most patients aren't candidates for walk in clinics. He says many of them need the services of the ER when they come in with chest pains along with heart and breathing problems. Affleck says the increase at the Health Science Centre mirrors what is happening across the province.

Deer kill creates talk

There's no shortage of opinion about the city's decision to allow bow hunting for deer to reduce the population. We asked people if they agreed with the move.  Those we spoke to were split on the issue.

Humane Society hopeful

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is hopeful after receiving almost 7 thousand dollars in just 17 days.  The organization is short 180 thousand dollars and is threatening to close its doors if more money isn't raised by December 31st.  The board will meet again in December to evaluate their options.

City Solicitor takes 1 year break

Thunder Bay's top lawyer is taking a one year break to focus on labour relations law. Rosalie Evans' one year sabbatical starts January 9th and will practice with the Thunder Bay firm of Weiler Maloney Nelson. The City says the solicitor who will act during the sabbatical will be announced in the near future.

Council Approves Deer Management Plan

City Council has approved the Deer Management Strategy.  Council voted to move forward with a pair of by-laws that will pave the way for bow hunting in the city next fall.  Council also voted in favour of banning the feeding of deer in the city.  The debate over the by-laws went till just after 11:30 before the vote was called.  Councillors asked a number of questions to a couple of deputations and wanted to learn more about how bow hunting would be done in the city.