Another Elevator Incident At The Royal Edward Arms

An elevator in the Royal Edward Arms is back up and running after people overloaded it causing it to break twice in the same day.
Last night 6 people, including a pregnant woman, where stuck in the apartment building's back-up elevator.   Fire officials say the whole ordeal lasted about half an hour.  District Social Services Board CAO Bill Bradica says they're going to be cracking down on residents piling into the lone working elevator.  An elevator in the front of the building is still closed and needing repair after a woman fell to her death in October.

Demmings Set To Retire

Steve Demmings

It's the end of an era at the Community Economic Development Commission. CEO Steve Demmings is retiring after six years on the job. Chair of the CEDC Paul Inksetter says it could take several months to find a replacement. Demmings will retire March 22nd.

Volunteer Thunder Bay Bottle Drive A Success

Volunteer Thunder Bay is overwhelmed with the success of their recent bottle drive for flood relief. Spokesperson Deborah Poole-Hofman says they brought in almost 2 thousand dollars in empties. The money will go directly to the City's Disaster Relief Commitee. The deadline to raise money for the victims of the May 28th flood is tomorrow.

Health Minister Gives Cash To Hospital

Ontario's Health Minister is giving the Health Sciences Centre 300 thousand dollars for bariatric care and an unknown amount to the company Regen Med. The program will allow 100 patients with severe obesity to be treated in a medical/behavioural program at the local hospital. Deb Matthews toured the local hospital this afternoon alongside MPP's Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle.

17 Year Old Takes Joy Ride

A 17 year old man is charged with eight offenses after a police pursuit Tuesday night.  Constable Julie Tilbury says it all started when they saw a white car speeding on May Street.  Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and it struck two parked vehicles in the Bay Street and Water Street area. The car left the scene and the pursuit was called off for public safety.  Officers found the same young man again driving along Marion Street, the car skid into the curb where police pinned the vehicle so that it couldn't move.  Among the charges he faces is taking the family vehicle without permission.

Anna Gibbon Appointed JOP

The City’s first Aboriginal Liaison Anna Gibbon is being appointed an Ontario Justice of the Peace.  The appointment takes effect next Wednesday.  City Clerk John Hannam says they're currently reviewing Gibbon's position.  Hannam thinks it could take several months to find a replacement.

Resolute To Make Announcement

A visit tomorrow to Thunder Bay and Atikokan by the president of Resolute Forest Products.  Richard Garneau is scheduled to make an announcement that Mayor Dennis Brown says in an email will mean jobs and industry for his community.  The nature of the announcement has not been disclosed, but there's speculation in the community that Resolute plans to construct a new sawmill on the site of the former Buchanan owned mill at nearby Sapawe.

Murillo Hall Getting Upgrade

Oliver-Paipoonge is getting 90 thousand dollars from the federal government.   The FedNor funding is being used to replace the heating and cooling system in Murillo Hall.

OPP Recruitment Night

The OPP is looking for Northerners who want to become police officers.  A recruitment information session is being held tonight at the Thunder Bay OPP Detachment in Rosslyn.  Sgt. Darryl Wilson says the region recruits 25 to 30 new officers each year.  Wilson says there will be information to those people just getting started in training to become a police officer and those who already have the credentials.

More Wynne Praise

The number of people excited to work with Ontario's new premier continues to grow.  Dave Canfield is the vice president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, and says he's glad that Kathleen Wynne was elected the top spot.  He says she's been very responsive to the concerns of municipal leaders in this region.  Meanwhile, Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro is looking forward to working with his new leader Kathleen Wynne.  Mauro took part in a caucus meeting yesterday and calls it very productive.  Mauro says Wynne stressed she will resume the Ontario Legislature on February 19th.

NALS To Be Go Between

Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services is looking into 2 complaints against the local police force.  Executive Director Celina Reitberger says the recent complaints triggered a realization that there needs to be a go between for victims and police. Reitberger says they'll act as a liason.

Relay For Life Ready For Another Year

Organizers with the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life is already getting ready for the June 14th event.  Last night, the organization held a kick off to announce some of the new initiatives for the 12 hour overnight fundraiser.  Spokesperson Kyle VanRavenswaay says its time to rally the troops and get signed up for the event.  Van Ravenswaay hopes they'll be able to make this year bigger and better and beat last year's fundraising goal of 126 thousand dollars.