Drainage Rebate Program Starts Tomorrow

If you were impacted by the May 28th flood now is the time to pick up an application for the City's drainage rebate program.   The program helps pay for upgrades to drainage initiatives.   Council approved 750-thousand dollars for the rebate program which could help up to 200 homeowners.

Geraldton Arena To Be Repaired

Greenstone is getting 125-thousand dollars from FedNor to help repair the Geraldton arena.  The community will replace existing ice pads at the arena and curling club with a single high efficiency system.  The money was announced by FedNor Minister Tony Clement on Tuesday.

Dragon's Den Does CG Labs Good

A Thunder Bay based DNA business is still beaming after their appearance on CBC's "Dragon's Den".  The company preserves the DNA of your loved ones and can be even stored in jewellery.  CG Labs Inc. President Neal Esau says it was a good experience.  Esau says they've had investors reach out to them after the show aired recently.

CAA Extra Busy With Severe Cold

C.A.A. is reporting another dramatic increase in the number of calls today for vehicles not starting because of the cold weather.  Field Coordinator Wayne Salatino says they've been inundated with calls for service.  For people who have car problems at home they can expect to wait 24 hours, anyone stranded on the side of the road should be seen in 30 minutes, and anyone near warm shelter within 3 hours.  Salatino is asking for patience during the cold snap we are experiencing.

Ammonia Leak Isolated

Thunder Bay's Fire department is still on the scene of an ammonia leak at the tournament center.  Platoon Chief John Mills says crews were called to the facility just before 9:00 o'clock this morning where they found a leak in a piece of equipment.  Crews from Winnipeg are on their way to the help repair the equipment.  There are no injuries and no one except for emergency responders are being allowed in the building.

Hwy 11/17 Study Set For Summer

The Provincial Government is kicking off a study into upgrading Highway 11/17 through Thunder Bay.  Thunder Bay Atikokan M.P.P. Bill Mauro says they're looking at a 13 kilometre stretch of highway between Arthur Street and Balsam Street.  Potential improvements include widening the highway to four lanes and building new interchanges. The preliminary design study and environmental assessment are to start this Summer.

Expressway Accident Tuesday AM

O.P.P. are warning motorists about potential debris following a two-vehicle accident this morning between Red River Road and John Street Road. Police say there are no known injuries at this time and neither of the two trucks involved are blocking traffic. Motorists are being to advised to watch out for potential debris. 

OSSTF Not Impressed

The leader of the local Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation calls the Province's intention to repeal Bill 115, "Smoke and Mirrors".  Paul Caccamo says it's silly to scrap the legislation now since the Government used it to force contracts on teachers.  The Provincial Government is moving to remove the bill Wednesday.

15-Thousand Goes To Flood Relief

Thunder Bay's Disaster Relief Committee is on the receiving end of a 15-thousand dollar donation. The money was provided by the Thunder Bay Plummers, Steamfitters and Welders Union.  Funds brought in will go towards victims of the May 28th flood.

Natural Gas Smell On Arthur

Union gas is looking into a number of reports of natural gas being smelled in the area of the Valhalla Inn and the Arthur Street area this morning.   District Manager Dave Sword says crews are on the ground trying to determine if there was indeed a leak.  Sword says sometimes valves may release in an effort to regulate the pressure and that may have been the cause of the odour but he can't confirm that actually happened.

New Sand Point F.N. Chief

Sand Point First Nation is getting a new Chief.  Laura Airns was recently elected to the top position with 83 votes.  Airns was a band councilor for the last 8 years and at 31 she is one of the youngest women to take on the position of Chief in Canada.

Murder Charge Upgrade

A Thunder Bay woman is now facing a murder charge.  She was originally charged with aggravated assault in relation to an incident in the Brant Street area last month.  Dead is 28 year old Moses Kakekagumick.  Kimberly Fox remains in custody and will make a court appearance February 19th.

City Council Has Pin Questions

City Council needs more information about a proposed plan to create a new city pin.  Council wants more input on creating the pin and has asked staff to come back with the issue at a March council meeting.  The new designs for the pin will not replace the City's official logo.

Budget Meeting Compromise?

City Council is going to try to find a compromise.  Staff brought Councillors a new 5 day budget meeting schedule, but Councillor Trevor Giertuga would have to miss most of the meetings up until ratification because of his holidays.  Staff will now go back to the drawing board and try to find a new schedule that will allow all 13 members of council to attend most of the meetings.

Staff To Look Into 10th Ave Lot

A client of Re/Max First Choice Realty is interested in buying a piece of vacant land from the City.  Broker Vince Mirabelli told City Council Monday night that someone wants to build a single family home on the lot located at 931 10th Avenue.  The land isn't currently for sale but City Staff plan to meet with the interested party.  The area is not developed and doesn't have city services.

Fundraising Goal May Be Too High

It appears that the city's Disaster Relief Committee's 5 million dollar fundraising goal may be too high.   Chair Wayne Fletcher says the target was originally set in June and was only a guess.  However,  Fletcher says it doesn't mean they will raise enough money to cover 100 per cent of everyone's claim.  He won't release the new fundraising objective just yet,  saying that will come shortly.  

Mac's Most Wanted

Mac's Convenience Stores is out with a most wanted robbery video on YouTube.  Spokesperson Sean Sportun says they've compiled a video with security camera footage of four unsolved robberies of their stores in Thunder Bay in 2012. 

Training Facility Proposed Near Upsala

The Department of National Defence wants to build a new range and training area near Upsala.  The weapons marksmanship facility would be used by members of the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy Reserve.  The proposed project includes 15 firing lanes, administration buildings and a rappel tower.  A Federal Environmental Organization is looking into whether an assessment of the project is required and anyone with concerns can comment up until February 7th.

Teranorth Fined 115 K

A Sudbury construction company is pleading guilty to a charge laid in connection with a fatal industrial accident outside of Thunder Bay in 2011.  A spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour says Teranorth Construction has been fined 115 thousand dollars following the accident at the McKenzie River Bridge when a platform lift tipped over killing a 24 year old employee.  There is also a 25 per cent victim surcharge.

NAN & City Police Head For Mediation

The City's Police Service and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be going before a mediator March 4th.  The two sides will try to find a resolution to NAN's complaint that a spoof Thunder Bay Police e-mail entitled "Fresh Breath Killer Captured" was made public.  If the two can't reach an agreement the complaint will go before the Ontario Human Right's Tribunal for a hearing.