Monday, October 3, 2011

Expressway Tunnel to be studied

City Council doesn't know what to do with the Expressway Tunnel. They're having administration look at what would happen if they closed the path between County Park and the Grandview area. Council also wants to know what they can do to make the path safer.

Consultants recommend Intercity Terminal

The Intercity area appears to be the City consultant's preferred site for a new bus terminal.  Genivar's Dennis Fletcher updated Council on the transit plan Monday night and says this isn't the last council will hear about the proposed terminal.  The consultants feel the South Core no longer requires a bus terminal, and the Water Street terminal can be used less.  A draft transit plan will be presented to Council in December.

Council holds off on funding request

An after school program could soon face a funding shortfall.  Speaking at Monday night's Council meeting, Neighbourhood Capacity Building Spokesperson Paul Francis says they need 210 thousand dollars over the next three years.  The program is funded by a number of organizations and they may not have enough money to go on in the future.  Council won't be making a decision on the funding request anytime soon.

God's Lake Resources responds

The President of God's Lake Resources is defending his company's decision to explore the area around Sachigo Lake Mine.  Ed Ludwig says they've asked KI First Nation to show them where their burial grounds are but they haven't heard back.  Ludwig says they still want to work with KI; but the First Nation is going to need to stop stirring up media controversy.

Global Sticks has made layoffs

It appears Global Sticks could be in trouble.  Plant Manager Dan Jean confirmed that layoffs have been made but wouldn't confirm how many people have lost their jobs and why the cuts were made.  Thunder Bay Superior North PC Candidate Anthony Leblanc says this confirms the current wood allocation process is failing businesses.  Incumbent Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says the government has and will continue to work towards getting Global Sticks the support it needs to be successful and NDP Candidate Steve Mantis says he isn't surprised.

Next Premier needs to take action

More needs to be done to improve access to education for Aboriginal youth.  Aboriginal Students Commissioner Pat Smoke says the next provincial party in power needs to take immediate action and freeze tuition fees.  Smoke says it's difficult for First Nation students to make ends meet.  Smoke attends school at Lakehead University.

Police release the name of Sunday's fatal victim

The name of the woman who died in yesterday's collision on Victoria Avenue has been released.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says officers believe the driver of the stolen truck involved in the collision is a man.  Adams says investigators are going over evidence found inside the stolen truck as well as information from the crash. Adams says 60 year old Josceline Ryan of Thunder Bay died in the crash.

Ryan Johnson gets cut from the Wings

For the second year in a row Ryan Johnson is starting the year as an unrestricted free agent.  The 35 year old was cut by the Detroit Red Wings today after attending camp on a tryout basis.

A 22 year lands safely on a road

Some tense moments for a young pilot on his way from Sioux Lookout to Yellow Knife.  OPP say the man had to make an emergency landing on a road near Vermilion Bay yesterday afternoon after his plane lost power.  He clipped a few trees but managed to land safely.

Grain picks up port

Grain continues to be the lifeblood of the Port of Thunder Bay. Numbers show that there's been 3.9 million tonnes of grain shipped through the port so far this year. So far this year 4.7 million metric tonnes of cargo moved through the port up slightly from last year at the same time.


McCarville looking to rebound

Krista McCarville is hoping some lineup changes won't have a negative impact on the upcoming season.  McCarville's second Kari Lavoie is pregnant and will be replaced by Liz Kingston mid way through the season.  McCarville says Kingston comes with a lot of experience and will be a solid addition to the team.  McCarville says this year's goal is to make it to the Scotties and earn points towards an Olympic berth in 2014.

Boshcoff looks forward to transit debate

One city councillor doesn't believe there may be any need for transit terminals in the city anymore. Ken Boshcoff's comment comes just ahead of a presentation to council of the Transit Master Plan. Boshcoff thinks terminals may be passé. He likes the idea of City Hall being a location that all buses meet. Other ideas in the plan include express buses and streamlined routes.

Run another success

   Another successful Run for the Cure in Thunder Bay this year.   Over 1 thousand people participated and raised over 133 thousand dollars.   The money is used to help research into breast cancer