Ignace has Mayoral vacancy

Ignace Council is accepting the resignation of Mayor Lee Kennard with regret.  Municipal officials say they haven't had a chance to sit down with Council and discuss the options of filling the vacancy.

Budget takes centre stage at City Hall

The Budget process is underway at City Hall. An overview of the budget was given to council Monday night that came complete with a 2.67 percent tax increase. City Manager Tim Commisso says costs need to be controlled to make a good budget. He said extensive meetings have been held to go over the costs for every department. More Budget meetings will be held next week.

Kaszycki speaks out

Some critics are surprised that as the McGuinty government's Ring of Fire coordinator, Christine Kaszycki hasn't visited camps in the mining zone. Kaszycki defends the decision saying there have been other priorities which included getting to know the communities affected by the massive development.  Kaszycki says as a geologist by trade she has visited many exploration sites.

Medical stop at Thunder Bay airport

An Air Canada flight from Winnipeg to Toronto made an unscheduled stop at the Thunder Bay airport this morning at around 10 o'clock. Manager Scott McFadden says it was due to a medical emergency.  McFadden says the patient on the Airbus A-319 was taken to the Health Science's Centre. 

NAN talks energy in far north

Chiefs from across the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are meeting in Thunder Bay this week talking about the lack of energy infrastructure in the far north.  Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit says they want to come up with a plan by the end of the three day conference.  Louttit says the Provincial and Federal Government's have a role to play in getting communities onto the hydro grid.

Stabbing suspect turns himself in

Police say that they have a 15 year old boy in custody in connection with a stabbing earlier this month.   They say he was the last of the 4 people officials say were involved in the incident at Junot and Red River Road.  Police say the youth turned himself in.

Youth educators plan conference

About 200 early childhood educators from the district are converging in Thunder Bay next month.  The Social Services Administration Board is holding a conference that organizer Marnie Tarzia believes will lead to some new thinking.

Pellet gun brings out the police dogs

City police are breathing a sigh of relief that a weapons call this morning turned into a false alarm.   They say that just after 9 a concerned person called to report that a teen was seen in the backyard of a Belrose Road home with a gun.  After closing down the area and bringing in the sniffer dogs, police say it turned out to be a pellet gun.  No one was hurt and there are no charges being laid. 

Alex Cameron bursary created

A former Lakehead Pioneer is being honoured through a new bursary.  The Lakehead Public School Board recently created the Alex Cameron Bursary for students who want to attend a Canadian University for Engineering.  Alex Cameron lived in Thunder Bay from 1863 to 1952.

NAN Energy Conference Today

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is hosting a three day conference on First Nation energy needs.  Area Chiefs will talk about energy issues, and what needs to be done to improve the energy distribution.  Speakers at the conference will include reps from the Federal and Provincial Governments and First Nations.  The event kicks off today at the Valhalla Inn.

Bohonos is Howarth's replacement

The Thunder Bay North Stars are bringing in Lonny Bohonos to be their interim coach. The move comes after Todd Howarth resigned.

Core Services Review is getting a big look

The Mayor is keenly looking forward to the Core Services Review Process.  An initial report that included the city's golf courses was presented to council Monday night and Mayor Hobbs says fiscal responsibility needs to be addressed.  Hobbs says he's been in favour of selling the Municipal Golf Course for a long time.  Hobbs also says he thinks all services need to be looked at.  He said he doesn't think there needs to be sweeping changes but it's time to be fiscally responsible.  The golf courses won't be back to council until the end of March.  City Manager Tim Commisso says the second phase of the Review will include the Conservatory.

Cell Towers discussed again

The Bell Mobility towers made its way to council again Monday night.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto tried to get council to vote against sending a letter to the Federal Government that stated Bell held public meetings.  Councillor Marc Bentz says the question was never about whether or not council likes the towers. Bentz says all the concerns will be forwarded to Industry Canada and will be considered before any decision is made.

Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute is booming

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute spoke to council  to give them an overview on how the organization has grown since Council's initial 5 million dollar investment.  CEO Michael Power says before the investment the Regional Health Sciences Centre had 3 supported Scientists now there is 13.  Power says the TBRRI has brought in 70 million dollars in direct and indirect economic activity.  Power says the next step is to commercialize the research being done here and to see the economic success stay.

LHIN CEO welcomes new duties

Ontario's local health integration networks will be given responsibility for family doctors. The CEO of the Northwest LHIN, Laura Kokocinski, says her organization is prepared to make it work. She says they welcome the news since it'll move the health care system to one that is more patient focused. Health Minister Deb Matthews says the LHIN's will help ensure patients have a more seamless experience between doctor and hospital.

LUSU holding daycare centre vote

The Student Union at Lakehead University is hoping students dig a bit deeper. Spokesperson Neva  Bassingthwite says LUSU is holding a referendum on increasing student fees by five dollars to help build a new daycare centre, adding it's become increasingly clear the current centre isn't meeting the needs of students. The voting will take place over three days next month.

Three locals to take part in suit

We are just days away from a class action harassment lawsuit being filed against the RCMP. Thunder Bay lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff says there could be up to 120 plaintiffs in this case including three in our city.  Zaitzeff says it could take years to settle the suit which alleges women in the RCMP faced on the job harassment

Grann trial underway

The trial of a city police officer is back on at the Ontario Court of Justice. 44 year old Constable Toni Grann has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of Breach of Trust. The charges involve falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry

LRCA releases water quality report

The Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority is embarking on improving water quality in Rosslyn.  Spokesperson Bob Hartley says a recent water quality report shows septic systems in the community are potential threats to the two municipal wells.  Hartley adds homeowners will need to have their septic systems inspected.  A series of public meetings on the water quality report will be held next week.  Thunder Bay's water source Lake Superior came through with flying colours with no potential threats to water quality. 

Feds cut off Energy Grant Program

EcoSuperior is surprised the Federal Government has cut short its registration period for the ecoEnergy for Houses program.  The program provides money to homeowners who make improvements to their home that will save energy.  Executive Director Ellen Mortfield says the program was supposed to end in March.  People already signed up for the program have until June 30th to have their follow up home evaluation.