Hospital Faces Code Violation

The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is facing a fire code violation.   Chief John Hay says it's because patients are being placed in alcoves not designated  for their care.    The hospital is currently facing an overcrowding problem, but Hay says that doesn't matter,  and that officials should maintain safety standards at all times.

Positive Job Growth Predicted

A report from BuildForce Canada is predicting big times ahead for northern Ontario. The report states that a number of large resource and infrastructure projects will boost the construction sector in the north. It sites projects such as the Ring of Fire, the Energy East pipeline and ongoing transmission work. BuildForce Canada says that will bring new workers to the region over the next five years and will force the area to concentrate on recruitment efforts.

Nurses Hold Info Picket

Public health nurses in the city are sending a message to their employer.  They held an information picket at the District Health Unit on Barton Street today.   Michelle McColl of the Ontario Nurses Association says it's to draw attention to their contract talks with the Health Unit which recently broke off over the issue of wages.  The close to 60 nurses  have been without a new contract since the since end of 2012.

Taxpayers Group Wants Events Centre Vote

A local citizen activist is determined to force the city into having a question on this falls election ballot on the proposed events centre.  Ray Smith says his group, Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay, is holding a meeting next month to press their case for a plebiscite.  He believes it should come in two parts, first asking if voters support a new events centre and if so, where?   The meeting takes place at the Mary J. L. Black Library March 11th at 6:45

Dryden Treasurer Resigns

Another member of Dryden's senior management team is leaving. Treasurer Adrienne Bodnarchuk has announced her resignation effective April 30th. Officials with the financially crippled community are searching for her replacement.

Gravelle Defends ROF Progress

At  Queens Park the NDP are accusing the province of dragging its feet on the Ring of Fire mining project pointing to a lack of progress with establishing the development corporation.   However Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle fired back by saying there is plenty going on behind the scenes to come up with a transportation route.Gravelle says the hiring of the consulting firm Deloitte is an important part of the equation

Conmee Councillor Dies

The community of Conmee is in mourning today following the death of councillor Robert Rydholm after a brief illness...he was 93.   Mayor Kevin Holland says Rydholm has a long history in township politics having served as councillor and reeve for over 3 decades.    No arrangements have been made for his funeral.  

Hunter Fined

The hammer is coming down on more illegal hunting in the region.  This time it's a southern Ontario man who has been fined a total of 37 hundred dollars for illegally hunting two cow moose and for shooting across a road.   He has also been banned from hunting for a year.   The Ministry of Natural Resources says that the incidents happened at a resort in the Lac des Mille Lacs area, west of Thunder Bay last fall.

Police Investigate Mischief

City police are investigating several cases of mischief from last night. They say someone spray painted around a half a dozen vehicles parked at Silver City. Police feel more vehicles may have been targeted and the owners have yet to report the incident.

Alberta Clipper Coming

Environment Canada is now calling for ten to twenty centimeters of snow for the Thunder Bay area. Meteorologist Ria Alsen says the snow is on its way Thursday afternoon.  Alsen adds the snow should end sometime Friday afternoon.

Minister Selling F.N. Education Act

The Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is trying hard to sell his government's plan for First Nation Education. Bernard Valcourt met with the Chief of the Fort William First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno this morning in Thunder Bay. Valcourt says he's heard their concerns and feels the plan will allow adequate funding and First Nation say in the education system. Valcourt was a guest speaker at a luncheon put on by the Chamber of Commerce.

Ski Races Are Set

One of the premier crossing country skiing races  in the area, the Sleeping Giant Loppet,  is set to go.    Organizer Marianne Stewart says they're hoping for a great turnout since there's so much snow this season they can guarantee a near perfect course.   She is hoping that there will be 800 to a thousand participants this year.  The loppet takes place at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park March first.

Potential Mining Jobs Explored

Members of Aboriginal communities in the region are in Thunder Bay this week to learn about what potential jobs are available in mining.  Francis Wesley of the city's Urban Aboriginal Strategy says about 150 delegates are here for the conference. She says it will help bridge the connections for Aboriginal people so they can find successful career paths in mining.  The two day event is taking place at the Victoria Inn.

New Computers On The Way

City Police are spending over 60 thousand dollars to upgrade their computers in preparation for next generation 911 service. The upgrade will include the leasing of four Dell PowerEdge servers that will replace old IT equipment. The new tech is scheduled to be delivered and installed by March 3rd.

Board Asking City To Take Back Taxis

The Police Services Board is officially asking City Council to take back the job of policing taxis.  Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says if Council takes back the responsibility it will free up officers time and allow them to get back to keeping the public safe. The board is now writing a report on the history of the taxi by-law and will deliver it to Council in the next six months.

Evidence Audit Findings Released

City Police are currently in charge of looking after almost 23-thousand items of evidence.  The results of an evidence audit were presented this morning at a Police Services Board meeting.  The police station is currently running out of space to hold the items but in the coming budget years money will be set aside to create more room.

Use of Force Report Released

City Police are reporting they used force in 110 cases in 2013.  Speaking at Tuesday morning's Police Service Board meeting, Deputy Chief Andy Hay says that's up slightly from the previous year with 97 reports. Use of force includes pointing a firearm at a civilian, drawing their handgun, using a taser, or their bare hands. Police pointed their firearms at a civilian 30 times last year and drew their handguns 62 times. A taser was used 7 times in 2013.

OPP Announce New Program Today

OPP and the National Crime Prevention Centre are unveiling a new program today to help the youth of Pikangikum First Nation. Sgt. Shelley Garr says the new initiative will run for five years. The young people taking part in the program range from 6 years old to 18. An announcement is being made here in Thunder Bay today at noon at the OPP Northwest Region Headquarters.

NOMA Readies For Roma/Ogra

Municipal Politicians are putting together their wish lists for the annual Ontario Good Roads Conference. President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Dave Canfield says improving infrastructure in the region will be their biggest issue. He says not only do road and bridges need upgrades, but so does our electrical infrastructure to feed the Ring of Fire.  Canfield will be a member of a panel discussing infrastructure at the Good Roads Conference, which gets underway next Sunday in Oakville.

Four Bodies Confirmed

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Force are confirming that a house fire in the community of Mishkeegogamang is responsible for four deaths. The service along with several other agencies have located four bodies.  The investigation is ongoing with post mortem examinations taking place in Toronto later this week.