Pennies for change

Thunder Bay's United Way is kicking off it's 2012 Pennies for Change campaign.  In 2011, 19 thousand dollars was brought in in loose change. A variety of local organizations will be taking loose change for the campaign up until April 30th.

Winter road network in bad shape

The winter roads to area First Nations are no longer safe to drive on.  The roads are quickly deterioating and Nishnawbe-Aski Police have had to respond to several incidents on the road.  Most communities have closed their sections of the road network.

Police Board ratifies contract

Civilian servants with Thunder Bay Police are getting a raise.  The Police Services Board recently approved their ratified contract and Chair Joe Virdiramo says it's a four year contract.  The next contract up for ratification coming to the Police Service Board is the Police Force's Senior Officers.

Bike lanes under microscope

The city's bike lane system on Victoria Avenue is coming under scrutiny. It comes after some safety concerns by motorists. The city's Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says they are looking at one specific section of Victoria, where it intersects with Waterloo Street.  Krupper says a consultant has also been hired to review the bike lane system and how it might be improved.

Saving a quarter million dollars....priceless

Lakehead University is changing the way it accepts payment for tuition and student resident services. As of May first, L-U's finance boss Michael Pawlowski says they will no longer be accepting credit cards. He says it will amount to a savings of over a quarter million dollars in fees they would normally pay to the credit card companies. Pawlowski says they feel the savings could be better spent in other areas of the institution.

Warm weather records broken

Thunder Bay keeps breaking weather records.  We saw a high of 18.9 yesterday which broke a warm record of 12.2 set back in 1946.  Fort Frances was the warmest yesterday reaching 26 degrees.

A new Regional Economic Development Agency is in the works

The Region could soon have a body to oversee economic development across the Northwest.  Thunder Bay City Council saw a presentation yesterday from Iain Angus who is chair a group that is working to create the Regional Economic Development Agency.  Angus says there are already several agencies that cover economic development but not on a regional level. This group would include all First nations and municipalities.  He says the REDA would give the Northwest a unified voice at both the provincial and federal levels.

Subdivision causes some debate

A proposed 25 unit subdivision near the Fort William Country Club is creating a bit of a buzz.  About a dozen people spoke up at council last night both for and against the project.  Residents who spoke out against the plan are worried the construction would destroy the pristine scenery while those in favour say it would be a great place to live and are especially interested in the larger than average lot sizes. The proposal will come back to council towards the end of April. 

Province changes funding model for hospitals

It won't be until May or June until we find out if a new Provincial Funding structure will benefit the Health Sciences Centre.  Vice President Scott Potts says its still unclear how the new model will work, but he's optimistic the hospital will see an increase in funding.

Local students condemn London violence

If the students who rioted in London, Ontario are expecting support from their counterparts at Thunder Bay's Confederation College, they're mistaken. Those we spoke to are condemning the violence

Busch new campaign chair

Carol Busch will be the face of this fall's United Way campaign having been selected the new campaign chair.   She says she can't wait to hit the ground running.

Making a big splash during Water Week

The city and EcoSuperior have a common bond this week. They both are helping to promote Water Week and specifically, water conservation. EcoSuperior's Ashley Priem says we still have a lot to learn about saving H2O.   Priem adds there will also be tours of the Bare Point Water Treatment and Atlantic Avenue Pollution Control plants .

Humane Society financially stable

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is in the clear financially after threatening to close its doors back in November. Executive Director Maryann Kleynendorst says it's a huge relief to have their bills paid and staff salaries covered. Kleynendorst says an increase in public donations helped saved the local agency.

Public input required on White Pelican habitat

The Ministry of Natural Resources wants your feedback on it's proposed protected habitats for the American White Pelican.  Biologist Glen Desy says Pelican's are found on Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul and parts of Lake Superior.  You have until April 2nd to comment and can do so by clicking here.

OPP snag 200-thousand dollars of pot

Over 200 thousand dollars in marijuana is in OPP hands after a traffic stop on Highway 17 east of Marathon. OPP stopped a vehicle travelling westbound on the Trans Canada and found a large amount of pot. A 29 year old Quebec man is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Three fires deemed arson

Three fires in the McIntyre area are being deemed cases of arson.  Fire Department Spokesperson Eric Nordlund says there were two fires on Regina Avenue and another on John Street.  Nordlund says because of the location and time of the fires they seem to be connected.  The fires broke out between four am and 10 am on Sunday.  A garage and two sheds were destroyed in the three incidents.

Missing man found

Thunder Bay Police are reporting that a missing 20 year old man has been found.  Oscar Basic was picked by the Toronto Police force and they're holding him.  Basic was reported missing last week after he was last seen at the Health Sciences Centre.

Kraft Mill in Fort down

More bad news for Mill workers in Fort Frances.  A lack of qualified personnel has put a halt to production at the Resolute Forest Products kraft mill.  Company spokesperson Pierre Choquette says the mill doesn't have enough second class stationary engineers needed to run the plant.

Weather records broken

Weather records toppled across Northwestern Ontario over the weekend.  The hot spot yesterday was Fort Frances at 26.4-degrees.  Thunder Bay hit 15.7 beating the old record of 13.8 in 2010.

City arsons being probed

Police are puzzled by three arsons on the city's north side which have caused extensive property damage.  Two of the incidents were on Regina Avenue, the other on John Street with the fires breaking out between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday.  Police believe there may be a connection between two of the arsons, but they're still investigating.