Bentz likes what he sees; so far

This week marks the marathon of budget meetings for the City of Thunder Bay. Mark Bentz chairs the meetings and says he hasn't had a chance to read the entire lengthy document, but notes at first glance he likes what he sees. Bentz says so far he feels comfortable with a proposed 1.6 percent tax increase.

No injuries after chimney fire

An Oliver Paipoonge family on Polar Road is not hurt after a fire this morning.   Chief Mike Horan  says it was a chimney fire which his crew managed to put out quickly. He says there is minimal or no damage to the house.

Property taxes could go up

It looks like City taxes could go up. Administration is recommending property taxes be increased by 1.64 percent. City Treasurer Carol Busch says the increase could have been higher but thankfully the city's assessment grew. Property taxes for the average residential property could come in at 2-thousand 502 dollars which is a 40 dollar increase over 2010. Busch notes the tax rate is not finalized and Council could change that number during it's many budget meetings this month.

Travel outside of Thunder Bay could be tricky

Some heavy snow could be hitting parts of the Northwest today but Thunder Bay will be pretty well untouched. Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says we won't be getting much in town but area's south towards Duluth and west towards Kenora will be getting heavier amounts of snow.  After this system Laidlaw says the temperatures will stay on the colder side for at least the next week.

Retired cop makes a take down

A retired city police officer and his wife are not hurt after he managed to thwart a break and enter to his Murray Street home this morning. Peter Toohey was awakened by a the sounds of breaking glass. He managed to run down one of the suspects.  Police caught another man nearby and charged both of them.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Police get cash for guns and gangs

Thunder Bay's Police Department is getting over 600 thousand dollars in provincial funds.  The money goes towards the City's guns and gang rapid response team.  Chief Bob Herman welcomes the cash noting it's money the force wouldn't normally have.

Atikokan stays with OPP

The township of Atikokan will continue to have the Ontario Provincial Police patrol its streets.  Town council has agreed to renew a five-year policing contract with the O-P-P with costs to come in just under one-point-five million dollars. That's about one-hundred thousand dollars more than what the town expected to pay in 2010.

Lim disagress with Greenpeace

Greenpeace might think the Forest Industry is getting away scot-free from the Endangered Species Act; but the Ontario Forest Industry Association disagrees.  President Jamie Lim says they were promised the industry would be exempt from Caribou habitat legislation but it just hasn't happened.  Meawhile, P.C Finance Critic Norm Miller is throwing his support behind the OFIA.  The Province recently posted changes to the act on the Environmental Bill of Rights website.

Busy time at Fort Frances Border

A busy month of December for Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Fort Frances border. Statistics released show more than 42-thousand people passed through the border last month.  Among them a Canadian who attempted to avoid paying additional fees on more than a thousand dollars worth of items purchased in the U-S.  The agency says the individual was asked to report inside, but left the property first to drop off the undeclared goods at a nearby parking.  Both the goods and the person's vehicle were seized, and later returned, but not before the individual coffed over 15-hundred dollars in penalties.

Children died of smoke inhalation

Two children killed in a fire in a remote Northwestern Ontario First Nations community earlier this month died of smoke inhalation. Both children, boys aged two and three, died in a house fire in the community on January 13th.  Nishnawbe-Aski police say a third child, a six-month-old girl, is reported to be doing well in the pediatric unit in London. Police say the cause of the fire is determined to be accidental with no foul play suspected.  The children's parents suffered no major injuries in the fire.

Gilbert seeks Tory nod

The Progressive Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Atikokan may have a bit of star power to put up against MPP Bill Mauro. Former Lakehead University president Fred Gilbert is seeking the Tory nomination for the October provincial election. That nomination meeting in Tbunder Bay is scheduled for March 20th.

L-U Library renovations complete

Lakehead University is showing off it's library these days. It's because the facility, known as the Chancellor Paterson Library, has undergone some 1.2 million dollars worth of renovations thanks to Ontario taxpayers. The institution held a media event to help highlight the improvements which include finally having wi-fi access.

