Council upset about heritage building repairs

Some City Councillors were shocked to find they would have to pay to repair the exterior of the Whalen Building.  The city is on the hook for repairing the Terra Cotta exterior because they own the heritage building.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't think they should restore the building when there's other more important projects.  Council approved a million dollar contract with KGS Group Consulting Engineers dealing with the Whalen Building's repairs.

CEDC provides an update to City Council

Thunder Bay's Economic Development Commission is taking credit for creating several jobs within the City. CEO Steve Demmings says they created 133 direct jobs and 55 indirect jobs.  The CEDC told council Monday night that their goal for this year is to foster the mining industry.  The CEDC also plans to announce in six weeks time who will be hired as the City's Mining Coordinator.

Grand Marais station to open soon

Boaters take note. The American inspection station at Grand Marais will be open in less than two weeks. The station will open May 15th and remain open 7 days a week until September 30th from 9 until 5 pm Central Time.

Election day is finally here!

It's election day and the polls in Thunder Bay will be open until 9:30 tonight.   There are close to 60 thousand eligible voters in both area ridings, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River.   There are over 420 polls in both ridings.    Magic 99.9 will have news reports on election results after the polls are closed.  

Company takes new FORM

A well known Thunder Bay architectural company is changing it's name. Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo are announcing FORM Architecture Engineering as their new name. Among other buildings, they are most noted for the construction of La Verendrye High School and the George Jeffrey Children's Centre.

No election break for councillors

It's business as usual at city hall tonight.   In spite of the federal election, city councillors will be holding a regular meeting this evening.   One of the items on the agenda is the contract for sidewalk and street lighting worth 1.3 million dollars. As well a decision is expected on some exterior work on the ceramic facing of the Whalen Building on Cumberland Street, the home of Thunder Bay Hydro.

Man and woman busted for cocaine

Two 23 year olds in the city are due back in court May 25th on drug charges.   Police say that the man and woman were arrested over the weekend on outstanding warrants.   As part of the arrest they seized close to 58 thousand dollars worth of cocaine.   They face possession and trafficking charges.  

Bombardier says talks continue over streetcar contract

There is no indication from Bombardier Transportation that a contract that involves the Toronto Transit Commission will have to be delayed.   A report says that the TTC is requesting Bombardier put off the production of the new streetcars at the Thunder Bay plant.  However Bombardier spokesperson Marc Laforge says the work has not started and says the terms of the contract with  Metrolinx, the province's transportation arm, are still being negotiated

New OMA President from Thunder Bay

A Thunder Bay Doctor is now the leader of the Ontario Medical Association.  Doctor Stewart Kennedy was chosen as the 130th president of the OMA.  Kennedy has been a family Physician in Thunder Bay for more than 25 years.

Cazabon speaks out on native languages

A Canadian filmmaker wants to see more schools offering courses in native language. Andre Cazabon was in Fort Frances yesterday for the Native studies conference. Cazabon says schools have a good opportunity to preserve the language by turning to native elders for support. Cazabon found in her latest project "Third World Canada," that many young aboriginals are already unable to speak the native language of their grandparents.

Budget Finalized

Atikokan town councillors have finalized a budget that will include a 2-point-four per cent tax increase. Mayor Dennis Brown says it amounts to about a 30 dollar increase to the average homeowners tax bill. The township will spend just over 8-million dollars over the next year.

Brown Street Fire

A late night blaze left a garage in shambles on Brown Street. It took 21 firefighters about an hour to put out the fire. No injuries were reported. Platoon Chief Val Fontaine says garage fires can be dangerous. The reason being flammable liquids are often present.

Wabasse search to resume Wednesday

The city police confirm that the ground search for Jordan Wabasse will resume on Wednesday.   They'll be searching the banks of the Kam River near the James Street bridge for the missing teen

More wood allocations announced

Two more companies in northwestern Ontario have accepted wood supply offers from the provincial government.  Domtar will use its wood supply for full-time softwood pulp production at its mill in Dryden. Wagner Forest Management Limited has indicated that it will use its wood fiber to build a pellet  manufacturing plant in Ignace.  The business is expected to be up and running by October of 2013 and employ 20 new jobs.   Minister Michael Gravelle made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Milloy annonces literacy cash

83 sites in Northern Ontario will be offering literacy training thanks to the Provincial Government.  Minister of Training and Colleges John Milloy says they'll be offering basic skills training.  2 million dollars will go towards local programs.  Milloy made the announcement at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Bearskin adds plane

A Thunder Bay based airline is expanding it's fleet.  Bearskin Airlines has introduced a new Saab turbo prop which is being used for it's flights between Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.  It can seat 34 people.

Gas creeps toward record levels

Get ready to cry when you fill up next.  Gas prices have spiked again and now sit at just under a buck 40 a litre at many Thunder Bay gas stations.  That's according to the website gasbuddy.com.

45 year old mosiac graces new library

The new Mary J. L. Black Library isn't open yet, but it already has some vivid artwork to display. The Public Library has re-introduced a mosaic by Ruby Owen called Thunderbird. It is comprised of 27,000 tiles made out coloured glass, ceramics and rocks, and took over a year and a half to complete

Clean up campaign is on!

