City Police working on new business plan

Thunder Bay police are gearing up for a new business plan. Deputy Chief JP Levesque says the plan will outline the focus for the next three years as directed by the Police Services Board.  Mayor Keith Hobbs sits on the board and says he will be pushing for a shift towards community policing.  A survey was conducted of both the public and members of Thunder Bay police to get feedback.

Missing votes isn't a big deal

MP absences are in the spot light in Ottawa after Michael Ignatieff took heat for missing 135 votes during this Parliament. Our local MP's are near the middle of the pack with Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty missing 33 and 26 votes respectively. Rafferty says he believes Mr Ignatieff is taking unfair criticism because being a leader he could have had other important duties to attend to.  In comparison NDP leader Jack Layton missed 17 votes, Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe missed 20 and Stephen Harper missed 74 votes.

2011 budget passed

Council has passed the 2011 budget.  But, before it was ratified councillors decided to keep 160 thousand dollars in the 2011 budget for road work slated for Shuniah Street.  Hobbs voted against the move saying the road doesn't need to be widened it needs to be paved.  The 2011 budget will result in a 1.27 percent increase in property taxes.

Gridlock ideas brought to council

A Health Science Centre nurse is speaking out about patient gridlock in the emergency room.  Alana Bishop wrote a letter suggesting ways the hospital might be able to free up 52 beds by creating a facility that would deal solely with mental health, alcohol and drug addiction cases.  Bishop says she's dissapointed she didn't receive a response to her ideas from the Health Minister.  Bishop thinks the former Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital could serve as a Mental health centre and has brought the idea up with St. Joseph's Care Group as well.

Council won't sell land to Badanai Motors

Thunder Bay City Council won't give up it's ownership of the Court Street extension.  The President of Badanai Motors has asked council for a second time to sell it to him; with most of council voting against the move Monday night.  City Planner Mark Smith says they don't want to sell the land because of the city's underground infrastructure. Badanai currently leases the land from the City and says he hasn't decided on whether or not he will continue to do that.

Council meets with TTC

Members of the Thunder Bay City Council are feeling better about Bombardier's transit contract after speaking with the head of the TTC.  Councillor Joe Virdiramo says they also spoke to Mayor Rob Ford about it.  The city spoke with Ford and the TTC while attending the Good Roads conference last week in Toronto.

Awareness Walk for Jordan Wabasse

Two Big Trout Lake residents will be walking from their community to Webeque First Nation to raise awareness about Jordan Wabasse.  Wabasse has been missing for a month and was last seen getting off a city bus in Westfort.  You can follow the 500 kilometer walk through the "Help Find Jordan Wabasse" facebook page.

Charges laid in union fraud case

Thunder Bay OPP are releasing details of a fraud case in Nipigon.  Sgt. Shelley Garr says it involves a 64 year old man from that community.  Wayne Asselin was charged after a member of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union came to the police in December of 2008 after they noticed over 175 thousand dollars was missing from their accounts.  Asselin was the financial secretary of the union.

Snowfall=accidents

Police are reporting several accidents since the snow started falling last night. City police say there have been at least 8 with one of them resulting in minor injuries. The OPP say there were at least 3 in the area this morning. In one case a driver was sent to hospital as a precaution when a SUV went in the ditch in Shuniah. There was also a accident involving a school bus which didn't have students in it on Highway 102.

Veneruz dies at 81

A former Catholic School Board trustee calls it the end of an era. That's how Jolene Kemp describes the death of long time trustee Francis Veneruz  at the age of 81. Kemp says as chair, Veneruz guided the board through changing times.  She says he had the vision to make sure the school system had the means to operate for the future.   His funeral takes place Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral

More gold exploration in the northwest

An already busy mining activity in the Rainy River district is about to get busier. Catalina Metals is paying 146-thousand dollars plus shares to acquire 18-thousand acres located along the same belt that's hosting the gold-rich finds north of Barwick and at Cameron Lake near Nestor Falls. Catalina is now planning an exploration program for the area.

NOACC praises growth plan

The Northwestern Associated Chambers of Commerce is another organization on board with the Northern Growth Plan.  President Barry Streib says the proposed Northern Policy Institute is welcome by the chambers. He says it's exciting for Northern Ontario to conduct research on business, economic and social issues. 
While critics say the plan has no substance, Streib believes the framework is there to guide growth.

