Mauro's Bill Bear Being Debated

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill is still waiting to be voted on today.  It was debated this afternoon in the Ontario Legislature. Mauro called on members of the opposition to support his bill.  NDP Timmins James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson called Mauro's bill nothing but a re-election ploy.  Mauro says he won't comment on Bisson's statement in the legislature.

Minor Damage At Silver City

City fire officials believe the cold weather could be responsible for a water problem at the Silver City theatre complex this afternoon.  Kelly Patterson of the Thunder Bay Fire Service says the problem is minor though,  and involved the sprinkler system malfunctioning and sending water pouring onto the floor.  The problem occured at the south exit of the building.  The damage not enough to effect business operations.

Local Author Gets Recognition

A Thunder Bay author is up for a national award.  Charles Wilkins and his book "Little Ship of Fools: 16 Rowers, 1 Improbable Boat, 7 Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic," is one of twelve that has been nominated for RBC's Taylor Prize. The award is Canada's most prestigious for literary non-fiction. The winner will be announced March 10.

Director Set To Retire

The Catholic School Board's Director of Education Joan Powell is retiring. She made the announcement at Monday night's school board meeting. Powell will be retiring at the end of April.

Cold Weather Equals Collisions

City Police are being kept busy with the cold weather we're experiencing.  Over the last four days officers attended 119 collisions on area roads.  One of the accidents involved an ambulance enroute to a call, thankfully no one was injured and the crew was able to proceed to their call.  Police are again reminding drivers roads are icy and tires are rock hard because of the cold temperatures.

Vacancy Rate Up

The vacancy rate in Thunder Bay is up. According to the latest government figures, the rate in October was about 2 and a half per cent. A year ago at the same time it was about 1 per cent. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing says it reverses a long downward slide.  Philp says the increase can be attributed to, among other things, more people moving from renting to owning their homes.

OPP Get New Gear

OPP in northwestern Ontario are benefiting from new technology. Sgt. Shelley Garr says that our region is getting some of the new cruisers that are equipped with licence plate scanners to catch suspended drivers.  Garr says the new cruisers should arrive by next month.

United Way Welcomes Donation

On the charity beat, city workers from librarians to paramedics are showing their generosity. They have given almost 220 thousand dollars to this year's United Way campaign. That comprises about 10 per cent of the United Way's 1.2 million dollar objective.

Gravelle Announces Health Care Network

The Provincial Government is creating a new new health care network for high needs patients in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle says the new program will offer seniors and patients with complex conditions better care through more coordinated support. The program links together the various health care providers in the City.

Slippery Conditions Bring Collisions

OPP are warning motorists about the slippery driving conditions on area highways after several collisions occured in the region Wednesday.  A driver of a GMC Jimmy was west bound on Highway 11/17 when the driver lost control and rolled the vehicle into the ditch.  A two vehicle collision also occured yesterday at the intersection of Gronroos Road and Copenhagen Road.Finally, police were called to another vehicle rollover on Highway 11 after the driver lost control of his truck. OPP say the cold weather is causing area roads to be covered in ice and frost.

Drug Charges Laid

Two Longlac residents and a Geraldton man are charged with a variety of drug related charges after a search of a Longlac home by police. OPP located an amount of marijuana, morphine, and drug paraphernalia inside the home. Charged are a 37-year old man from Longlac, an 18-year old male from Geraldton and a 26 year old woman from Longlac.

Mandela Memorial

Thunder Bay residents get a chance to pay their respects to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.  St. Paul's Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street is hosting a memorial this morning at 11 o'clock. Organizer Brent Trudell says it will be a community service featuring songs and memorable quotes from the former South African President.
A book of condolences will be there for anyone to sign and it will be sent to the Mandela family

Cold Snap Continues

Don't expect our deep freeze to end before the weekend.  Jeff Coulson of Environment Canada says we are in the grips of a cold snap out of Western Canada that is bringing with it temperatures that are well below what we normally get this time of year.  Our normal daytime high for this time of year is minus 6.  Coulson adds we might see a break from the deep freeze early next week but expect another cold snap in the week leading up to Christmas.