Community Safety debated

Thunder Bay ranks as the 23rd most dangerous city in Canada and second highest for murder according to McLean's magazine.  That was one of the topics buzzing around the mayor's debate last night.  Keith Hobbs feels one way of making our community safer would be to restructure the police.  Lynn Peterson says the restructuring process is not in the police service board's hands.  Peterson also feels a detox centre and the crime prevention council will improve community safety.  Hobbs disagrees and feels they can play a role.  Hobbs would like to change the police officers shifts from 10 hour to 12.   Around 300 people attendend the last mayors debate before the municipal election.

Horizon Lawsuit tops debate chatter

No surprise what the hot topic at council was at the final mayor's debate.  Horizon Wind's 126 million dollar lawsuit was fresh on everyone's mind.  Incumbant Lynn Peterson says the claim is unfounded.  Meanwhile, Frank Pullia says the city did its due dilligiance.  Collin Burridge called the lawsuit foolish.  Keith Hobbs says he was against the turbine sites from the beginning. Jeff Irwin feels if the city was run like a business we wouldn't be facing a lawsuit.  Horizon's claim has not been proven in court. 

Thunder Bay responds to Horizon

The City is dissapointed Horizon has decided to file a lawsuit against them.  In a press release, City Manager Tim Commisso says they've read the news relased issued by Horizon, but have yet to see any statement of claim.  Commisso feels the lawsuit is unfounded and once they have received a statement of claim, they will respond.

Horizon Wind Sues City over Wind Park

Horizon Wind is suing the City of Thunder Bay for 126 million dollars.  They've filed a statement of claim against the City, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.  Horizon feels the City has breached it's option agreement for the wind farm.  The claim has not been proven in court.

Court cases move on

On the court beat...A Manslaughter trial is underway at Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Camelot Street. 24 year old Mervin Spence is charged in connection with the death of 44 year old Scott James in December of 2007.   In a separate case, a Thunder Bay woman is now committed to stand trial in connection with a fraud case involving money that went missing from the Polish Hall on Court Street. Officials say they found about 100 thousand dollars missing from their accounts over a two year period

Border Cats aren't going anywhere....yet.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are sticking around for another season. However owner Brad Jorgenson says they need to have more fans show up next season.   They are hoping to increase average game attendance to 1 thousand from last season's average of just over 600.   Jorgenson stopped short of saying the baseball team will leave the city if the objective isn't met.

No one hurt in early morning fire

There were no injuries after an early morning blaze tore through a 3 story house this morning.  Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue officials say the fire started around 6 o'clock this morning on the fire escape of the Villa street residence.  Officers say the fire spread to the roof but luckily all the tenants of the building escaped free of harm.  Officials say the fire is being investigated but no cause has been released.

Don't hit the panic button yet

The L-U Thunderwolves hope to turn their hockey season around with a couple of games against Guelph. Coach Joel Scherban says he knows the season hasn't started out on a high note, but says the team needs to get back to the fundamentals when they take on Guelph this weekend.  Scherban says there's no need to panic over the early slump.

Wind Farm lease approved, but 4 turbines need to be moved

City Councillors have voted in favour of signing the Horizon Wind Lease agreement, but only if four of the wind turbines are moved back.  Council passed a resolution last night just after 2:30 in the morning dealing with turbines 8, 9, 10 and 11.  Brian McKinnon feels the city is in its rights.  McKinnon says the City decided to move the four turbines because of the view.  The final vote was 8 to 4.

City approves bus contract

The City has unanimously approved the contract for the amalgamated transit union.  Councillor Frank Pullia says he's glad they settled and averted a strike.  The contract is retroactive from July 1st, 2009 to June 20th, 2012.  Employees will see a two percent wage increase in 2009, a 1.75 percent increase in 2010 and another 1.75 in 2011.