Hospital Faces Code Violation

The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is facing a fire code violation.   Chief John Hay says it's because patients are being placed in alcoves not designated  for their care.    The hospital is currently facing an overcrowding problem, but Hay says that doesn't matter,  and that officials should maintain safety standards at all times.

Positive Job Growth Predicted

A report from BuildForce Canada is predicting big times ahead for northern Ontario. The report states that a number of large resource and infrastructure projects will boost the construction sector in the north. It sites projects such as the Ring of Fire, the Energy East pipeline and ongoing transmission work. BuildForce Canada says that will bring new workers to the region over the next five years and will force the area to concentrate on recruitment efforts.

Nurses Hold Info Picket

Public health nurses in the city are sending a message to their employer.  They held an information picket at the District Health Unit on Barton Street today.   Michelle McColl of the Ontario Nurses Association says it's to draw attention to their contract talks with the Health Unit which recently broke off over the issue of wages.  The close to 60 nurses  have been without a new contract since the since end of 2012.

Taxpayers Group Wants Events Centre Vote

A local citizen activist is determined to force the city into having a question on this falls election ballot on the proposed events centre.  Ray Smith says his group, Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay, is holding a meeting next month to press their case for a plebiscite.  He believes it should come in two parts, first asking if voters support a new events centre and if so, where?   The meeting takes place at the Mary J. L. Black Library March 11th at 6:45

Dryden Treasurer Resigns

Another member of Dryden's senior management team is leaving. Treasurer Adrienne Bodnarchuk has announced her resignation effective April 30th. Officials with the financially crippled community are searching for her replacement.

Gravelle Defends ROF Progress

At  Queens Park the NDP are accusing the province of dragging its feet on the Ring of Fire mining project pointing to a lack of progress with establishing the development corporation.   However Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle fired back by saying there is plenty going on behind the scenes to come up with a transportation route.Gravelle says the hiring of the consulting firm Deloitte is an important part of the equation

Conmee Councillor Dies

The community of Conmee is in mourning today following the death of councillor Robert Rydholm after a brief illness...he was 93.   Mayor Kevin Holland says Rydholm has a long history in township politics having served as councillor and reeve for over 3 decades.    No arrangements have been made for his funeral.  

Hunter Fined

The hammer is coming down on more illegal hunting in the region.  This time it's a southern Ontario man who has been fined a total of 37 hundred dollars for illegally hunting two cow moose and for shooting across a road.   He has also been banned from hunting for a year.   The Ministry of Natural Resources says that the incidents happened at a resort in the Lac des Mille Lacs area, west of Thunder Bay last fall.

Police Investigate Mischief

City police are investigating several cases of mischief from last night. They say someone spray painted around a half a dozen vehicles parked at Silver City. Police feel more vehicles may have been targeted and the owners have yet to report the incident.

Alberta Clipper Coming

Environment Canada is now calling for ten to twenty centimeters of snow for the Thunder Bay area. Meteorologist Ria Alsen says the snow is on its way Thursday afternoon.  Alsen adds the snow should end sometime Friday afternoon.