Survey says-Residents approve of Wind park

The results are in from a survey on the Big Thunder Wind Park.  Horizon Wind paid for the survey and 65 percent of people polled are in favour of the project.  700 people were consulted, including residents from the Neebing area where the wind turbines will be placed.  Residents of Neebing who were polled were 59 percent opposed to the project, and 41 percent in favour of it.

Swimming advisory up at Blvd. Lake

It's a sad but true sign of summer in Thunder Bay. The Health Unit has placed Boulevard Lake's beach area under a swimming advisory. Officials say that water quality tests show higher than acceptable bacteria levels.

Survey shows a positive outlook

The annual small business survey by Thunder Bay Ventures shows a positive attitude for the local economy. Manager Royden Potvin says it appears to show we have turned the corner after the forest industry collapse. He says we have transitioned into a service based economy. Potvin says the survey shows that for the first time a majority of small business owners says the economy in the city is moving forward. 700 questionaires were sent out for the survey in May, and 115 were returned.

New candidate for McKellar Ward seat

There is another candidate vying for the council seat in McKellar Ward. David Nicholson says his priority issues will be crime...especially as it relates to drugs. He believes we have to come to terms with what he calls a "drug problem" in Thunder Bay and he believes that's leading to some of the "crime issues we are seeing on the street." Nicholson says he doesn't want to see the city go down the tubes. So far his only challenger in McKellar is Paul Pugh

Med school unveils strat plan

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a vision for the next five years. Officials have taken the wraps off the new strategic plan. Dean Dr. Roger Strasser says that the priorities include enhancing the schools education program and research plans. He says that can't be done successfully without improving the learning environment for the students and "fostering excellence" among the faculty. Dr. Strasser believes the goals are achievable.

Former Fire Chief dies

A World War 2 and Korean naval veteran and former city Fire Chief is dead. John Bryant was 86 years old. He passed away at the Health Sciences Centre. Les Newman is with the Thunder Bay Fire Service. He says Bryant was one of a kind, giving his working life to public service.   First as a member of the Naval Reserve and secondly as a firefighter.  A full naval funeral service takes place at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Everest Chapel on West Gore Street

Power failure hits south downtown

The power is back on in the city's south downtown core. It follows an outage this morning that started at 10:12 lasted for over half an hour. Thunder Bay Hydro says about 3 thousand customers were affected. The cause was a stray bird.

Ottawa man surrenders to police

City police have a mystery on their hands. They're trying to figure out why a 52 year old Ottawa man turned himself in Monday claiming that he attempted to rob a city bank. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says they don't know what he was doing in the city or what his background is. Adams says while there was an incident at the Dawson Road TD Bank on Monday afternoon, employees never thought the suspect was any threat.

Chiefs of Ontrario meet in Fort Frances

First Nation Leaders from across the province are gathering in Couchiching First Nations today for the start of the annual Ontario Chiefs Conference. Three days of talks will focus on issues such as First Nations rights and jurisdiction, health, education and the HST. Nishinawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief Angus Tolouse will be speaking at the event.

Monopoly shuts out Northwest

Northwestern Ontario won't be represented when the Canadian version of Monopoly hits store shelves Monday.
After being considered for a spot, Thunder Bay has been left off the board. The spaces were filled by public voting.  Chatham-Kent claims the coveted Boardwalk spot, while Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, Quebec takes the Park Place property.  Winnipeg has also been left off the Board.

City and LACL toast a partnership

The city and the Lakehead Association for Community Living are celebrating a birthday. The Inclusion Services program for Association clients has been operating for 5 years. Executive Director Ken Pickard says it's allowed the clients to be involved directly in the community.  He says it means people with mental disabilities don't need to take segregated recreation classes, they can take them with everyone else.   Pickard calls that achieving citizenship.   There are 80 Association clients in the program.

SIU investigates death at Regional Health Center

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has been called in to investigate a fatality involving a 41-year-old man from North Spirit Lake First Nation.  The SIU says the man was picked up by the OPP from the Red Lake Detachment last Monday.  Later in the day he had to be taken to the hospital in Red Lake and then was transferred to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Yesterday, the man died.  The SIU says 4 of its investigators are being sent to Red Lake to look into the incident.

City streamlines zoning by-law

Business leaders and community members can have their say on the City of Thunder Bay's new comprehensive zoning by-law. A special council meeting on the legislation is being held Wednesday night. City Spokesperson Leslie McEachern says they want feedback on the new by-law. McEachern says the comprehensive zoning by-law will be streamlined and user friendly.

Taylor Pyatt re-signs in Phoenix

Taylor Pyatt has signed a two year extension with the Phoenix Coyotes.  Pyatt is coming off a season where he scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in the desert and finished with a career high plus 13.  Pyatt joined the Coyotes last year after spending 3 seasons in Vancouver.

Northern Hearts wrapping up Walk with Doc

Thunder Bay's Northern Hearts is wrapping up their Walk with Doc Campaign this week. The month long event raises awareness about heart health in a fun way. Organizer June Bjorn says exercise is vital for heart health the program allows people to walk with other people and learn more about a heart healthy life style. Anyone can head down to Birch Point Park at Boulevard Lake to take part from today until Thursday from 7-8 in the evening.

Harbourview Funeral Centre creating a parking lot

The Harbourview Funeral Centre wants to build a parking lot for its facility.  The City of Thunder Bay rezoned the property at 179 MacDougall Street from light industrial to highway commercial.  Owner Chris Lent says they plan to make changes to the property to allow for proper water drainage.  The City is currently in the process of selling the land. Most City councillors were in favour of the rezoning application, but Joe Virdiramo wanted it written into the legislation that the property could be used as a parking lot only and not a Methadone clinic.

Methadone Clinic phobia

Clinic phobia is making the rounds of Thunder Bay. Councillor Joe Virdiramo made mention of the methadone clinic being proposed for Frederica Street at last night's council meeting. Virdiramo asked Development Services Manager Mark Smith if the City has any say on what types of clinics set up shop in the City. Smith says there is a phobia amongst the public in regards to clinics popping up in their neighbourhoods. Smith adds they typically just have say over the zoning but not what forms of clinics can be operated on that property. The rezoning of a piece of property on high street sparked the conversation on methadone clinics. A local union office and a possible future community clinic is being proposed for high street.

Open Spaces proposed for Kam River area

More open green spaces are planned for the Kam River area. A draft report on the area was presented to City council last night and the public will have their chance to weigh in on it this summer.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith says once the final report is in place; council can decide what forms of infrastructure they would like to put in place.  Councillor Ian Angus would like to see a mixed use residential area on the waterfront with the possibility of a condominium.

Local Tories show interest in running

Some north side Conservatives appear to be anxious to have a shot at federal politics. Mike Auld has stepped down as the candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North for health reasons. Riding Association President Michael Picard says the buzz has already started.  He says interest has been shown but he wouldn't say who those people might be until it's formalized.   Picard hopes to have a candidate chosen before the end of the summer.

Public School Board gets good grades

The Lakehead Public School Board is happy with its students test scores in the Ontario Secondary School literacy tests. The tests are handled by the Education, Quality and Accountability office and results were released last week.  Director of Education Kathy Seminieuk says their students scored 81 percent, just 3 percent below the provincial average.  Hammarskjold high was above the provincial average with 85 percent.  Meawnhile, Sir Winston Churchhill scored 80, Superior Collegiate came in with 69 and Westgate scored 87 percent.