Civil War grips Libya

With more confirmed clashes between rebels and loyalist forces it appears civil war has engulfed Libya. Lakehead University Political Science Professor Laure Paquette says the west is mainly staying out but could be providing indirect support to the rebels by sending in special forces units to make contact with different rebel factions. Paquette says as far as military action by the west it has been ruled out.

Wilson wins regional spelling bee

Margarita Wilson is this year's champion of the Canspell Regional Spelling Bee.  She out spelled 35 other participants on route to the victory.  The grade 7 Nor'Wester View Student will move onto the National Championship's in Toronto later this month. 

Thunderwolves Bastketball team off to Nationals

The day after the OUA championship the Thunderwolves Men's Basketball team has turned their eyes towards the CIS national championships.  The Wolves have learned they'll battle Trinity Western in their first game Friday afternoon.  The winner will advance to the semi finals.  The Thunderwolves earned the fourth spot at the tournament with a huge upset win over Carleton Saturday 77-62.  It was Carleton's first loss this season

Snow today but warm tomorrow

Its snowing today but starting tomorrow we'll be getting our first real taste of spring. Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says we will get about 10 to 15 centimetres of snow when all is said and done and then warm air will move in and push temperatures above the freezing point for most of this week.  Laidlaw says the snow should taper off this afternoon.

Gilbert nomination offical

It's official: retired Lakehead University president Fred Gilbert will be the Progressive Conservative candidate for the Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP seat. Gilbert will be going up against Liberal MPP Bill Mauro. The NDP are planning to pick their candidate for the riding later this month.

Nurse wants to streamline emergency care

A Shuniah Councillor thinks she has the soloution to a sometimes crowded emergency room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Alana Bishop says an emergency facility dedicated specifically to addiction and mental health related admissions would help free up beds. Bishop --who's also a registered nurse--will pitch the idea to city council Monday night.

New crossing for Lakehead proposed

A new Oliver Road traffic light is being proposed to help  L-U students reach the Health Sciences Centre on foot.

The new light would make it easier for students living in residence to get medical attention. Also, nursing students frequently need to cross back and forth between both locations

LUSU president Mike Snoddon along with representative from Lakehead will present the idea to city council at Monday's meeting.

Board vice-chair defends tuition hike

With increased tuition fees at Lakehead University now set in stone, the vice chair of the Board of Governors is defending the move. Cam Clark says it was necessary because the institution is facing rising costs.  He says the board tried to find a balance between affordable education for those students with few resources and a fiscally responsible budget.  Clark suggests the increase was regrettable but necessary

Mayor says list shows need for fewer staff

The latest list of city workers that made 100 thousand dollars last year has the mayor on alert. Keith Hobbs says he's working to cut the overall budget for salaries. The mayor says he and other councillors are serious about starting the staff reduction process through attrition. The Sunshine List from the province shows that 80 members of the police and fire services are on it. Hobbs attributes that to the "terrible shift" that they work and he hopes to change that to reduce overtime rates.

Hampton: No substance to "stunted growth plan"

Provincial NDP leader Howard Hampton says the McGuinty government's Northern Growth plan is void of any substance.  He says there is no action plan in the document what-so-ever, and that after 4 years of study all there is, is  more study, more talk and more delay. Hampton says the plan shows that the government is out of touch with the realities of life in the north.

Porter to increase flights to T-Dot

Porter Airlines is expanding it's Thunder Bay to Toronto service.   The company says the new schedule takes effect on May 25th.  It will see an increase to five daily round trips during the weekday from the current three.  Porter says Thunder Bay has been a good fit with planes frequently loaded to capacity.  Thunder Bay Airport Manager Scott McFadden calls it welcome news. 

New policy institute cornerstone of growth plan

The Northern Ontario Growth Plan has finally been released. The controversial document has been in the works for over 3 years and included thousands of hours of consultations. Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says now the plan can be implemented.  One the first iniatives in the 25 year plan will be the creation of a Northern Policy Institute. Gravelle says the institute is a direct response to northern residents who want a greater say in policy decisions affecting the region.

Police HQ broken into

Talk about gutsy. OPP in Sioux Lookout say that someone broke into the Nishnawbe Aski Police headquarters building in that community. Police didn't indicate if anything was taken only to say that they haven't arrested anyone

Commisso calls for change to Sunshine List

Thunder Bay's City Manager thinks it's time the province increase the amount used to make up it's Sunshine List. Right now the list includes public workers who make more than 100 thousand dollars a year. Tim Commisso thinks that number is getting stale given that it was created in 1996. He believes a better threshold would be about 140 thousand dollars. Last year 115 workers on the city payroll made over 100 thousand dollars.

