Hotel project approved

There's a new hotel coming to Thunder Bay. It didn't take a lot of arm twisting for city councillors to approve the re-zoning for a new hotel to be located on property in front of the Superstore on the Harbour Expressway. A representative of Thompson Centres told councillors Monday night it will be a Marriott Town Place Suites hotel worth about 18 million dollars. Construction is expected to start in April. The project comes with another component which would include a Harvey's Restaurant and construction on that portion could start as early as the summer.

Thunder Bay Principal gets provincial award

A big honour for a local principal.  The Learning Partnership is pegging Johnathon Kakegamic of Franklin Cramarty School as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for the year.  Kakegamic will receive an honourary Aboriginal Award for his leadership.  The award will be given to Kakegamic Tuesday in Toronto.  As part of the award the 41 principals from across Canada will take part in a week long leadership training program in Toronto.

Ski operators happy with snow

There is at least one industry that is happy with the snow.  Ward Bond of Loch Lomond Ski Hill says its great for skiing.  Bond says this amount of snow will just help keep all the area ski centres going longer.

Police investigating assault

Thunder Bay are investigating after a 27 year old woman was assaulted at the Landmark Inn.  The woman was found in the lobby yesterday morning and officers arrested a 29 year old man who is now facing charges.  The woman was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Outdoor show does well

Calling it a good sign for local businesses, Nancy Milani of the Chamber of Commerce says the weekend outdoor show attracted close to 16 thousand people and calls it a good sign for local businesses.  She hopes to keep the momentum going into next year.

More snow possible this week

Weather forecasters are saying we received up to 18 centimetres of snow in Sunday's storm.  Meteorologist Jeff Coulson says it depends on where you live. He says the airport officially recorded 12 centimetres while some of Environment Canada's volunteer observers in the outlying areas recorded  to 18 centimetres.  Coulson says another system is being tracked in the United States that could bring us more snow on Wednesday.

Big plowing job ahead

City streets are now being plowed after yesterday's snowstorm. City Road's manager Brad Adams says it's in full swing with all the main routes finished. He says they're now moving onto the side streets. Sidewalks are also being plowed.  Adams says all streets should be completed in three days with all sidewalks opened in five days.

Two people vying for Dryden seat

It's early but the Dryden Council by-election is in full swing. Former Councilor Gwen Kurz has declared her candidacy and says she's gained some useful skills during her time away from Council Chambers.  Former Police Chief Shayne MacKinnon is also in the running and he is banking on his experience. One Council seat is available and the mail-in vote is May 14th.

Doctor woes in Rainy River

The Mayor of Rainy River is headed to Toronto this week looking for help in her community's search for more doctors.Mayor Deb Ewald says the meeting comes as the community's lone doctor has announced plans to end his practice this April.Ewald says she was hoping to meet directly with Health Minister Deb Matthews in Toronto, but instead has a session with her Parliamentary Assistant.

The digging out begins

It's clean up time.  The last 24 hours have brought us our first snowstorm of the winter season.   All highways in the region are open .  Highway 527 was the only roadway closed because of the storm but has since re-opened.   City Transit buses were hauled off the streets during the height of the storm last night and are running this morning, but manager Brad Loroff says expect some delays.  Police were asking people to stay off the roads so the plows could do their job.  Major roadways have been plowed overnight, but many side streets are not.   As for schools.....all school buses  are cancelled for the day.   Rural schools are closed...city schools are open for working parents who want to leave their child at school for the day.   The Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed.

Police recommend you stay off the roads

Both Thunder Bay city police and the OPP are asking people to stay off the roads and highways if they don't have to travel. So far no highways have been closed but the OPP say that visibility and snow covered roads are a concern. City police say they want people to stay off the roads until the city crews have an opportunity to plow them Meantime a decision on school busing will be made early in the morning.

Snowfall Warning in Effect

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the area. 10 to 15 centimeters are expected today, snow falling heavy at times. Wind becoming east at 30 km/h in the morning and blowing snow in the afternoon.

Kirby Wants Change to Safe Streets Act

A Kenora lawyer isn't giving up his crusade to get some changes made to the federal government's Safe Streets Act. Peter Kirby says he's worried that the act will result in more people going to jail. Kirby has launched a petition asking for changes to the criminal code.

MP Rickford Says Diversification is Key

The population in northwestern Ontario needs a kick-start and Member of Parliament Greg Rickford believes diversification is the key. Rickford admits the downturn in the forest sector has taken its toll on the region, but he believes the federal government has a role in turning that trend around. The most recent census showed the population in the Kenora District shrank by 11 percent, largely due to the decline in the forest industry.

Another leadership hopeful visits

The latest candidate for the NDP Leadership says he thinks our local MP's shouldn't have been punished for voting in favour of abolishing the gun Registry.  Martin Singh says its all about democracy.  He thinks both Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty have clearly been representing their constituents and shouldn't be punished for that.   Singh hosted a meet and greet Friday.

Quiet Council Meeting on tap

Don't expect much in the way of fireworks at Monday night's council meeting.  With 5 Councillors and Mayor Keith Hobbs in Southern Ontario for the annual Good Roads Conference, debate could be pretty light Monday night.  Its a thin agenda with only a couple of items on tap. Councillors will be asked to send a letter to the Governments of Canada and the U.S. in opposition of proposed ballast water regulation on ocean liners.  The letter will state the regulations are unenforceable because there isn't technology that meets the standards.  There will also be a presentation from Roxy's Lounge who is looking to purchase a portion of the Court and Lisgar Street road allowance.

Toy gun causes scene on south side

Two 15 year old boys now know it's not wise to play in public with toy guns. Police say they pointed an air pistol at a school bus driver at May and Leith Streets this afternoon.  Both of them were arrested at gun point by police and have been returned to their parents.  Charges may be laid.

Grann verdict in March

Toni Grann will find out her fate next month.  The judge in her breach of trust trial has set March 11th as the day she will hand down a verdict in the case. It follows the final submissions of both the prosecution and the defense Friday.   The 43 year old city police constable is charged with 11 counts involving falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. 

"Courageous" woman's life celebrated

It's a day to remember for those who knew Dusty Miller. The former Mayor, who died last week at the age of 82, was memorialized at a public service at the Community Auditorium. Councillor Ken Boshcoff represented the city and gave a heartfelt eulogy, saying she will be remembered as a "gutsy, courageous, creative, intelligent and social person who fought for what she believed in." On hand for the service were politicians and former politicians along with friends and family

                                                                                   Councillor Ken Boshcoff remembers Dusty Miller

Multi-Plex open house coming next week

The Public will have a chance to learn a lot more about the feasibility study being done on the proposed Multi-Plex.  The city will be hosting an open house next Wednesday and will have 3 initial designs to show case.  Lead Consultant Conrad Boychuk says residents will get an overview of where the project is at this point and also will learn more about what a facility like this will look like and what its business plan would be.  Boychuk says they will come back to the public in April with the best design configuration for each of the proposed sites complete with costing.