Yesno Back To Court Next Week

Its back to court next week for the 32 year old Sheldon Yesno.   Yesno appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom today on a charge of Second Degree Murder in the death last week of 38 year old cyclist Richard Vrastak.  Police say Vrastak was run down by a minivan on South Algoma in what they allege to be a drug related incident.

Tbaytel Launches For Good Campaign

Tbaytel is reaching out to community groups in their new charity campaign called "for good".  Spokesperson Katie Crowe says they'll be giving up to 15-thousand dollars to local organizations who have ideas that will improve education in the City.   People can send in their ideas by visiting the "for good" website and winners will be selected by a voting process. Another three charity campaigns will be offered throughout the year focusing on different areas that need improvement.  To submit your idea click here.

Habitat Dedicates Two Homes On Mary Street

Mark Rodgers, Owner & Diane Mitchell

Two more Thunder Bay houses are now complete thanks to volunteers from Habitat for Humanity. Organizer Diane Mitchell says both are on  East Mary Street, one is a new home that was recently completed and the other is a being reoccupied by another needy family. Mitchell says they dedicated some rebuilt houses in Marathon today as well.

Virdiramo Wants Support For Heath Pool

Westfort Councillor Joe Virdiramo is hoping his fellow councillors will put 300-thousand dollars towards repairs for the Heath Park Pool.  A report is coming to council tonight that suggests the money is needed to fix a leak in the outdoor pool.  Virdiramo says they won't be making a decision on the matter tonight but hopes when it comes time to a vote they approve the spending in the 2014 budget.

Young Professionals To Vie For Recognition

Thunder Bay's young professionals network, also known as SHIFT,  is looking to create a top  20 list of community leaders under 40 years old in northwestern Ontario.  Spokesperson Keith Anderson says the purpose of the awards is to showcase young professionals in the region.   The deadline to nominate someone for the 2014 Visionary Awards is November 15th.

City Woman In Dryden Custody

Dryden Police have a 25-year-old Thunder Bay woman in custody after a vehicle chase early Sunday morning which started  in Dryden and ended in Ignace. Provincial Police helped by setting up a spike belt to stop the vehicle, and one cruiser almost went off the road during the chase. As a result, Anita Lawson has been charged with several offenses including impaired driving, dangerous driving, assaulting police with a weapon and running from police.

Shipwreck Found

A shipwreck from sixty-years ago has been found.  The Scotiadoc collided with another ship in 1954 and sank near the Sleeping Giant.  Jerry Eliason is one of the members that found the ship and describes some of the steps involved in making the discovery.  The Scotiadoc is the deepest shipwreck ever found in the great lakes.

Borg Named Dilico Executive Director

The new executive director at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is Darcia Borg.  Borg joins the Aboriginal child care agency with a background of over 20 years of experience in the field. She is a member of the Red Rock (Lake Helen) First Nation and holds a Master's Degree in Social Work.   Borg's been the acting director while the board conducted its search for a permanent executive boss.

Aboriginal/International Centres On LU Radar

The Chair of the Lakehead University Board of Governors says the upcoming year will be a challenge for fundraising.  Cameron Clark says plans for a new Aboriginal centre on campus will require a strong effort in order to leverage government funding for the project.  Also on the Board's radar this year will be a new building for international students.  Clark says the eventual goal is to have a place that students from other countries can gather at.   He says it may or may not include a student residence,  that hasn't been decided yet.  

Outdoor Pools Need Work

City Council is examining the state of their three outdoor pools.  Staff are recommending money go towards the Heath Park and Widnall Pools in the 2014 budget.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the Dease pool is in dire straights.  A group supporting Heath Park will be speaking to Council about the pool's future.

Tournament Centre Needs New Doors

Thunder Bay's Tournament Centre could soon be getting some upgrades.  Council is considering spending up to 25-thousand dollars to repair their front entrance.  The money is approved would come from the Tournament Centre's Reserve Fund.

Radar Signs Help

City Council is going to hear about the radar speed signs they installed a year ago on Dawson Road.  Staff feel the signs have reduced the operating speeds of vehicles by 5 kms an hour.  That's something Councillor Ken Boshcoff agrees with.  Staff will be coming back to Council in another two years to tell them if the signs are still having an impact on how fast people are driving.

Tamarack Trees Up For Debate

City Council is tackling the issue of Mohawk Crescent's Tamarack Trees.  Staff are delivering a report that says it would cost almost 9-thousand dollars to remove 11 tamarack trees from the area and then replant white spruce.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff has Tamarack trees in his yard and has some concerns about paying to remove the trees.  The report is coming forward after several neighbours complained about the Tamarack needle drop and how it was impacting their roofs.

Blue Sky Open For Business

Downtown Fort William has a new addition. The Blue Sky Community Healing Centre opened it's doors for the first time and hopes to help strengthen the community. Cindy Crowe is a Blue Sky consultant and says they want to make people feel like they belong in the community.  Blue Sky Community Healing is located at 512 Victoria Avenue east.