Man spooks girl in Current River

City police are looking for a man in his mid twenties after an incident in Current River yesterday morning.   They say that at around 8:30 a man approached a 13 year old girl walking on Dacre Street near Leslie Avenue.  The girl tells police the man made inappropriate comments to her.  She was not harmed.   He's described as white, 5-8 and thin with short dark hair.

Hay admits Sunshine List will cause talk

City Fire Chief John Hay says the fact 31 firefighters made more than 100 thousand dollars last year is going to cause controversy. He says his hands are tied because of an arbitration award that gave them 7 years of back pay. However, public perception is a different story, admitting that there will be questions asked. Hay says that same award will play into this years Sunshine List as well.

Students protest increased tuition

The student union at Lakehead University is livid over a decision by the University Board of Governors to jack up tuition  fees by 5 per cent. President Mike Snodden says about 120 chanting protesters were on hand as the governors entered Thursday's meeting where the increase was approved. He says the increase will mean students will pay an average of 280 dollars more for next years classes, engineering students will pay and extra 460 dollars. He says a protest rally is planned for next week as well as an e-mail blitz.

Ring of Fire blockade underway

Marten Falls First Nation has commenced its blockade of an airstrip used by companies for Ring of Fire mining exploration. The community is protesting what they see as a lack of involvement in decisions about their future.

The catalyst for the blockade is a mining camp on Koper Lake that Marten Falls leaders say was constructed without permission.

The  leaders see the camp as part of a larger trend where the community is shut out of the decision making process and are concerned they might lose out on benefits in the long term by not being able to help guide development.

Besides having more say in plans for the area, Chief Eli Moonias says Marten Falls would like to see new infrastructure put in place like winter roads that could lead to transport jobs. Other items such as funding to hire experts to help with negotiations and reimbursement for last years blockade are also on his wish list. Moonias feels the First Nation was forced into last years blockade by the decisions of others and shouldn't be on the hook for the cost.

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy visited the protest camp on Koper lake today and participated in a ceremony to mark the beginning of the blockade. Beardy says First Nation communities in the region aren't against development; they just want to make sure they share in the Ring of Fire's success and are treated fairly.

Municipal League meets

You can bet the Northern Growth Plan will be a hot topic at this weekend's annual Thunder Bay District Municipal League meeting. Past president Gwen Garbutt says the league members had a say in the plan, which is being released Friday morning by Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle. Garbutt says if there's something in the plan they don't like, Gravelle will hear from them. The meeting gets under way Friday as well.

Developer's expansion plans halted

The city isn't too keen on making changes to some of the projects at Prince Arthur's Landing.   The Committee of Adjustment has nixed plans by the developers of the hotel to add a storey to the building and move some parking from the waterfront to the downtown north core.   However city administration was a bit skittish about the plan because there hasn't been a parking study done.

Hospital working on new strategic plan

All aspects of health care are being encourage to take part in the creation of a new strategic plan for the Regional Health Sciences Centre. CEO Andree Robichaud says they hope to have representatives from all health care stake holders take part in the planning.  Robichaud says they will focus on patient needs and hope to have a draft plan in place by June.

City firefighters make sunshine list

A total of 115 people on the City of Thunder Bay payroll are on the province's Sunshine List. It gives the names of civil servants and other government officials who made more than 100 thousand dollars last year. City Manager Tim Commisso says a recent arbitration decision for city firefighters put 32 of them on that list. 50 people in the Police Service are also made more than a 100K in 2010

Herman takes issue with proposed booze law

Police Chief Bob Herman has joined the chorus of concerns over proposed new liquor laws in Ontario. Herman says while the laws may need updating he is wondering if allowing people to wander with booze at outdoor events is a wise move. He says they've seen from events in Thunder Bay that when that happens there is a tendancy for minors to be given alcohol and for people to sneak it in.  Herman says the Police Chiefs Association will bring their concerns to the McGuinty government

Donation for library

The Northern Credit Union has donated 5 thousand dollars to the new Mary J.L. Black Branch Library. The money will support the Children’s Reading Garden at the new facility. Fundraising Chairman, Patrick Morash and Thunder Bay Public Library Acting Chief Librarian, Barb Philp, were at the Northern Credit Union Westfort Branch on Frederica Street to accept the gift.

