Treaty Three Police Service Will Close Its Doors

The Treaty Three Police Services Board is shutting down the police service effective August 19th. The main reasons being the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, didn't agree to their demands to be under the provincial jurisdiction and agreeing to major wage concessions and restrictions on sick leave by withdrawing unfair labour practice complaints. PSAC Regional Vice-President Sharon DeSousa says it's disappointing to see that this is the only solution the service has come up with, adding they haven't really spoken to the workers or consulted with the union.

Water Park Officially Open

It's not often that a children's water park causes this much excitement.   However in this case the new County Park splash pad is the exception to the rule.   The facility's opening has been delayed for a couple of years because of plumbing problems that required extensive work.  It is the city's third such splash pad and will be open from 11-8 daily during the summer months.

CWL Holds Provincial Conference

The Catholic Women's League is holding it's provincial conference in Thunder Bay starting this weekend.   Organizer Marlene Pavletic says over 300 delegates are attending. They will be conducting business meetings, listening to speakers and touring the city.   A flag raising ceremony at City Hall this afternoon is the kickoff to the weekend events.

Angler Rescued

An area angler is thanking the Ministry of Natural Resources today. Spokesperson Gary Harland says the man was lost fishing yesterday on a river not far from Rinker Lake, 120 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. His two friends help direct an MNR helicopter crew to the spot the man and he was directed to a safe location and later rescued.

New Grocery Store For City

Thunder Bay is in for some No Frills action.  Loblaw Companies Limited confirms that the company will open a No Frills grocery store in the city by the end of this year.    While  no location has been confirmed  the County Fair Plaza and Northwood Plaza have been mentioned.

Cirtwill Hits The Ground Running

The new president of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute is already on the job. Charles Cirtwill plans to be working out of his Thunder Bay headquarters in September but until then he's steering the ship from Halifax.   He says that includes working with the board to start posting staffing positions, finalizing funding from the province and commissioning a couple of papers.  Cirtwill says he took the job because he was looking for a new opportunity.

New CAO In Red Lake

A new face to the Chief Administrative Officer Position in Red Lake. Mark Vermette will take over effective immediatly. He is replacing Brian Anderson, who is retiring after nearly 40 years.

Fort Frances Mill To Reopen Briefly

A deal has been reached on starting up one of the paper machines at the Resolute Forest Products Mill in Fort Frances.   Over 40 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union will be heading back to work for 2 to 3 months.   National CEP Rep Stephen Boon says that will hopefully give the mill the boost it needs. Boon says a lot of workers that were laid off in February have found other jobs, but this deal will make the recall completely voluntary.

Wind Farm Opponents Resume The Fight

Wind farm opponents on the city's south side are confident they have a solid case against proposed turbines on the Nor' wester Escarpment. Spokesperson Irene Bond says their consultant has torn apart some of Horizon Winds environmental claims and believes the government will see their point of view, especially when it comes to noise issues. The report was filed as part of the government's environmental assessment process on the project.