City's official plan to be amended

Thunder Bay City Council is asking administration to amend the Official plan so there can be an additional lot on Melbourne Road.  Owner Terri Rizzo says they want to subdivide the property so her son can build a house and operate the gravel pit that already exists on the property.  Council wants administration to write a resolution explaining why they would allow an additional lot on Melbourne.  Councillors will still have to vote on whether or not to allow the subdivision.

Cyclotron money rests with NDP

MP Greg Rickford says Thunder Bay's two NDP MP's may be about to put a kibosh on  4 million dollars of money towards a cyclotron for the Health Sciences Centre. The Conservative MP says the money is to be included in Tuesday's budget, but approval rests with the NDP.  Asks Rickford, "are they prepared to vote against probably one of the most significant medical advancements...in Thunder Bay in a long time?".  He says the money would be thrown into jeopardy as the result of an election call.

Hampton blames McGuinty Liberals for jury crisis

The blame for the jury selection crisis in the northwest lies with the McGuinty government according to NDP critic Howard Hampton. Jury trials are on hold until more First Nations are represented in the jury selection process. Hampton says this has been an issue since 2008.  He adds,  the government hasn't taken the problem seriously

Sharp's status unclear

The immediate future of Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp remains uncertain today.   The talented Chicago Blackhawk suffered a knee injury in the first period of Sunday's game against Phoenix.  The team isn't saying anything right now only that the injury is being examined.   Sharp is having a career year with 34 goals and some are saying the severity of damage to his knee will determine the severity of damage to the Blackhawks Stanley Cup hopes

Autopsy held in Toronto underway

OPP continue to investigate the death of an 11 year old Big Trout Lake First Nation girl. The young girl was reported missing in Sioux Lookout on Friday night and was later found on the property of Sacred Heart School early Saturday morning. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronouced dead. A post mortem exam is scheduled for today in Toronto. The name of the deceased is not being released.

Adam Leon's legal saga not over yet

Thunder Bay's Adam Leon is back in Canada. He's the one time Confederation College student who caused an international sensation after being arrested for flying a Cessna into American airspace in 2009.   Police say the RCMP escorted him back after his time in a Missouri jail.  He will appear in court via video in Thunder Bay on Wednesday on theft charges.

LU expert says Gadhafi remains cunning

The pressure continues on Moammar Gadhafi. Coalition forces continue to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. Lakehead University political science expert Laure Paquette says Ghadafi may be using his own people as human shields in the battle.  Paquette says we should watch how well the rebels take advantage of the protection they are getting.  She fears if  Ghadafi is brought down, there could be a complete collapse of civilian order

Two fires, no injuries

Some tense moments for tenants of an apartment building on South Archibald Street. They were startled by the sound of blaring smoke alarms just before 9 a.m.. Fire officials say no one was hurt and a quick response confined damage to only one unit. One tenant told our newsroom the door to the fire escape was bolted shut and he had to kick it down to get out. A fire official says if that's the case, then charges could be pending to the owner. The property manager of the building has not returned our call. At about the exact same time there was a garage fire in Current River. A fire official says it took place on Surrey Street and crews had it out quickly. No one was hurt.

Donations continue to flood in for Japan

Thunder Bay continues to show support for the people of Japan.  The Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association held a sushi fundraiser yesterday and managed to raise 5 thousand dollars for the Red Cross.  Officials at the Red Cross say so far around 40 thousand dollars has been handed in to their office and another 10-15 thousand through online donations.

Fed's back Cyclotron

This week's Federal Budget hasn't been released yet but according to reports will contain some help for Thunder Bay.  Reports say the budget contains 4 million dollars in funding to help bring a Cyclotron to Thunder Bay.  It would be part of a transitional research facility proposed for the hospital. 

Arrest made in Thunder Bay man's death

A suspect has been arrested in connection to the death of Thunder Bay man near Elk Lake.  The body of 32 year old Christopher Jean was found Thursday and police say Dwane Turk is charged with second degree murder.  The 55 year old Thunder Bay man worked with Jean.

Two more arrested in murder investigation

The other two suspects in Thunder Bay's 1st murder of the year have been arrested.  City Police took 18 year old Cody Thompson and 20 year old Christopher Hawk into custody last night in connection with the death of 54 year old Robert Francis Topping.  Police say Topping was assaulted when he walked into a break and enter in progress on Minnesota Street. 

Soldiers family visits Afghanistan

A group of Canadians recently made a trip to Afghanistan to honour love ones who paid the ultimate price in the war torn country.  Of the group, relatives of Corporal Anthony Boneca made the trip and took part in a memorial ceremony at Kandahar Airfield.