Buddy Guy and GFR highlight bluesfest lineup

They're coming to our town to party it down.  Grand Funk Railroad is one of the acts that will be part of this years Blues Festival.  Also on the list are Chicago Blues man Buddy Guy, Blue Rodeo and Wild T and the Spirit.  the Bluesfest takes place at Marina Park July 8th to the 10th.

City Transit is developing a master plan

The city wants to know what residents think about transit services. Transit Manager Brad Loroff says they are looking for public input to help in the development of a Master Plan. Loroff says the plan should point out what needs Thunder Bay residents have.  Loroff says there will be a survey available from March 7 to April 17th and a public meeting March 31st.

No one hurt in apartment fire

No injuries in a North side fire. The Blaze happened just after 9 o'clock last night in the 500 block of North Cumberland.  When crews arrived they found one unit completely engulfed in flames.  The cause is under investigation.

More schools to offer full time Kindergarten

There will be more schools in Thunder Bay offering full day Kindergarten next year.  A report says that starting in 2012, 7 more schools will be providing the service in the city bringing the total to 16 schools.  It's part of the provinces announcement that 900 more schools in Ontario will provide full time kindergarten in 2012

Infanticide ruled a partial defence to murder

A precedent setting ruling by Ontario's top court.  The Court of Appeal says that mothers who kill their newborn babies may use infanticide as a defence and receive a drastically reduced sentence. The president of the Thunder Bay Law Association David Dubinsky notes its a very rare charge.  He doesn't expect a lot of mothers will be running to court with this type of defence. Dubinsky says the issue hit the court because a special interest group wanted to make a statement about women's rights

Another mill shutdown in "The Fort"

Another shutdown is coming for the AbitibiBowater Mill in Fort Frances.  The plant will be shut down for fourteen days beginning March 28th because of poor market conditions.  More than 500 employees will be effected.

CAW members at Beendigen get new deal

Social workers at a local aboriginal women's shelter have a new 3 year contract.   The employees of Beendigen  Inc.  have voted to accept the deal.   Suzanne Pulice of the Canadian Auto Workers union  says the contract corrected a wage gap between two groups in the bargaining unit.  She says part time counsellors were not making the same as full time workers, but by the end of the agreement they will both make the same.  Pulice say there are improvements in wages and benefits

Local media to be flown to protest site

The Marten Falls First Nation will be testing the patience of industry and government as they set up a blockade Thursday near the Ring of Fire.  The members of that community are complaining they're not part of the process for the proposed chromite mine.  As part of the days events,  the Nishnawbe Aski Nation has chartered a Nakina Air flight to the area so local news reporter can get a glimpse of the protest, which Chief Eli Moonias says is designed to prevent planes from landing and gaining access to the site of the development.   Included on that charter is our own Josh Lynn.

Snowmobile mishap claims a life

A 23 year old Geraldton man is dead after a snowmobile accident near Ear Falls on Tuesday.   OPP say three snowmobilers were riding along  a hydro line when a collision took place.  They say Marcel Santerre died as a result of these his injuries.

Levi Schaeffer Inquest continues

The Levi Schaeffer Inquest is into its 3rd day and the OPP officers who were involved in his death are on the stand.  Constable Mike Pullbrook says he and his partner Constable Kris Woods were investigating reports of a stolen boat at Osnaburgh Lake when they came into contact with Schaeffer.  Pullbrook says when questioned about the boat Mr Schaeffer became very agitated.  He says an altercation ensued and after Schaeffer broke free of his hold, Schaeffer pulled a knife out of his pocket.  Pullbrook says after repeated requests for Schaeffer to drop the knife and to stop moving forward, Constable Woods shot Schaeffer.  Woods is expected to take the stand this afternoon.

Outpost site of climate change conference

Climate change is being talked about at Lakehead University Thursday. Organizer Graham Saunders says the purpose is to discuss the topic from the angles of changing trends, impacts and ways to adapt. He hopes anyone who attends will come away thinking differently about weather and some of the surprises that may be in order in the years to come. The conference takes place at the L-U Outpost starting at 8:30 a.m.

Long time local business is closing

After over 40 years Hymers Mens Wear is going out of business. Owner Rob Hymers says he's ready for a change. He says people just aren't shopping in the downtown like they used to adding, many shoppers are now attracted to the big box stores and Intercity Shopping Centre.    Hymers says he's looking forward to spending more time with his family

Car fires keep police busy

Thunder Bay police are investigating after two vehicles were burned to the ground this morning.  The fires happened just after 12:30 on Bethune Street and just after 2 o'clock on Cumming Street.  Arson is suspected and both cars were destroyed.