City sunshine list is leaked

The List of city employees who made more than 100 thousand dollars have been released.  224 people made the sunshine list this year with City Manager Tim Commisso topping the list with a 2011 salary of just under 219 thousand dollars.  There was over 100 more people on the list in 2011 compared to 2010 because of the new contract for Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue.  The contract awarded a number of long time firefighters with back pay.  Firefighters made up almost 150 of the people on the list.

Oxycodone bust in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay Police have 3 people in custody after a drug bust this morning.  Officers made the arrest at southside motel just before 1 o'clock this morning.  Almost 35 thousand dollars worth of Oxycodone was seized. 

Rotary Lottery house tickets are on sale

You can get your tickets for the Rotary Lottery house in Thunder Bay.  This year's house up for grabs was the scene of the annual media launch and Chair Bob Hookham says the Rotary Club hasn't decided where all the money raised this year will go, but all the money will stay in Thunder Bay.  There will be 8000 tickets sold for the house that is located in the Sherwood Estates.

Potter out as COO @ ORNGE Aviation

Thunder Bay's Rick Potter is no longer the Chief Operating Officer at ORNGE Aviation.  Staff at the province's scandal plagued air ambulance service were informed of the move via e-mail this week saying Potter was to work exclusively on another project.  The move comes after it was reported that Potter admitted to fibbing about his university credentials.   The opposition Progressive Conservatives have been calling for his firing ever since.

Toy gun causes a scare at a local high school

Thunder Bay police arrested a 15 year old boy at Superior Collegiate at noon today.  Police were called with reports about a boy showing some other students what was believed to be a gun.  It turned out to be a soft air rifle and the boy was charged. 

Outdoor rinks to close

It's that time of year again, time for the city to close the outdoors skating rinks. Spokesperson Paul Fayrick says because of the spring like temperatures, the rinks aren't even fit for skating. Fayrick says as of this weekend the buildings will be closed and the lights turned off

Stevenson leads delegation to Mexico

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson is going to Mexico, but not for a vacation. He's helping to lead a group of Canadian universities to learn more about how Mexico has evolved higher learning for Aboriginal students and establish possible partnerships.  He hopes this is the beginning of a broad international strategy for L-U. Representatives from both countries will be meeting on Sunday and Monday in Mexico City.

Nolan new PDAC President

There's a Thunder Bay connection to the newly appointed President of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.  Glenn Nolan who is the Aboriginal Liason Officer with Noront Resources is the new head of the organization.  Nolan works out of Thunder Bay.

Manitouwadge drugs seized

26 thousand dollars in drugs are off the streets after Marathon OPP searched a home in Manitouwadge.  A 38 year old woman and 50 year old man are charged with production of a controlled substance and  possession for the purpose of trafficking.  A quantity of marijuana and other drugs were seized.

Hospital not impacted by drug shortage yet

Thunder Bay's hospital has been spared from the nation wide shortage of drugs. Health Sciences Centre Pharmacist Jeff Chan says the shortage hasn't impacted the hospital yet but it might down the road. Hospitals in several provinces are reporting looming supply gaps for dozens of medications used in operating rooms, emergency departments and intensive care units.

Housing starts down last month

Canada Mortgage and Housing is reporting that Thunder Bay had no new housing starts last month.  Analyst Warren Philp says that's not a reason for concern since it's not uncommon for there to be no starts counted in a month like February given the nature of the residential construction industry in the North.  Year to date construction starts are sitting at 3 units down from seven in 2011.