City Council divided on need for parks consultant

City parks might be getting a $100,000 check-up from a consultant.

The consultant would take a close look at structures and sports fields in city parks to determine their long-term maintenance needs. The data could then be used by the city to develop a long-term strategy. 

Some members of council would like the city to do the research internally without money being spent to hire outside help.

City Manager Tim Commisso says a consultant is needed because the city doesn't have the resources to do an in-depth study.

Council is waiting for a report on the plan before making a final decision.

Zuback and Makela reflect on gold medal game

Thunder Bay's Brittany Zuback and Amanda Makela are heartbroken after their Team Ontario loss at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  They are members of the women's hockey team that dropped the gold medal game 3-2 to Alberta.   Both of them spoke after the game.

Brittany Zuback

 

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Amanda Makela

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Early Morning Arrest

A 40 year old man is facing a number of charges after an early morning arrest. The man is being charged with possession of prescription drugs with the intent to distribute. The man is also facing firearm related charges.

Police say they seized a large amount of cash while making the arrest as well.

Dawson Court hit with illness outbreak

The Health Unit is restricting who can go to Dawson Court.  A sickness has hit the long term care facility on North Algoma Street. Admissions, transfers and discharges are cancelled until further notice.

Provincial $ for Rosslyn

Rosslyn residents will have better drinking water thanks to a cash infusion from the Provincial Government. Lakehead Region Conservation Authority will use 119-thousand dollars to upgrade faulty septic systems. Oliver-Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says the financial assistance makes the improvements possible.

NOSM looking for new Associate Dean

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is looking to hire more staff. Administration is searching for a new Associate Dean. The associate dean plays a role in administering the residency training program in area hospitals across the North.

Mayor heading to Good Roads conference

The Mayor is leading a contingent to Toronto this week for the annual Good Roads Association conference. Keith Hobbs says its an important meeting because it gives them access to some influential politicians.

Hobbs believes its worthwhile attending such conferences.

Oliver-Paipoonge works on budget

The Township of Oliver-Paipoonge is in the middle of it's budget deliberations. Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says they are taking a break from talks at the moment because they are not far enough along to tell how much the increase will be.  Last year it was zero per cent. They hope to have it completed by March.

Councillors dump Monday meeting

City councillors won't be holding their regular Monday meeting next week.  A number of councillors, including the mayor won't be in the city and so it was decided to hold over any items to another committee meeting.   They meet again on March 7th.

Region's paramedics vote to strike

Paramedics in the region are threatening to go on strike.  They are located in 14 remote and rural stations in the district and are members of the Canadian Auto Workers local 229.   Conciliation talks with the City of Thunder Bay will be taking place March 8th and 9th.   The paramedic stations are located in Nipigon, Red Rock, Marathon, Manitouwadge, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Beardmore, Upsala,Conmee, Shuniah, Armstrong, Geraldton, Nakina and Longlac.

LU gets research funding

Lakehead University is getting 2.5 million dollars in funding for research. The money is going towards a study that is looking at maximizing development in the Arctic and far North while minimizing the social impact on First Nations and the environment. Minister of State Gary Goodyear says this research will hopefully achieve a balance.   It is a 7 year project that will cover all areas of Canada's Arctic.

Sod turning held for new courthouse

Construction on the Consolidated Courthouse is officially underway. Work has been going on for a while but as with most projects like this, the politicians like to hold a ceremonial ground breaking. It took place Thursday at the site in the south downtown core. Attorney General Chris Bentley was part of the contingent. Officials say the cost of the project will likely exceed 250 million dollars and should be completed in 2013.

FedNor gives funding for Multi-Plex study

The City is getting a quarter of a million dollars in Federal Money for a study on a new Multi-Plex.  The FedNor funding will support a economic impact study and business plan for the proposed facility.  The study will look at short and long term economic impacts and if favourable would include design concepts and viable options.

One dead in construction incident

An industrial accident in Sioux Lookout has claimed the life of a 50 year old Manitoba man.  The man was killed and another man was seriously injured in the incident that happened Wednesday night.  The Ministry of Labour is on the scene.

Tribe enjoys games experience

Thunder Bay's Erin Tribe is one of several local competitors at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax. She took time out for an interview.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Goodyear rolls into town

For the third time in 4 days, a federal cabinet minister is visiting the city.  This time it's Minister of State Gary Goodyear who will announce some funding for research at Lakehead University at an event Friday morning.  Along with him will be Chad Gaffield, the President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Library more than halfway to goal

Library officials are pumped about their fundraising efforts. They're trying to raise a quarter million dollars to furnish and stock the new Mary J-L Black Library. Spokesperson Tina Tucker says there are no problems to report.  She says so far 150 thousand dollars has been raised with another 100 thousand to go. Officials released the information as they gave city dignitaries a tour of the library construction site.

Gas prices up again

Gas prices in Thunder Bay have shot up. The website gasbuddy.com
is showing that many gas stations in the city have jacked up their price for regular to an average of about a dollar 26 a litre. That's up 6 cents a litre from Wednesday. Oil traders say the increase is the result of the crisis in Libya which has increased the price for a barrel of oil.

Police seize pills in raid

Police conducted a drug bust at a Queen Street home on Wednesday. They say about 450 suspected prescription pills were seized in the raid. Two people were taken into custody, but only one 42 year old man was charged.