"Ceremony And Resurgence"

The Idle No More movement in Thunder Bay  is trying to give itself a kick start.  Organizers are holding what they call  "a day of ceremony and resurgence" Wednesday.  Beginning with a sunrise ceremony, a day of First Nation  teachings is planned at the Anishnawbe Mushkiki Centre on Royston Court.

LRCA To Start Its Flood Watch

The spring flood watch is about to begin as the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority keeps its eye on area rivers and streams during the snow melt.   Chair Bill Bartley says he just finished his annual spring meeting with the operational staff of the area municipalities to make sure they are prepared for any eventuality.  Bartley says monitoring so far shows there is no cause for concern.

Rock Drummer Lends His Star Power

A Thunder Bay based suicide prevention movement is getting some help from a Canadian rock star.   Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart says he joined the Collateral Damage Project after  founder Scott Chisholm reached out to him through Twitter.   Taggart is convinced it's a worthwhile endeavour and hopes to use his celebrity status to bring the message across the country.

Virdiramo Says Allegation Tainted Force

Police Services Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says a recent allegation from a 19 year old man hurt the force's reputation.  The OPP investigation into the claim that a young man was driven out of the City and left behind was proved to be false.  Virdiramo says national media stories on the investigation didn't help local police.  Virdiramo has asked the Police Chief to also look into what costs might be associated with the investigation.

Police Youth Corp. Celebrates 20 Years

The Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps. 20th anniversary is off to a good start, as the group has received 2-thousand dollars for supplies and uniforms.  Deputy Commanding Officer Kerri Hnatiw says the money will help inspire youth to pursue a policing career.  The Youth Corps. has been a major help to aspiring police officers, and has left such a lasting impression that several of the graduates have returned to volunteer.

Crimestoppers Launches Hate Crime Prevention Program

Crimestoppers is offering a new program that will help put an end to hate crimes.  The new initiative will be launched in May and could cost up to 15-thousand dollars.  Constable Julie Tilbury says they embarked on the initiative after an alleged abduction and sexual assault of a First Nations woman.  The Police Services Board pledged 2-thousand dollars towards the project.

Robinson New Chamber President

The new Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president is Charla Robinson.   She takes over from Harold Wilson who left to enter the world of politics.  Robinson hopes to put her own on stamp on the local business organization.  Robinson begins her new role at the end of April.  

Gravelle Says Mining Benefiting Ontario

The provincial government is highlighting the benefits mining is having on Ontario's economy.   Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says the province is seeing record spending by the industry. Gravelle spoke in Queens Park yesterday, and says that Ontario is the leading jurisdiction in Canada when it comes to exploration.

Hobbs Happy With Proposed Legislation

Mayor Keith Hobbs is excited to hear the Provincial Government is introducing legislation that will make it easier for Cities to charge out of province drivers who run red lights and fail to stop for school buses.  Hobbs says the proposed legislation will help them collect quite a bit of money in fines.  Hobbs says it was one of their main requests when they met with Provincial Ministers last month in Toronto.

Not As Many P.E. Teachers In N.Ontario

Northern Ontario has the greatest shortage of physical education teachers in the province.  The report from People for Education found that only 22 percent of schools across the north have phys-ed staff compared to 75 percent in the Toronto area.  Majority of schools in the area don't have teachers that specialize in phys-ed, instead it is up to the normal classroom teacher.  The report also says that the shortage is preventing most students from meeting the 20-minutes of mandatory daily physical activity required by the province.