Friday, May 23, 2014

Missing 15 Year Old Girl



City Police are looking for the public's help in finding a missing 15 year old girl. Kiaunna Lesage was last seen on May 14th, and is described as having a thin build with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving home in the Montgomery Street area.

Sexual Assault Charges Laid

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 55 year old man with sexual assault after a complaint was made to them Thursday.  The complaint came from the parent of an intellectually disabled adult male victim.  It was reported that he had been sexually assaulted on May 14th of this year by someone who knew him.  Charged is Ronald Fossum who has been convicted of past sexual offences.  He remains in custody and has a court date of May 27th.

New Look For SHIFT Board

L-R Kateri Banning-Skaarup, Agata
Doucette,  Peter Marchl
Thunder Bay's Young Professionals Network is now sporting a new look board of directors.   They were chosen at during the SHIFT annual general meeting on Thursday night at the Valhalla Inn.   Voted in were Agata doucette, Willow Lem and Kateri Banning-Skaarup

Fight Mid-Air Leads To Charges

A fight that broke out on a flight to Attawapiskat First Nation has three people facing charges. Nishnawbe-Aski Police say a 27-year-old and two youths were involved in a fight mid-air, on a plane due to land at the Attawapiskat Airport. The youths cannot be identified under sections of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. All three are charged with assault and endangering the safety of an aircraft. They will appear in court in August.

Light Depot Closing

EcoSuperior is closing its fluorescent light bulb depot next week. Executive Director Ellen Mortfield says a lack of funding is causing the closure. Mortfield says she hopes people use other locations in the city to dispose of the fluorescent bulbs. She notes that there are five other locations around the city that dispose safely of fluorescent bulbs. The closure will officially take effect on May 31st.

OFL Warns Of Cuts


A Progressive Conservative campaign promise to eliminate thousands of public sector jobs will have a devastating effect in northwestern Ontario. That warning comes from the Ontario Federation of Labour. A Federation study says Tim Hudak's plan could result in 339 job losses in Kenora and push the unemployment rate in Thunder Bay up to 10-percent.  Other local communities weren't included in the OFL study.

Infrastructure Up For Debate


City infrastructure will be discussed at city council on Monday night. Replacement costs for roads, bridges, culverts, side walks, as well as water and storm systems will be presented in a report to council. The estimated costs proposed in the first version of the Asset Management Plan would be around 2.5-billion dollars.

Drug Strategy Up For Renewal


Thunder Bay's Drug Strategy is up for renewal.  City council will make a decision about the renewal on Monday night. The renewal would take the drug strategy through 2015-2017.

Our Kids Count Need Cash


The Our Kids Count program will be asking city council on Monday for some financial assistance.  The program is looking for nearly 15-thousand dollars to pay property taxes for their facility. Our Kids Count says prior to moving into their current building, the property was tax exempt.

PSW Talks Resume Today

It's back to the bargaining table today in a local labour dispute.  About 80 personal service workers with HAGI community services have been off the job for over a week.  They are striking over the issue of wages, and apparently the difference between their union and the employer is 10 cents an hour.    This morning the two sides will be meeting with the help of a mediator who will try to bridge the gap.    The talks are taking place at the Lakehead Labour Centre.   

Bridge Meeting May 30th


There's now a date for the meeting between Fort William First Nation, the City and CN Rail.  The swing bridge discussion will held May 30th at 10 am at City Hall.  Last week, CN officials confirmed that they would be in attendance.