Murder shocks nearby resident

A 19 year old man is facing a second degree murder charge in connection with a death in the city Tuesday morning. The incident took place around 3 o'clock on High Street near Markland, where witness Raili Chiodo lives.  She says her family was awakened by the emergency lights that were flashing in her house.  She says she looked out in the street to see a person slumped on High Street, which she says turned out to be the victim.    Chiodo says the incident is shocking but says she still feels safe in the neighbourhood.  Police have yet to release any names or the cause of death.

Hundred to participate in local marathon

Organizers of this weekends Thunder Bay Marathon are happy with the number of participants.  They say that there are over 800 runners so far.   Just over 500 of those will be running the half marathon with about 125 doing the full 42 kilometres.   The first Miles with the Giant Marathon takes place Sunday morning starting at 8 o'clock at bottom of Red River Road.  

NDP could help save the long gun registry

Thunder Bay's MP won't be changing his position on the long gun registry.  Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says enough votes will be coming from his party to potentially save the gun registry.  John Rafferty is not voting to keep the registry in place.  His office confirmed that he would not change his vote.

Transit Negotiations continue

The Amalgamated Transit Union says negotiations are plugging along with the City.  President Charlie Brown says the city spent yesterday looking over their counter offer.  Both sides have provided each other with proposals, and another full day of negotiations is scheduled. If negotiations fail transit workers could strike as early as Friday morning.

More traffic infractions

Thunder Bay police continue to hand out tickets for a number of driving offences.  147 speeding tickets, 8 cellphone tickets, and 12 stop sign tickets were handed out.  On Monday, police also dealt with a car hitting a person and a small dog on a leash at the intersection of Balsam and Margaret Street.

Healthy Living Workshops this weekend

It's the fifth year for the Chamber of Commerce's Superior Living health wellness leisure expo.  This year's theme is improve your mind, body and spirit.  Chamber Spokesperson Nancy Milani says there's a need for this type of trade show.  Over 70 exhibitors are taking part in the healthy lifestyle tradeshow that runs Friday and Saturday.

New Scholarship at LU

Lakehead University will soon be offering a new scholarship for accountant students. BDO Canada provided 80 thousand dollars for an endowment fund that will provide scholarships for students in need of financial assistance. Dr. Bahram Dadgostar says they're happy to be able to offer the scholarship. Successful candidates must maintain an 80 percent average and be involved in the community.

Mayoral Debate on Thursday

Not everyone is signed up to take part in the Mayoral race debate Thursday night at the Lakehead Labour Center.  Keith Hobbs, Lynn Peterson and Frank Pullia are going to be in attendance.  Labour Council President Melanie Kelso says they're looking forward to talking about election issues.  Colin Burridge, Jeff Irwin and Brian Kwasny have not RSVP'd to the debates.

CAS unveils foster parent campaign

The push is on to get more families in the city to consider foster care. The Director of the Children's Aid Society, Rob Richardson, says it's a need that is almost always around.   He says they have children in their care that need permanent placement and those that can't be offered appropriate placement.    Richardson is hoping to attract up to 200 new foster parents.

Bike trail becomes part of national system

A new city bike trail is completed at Boulevard Lake thanks to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation.   City Park Planner Werner Schwar says the Foundation contributed over 60 thousand dollars.  The new 2 km section is now part of the Trans Canada Trail.  Cam Clark of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation  says his organization funded the trail as a way of reviving interest in the cross country system here.  

Police investigating city's 3rd homicide

The major crime police were investigating this morning was indeed the city's 3rd murder this year. Detective Sergeant Don Lewis says the incident happened at a high street residence just before 3 o'clock. Lewis says a 25 year old man was found with injuries and was taken to the Health Sciences Building, where he was pronounced dead. Lewis says a 19 year old man has been arrested and has been charged with second degree murder. The cause of death and the name of the deceased hasn't been released at this point.

Police make major drug bust in Strange Township

The combined forces organized crime unit has made another major drug bust in the region.  Officers searched a home in Strange Township last Wednesday and found over 300 thousand dollars in marijuana and three firearms.  One man has been arrested and will be in court in October.

City offers proposal to Transit Union

The city feels day one of talks with the amalgamated transit workers union went well.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they presented the union with a proposal and hope to hear back from them today.  Commisso reiterates that they are dedicated to reaching a resolution with the union and won't give up talks.  The strike deadline for the transit union is this Thursday.

Council wants Far North Act put on hold

The City of Thunder Bay is throwing its support behind a movement aimed at halting the Far North Act. Recently area first nation groups, and northern business communities have asked the McGuinty Government to put the legislation on hold to accomodate more discussion. Councillor Lynda Rydholm says they want to lend their support and take a stand for the smaller communities in the Northwest. Council wants the government to withdraw the current legislation and work with first nations and Northern Ontario communities.

RV ban by-law shot down

The City of Thunder Bay won't pursue a by-law banning overnight parking of RV's at local retail stores.  Councillor Ian Angus introduced the resolution, but didn't receive enough support from his fellow councillors.  Councillor Robert Tuchenhagen is against the resolution.  Angus is worried the overnight stays in store parking lots is taking away money from RV parks and city owned campgrounds.

Multiplex gets good and bad reviews

The Multi-plex received a mix of good and bad reviews from the Thunder Bay public. Two reports on public consultation sessions were presented to city council last night. Margaret Wanlin is with Northern Insights and helped conduct the poll of high school, college and university students. Wanlin says the students wanted to make sure the facility would be bus accessible, in a good neighbourhood and have plenty of parking. The next stage of the multiplex consultation process is a feasibility study.