Ukraine Ripe For Invasion

With the crisis in Ukraine deeping by the day, world leaders, including Prime Minister Harper, are condemning Russia's actions there.  President Vladimir Putin says he has the right to protect Russian interests.    Lakehead University political science professor Laure Paquette believes Putin is in the for long haul.  Paquette also thinks that Ukraine is ripe for invasion, and short of that Russia will install a puppet regime in Kiev. 

Chief Concerned About Future Of Bridge

Fort William First Nation Chief Georjann Morriseau plans to continue to pressure CN to open the James Street Swing Bridge to vehicle traffic.  The community is fresh off a meeting with CN officials.  Morriseau says she's not optimistic about the company's plans for the bridge. The engineering report on the bridge is to be released at the end of March and CN officials are expected to release a statement to the public sometime this week.

FCM Meeting In T.Bay

Thunder Bay is playing host to municipal leaders from across Canada this week.  The Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference is on all week at the Valhalla Inn.  City Councillor Rebecca Johnson the FCM meetings will also coincide with a Women In Politics Workshop on International Women's Day March 8th.  The FCM conference will bring 150 municipal representatives to the City.

Chill Get New Sponsor

The Thunder Bay Chill have a new sponsor to help expand their brand across the northwest.  Gillons Insurance is announcing a 3-year 45-thousand dollar commitment to the soccer club.  Dave Colistro is head coach of the girls reserve squad and says he expects to see the club benefit from the announcement. Soccer camps will be expanded to Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

NDP Call For Propane Cost Cut

The NDP are calling on the Federal Government to cut the cost of propane.  The request comes during one of the coldest winters in recent memory.  NDP MP Claude Gravelle raised the issue in the House of Commons recently. The NDP are calling for an oil and gas ombudsman to ensure fairness for consumers being squeezed by high prices.

Fraser Institute Releases Rankings

St. Ignatius High School is tops in the city when it comes to the Fraser Institute's most recent rankings of secondary schools across the province.  St. Ignatius scored 7.5 out of 10.  Director of Performance Studies Peter Cowley says even with the high score their is a concerning trend taking place with area high schools. The average provincial score is 6 out of 10.

Citizen Wojak To Run For Mayor

Wojak: Centre

There's going to be another name on the election ballot for mayor.   Citizen activist Henry Wojak says he's running because he wants to see more transparency at City Hall especially when it comes to the budget.  He doesn't consider himself a fringe candidate, rather someone who can speak for the people at the council table. Wojak is currently banned from City Hall property and plans to make his announcement this afternoon  on the sidewalk in front of the building.

Pedestrian Struck On South Side

A woman is in hospital with serious injuries after an auto-pedestrian accident on the city's south side last night.  Police say that at around quarter to 10 a man driving a vehicle backed over the victim at the intersection McKellar and Miles.   A 34 year old man is charged with Impaired and Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm.

Fire Sends Infant To Hospital

A 10 month old infant is recovering from smoke inhalation following a fire last night in a basement apartment on the 300 block of South Archibald Street.   The blaze was reported at 10:20 pm.   While the fire was quickly put out,  the residents of the 3 story building had to be evacuated until it could be cleared of smoke.   Damage is minimal and the cause is not known.

Arson Charge Laid

Thunder Bay Police have a 24 year old man in custody charged with Arson and Mischief after a weekend fire in Westfort.  Police say that early Sunday morning there was an apartment fire on the 1900 block of West Frederica Street.   Minor damage is reported and no one was injured.   The man is to make a court appearance this morning.

City Council Preview

City Council is expected to ratify their 2014 budget tonight. The fiscal document was already approved in principal in February. The City's 2014 tax levy is set at 1.69 percent. Meanwhile, City Manager Tim Commisso says they'll present a review of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. The report includes recommendations on how MPAC can be changed to benefit area communities in fights with their industrial taxpayers. If council likes the report they'll send it to the Province.

March Is Easter Seals Month

The local Easter Seals organization is gearing up for their upcoming fundraising month.  March is Easter Seals month across the Province.  The organization will be participating in a direct mail campaign asking for funds as well as a Paper Egg campaign at participating businesses such as the Bargain Shop.

LU Research Week Continues

Lakehead University's Research and Innovation week will take to the Fort William Historical Park Tuesday evening.  Erica Sawula is Student Ambassador at the school and says researchers from across the province will be speaking.  Those unable to attend can watch a live stream at your ontario research.ca

Energy Plan Signed

Ontario and Manitoba are working together to find new clean, renewable power for both provinces.   Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Canadian Energy Innovation Summit.  The agreement will enable Ontario and Manitoba to collaborate on growing the energy sector in a number of key areas, including conservation, efficiency, security and reliability.

Screen For Life Coach Expands Services

The Screen For Life Coach is expanding its Cervical Cancer screening services, to now include women aged 30 and older. Dr. Stephanie Block says the services were originally only offered to woman 50 years or older. The coach will be in the city until the end of March before touring the region in April.

City Should See GDP Increase

The Conference Board of Canada is anticipating an increase in Thunder Bay's GDP this year. The growth is being attributed to an increase in non-residential construction and manufacturing. If the reports predictions are true it would mark the second consecutive year the city has posted a 1.5 percent increase.

TB Man Arrested In Police Dog Death

The Alberta Prosecutor's Office is sentencing 27-year old Paul Vukmanich of Thunder Bay to 26-months in prison. Vukmanich killed an Edmonton Police Dog in early October, he is also prohibited from owning a pet for the next 25-years.

A Return For The Kakabeka Falls Summer Fair?

The Kakabeka Falls Legion wants to bring back the summer street fair. Legion Secretary Ken Milenko says they have given it a lot of consideration. Milenko adds that support from the community has been felt. The legion is considering holding the entire fair on their property. The event was cancelled last year after no one stepped to help run it.

Occupy Thunder Bay March

Occupy Thunder Bay is rallying today to protest the Harper Government's omnibus bill. Spokesperson Evan Dagg says the group is beginning the march at Waverly Park, it will then be taken to the Faith City Church. Occupy Thunder Bay feels that the massive omnibus bills are passing through legislation with not enough debate.

Geraldton Priest Faces Charges

A Geraldton man is facing three sexual related charges from the OPP's North West Region Crime Unit for incidents claimed to of taken place between 1987 and 1989. 56-year old Roger Pronovost, a catholic priest, was assigned to St. John the Baptist Church in Longlac during the two year span. There is one male victim involved who was a teenager at the time.