Foulds Rink Request Back

Hockey rinks are on the list of topics to discuss at Monday's Council meeting. Current River Ward Councillor Andrew Foulds wants his fellow members to agree to spend more money on staff supervision. Foulds believes young people are becoming less active and wants to make sure they have recreational opportunities. Foulds says closing popular rinks for 2 days during the week prevents an opportunity to put on skates or even use the facilities.

Delegation Heading To Japan

There's an eleven person delegation from Thunder Bay heading to Gifu, Japan Sunday morning. City Clerk John Hannam says it's part of the city's ongoing commitment to the Sister Cities Program and an opportunity to promote exchanges between our two communities. Hannam says the Japanese plan a return trip here in July.

Road Construction Set To Start

The City has unveiled its plan for road construction for the upcoming season. City Engineer Rick Harms says this Summer's construction schedule will impact residential areas more than major routes. Harms adds that the biggest traffic headache will likely occur near the new courthouse building. That project starts before the end of May.

City Puts Hope In Proposed Mining Strategy

The city is putting together a Mining Readiness Strategy to take advantage of the Ring of Fire and other Northwestern Ontario mining developments. Mayor Keith Hobbs says the strategy will be detailed and well thought out. He says they will try to get togther about half a million dollars from affect parties and put a plan together that covers housing, education and job creation.  A draft plan of the Strategy is expected to be ready by the fall.

Alarm Bells Over Program Closure

A local Aboriginal program for school children  is closing down because there is no more government funding.    The Biwaase'aa program has been serving about 500 children a day with what organizers say has been education, nutritional and emotional support.   Officials call it bad news for children in the city, some of whom they claim will be left in a vulnerable position.

More Nursing Positions Available

The Provincial Government is rolling out cash for hiring nurses in Northwestern Ontario. 66 new nursing positions will be made available through the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

City And CN Try To Bridge The Gap

The city and CN Rail plan to continue talks about the future of the James Street Swing Bridge. CN spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn says the decision follows discussions this week about the safety of the railway owned bridge. She says engineers from both the railway and the city will meet again to talk about how the matter should proceed. Fedchyshyn says while CN considers the bridge safe, it will be repairing or replacing any broken planks or metal plates.

Arbor Day Saturday

It's Arbor Day. The City is doing its part and is planting over 100 trees at Boulevard Lake's Birch Point as a way of improving the urban forest. Over 200 shrubs will also be planted along the Boulevard Lake shoreline to help stabilize the bank and reduce erosion.

LU Signs New Volleyball Player

Lakehead University's Thunderwolves women's Volleyball program has signed a new player.  6 foot Attacker Stephanie Green has committed to the team.  She comes from St. Ignatius high school and has chosen Sociology to study.

Injured Workers Protesting Today

Members of the local Injured Workers group are holding a protest at MPP Michael Gravelle's office today. It's over their disappointment with the appointment of Elizabeth Witmer to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Spokesperson Steve Mantis says they also feel the Liberal Government rejected the Arthurs' report on how to improve the WSIB and save money.