Election signs vandalized

Campaign workers for two local candidates are replacing damaged election signs. Signs for Richard Harvey and Bruce Hyer on North Court Street were vandalized sometime overnight. Hyer's spokesperson Maurice Grinstead says it's part of the campaign and he doesn't worry about it. The signs have been replaced. A spokesperson for the Harvey camp won't speculate on who may be responsible. The manager for the Yves Fricot campaign says they are dealing with similar problems throughout the city and doesn't know who is responsible for the vandalism.

No overspending for elected councillors

It appears the current city councillors have no worries over their election expenses.  Figures from the City Clerk's office show that all of them were well within what they were allowed to spend during last year's civic campaign. That goes from almost 13 hundred dollars for Mark Bentz to 12 thousand dollars for  Paul Pugh.   The deadline for submitting election costs was March 25th.  Only Mayor Keith Hobbs asked for an extension, which he's allowed to do, so he has until June to submit his expenses.

RFDA launches spring food drives

The Regional Food Distribution Association is gearing up for two major food drives. Executive Director Volker Kromm says the RFDA will be getting help from both Superstore and Canada Post. Kromm says most of the food collected during Holiday drives has been exhausted and the need for more food is rising. Superstore will be donating food through its Spring into Action food drive and Canada Post will be collecting food curbside across the region Saturday.

France plays leading role in Ivory Coast: prof

France is quickly becoming one of the biggest players on the international stage. Lakehead University Political Science Expert Laure Paquette says with French Special Forces Soldiers capturing the Ivory Coast, France  has become interventionist. Paquette says the biggest question is how the new leaders of the Ivory Coast will treat the former government leaders now that strongman Laurent Gbagbo has been arrested.

Damage claims coming in from hailstorm

Insurance companies in the city are expecting lots of calls this week.  Sunday's hailstorm has caused numerous damage claims for home rooftops and vehicles according to Bill Covello of Philpot and Delgaty,  who  says it appears the north side of Thunder Bay received the brunt of the storm

Johnson wants golf study again

Don't be surprised to see a rift develop over the city run golf courses. Councillor Rebecca Johnson has already gone public with her concerns about the deficit the courses pile up every year.  She feels the city should get out of the golf business altogether.  Mayor Keith Hobbs is also in favour of selling all or some of the city courses.

City sees first Thunderstorm of the year

Thunder Bay saw quite the light show last night.   Our meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says a storm rolled through the area and brought with it rain, hail and a fully developed thunderstorm.  Laidlaw says the storm dumped as much as 11 millimetres of rain on the area. 

Wilson heads to Toronto to talk Bill 151

Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson will be in Toronto Monday to share concerns about Bill 151. The bill would create a number of Crown corporations to manage forestry-a move that Wilson says could cause roadblocks for the industry. Wilson says he prefers the Ministry of Northern Development's wood supply competition program to what's outlined in the bill.

Overnight knife assault

Police have a man in custody this morning in connection with an overnight assault. According to police a man and woman were taken to hospital with apparent knife wounds. The pair were released after their injuries were treated. The accused man will appear in court today.

Golf Courses post 400-thousand dollar defecit

Thunder Bay's golf course finished off the 2010 year 400-thousand dollars in the red.  Director of golf Tom Forsythe attributes the loss in revenue to unexpected expenditures.  Forsythe says although they posted a defecit rounds of play were up over previous years.  Forsythe will present the figures to council on Monday night.

Hotel developers try try try again

It will likely be June when developers of the proposed waterfront hotel try again to get their way.   After being shot down by the city's Committee of Adjustment, they plan to go to council.  The developers are hoping to get approval to add an extra floor to the hotel, without increasing the height of the building.   The committee turned down the idea saying the added number of rooms might create parking problems.

De Faveri retires

Thunder Bay's Catholic School Board is bidding farewell to its Director of Education.  John De Faveri is retiring this summer after four years with the private board.  The Board is searching for De Faveri's replacement.

Construction season off to slow start

Thunder Bay's construction season is off to a slow start.  Housing starts are down 27 percent from last year's first quarter total.  Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says the cooler weather is to blame.  Late snowfall is also contributing to the slow start to the building season.

Women's run has new component

The 32nd annual Royal LePage women's run has new twist. This year men are able to join the action with the new addition of "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes". Men that take part will be walking the distance in high heeled shoes to protest violence against women. Both events are held at Boulevard Lake on May 7th.

Hobbs taking part in business conference

Thunder Bay's Mayor is going to be absent from Monday night's council meeting.  Keith Hobbs is taking part in a business improvement conference in London, Ontario.  Hobbs says it's in preparation for Thunder Bay's conference hosting duties next year.  Hobbs will miss the ratification vote on the Horizon Wind settlement.  He doesn't foresee any councillors changing their minds and votes on the issue.

Collins re-elected as Chair

Fort William First Nation has re-elected Peter Collins as their chief.  8 people were running for the top job and 67 residents were interested in the 12 council seats.  There are two new faces at the band table including Georjann Morriseau and Valerie Chapman.  The new term of office starts April 15th.  The election was held yesterday.

Troubled times for Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity in Thunder Bay could be seeing red. Its annual raffle is behind in selling tickets.  CEO Diane Mitchell says if they don't sell anymore tickets, the organization would be looking at a 94 thousand dollar deficit in this year's budget.  It also means there won't be a house built this year.  Mitchell says they need to sell around 4 thousand more tickets to reach the break even point in the raffle.

Fricot takes a shot at NDP platform

The NDP Northern Platform is being panned by the Liberal Candidate for Thunder Bay Superior North. Yves Fricot says it's a national platform with only one regional piece "FEDNOR". The former lawyer is concerned about the cost of the platform. Fricot takes issue with the NDP's credit card and cellphone initiatives noting it's not really a north specific issue.

Lindstrom case remanded

It's back to court in June for a Thunder Bay man accused in the death of city man 2 years ago.  After a hearing Friday,  Eric Lindstrom's Toronto lawyer says that the case will be back in Superior Court June 14th.  Lindstrom was originally charged with second degree murder in the death of 36 year old Richard Quimet whose burned remains were discovered up Highway 527.  His co-accused in the case, Christopher Gregorchuck was sentenced to 10 years in jail in January after pleading guilty to manslaughter. 

Relay for Life set for June 17th

Thunder Bay's Canadian Cancer Society is gearing up for this summer's 12th annual Relay for Life.  Chair Elizabeth Stafford says money raised here goes towards local cancer research.  Last year's 12 hour relay raised over 143-thousand dollars.  This year's goal is to raise 152-thousand.  Stafford says she hopes to see 85 teams enter this year's relay that takes place June 17th.