CEDC Happy To See New Businesses Open

The Community Economic Development Commission is pleased a new company is setting up shop in Thunder Bay.  Timeless Shoe Repair held it's grand opening on Thursday and Development Officer Stacia Kean says more people should follow suit and start their own business.  Kean says since April she's seen 7 new businesses open up.

CN Keeping Bridge Closed Awhile

The James Street bridge is going to remain closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until at least next week.   Lindsay Fedchyshyn of CN Rail says it's still up to the experts to decide when or if it should open.  The bridge caught fire last week and so far only trains are being allowed to cross.

Twitter on the New York Stock Exchange

Twitter is now a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Share prices were expected to open at twenty-six dollars, a figure that has jumped to forty-five dollars. Mark Piovesana is Senior Wealth-Advisor at Thunder Bay's ScotiaMcLeod and says the excitement surrounding the announcement is similar to when Facebook went public.

Highway 17 Open

Highway 17 is now open to one lane between Vermillion Bay and Kenora.  14 transports were involved in an early morning crash causing the closure of the roadway for most of the morning.  Police closed the highway just before 2 o'clock this morning.

Grain Elevators Re-Open

A grain elevator has reopened and is seeing service for the first time in three years.  Richardson International bought the elevator from Viterra this past summer.  Gerry Heinrichs is the company's Thunder Bay manager and says there is still some work to be done.  The elevator loaded its first ship this past Tuesday.

Workshop On City Development

A workshop is being held in the City tonight to discuss an upcoming review from the Provincial Government into how cities plan and fund their development.  Ontario is going to review its land use planning system and the Development Charges Act.  The review is meant to ensure municipal planning decisions support livable communities, attract jobs and encourage economic growth.  A regional workshop on planning and development charges is being held tonight starting at 6 pm at Thunder Bay's Airlane Hotel from 6 until 9:30.

Taxi Group Meets For The First Time

A Police Services Board committee that's looking at the future of taxi service in the City is fresh off its first meeting.  The group is considering allowing more licenses and having the City's by-law office govern the taxi service rather than the police.  City Councillor Brian McKinnon says no decisions have been made and notes it's a lengthy process. The group will meet again in a months time.

South Side Stabbing

A 22-year old man is in hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing on the south side last night.  City Police say at around 8:20 Wednesday evening the man was stabbed in the lower back by a large hunting knife in the 200 block of South May Street.  Investigators are looking for a lone male in connection with the incident.  The suspect is known to Police.  

Healing Circle Planned

An Aboriginal healing circle is planned by the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board this week.  It's to help three Fort William First Nation students at Pope John Paul the Second school.   Education director Joan Powell says it's to allow them to overcome their concerns after a staffer made a  reportedly offensive remark.   She says two trained facilitators will lead the circle, one of them is Aboriginal.   The principal and staff member from the school will also be present. The healing circle takes place Friday at the board office.

Small Decrease In Hydro Bills Proposed

Thunder Bay Hydro is asking the Ontario Energy Board to decrease its distribution rates.  Spokesperson Tim Wilson says if approved, it means customers will pay 56 cents less each month.  Wilson adds they're able to lower their rates because they've finished installing their smart meters.  The new prices would come into effect on May 1.

Love An Experienced Cat

The City's Animal Service is kicking off a new two week campaign called "Love and Experienced Cat". The adoption fee for senior and long term shelter cats will be dropped to 50 dollars. Manager Jody Kondrat says older cats make good companions. Love an Experienced Cat starts Friday and runs until Nov. 22.

Moonias Death Ruled Suicide

Moonias Family

A jury has determined the death of 27 year old Bruce Moonias to be suicide.   Evidence heard during the inquest showed Moonias died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen after being brought to Thunder Bay following an incident in Lansdowne House First Nation in which he was holed up in a home alone for several hours.  Counsel to the Coroner Leonard Kim says he is satisfied with the ruling.  The verdict included twenty-three recommendations on how to improve psychiatric help in aboriginal communities.

Terrace Bay Nominates Davis For Mayor

Terrace Bay Council is nominating Councillor Jody Davis for Mayor.   The nomination will be brought for a final vote at the open meeting on November 18th.  It comes after former Mayor Mike King resigned after a dispute over how the town's mill property assessment was being handled.  If Davis is voted in as Mayor, Council has sixty days to find a replacement for his former council seat.

50/50 Draw Launched

Thunder Bay's Hospital Foundation is kicking off its annual 50/50 draw.  Spokesperson Amy Silvaggio says money raised this year goes towards their exceptional cancer care campaign.  The first ticket was purchased today by last year's 10-thousand dollar winner Wynona Fullum.

Homemaker Program Not Dead Yet

 The city's homemaker program may have a chance at a second life.   Following concerns that the social services board is going to dump the program at the end of the year, board chair Bob Katajamaki says the issue is being brought back to this month's regular board meeting.  The board runs the program for the city. It provides home support for those who can't feed or cloth themselves.

Rafferty Reacts To Senate Suspensions

The Senate is suspending Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau.  They're cutting their salaries as well.  Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says the fact that they get to keep their health, dental and life insurance shows that we need Senate reform.  The senators will also be barred from the upper chamber for the duration of the parliamentary session.

Making Memories Gallery Exhibit Starts Today

The Alzheimer Society is showcasing the artwork of its clients living with dementia.  Spokesperson Ashleigh Quarrell says the Making Memories gallery exhibit will be on display this month at the Prince Arthur Landing's Baggage Building.  A silent auction of the art on display will also act as a fundraiser for the local society.

Bill 13 Back For Debate

A significant forestry industry bill is set to be debated in the Ontario Legislature this week.  Bill 13 would amend the Ontario Building Code to allow for wood frame construction to be used in mid-rise buildings up to 6-stories, instead of the current four stories. Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli is bringing forward the bill for second reading on Thursday and he maintains the change is needed to boost the Northern forest industry, and create jobs and growth.

OFAH Calls For Spring Bear Hunt...Again

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says the motion to create a bear management committee will do nothing to control the bear population.  Dr. Terry Quinney says reinstating the spring hunt is the best solution.  Quinney says the hunts brought much needed business to hunting lodges during the slow shoulder seasons.

DSSAB Boss Stays Mum On Program

The head of the local social services board is not about to get involved in the politics over the city's homemaker program, which the board runs for the city.  Bill Bradica says to extend the program would require the board to reverse a decision it made earlier this year, something he is not about to comment on.   Bradica's comments follow concerns of city councillors of the board's decision to stop delivering the program at the end of the year.