See Us, Hear Us launched

Ginoogaming and Long Lake First Nation teens are taking part in an unusual photo assignment.  Dilico Children's Foundation is launching the See Us, Hear Us Project in the two communities.  Spokesperson Celeste Pedri says the teens will train to be photographers and take pictures of their communities.  The teens will be taking pictures of healthy and unhealthy relationships in their communities.  The Ontario Trillium Foundation provided 65-thousand dollars towards the project.

2 arrested after morning break in

The next time you try to break into a house make sure it isn't a retired police officer's.  Thats the case of a man and a woman who are behind bars after an early morning break in.  Just before 4 this morning the pair broke into the house on Murray Avenue.  The 74 year old retired officer woke up and managed to apprehend the woman. The Man was picked up by police close to the house a short time later. 

Local racer takes on the world at Monte Carlo

A Thunder Bay woman is the only Canadian driver in the 100th Monte Carlo car rally that starts Thursday in Glasgow, Scotland. Joan Hoskinson says the 6 day race is her third and it never grows old.   She says it feels special to be accepted as part of the centennial celebration.   Hoskinson says she is the only driver representing Canada.

Jimi's owners back in court

Still no decision made in the Jimi the dog saga.  His owners will be back in court in March in connection with the dog park death of Gus the Chihuahua.  Defence lawyer Francis Thatcher says his clients are facing breach of the dog owner's liability act.  Fletcher says they'll be arguing that Jimi is not a pitbull and he did not kill Gus.

Smith to carry Canadian flag

A big honour for Lakehead University's Jordan Smith.  The Thunderwolves hockey star has been chosen to carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies at the World University Winter Games.  They are taking place in Turkey starting on Thursday.

Board "banks" new age learning

The Public School Board isn't ready to test out a "new age" educational idea. Board Director Cathy Semieniuk says they're not going to consider opening a school to be run by the Northern Lights Education Initiative just now.  She says they have banked the idea and doesn't rule out bringing up the initiative in the future

10 year sentence for Gregorchuk

A Thunder Bay man is going to jail for 10 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Christopher Gregorchuk was originally charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of Richard Quimet in 2009. Court was told after Quimet was beaten to death, his body was taken to a remote area up highway 527 and burned. His co-accused, Eric Lindstrom will be back in court next month.

Wilson talks Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire mining development remains a hot topic for the Chamber of Commerce.  President Harold Wilson tells a pre budget committee in Thunder Bay, the government must get back what it spends on the project.   Wilson posed the question what if the smelter isn't in Thunder Bay or the region.  The Chamber head wants the government to track the infrastructure expenses that are put into bringing the project to fruition.  Wilson says if the smelter is moved out of the Province the government should hand them a bill for the work that was done. 

Beardy at Pre-Budget Consultation

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation wants the province to improve police detachments in NAN communities. Stan Beardy made that plea to a pre-budget hearing in the city complaining that many detachments are in dilapidated states. Beardy also asked for an infrastructure program so reserve housing and water issues can be addressed.

Electricity concerns highlight hearing

Electricity concerns are high on the list of many community leaders in the northwest. That was made clear at a provincial pre-budget hearing in the city. Committee chair Pat Hoy says the worries were about the reliability of future supplies of electricity.   Hoy calls the energy issue a long term concern.  The committee will now take the local input and try to make it a part of their budget recommendations to the finance minister.

Lim speaks at Pre-Budget meeting

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is calling on the government to change the provincial building code.  President Jamie Lim spoke at the Pre-Budget Consultation session in Thunder Bay Wednesday.
Lim wants contractors to be able to use lumber in six storey buildings.  She feels the move would help the local Abitibi Bowater mill and other sawmills, and OSB facilities.  Lim says that's just one way the Province can help the region's forest industry.

Canfield speaks at Pre-Budget hearing

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is calling on the Provincial Government to upgrade the region's electricity transmission line.  Vice President Dave Canfield says the Northwest is going to need an increase in power to deal with the Ring of Fire and other emerging opportunities.  Canfield says Southern Ontario wouldn't stand for an outdated electricity system, yet the government expects the North to accept one.  Canfield spoke on behalf of NOMA at the Pre-Budget consultations in Thunder Bay.