The Spring Up to Clean Up event is underway in the city.  It's a collaboration between the City of Thunder Bay and Eco-Superior.   It kicked off with employees of various businesses going outside for 15 minutes and picking up the garbage around their premises. 

Hearing dates set in County Park death

Sixteen witnesses are expected to testify in the preliminary hearing of two teenage girls charged with second degree murder. It followed the death last year of a 16 year old girl who's body was found in the bushes behind Wentworth Crescent. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.   Six days have been set aside for the hearing: August 16th, 17th and 18th as well as September 14th, 15th and 16th.

Thunder Bay Rainy River Candidates discuss election issues

Jobs for Thunder Bay's youth was one of the topics discussed at the Thunder Bay Rainy River Riding all candidates debate.  Liberal Ken Boshcoff says he would use his previous experience to create jobs.  NDP Incumbent John Rafferty says his party would provide incentives to small businesses.; while Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann says her party's corporate tax cuts will help provide jobs for our youth.

Cocaine seized from Thunder Bay home

Two Jamaican men are charged with a number of drug related offences after a search of a Thunder Bay home.  The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit seized 441 grams of cocaine and 15 thousand dollars in cash.  The drugs have a street value of 44 thousand dollars.

Area First Nation upset over exploration

Yet another northern First Nation is complaining about mining exploration on its traditional land. The Constance Lake First Nation and its Chief Arthur Moore say they are fed up with not be consulted and are taking legal action. Chief Moore says they are going to court Friday to seek a court order to stop Zenyatta Mining  from exploring.  No one from Zenyatta has returned our call.

Small quake confirmed in the region

Natural Resources Canada is confirming that a minor earthquake struck near Devlin last month. The 1-point-9 magnitude quake happened around 2 in the morning on March 25th. Seismic activity is not uncommon to northwestern Ontario, although most of the minor quakes over the past year have been around the Atikokan area.

Infrastructure plan to include Ring of Fire

Saying the north is different, Ontario's infrastructure minister says our region will be taken into account in his 10 year plan. Bob Chiarelli tells municipal delegates in Thunder Bay that it must include the Ring of Fire mining development.   He says that will include building roads, the electricity grid and communication links.  His infrastructure plan for the province will be released next month.

City receives tbaytel dividends

The city is getting a big contribution from tbaytel.  Over 20 million dollars in dividends is being handed over to the city.  Tbaytel saw record revenues last year exceeding 131 million. 

Hat found near the Kam belonged to missing teen

The hat found near the Kam River earlier this year has been confirmed as Jordan Wabasse's.  Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says the confirmation was done with DNA testing.  Police will be continuing the search next week in the area of the James Street bridge.

Thunder Bay Superior North Candidates duke it out

 Liberal candidate Yves Fricot may not be the incumbent in this election , but he sure has to defend himself like he is.   At Wednesday nights all candidates debate for the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding,  Fricot was taking heat from NDP MP Bruce Hyer.   It was over Fricot's involvement as a Buchanan Forest Products Company executive during the forestry crisis.  The audience also got into the act,  taunting Fricot over the issue several times.  Conservative hopeful Richard Harvey tried to make his mark by claiming Hyer has not represented the riding effectively.   Scot Kyle of the Green Party also participated.

Cancer Care award for local Dr.

A Dr. with the Northwest Regional Cancer Care in Thunder Bay is one of six winners of the Human Touch Awards.  Dr. Kenneth Gehmen is being recognized for the work he's done that made a difference in cancer patients lives.

No junk food in local schools this fall

Thunder Bay students are getting ready to say goodbye to sugary pop and poutine.  The Lakehead Public School Board is putting an end to junk food on their cafeteria menus.  Education Officer Charles Bishop says they're removing their fryers from high schools and installing steam machines instead.  The Provincial Government is imposing the new food and beverage guidelines that will take effect in the Fall.

No ban on two Findley books

Two books by Canadian author Timothy Findley are staying put at public school libraries in Thunder Bay. School board trustees agreed, that a parent's complaint over the book's graphic violent and sexual content didn't  warrant a ban.  The books in question  were "The Wars" and "Not Wanted on the Voyage"

Jimi gets a new leash on life

"Jimi the Dog" gets to live. His owners were facing charges after another owner's pet chihuahua died at a city owned dog park last year. Defence lawyer Mary Bird says the city dropped its demand Jimi be considered a pitbull.   In return her clients agreed to a control order, meaning that Jimi must be muzzled when out in public. Bird says the result is not considered a guilty plea, but rather,  is similar to a Peace Bond.

College close to naming new Prez

The search for a new president at Confederation College, to replace Pat Lang,  is inching closer to an announcement. Board of Governors chair Marilyn Gouthro says they will make the decision public sometime next month.  She says over the next week they'll be conducting interviews with a list of candidates.  She says they have narrowed the short list down to six hopefuls

Province providing funding for court security

Thunder Bay Police is getting some help to cover court security.  The provincial government is providing 25 million dollars to help municipal police cover costs.  Inspector Andy Hay says while the money is good, it still falls short.  Hay says costs already hover around a million dollars and with the construction of the new consolidated court house, costs will rise even higher.

