Long Gun Registry Alive

The long gun registry lives.  MPs voted 153-151 Wednesday night to kill the Tory bill to scrap the program.  Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he's going to poll his constituents on what they would like seen  done with the registry in the future.  Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says his party will introduce a bill calling for changes to the registry.  Meanwhile, Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's dissapointed and notes it was an emotional day.  All three Northwestern Ontario MPs supported scrapping the registry.

Environmental Report critical of MNR

Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller says ineffective oversight from the Ontario government is allowing mining companies to illegally construct mining camps and airstrips in the Far North. It was one of the many findings Miller noted in his annual report.  He says the Ministry of Natural Resources has no presence in the region and that's why these activities are happening.  Miller adds the ministry needs more money and funding levels should be brought back up.

Charges laid in City's 4th murder

A shocking development in city's latest murder.  Two girls aged 14 and 15 have been charged with 2nd degree murder.  The charges stem from a body found yesterday morning behind Wentworth Crescent.  Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident.  A postmortem on the 16 year old victim will be conducted tomorrow in Toronto.

Money to teach adults how to read

Adult learning centres in Thunder Bay's two provincial ridings are getting taxpayer funding to improve reading skills. There are a total of nine centres sharing almost 3 quarters of a million dollars. Confederation College will get the most money, close to 400 thousand dollars.

Fewer flu clinics this year

Expect a change to how the Health Unit runs it's flu clinics this year.    Spokesperson Darlene Binette says they're tentatively scheduled to start in November.  She says there will be fewer clinics, but the locations will be larger.   Binette says they're still waiting for instructions from the government on which groups will get priority for flu shots.

Air traffic volumes up

Thunder Bay's Airport has recorded record breaking August traffic volumes.  Last month saw a 6.6 percent increase with over 65 thousand passengers flying in and out of the local airport.  President Scott McFadden attributes it to a number of factors including the improved economy.  McFadden expects air traffic to continue to rise through the foreseeable future and will be tendering another parking and ground trasnportation project soon.

City hires expert to review wind park

The city is hiring an outside expert to review all the information they have so far on the controversial Horizon wind farm. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says the city doesn't have the technical expertise to review what they've received from the company.  Smith says the expert in wind energy will evaluate all the information especially the financial impact of moving turbine locations.   The issue comes back before city councillors on October 4th.

Canada's Worst Handyman

Thunder Bay is going to welcome producers of the show "Canada's Worst Handyman". Show representatives will be in the city in November to meet with show hopefuls.  A Thunder Bay woman was on the third season, and producers hope to find more wanna be handymen.  To nominate someone e-mail handyman@ propertelevision.com

Talks to resume in NOSM dispute

It's back to the bargaining table as negotiations are now planned in the School of Medicine dispute.   The school and OPSEU have agreed to continue bargaining for a first contract at the end of the month.   Two days have been set aside in Sudbury for this latest set of talks.    The 150 support workers have been on strike since August 16th.