Hillier and Mauro work it out

PC Northern Development Critic Randy Hillier tried to call out the local Liberal MPPs at a Pre-Budget consultation session yesterday in Thunder Bay; but had the tables turned on him.  Hillier sent out a news release asking why there weren't any Thunder Bay area MPP's at the pre budget consultation.  But only moments after the making the release public, MPP Bill Mauro showed up.  He was late because he was attending a Health Science Centre news conference but took it all in stride. Mauro and Hillier were spotted later having a friendly chat.

Research Institute going to MaRS

The dollars signs are starting to show in the eyes of those at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.  They've entered into a deal with MaRS Innovations, a company that takes medical inventions and tries to sell them.  The first idea to be put on the market from here is a new X-ray technology.   The Institute hopes it's the first of many patents developed at the Health Sciences Centre to be commercialized by the company. 

Police looking for robber

Police are looking for a mugger this morning.  Officers say a women was opening her car at the McIntyre Centre yesterday when a man in his 20's grabbed her purse and ran off.  The K-9 unit was brought in but no arrests have been made. 

LHIN rolls out funds

The Northwest LHIN is rolling out a number of new programs for residents living with brain injuries.  715-thousand dollars is being used to offer a variety of programs across the region.  A family therapist will work with families in the region, while program facilitators will be posted in Dryden, Fort Frances and here in Thunder Bay.

Shannon set to receive Order of Ontario

Thunder Bay's Dave Shannon is about to receive the province's highest civilian honour. On Thursday Shannon will be given the Order of Ontario for his work with the disabled. The local lawyer and quadriplegic says he wants to share the recognition with others he's come in contact with who have worked with him for  human rights. Shannon calls the experience humbling and gratifying.

Standing Committe on Finance in T. BAY

It's a full day of speakers Wednesday at the Provincial Government's Pre-Budget Consultations. The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is in town to speak to a variety of stakeholders. NOMA will be addressing the panel. Other speakers include the Chamber of Commerce, Confederation College, and Poverty Free Thunder Bay.

Former chief lays down the law

There's tough talk from the new Ring of Fire Cooridinator for the Matawa First Nations. Raymond Ferris says he's going to make sure that corporations play by the rules and give his people the maximum benefits of any mining discoveries in the area. Ferris says he expects the government to pick up the tab. Ferris is known within the First Nations communities as an expert on land and resources issues and is the former chief of the Constance Lake First

Pope John Paul going solar

Thunder Bay's Catholic Schools are going green.  The school board is installing solar panels at three of its schools which will save them 70 thousand dollars a year in energy costs.  Superintendent of Business Tom Mustapic says Pope John Paul will have the panels installed in April.  The system will provide electricity for the buildings, and preheat air coming into the schools heating system.

Gas Leak resolved

Union Gas has fixed a gas leak at the former Triple Nickel bar site.  A front end loader hit a gas pipe while during excavation work this morning.  That leak cause parts of Miles and Simpson Street to be closed for a short period of time.

ORC to become a memory

The Ontario Realty Corporation is in for a change.  The McGuinty government is merging it with another agency.  MPP Michael Gravelle says he doesn't know exactly how the merger will affect the Corporation's Thunder Bay office but expects any savings to come from administrative costs and not at the expense of front line staff.

Extra Flu Shot Clinic this Monday

Flu season is upon us, and it seems there's a rush to get immunized. The Health Unit has been overwhelmed with requests for shots at it's weekly Wednesday clinic. An appointment only clinic has been scheduled for Monday to alleviate the congestion.

Input sought on housing strategy

A second round of public input sessions on a proposed housing strategy start today.  Iain Angus is the Chair of the Social Services Board and says they want to make sure they meet the public's needs.  To comment on the draft plan log onto the Social Services Board website.

Council gives direction to lawyer

City Council is giving marching orders to legal counsel; but that's all City Manager Tim Commisso can say.  That's the only information available to the public after a closed door meeting on the 126 million dollar Horizon Wind lawsuit.  City Manager Tim Commisso says he can't say when they'll be back in court.

