Justice minister gets an earful

Canada's Justice Minister is up to date on city concerns about crime and justice. Rob Nicholson met with community leaders including the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce. Nicholson says it's been very helpful. Nicholson says he told the city leaders that the government will be moving ahead with his anti-drug trafficking bill.  Meantime Mayor Keith Hobbs says the minister heard the message from the group loud and clear.

NOMA calls for more cash for policing

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is supporting a resolution calling on the provincial government to provide more funding for police services. Vice President Dave Canfield says the cost of policing locally has skyrocketed and says they want the government to increase their grants under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. The NOMA Board met last week in Thunder Bay.

Long form census pushed

Use your voice and take part in the 2011 long-form census.  That message is being pushed by the Union of Ontario Indians.  Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.  The data collected by Stats Canada is then later used by the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding allocations.

Daytime robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking into a daytime break and enter in the South Harold Street area.  A man came home at four o'clock on Wednesday and spotted an intruder.  Inspector Scott Smith says police are still looking for the suspect.  Police found property on an adjacent laneway which they hope will provide forensic evidence that can lead to the suspect.

CPC meets in February

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council will be meeting for the second time in February.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson will provide an update on the municipal drug strategy.  Coordinator Amy Siciliano says she'll be speaking about her ongoing interviews with committee members.  City Manager Tim Commisso will propose a housing strategy for people living with substance abuse.

OLG gives city cash

The latest payment to the city of Thunder Bay from the provincial government casino is almost 584 thousand dollars. The cash is the city's third quarter share of cash collected from the slot machines.

Kitchen fire sends kids into the cold

Students at Woodcrest Public School have something to tell their parents.   The school was evacuated around 9:30 this morning because of small kitchen blaze.   Fire officials say it was put out by the time they got there.  While students were taken outside at first, they were later moved into the gym before resuming classes.    No one was hurt

Old fashioned police work credited for arrest

One man has been arrested in connection to the armed robbery of the Alliance Credit Union. Thunder Bay Police arrested the 21 year old man last night and he will be appearing in court this morning. Yesterday morning a man entered the credit union armed with a shot gun. Police say through the use of a police dog they were able to find a shot gun which in turn led to a Blind Line Road address which led to the suspects arrest in Nipigon late in the day.

6 year old helps World Vision

A 6 year old local girl has helped provide clean water to 10 families through World Vision.  Ezra Westerman and a group of kids from Redwood Park Church raised 2-thousand 400 dollars.  Ezra says she thought it would be nice to help others.  The money was raised in three weeks.