New crane for the port

The Port of Thunder Bay is getting 1 million provincial tax dollars to buy a new crane to unload ships. CEO Tim Heney says it's a necessary piece of equipment to make our port more competitive.   He says there is no other piece of equipment like it at the head of Lake Superior, in fact not having a crane has been one of  the port's deficiencies.  Heney says they should have the new crane by the fall.

Cause of fatal fire released

The cause of a fatal fire has been deemed accidental.  Last week's fire on McPherson Street killed an elderly woman and fire officials have determined it an electrical fire.  Officials also say smoke inhalation was the cause of death.

First Nations welcomes wood supply

Whitesand First Nation will soon be home to a new sawmill thanks to the provincial government.  The community recieved a Wood supply from the province that will allow the construction of the mill and will create 62 full time jobs. 

Clement talks smack and FedNor

Opposition parties keep saying FedNor will be gutted if the Harper Conservatives are back in government. Speaking in Thunder Bay, the minister responsible, Tony Clement repeated that the program is safe and says it's the local NDP members who seem to be sending mixed messages.  He says they take credit for federal announcements in the region, but vote against those projects in the House of Commons. Clement was in the city to lend his support to candidates Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann and Richard Harvey

False Alarm

Thunder Bay Police and fire officials have confirmed a false alarm. Someone called police around 1:30 this afternoon saying they thought they saw a body floating on the Kam River near the James Street Bridge, but searchers found nothing.

Wabasse search continues

Thunder Bay Police will be conducting another ground search for Jordan Wabasse. City police spokesperson Chris Adams says even though the area of shore was previously investigated by helicopter officers will now have a chance to walk the shore lines and search in better conditions. Police will scour the area of the Kam River near the James Street Bridge where the teen may have been last. Adams says the search will take place one day next week.

Gravelle remains high on CRIBE

It's now 3 years since the province approved 25 million dollars for Thunder Bay's biomass research centre. So far there's only one project it's publicly approved, but forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says he still supports the organization.  He hails the leadership of the CRIBE board and is confident we will see some real benefit from the support the government has provided.  The organization's website says approval for 5 other projects will be announced soon.

House lottery equips cath-lab

The Regional Health Sciences Centre is receiving a huge boost thanks to the Fort William Rotary Club. President Dave Knudsen  says they donated 150 thousand dollars to the hospital so the new cath-lab can be equiped. The money is the direct result of the proceeds from the club's house lottery.  The new lab will give patients 24/7 access to emergency angioplasty.

NOACC in Kenora this week

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce will be holding its annual spring meeting in Kenora this week.  Chamber representitives from across the region will begin arriving in town Wednesday night.  Andy Scribilo is the president-elect of NOACC and says they have decided to hold the conference Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.  Scribilo says chamber members from across the region will be voting on a number of resolutions this week to pass to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce later this year.

National Day of Mourning Thursday

The Lakehead Labour Council is marking Canada's Day of Mourning on Thursday.  President Melanie Kelso says the day will continue to go recognized until workplace injuries and deaths stop.  A ceremony remembering workers who were killed on the job will be held at 5:30 at the centre.

Advance Polls closed

The countdown to the May 2nd Federal election has begun.  Advance polls closed on Monday and Thunder Bay Superior North Returning Officer Bill Everitt says it was a good turn out.  Candidates in the Thunder Bay Superior North riding will face off at an all-candidates debate Wednesday night at Lakehead University.

4 Provincial Ministers attending NOMA

4 Provincial Cabinet Ministers are attending the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Thunder Bay.  Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli will be the key note speaker at the conference.  The bear pit session on Friday will see the Ministers of Natural Resources, Northern Development and Mines, and Training, Colleges and Universities.

NOMA conference kicks off on Wednesday

Municipal leaders from across the region are in Thunder Bay this week to discuss issues impacting the Northwest.  NOMA's annual general meetings gets underway on Wednesday.  Issues to be discussed include repowering the Thunder Bay generating station and the property tax model.  The conference ends on Friday with the election of the NOMA executive.

Thumbs up to adoption changes

The changes to Ontario's adoption laws are welcomed by the local head of the Children's Aid Society. Rob Richardson says the changes will make it easier for Thunder Bay families to adopt.  Richardson says the changes could help up to 75 children under the care of the local C-A-S find permanent homes that weren't able to under the current law.

Fort Frances Flag flying over Kenora

The Fort Frances' town flag will soon be flying high over the city of Kenora.  Mayor Roy Avis says its the outcome of a bet he made with Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield during the recent Allan Cup tournament.  Kenora lost against Fort Frances in the hockey tournament so the Fort flag will be seen in Kenora.  The Thunderhawks eliminated Kenora from the tournament in a playoff game.

Police looking for cab robbery suspect

Thunder Bay Police are on the lookout for a suspect in a taxi cab robbery.  Sunday night, a man brandishing a sharp object demanded 200 dollars in cash from a cab driver on Jasper Drive.  Police called out their K9 unit, but couldn't track down the suspect.  The suspect is described as a Native Canadian wearing all dark clothing.