More Ring Of Fire Concerns

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.   The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.  Spokesperson Jason Aagenes  says they are throwing it in the province's court .
Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire. Meantime Mines Minister Micheal Gravelle repeated the governments message that they are committed to the Ring of Fire.

Ambassadors Wanted

The local Canadian Cancer Society wants more women to talk about getting mammograms.  Manager Maria Cabral says the "Women to Women" movement enlists women to become breast cancer ambassadors.  To sign up click here.

Attempted Robbery @ Safeway Pharmacy

Police are investigating an attempted robbery at the Safeway Pharmacy on West Arthur Street.  A man armed with a knife approached the pharmacy counter just after 8:30 last night and demanded drugs. Officers say he appeared nervous and left the store without any prescription pills.  The suspect is described as 5'8 to 6 feet tall with a thin build, scruffy appearance and no facial hair. He was wearing a grey baseball cap and a black windbreaker jacket.

Con College New Cafeteria

Confederation College is unveiling its new Ryan Hall cafeteria.  They revamped the space in just under nine weeks.  Vice President of Student Services Bob Backstrom says the new eating area includes a custom made fire brick pizza oven from Washington State.  The new Ryan Hall also boasts recycled aluminum can chairs.

Tobacco Prevention Grant

The Northwest Tobacco Control Network is giving away a thousand dollar grant.  Schools and community groups can apply for it up until November 15th.  The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

OLG Pays City

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is giving it's second quarter payment to the City.  This time around the City is getting just over 611-thousand dollars for hosting the OLG Casino.   The money comes from slot machine revenue.

Highway 11 Open

After a 9 hour closure, Highway 11 is now open in both lanes from Long Lac to Hearst.  OPP say a traffic accident early this morning forced the closure.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Unveiled

After a year in the making the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy is complete.  The Lakehead Social Planning Council helped create the document along side other community groups.  Poverty Free Chair Terri Carter says the number one complaint from the public was Thunder Bay's lack of affordable housing.  Staff will be coming back to Council in mid-November to report on how the strategy can be implemented.

NSWPB Out With Its Labour Market Plan

Frank Pullia

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board is out with its latest local labour market plan.  They presented their findings to City Council Monday night.  Spokesperson Frank Pullia says the recession is far from over in the district. Meanwhile, the report also shows that the unemployment rate for people age 15 to 24 is on the rise, while people age 55-64 are finding more work which lowered that age group's unemployment rate. The report was based on census data.

T.Bay Classic Organizers Want More $

Scott Smith

The organizers of the Thunder Bay PGA Canada Golf Classic are pleading with City Council for more cash. Executive Director Scott Smith says they want 90 thousand dollars in cash over the next three years and another 20 thousand dollars of in kind support for each year the tournament is held.  In kind support would include free bus rides to and from the event. Smith says the July tournament is going to generate money that stays in the City. City staff will be coming back with a report on funding the event.

Letter Of Support For Ranger Program

The City is sending a letter to the Provincial Government asking for the Liberals to bring back the Ontario Ranger Program. The program saw young people from across the province work in provincial parks and other ministry of natural resource related jobs. Funding for the program was cut over a year ago and the City's letter will express support for bringing it back.

Smoking By-Law Changes Ratified

City Council is making it official. They ratified changes to their smoking legislation that will allow Hospital security and staff to enforce a no smoking ban on health science centre grounds. Before the vote Monday night, a concerned citizen Jon Powers spoke to Council saying smoking by-laws are a provincial matter and not municipal.

Tamaracks Being Cut

Jason Dampier Arborist

City Council isn't changing its mind and will move forward with the removal of 11 tamarack trees from Mohawk Crescent.  It comes after homeowner Fred Johnson withdrew his request after feeling pressure from the public. Councillor Mark Bentz says Johnson still wants the trees removed he just didn't like the public scrutiny. A local arborist also spoke at Monday night's meeting and told Council removing the trees could hurt the environment.

Golf Course For Sale

City Council is moving forward with the sale of the Municipal Golf Course.  They are going to ask for expression of interests in the coming weeks.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says there's a wide array of uses for the property including a solar farm.  Boshcoff says there's already been interest shown in the property.