City Wants Ideas On Gardens

The City wants you to imagine the future of the Fort William Gardens. The request is part of a future use assessment that will look at a full range of options to use the Gardens as a non-spectator facility.  All ideas are being encouraged event removing some or all of the seats.  Two open house events are scheduled for the coming months including January 8th at the Gardens and another on February 4th.  The assessment is to be completed by March 4th.

Hyer Goes Green

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is joining the Green Party.  The one-time member of the NDP made the announcement this morning during a news conference at the Finlandia Club in Thunder Bay. Hyer says becoming a Green Party MP will allow him to maintain independence and stand up for the interest of his constituents. He adds being a part of a party will also help him better represent the North.  Hyer broke ranks with the NDP in April of 2012 over the vote to scrap the gun registry.

72 Year Old Woman Still In Critical Condition

Police are continuing to investigate a collision that saw a City bus strike a woman at the intersection of south Algoma Street and Waverly Thursday night.  Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says 72 year old Audrey Kahkonen is still in critical condition and asks the community to pray for her recovery. Porter says good progress is being made in the investigation but notes there's some additional areas that need to be explored.  Meanwhile, Transit Manager Brad Loroff says their thoughts are with the woman. Loroff notes the driver of the bus is not operating any city equipment today.

Spring Bear Hunt Takes Step Forward

The return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario is one step closer to reality.  Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro brought forward his Private Members Bill and it passed its second reading at Queen's Park.  Bill 114 was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy which would see an open season from April 15th to June 15th. The purpose of the bill includes reducing the number of aggressive bear attacks while also boosting the Province's moose population by lowering the number of calves killed by bears.

Tbaytel Gives Out Cash

Tbaytel is giving 5-thousand dollars to Nipigon-Red Rock High School. The money is through the company's "For Good" community giving campaign. The school will use the cash to help its food and nutrition classes that host weekly lunches in its school cafeteria. Another 5 organizations from the region will be receiving 2-thousand dollars each to help with their education projects.

T.Bay Writer Up For National Award

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize.  The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Charges Laid Against Beendigen

Thunder Bay's Fire Service is laying 8 more fire code charges against Beendigen Incorporated for failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The new charges come from a search of several properties operated by the company.

DSSAB Budget Passes

The Social Services Board's proposed budget for the new year has passed.  The seventy-three million dollar budget will also include some financial relief for area municipalities according to CAO Bill Bradica. Bradica adds that the reduction comes because of a lowering case load for Ontario Works.

Mauro's Bill Bear Being Debated

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill is still waiting to be voted on today.  It was debated this afternoon in the Ontario Legislature. Mauro called on members of the opposition to support his bill.  NDP Timmins James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson called Mauro's bill nothing but a re-election ploy.  Mauro says he won't comment on Bisson's statement in the legislature.

Minor Damage At Silver City

City fire officials believe the cold weather could be responsible for a water problem at the Silver City theatre complex this afternoon.  Kelly Patterson of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says the problem is minor though,  and involved the sprinkler system malfunctioning and sending water pouring onto the floor.  The problem occured at the south exit of the building.  The damage not enough to effect business operations.

Local Author Gets Recognition

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize. The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Director Set To Retire

The Catholic School Board's Director of Education Joan Powell is retiring. She made the announcement at Monday night's school board meeting. Powell will be retiring at the end of April.

Cold Weather Equals Collisions

City Police are being kept busy with the cold weather we're experiencing.  Over the last four days officers attended 119 collisions on area roads.  One of the accidents involved an ambulance enroute to a call, thankfully no one was injured and the crew was able to proceed to their call.  Police are again reminding drivers roads are icy and tires are rock hard because of the cold temperatures.

Vacancy Rate Up

The vacancy rate in Thunder Bay is up. According to the latest government figures, the rate in October was about 2 and a half per cent. A year ago at the same time it was about 1 per cent. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says it reverses a long downward slide.  Philp says the increase can be attributed to, among other things, more people moving from renting to owning their homes.

OPP Get New Gear

OPP in northwestern Ontario are benefiting from new technology. Sgt. Shelley Garr says that our region is getting some of the new cruisers that are equipped with licence plate scanners to catch suspended drivers.  Garr says the new cruisers should arrive by next month.

United Way Welcomes Donation

On the charity beat, city workers from librarians to paramedics are showing their generosity. They have given almost 220 thousand dollars to this year's United Way campaign. That comprises about 10 per cent of the United Way's 1.2 million dollar objective.

Gravelle Announces Health Care Network

The Provincial Government is creating a new new health care network for high needs patients in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle says the new program will offer seniors and patients with complex conditions better care through more coordinated support. The program links together the various health care providers in the City.

Slippery Conditions Bring Collisions

OPP are warning motorists about the slippery driving conditions on area highways after several collisions occured in the region Wednesday.  A driver of a GMC Jimmy was west bound on Highway 11/17 when the driver lost control and rolled the vehicle into the ditch.  A two vehicle collision also occured yesterday at the intersection of Gronroos Road and Copenhagen Road.Finally, police were called to another vehicle rollover on Highway 11 after the driver lost control of his truck. OPP say the cold weather is causing area roads to be covered in ice and frost.

Drug Charges Laid

Two Longlac residents and a Geraldton man are charged with a variety of drug related charges after a search of a Longlac home by police. OPP located an amount of marijuana, morphine, and drug paraphernalia inside the home. Charged are a 37-year old man from Longlac, an 18-year old male from Geraldton and a 26 year old woman from Longlac.

Mandela Memorial

Thunder Bay residents get a chance to pay their respects to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.  St. Paul's Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street is hosting a memorial this morning at 11 o'clock. Organizer Brent Trudell says it will be a community service featuring songs and memorable quotes from the former South African President.
A book of condolences will be there for anyone to sign and it will be sent to the Mandela family