Grain Cars Derail

The CN tracks on Maureen Street on the city's north side are operational again after a minor train derailment.   A spokesperson says that two grain cars slipped off the tracks at around 10:30 Tuesday morning.  No one was injured and crews managed to put the cars back on track.   They remained upright the entire time.

City Unveils Bike Repair Station

A new community bicycle repair station is now available on at the Mary J-L Black Library.   City spokesperson Adam Krupper  says it allows people to fix up their bike and have the tools available to do so.   Krupper hopes more will can be constructed at other city locations.  The repair station cost 1 thousand dollars build.

Rickford Responds?

The federal Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire says the Harper government remains committed to the massive mining project. Premier Kathleen Wynne and Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle are both challenging the feds to match the province's 1 billion dollar promise for infrastructure needs. But Greg Rickford refused to say if the government would come up with any extra funding saying  they've always been at the table. Rickford says he has a good working relationship with Gravelle and looks forward to further talks to move the Ring of Fire forward.

Pilot ProjectHailed A Success

The executive director of the city's homeless shelter can hardly contain her enthusiasm over the success of their cold weather pilot project.   That's where the shelter teamed up with the Salvation Army to drive around on cold nights and get homeless people off the street.  Patty Hajdu of Shelter House hopes the program can be revived with the community coming forward to pay the 225 thousand dollar cost to run the project. Hajdu says businesses, the hospital and police were all very supportive of the program.

Hike For Hospice Sunday

Hospice Northwest is holding its annual fundraiser at Boulevard Lake on Sunday.  About 250 people are expected to take part in Hike For Hospice.  Organizer Kathleen Buso says many hikers have had friends or family stay at the facility and will be there to support it.  When they cross the Black Bay Bridge, they will throw a flower into the river to commemorate their loved ones.  The event begins at 9:30 in the morning and runs until 1 pm.

Local Man Finds Lost Ring In Maine

Paul Marshall 

A city man will be getting his ring back after it ended up in York, Maine. Paul Marshall says he lost the ring while at work, but learned that it was found by contractors in Maine after they purchased a box of screws from Marshall's workplace, GRK Fasteners. Marshall says he thought the ring was gone forever. Marshall adds that the ring is in the mail on its way back to Thunder Bay.

Eco-Friendly Transit Hub Open

EcoSuperior and Thunder Bay Transit have officially opened their eco-friendly and cyclist-friendly transit hub. The new transit shelter has a covered area with benches and lighting for city transit passengers, and another shelter for cyclists who want to lock up their bikes, or pump air into their tires. The eco-friendly hub is the first of its kind in the city.

Conference Costs 30K

The City needs to spend 30-thousand dollars to host an upcoming conference.  Thunder Bay is holding the upcoming Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities meeting in June.  Council decided to apply to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for 15-thousand dollars to offset their expenses.

Condo Project Still Viable

Developmental Services Manager Mark Smith feels the Thunder Bay Country Club's condo project is still viable. Smith made the remarks at last night's Council meeting and says they haven't heard anything to suggest the 109 condo units won't go through.  The discussion stemmed from a report looking at the City's residential lot inventory and housing development report.

Council Round Up

Here's a look at the various decisions made at Monday night's City Council meeting.   The City is approving 900-thousand dollars to repair the Whalen Building's parapet.  The money will be used to rebuild the old parapet and replace it with a new one that reflects the historical significance of the building.  Meanwhile, The City is spending 1.2 million dollars to upgrade the Churchill Pool's mechanical system. City lawmakers are also giving permission to the local police force to upgrade their current 911 provider.  Over 178-thousand dollars will be used to upgrade the tech that dispatchers use to take calls from the public.

Debt Reduction Approved

The City is taking steps to make up their 5.7 million dollar deficit in the 2014 budget.  They approved a 2.49 million dollar debt reduction strategy Monday night.  Extra spending was required for snow removal, legal services, police and several other areas.  Council voted down increasing the tax levy to cover the cost over run and instead will take 1.6 million dollars out of a reserve fund.

CEDC Speaks To Council

The head of the Community Economic Development Commission is promoting his group's recent efforts. CEO Doug Murray spoke to City Council Monday night and says Thunder Bay's economy is becoming more diverse.  Murray adds according to reports our economy is more varied than Sudbury.

Wilks Sentenced To 30 Months

A former military medic, convicted of sexually assaulting 16 women during breast exams is going to jail for 30 months.   James Wilks was sentenced in military court Monday in connection with Canadian Forces medical exams he conducted in Thunder Bay and London,  Ontario between 2003 and 2009.  Phillip Millar is the lawyer for some of the victims and says they're satisfied but says he and his clients thought the jail time might be longer.

Police Looking For Suspect

Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public's assistance to identify the woman responsible for a robbery at a north side Safeway. Police say the woman entered the Court Street Safeway on the evening of April 24th. When she was confronted by a security guard, she pulled a knife on the guard, and fled the store. Officials say the woman was last seen heading towards Cumberland Street.

Fair Elections Act Under Scrutiny

Bruce Hyer

There's nothing fair about the Fair Elections Act according to Green Party MP Bruce Hyer. Hyer says that the piece of proposed federal legislation is flawed in many ways. Hyer suggests that Canada needs an electoral system known as proportional representation. According to Hyer, with proportional representation, the number of seats won by a political party is proportionate to the number of votes received. Hyer says that if 20% of people voted for a particular party, that party would represent 20% of seats in the House of Commons. Hyer adds that the entire electoral system needs to be reformed.

Edgar Laprade Dead At 94

Edgar Laprade

A family friend confirms Port Arthur native and Hockey Hall of Famer Edgar Laprade is dead at the age of 94. Laprade was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. Laprade played his entire ten year NHL career with the New York Rangers. He played 500 games scored 108 goals and had 172 assists.

Nipigon Fire Department Receives Funding

The Nipigon Fire Department is receiving some new equipment. Union Gas is helping the fire department with a $3000 grant to purchase a new hydraulic rescue tool. Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey says finding funding is often difficult, and they are thankful for the cash.

Province Commits Cash To ROF

The provincial government is committing one billion dollars towards the Ring of Fire infrastructure development. The announcement was made in Thunder Bay this morning by Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.
Gravelle challenges the federal government to do the same. The promise will be included in this weeks provincial budget which would require NDP support in order to pass.

TB Chamber Weighs In On Budget Overage

A potential tax levy increase to balance the city budget overage is not sitting well with the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Charla Robinson is urging city council to explore cost saving options rather than a tax levy increase. Robinson adds that they support city council in finding a solution.

Four Arrested In Drug Busts

Nearly $12,000 dollars in drugs have been seized from two south side homes. OPP say marijuana and cocaine were found at residences on Home Avenue and Brock Street last week. Officials say four people have been charged with drug related offences.