United Way reaches goal

After struggling to raise money over the holiday season, the United Way is deeming its 2010 fundraising campaign a success.  Fundraising Chair Wayne Fletcher says the community came through for them. In December the organization had said they weren't sure if they could reach their goal.  Fletcher adds they surpassed their 2.4 million dollar goal by 8-thousand dollars.

Lac Des Iles Mine to get facelift

The Thunder Bay economy is getting another shot in the arm. It comes with the news that North American Palladium is boosting production at it's Lac Des Iles Mine north of the city by almost 55 per cent this year. As well the company is spending 147 million dollars to expand the mine.

Wind turbine health concerns drive court case

The wind turbine debate in Ontario is now before a judge. Opponents are in a Toronto court claiming the turbines are being allowed too close to people's homes. Sam Bachinski is a local opponent of the Nor'wester wind farm. He says this case, brought on by Ian Hanna, has a direct bearing on the Horizon Wind project.   The government says there is no credible evidence to suggest the turbines harm health.   Bachinski says his group is not providing financial support for the group.

The Carnegie Kids are back

Two local piano virtuosos are back at home after a trip to the Big Apple.  The two Lakehead University music students performed in  a competition at New York City's Carnegie Hall.  Robyne Tenkula and Jonathan Boo placed second and third in their respective categories.  

CAA stretched to the max during cold spell

CAA workers in Thunder Bay are relieved the worst is over. They were kept hopping responding to dead battery calls during the near record breaking cold spell. Spokesperson Cory Kennedy admits the wait times were quite long, anywhere from 6 to 24 hours.  Kennedy says in the northern region the CAA responded to 650 calls for service on Sunday.

LU prof sees positives in fitness guidelines

New physical fitness guidelines in Canada show we are the least active generation in decades. Glen Paterson, of Lakehead University's Kinesiology Deparment, is pleased to see the issue is being addressed by the Canadian Society for Exercise. Paterson says there are a lot of positives in the new guidelines because they address the importance of daily exercise for children to older adults.

CN talks result in tenative deal

The threat of a strike by CN Rail workers in Thunder Bay is diminished now that a tentative contract agreement is in place. The members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union were threatening to walk the picket lines across the country at midnight. The details of the new deal will not be released until it's voted on by the union.

United Way to release final total

The United Way's 2010 campaign officially comes to an end later today when the organization releases its fundraising total. The goal was to raise 2.47 million dollars in the community.

Power restored to outlying areas

Power is back on for Hydro One customers after they were without it for about 8 hours during one of the coldest days on record. A report says more than 12 hundred homes were affected Sunday morning in Fowler, Gorham, Jacques, Ware and Oliver-Paipoonge.   Power line problems are being blamed by the utility for the outage.

FWFN says yes to deal

There is near unanimous approval on the Fort William First Nation.   On the weekend members voted on a 154 million dollar land claim settlement that includes the transfer of Flatland Island and Pie Island to the band.    Chief Peter Collins says of the 800 or so members who voted, about 98 per cent of them voted in favour of the deal.  Collins says it was no surprise to him.

Its a winter wonderland

Expect some more snow today. Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says Lake Superior will be adding moisture to the system moving through the area and more snow will fall.  He says in Thunder Bay the snow should taper off near noon, with more significant amounts in the Nipigon area.  Laidlaw says it looks like we could get another dumping of snow come Thursday.

Near record low temperatures

Thunder Bay came close to breaking a record for the coldest temperature. Environment Canada meteorologist Arnold Ashton says Thunder Bay's temperature hit a low of minus 37.3 Sunday morning, falling just short of the previous record of minus 37.6 that was set back in 1996.

Funding for Lakehead University

Lakehead University is in the money. The Canada Foundation for Innovation awarded 312 thousand dollars to the University. The money will purchase microscopes that will be used by geology, chemistry, engineering, biology and physic students.

Fort William First Nation Votes

It's a historic day on the Fort William First Nation. The band membership are voting today on a proposed  land claim settlement from the Canadian and Ontario governments. The tentative settlement includes about 154 million dollars and transfers of land on Flatland and Pie Island.