Boshcoff takes leave

It's official, City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is taking a leave of absence from council.  The Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay Rainy River will miss one meeting while campaigning in the Federal election.  Boshcoff's leave takes effect Tuesday, April 12th.

Combined Guns and Gang unit arrests 3

The Regional Combined forces guns and gangs unit has 3 people in custody in Sioux Lookout.  Officers made the arrest Monday after finding a military grade rifle and another prohibited device for the gun.  The 3 are facing a number of charges including guns trafficking.

70-thousand dollars in Marijuana seized

The Combined Forces Crime unit has seized over 70 thousand dollars in marijuana after searching a Hester Street home.  A 23 year old man is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, and proceeds of crime.

ONA weighs on new report

The Ontario Nurses' Association is urging the Provincial Government to act on a list of 13-recommendations on improving Health Care in Northern Ontario. First Vice-President Vicki McKenna says a new ONA report on health services can't sit on the shelf and collect dust. The ONA is demanding that socio-economic and environmental issues in Northern Ontario be examined in order to address the root causes of lower life expectancy.

Hearings controversy heats up...NOMA joins

There's more pressure on the McGuinty Liberals over the Forest Tenure hearings.  This time it's the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association throwing it's weight behind the push to bring the committee hearings to Northern Communities.   NOMA says that holding the hearings only in Toronto will do nothing to the people whose lives depend on the forest. 

Forest Tenure Reform

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is jumping on the anti-forest tenure bill band wagon. The Ontario Forest Industry has come out opposed to the legislation and is upset the Province has refused to hold hearings on the legislation in the North. Chamber President Harold Wilson says wood tenure reform is a very important issue for the North; yet the region is being excluded from the hearings. Meanwhile, Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says he wants to ensure its a good piece of legislation for the region. The province will provide video conferencing for those who can't attend in Toronto. Hearings will take place in Toronto on April 11th and 13th.

Wood Allocations Welcome

Two Nipigon-Greenstone area First Nations are accepting wood supply offers from the province. The province is investing one million dollars into the contruction of a new pellet plant and over 30-thousand dollars into the modernization of a sawmill. Spokesperson JP Gladu says the announcment is welcome news. The wood allocation creates around 20 new jobs for the communities.

Returning offices now up and running

The Elections Canada returning offices in both Thunder Bay ridings are now open  The office for the Thunder Bay Rainy River riding is located in the Northwood Mall on Redwood Avenue. The Returning Officer is Tom McCuaig.  The Thunder Bay Superior North office is located at 106 North Cumberland Street, being headed by Returning Officer Bill Everitt.   Both are preparing voter information cards which will be sent to homes in the riding starting this week.   Advance polling dates are set for April 25th, 26th and 28th.

Cops for Cancer

The 15th annual Cops for Cancer event is looking for another successful turn out. Event Chair Constable Greg Stephenson encourages everyone to show their support by shaving their heads for cancer research.You can take part Saturday, May 7th at Intercity Mall.

Thunder Bay farmers grow chickpeas

Chickpeas and lentils can be grown in Thunder Bay.  Thunder Bay's Agricultural Research Station has tested out the crops and President Bruce Forrest says it helps them be more environmentally friendly.
The new crops minimize environmental impact on the land.

Rainbow Trout Spawning

The Spring spawning season for rainbow trout will soon be underway. The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to collect information on the trout they catch. Spokesperson Davis Viehbeck says they'll teach you how to handle the fish. The information will be used to manage rainbow trout populations.

T.Bay Ball player honored

A Thunder Bay ball player is the Minnesota College Athletic Conference's co-winner of its player of the week honours.  Kurtis McCallum, who plays for Virginia's Mesabi Range Community College, batted five-hundred and had two homers and 14 RBI's in the Norse's six wins last week.

Horizon Wind refuses comment on settlement

Officials with Horizon Wind are refusing to comment on Monday nights decision to settle their lawsuit against the city out of court.   Councillors voted  8-4 to allow the wind farm project on the Nor'Wester mountains to go ahead.   The two sides compromised on the location of 4 disputed wind turbines.   A spokesperson for the company's local PR firm says it's possible a statement may come next week.

Outbreak at Roseview Manor

An outbreak has forced the closure of a portion of Roseview Manor.  The Health Unit has closed the 2nd floor of the Primrose wing because of a respiratory outbreak.  All admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled.

Council votes for settlement

Thunder Bay City Council has voted to support the settlement with Horizon Wind.  Mayor Keith Hobbs asked to have the vote deferred but the motion was lost, he had a number of questions he wanted administration to answer.  Councillor Iain Angus says too much money is at risk to not support the settlement.  Councillor Andrew Foulds says if the City had to pay for the 126 million dollar lawsuit it would mean they would be unable to pay for any road work for several years.  Hobbs voted against the settlement as did Neebing Councillor Linda Rydholm.

Concerned citizens have their say

Thunder Bay City Council got an earful Monday night on the Horizon Wind settlement.  Lorella Piirik says the city will lose out if the settlement goes through.  Piirik notes the cost to decommission the turbines will cost more than what's set out in the settlement.  Piirik adds the city should not give up it's Loch Lomond road allowance.  Several people protested outside of City hall last night and stayed for the regular meeting.  Seven deputants spoke out against the proposed settlement.

WCO pays visit to Council

The leader of an anti-wind farm group wants City Council to change some of the clauses found in the proposed settlement with Horizon Wind.  John Laforet is the President of Wind Concerns Ontario and says council should hold off on voting on the settlement that would kill the 126 million dollar lawsuit.  Laforet thinks council needs to maintain control of the Loch Lomond road allowance; calling it the city's only bargaining chip.

Council ok's truck traffic study

Thunder Bay City Council is moving ahead with a truck traffic study on Dawson Road. McIntyre Ward Councillor Trevor Giertuga introduced the idea and says it's all about safety.  The study will look at the feasibility of diverting transports to the new Shabaqua Highway by limiting the weight and speed limits on Dawson Road.

Earth Wise leased for one year

Thunder Bay City Council is leasing the name Earth Wise for one year.  They made the decision Monday night.  A Southern Ontario hydro company owns the rights to that name.  Mayor Keith Hobbs spoke to the Mayor of Cambridge in an attempt to get use of the name; but found out the hydro company is seperate from the municipality.  Administration will brainstorm new names for the City's "earth wise" program and start rebranding throughout the year.

Council competes with Federal Election

Thunder Bay City Council isn't going to let the Federal Election stop them from holding their Monday night meeting.  Council was considering moving their meeting to Tuesday May 3rd to accomodate election night but most of council voted against the move.