Foulds Rink Request Back

Hockey rinks are on the list of topics to discuss at Monday's Council meeting. Current River Ward Councillor Andrew Foulds wants his fellow members to agree to spend more money on staff supervision. Foulds believes young people are becoming less active and wants to make sure they have recreational opportunities. Foulds says closing popular rinks for 2 days during the week prevents an opportunity to put on skates or even use the facilities.

Delegation Heading To Japan

There's an eleven person delegation from Thunder Bay heading to Gifu, Japan Sunday morning. City Clerk John Hannam says it's part of the city's ongoing commitment to the Sister Cities Program and an opportunity to promote exchanges between our two communities. Hannam says the Japanese plan a return trip here in July.

Road Construction Set To Start

The City has unveiled its plan for road construction for the upcoming season. City Engineer Rick Harms says this Summer's construction schedule will impact residential areas more than major routes. Harms adds that the biggest traffic headache will likely occur near the new courthouse building. That project starts before the end of May.

City Puts Hope In Proposed Mining Strategy

The city is putting together a Mining Readiness Strategy to take advantage of the Ring of Fire and other Northwestern Ontario mining developments. Mayor Keith Hobbs says the strategy will be detailed and well thought out. He says they will try to get togther about half a million dollars from affect parties and put a plan together that covers housing, education and job creation.  A draft plan of the Strategy is expected to be ready by the fall.

Alarm Bells Over Program Closure

A local Aboriginal program for school children  is closing down because there is no more government funding.    The Biwaase'aa program has been serving about 500 children a day with what organizers say has been education, nutritional and emotional support.   Officials call it bad news for children in the city, some of whom they claim will be left in a vulnerable position.

More Nursing Positions Available

The Provincial Government is rolling out cash for hiring nurses in Northwestern Ontario. 66 new nursing positions will be made available through the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

City And CN Try To Bridge The Gap

The city and CN Rail plan to continue talks about the future of the James Street Swing Bridge. CN spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn says the decision follows discussions this week about the safety of the railway owned bridge. She says engineers from both the railway and the city will meet again to talk about how the matter should proceed. Fedchyshyn says while CN considers the bridge safe, it will be repairing or replacing any broken planks or metal plates.

Arbor Day Saturday

It's Arbor Day. The City is doing its part and is planting over 100 trees at Boulevard Lake's Birch Point as a way of improving the urban forest. Over 200 shrubs will also be planted along the Boulevard Lake shoreline to help stabilize the bank and reduce erosion.

LU Signs New Volleyball Player

Lakehead University's Thunderwolves women's Volleyball program has signed a new player.  6 foot Attacker Stephanie Green has committed to the team.  She comes from St. Ignatius high school and has chosen Sociology to study.

Injured Workers Protesting Today

Members of the local Injured Workers group are holding a protest at MPP Michael Gravelle's office today. It's over their disappointment with the appointment of Elizabeth Witmer to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Spokesperson Steve Mantis says they also feel the Liberal Government rejected the Arthurs' report on how to improve the WSIB and save money.

Seven People Held In Border Incident

Officials say three people who tried to get into Canada illegally this week are being held in custody at the District Jail. Chris Kealy of Canada Border Services says they were caught shortly after they crossed in from Pigeon River earlier this week. Four other Canadians who police say allegedly tried to help them are also in custody. Kealy says for privacy reasons they won't say what country the three originated from.

Giant Toy Store Chain Coming

Let the children rejoice, because Toys R Us is coming to Thunder Bay. Developer Toby Singlehurst says the new 36 thousand square foot store will be located in the Thunder Centre.  He says groundbreaking could take place as soon as next week with an opening in  time for the holiday season.  Singlehurst says Toys R Us officials have told him they are excited about coming into the Thunder Bay market

NOSM Hosting Conference

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine begins hosting the 7th annual Northern Health Research Conference today. Associate Dean of Research, Dr. Greg Ross, says there are two conferences happening simultaneously and the focus is on health care in the North. Approximately 1-hundred people are in attendance from around the world.

NOMA Looks Beyond Smelter Decision

Disappointment yes, but optimism continues for the President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.  Ron Nelson says the decision to locate a chromite smelter in Sudbury will still result in some rippling economic effects for this region in the future.  Nelson says all 37-municipalities within the Association have to pressure the government heavily to ensure they keep their promises.

Port's Reputation Grows

Officials with the Port of Thunder Bay continue their quest for more customers. At the Annual General Meeting CEO Tim Heney says that the port will be building on last year's successes.  He says with each big shipment the port's reputation grows.  Heney states the port's credibility will get a shot in the arm when the new crane is in place this summer.

Search & Rescue Celebrates Anniversary

The Lakehead Search and Rescue organization celebrates its 50th anniversary Friday night. 120 current and past members will take part in a dinner at the Italian Cultural Centre. Board member Nickolas Knought says it takes a special kind of person to become a member because volunteers donate their time, resources and energy into helping rescue people in distress. Knought says now that people are using G.P.S. more and more, there has been a drop in requests from police for their assistance.

Tourism Centre Issue Won't Go Away

The Provincial Government is again being pressed for answers as to why tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River are being closed.  During debate at Queen's Park, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says Tourism Minister Michael Chan needs to come clean and explain why centres in her riding are closing while Pigeon River stays opens.  The Minister's Parliamentary Assistance Kim Craitor says Pigeon River is being left open because it serves an important American market.

Occupy Thunder Bay Set For Saturday

Occupy Thunder Bay is giving it another try. After several poorly attended protests they hope to pick up more steam on Saturday. They'll be meeting at City Hall at 1 in the afternoon. The group is protesting economic inequality and corporate greed.

OHC meeting in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is one of the stops for an Ontario wide tour talking about the future of Health Care. The Ontario Health Coalition is putting on the meeting that will talk about the Provincial Government's plans to cut health care services. The meeting is going to be held on Thursday, May 31st at the Waverley Resource Library.

Grinspun visits NWO

The health care system can save money and help more patients by using nurses more for primary care.  That's one of the recommendations in a draft report prepared by a task force set up by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.  Chief Executive Officer Doris Grinspun says nurses are being under-utilized in the health care system.  Grinspun is on a tour of Northwestern Ontario.