Sunday, December 2, 2012
NWHU Surveys Living Costs
Death on Grain Ship in Port
The Federal Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident that happened early yesterday morning on one of the grain ships in port. Thunder Bay Police and Fire responded to a call just before 2 a.m. yesterday after a 40 year old resident of the GTA died from an injury while working on the ship. Police cannot release further information about the incident or the man until the investigation is complete.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Walk of Light
Country Market Collects for Shelter House
Fire Rescue Award Ceremony
Parade of Lights
Friday, November 30, 2012
OSSTF Upset Over Westgate Tiger Tip-Off
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation is speaking out after the Public School Board cancelled the Westgate Tiger Tip-off basketball tournament. The board said the tournament was cancelled because they didn't feel there was enough supervision from support staff. Union Rep Paul Caccamo says his members put over 200 hours to prepare the tournament and were willing to give more over the weekend. Caccamo says he didn't hear from the school about their concerns about supervision.
Council Tackles Several Issues Monday
There could be a new school safety zone after Monday night's City Council meeting. Council will consider implementing a 40 km/hr speed zone on Georgina Avenue from Mary Street to Frederica Avenue. School safety zones would also be set up at Rockwood Avenue from 65 metres south of Whitney Street to 35 metres south of Windsor Street and Wishart Crescent from Windemere Avenue to Clarkson Street. Meanwhile, Council is looking at improving drainage in the areas of Oliver and Highgate Roads. City staff is recommending spending 125-thousand dollars towards drainage improvements including new ditching on the south side of Oliver Road and new culverts along half of Highgate Road. Finally, Council is considering making a bid for the next Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities conference. Council will decide tonight whether or not to officially throw the City's hat into the conference hosting ring.
B-Ball Tournament Cancelled
The Tiger Tip-off basketball tournament is cancelled and
teachers' job action is being blamed. Ian MacRae, Superintendant of Education
and former Principal at Westgate says he was forced to pull the plug on the
tournament last night after the first round of games were played. MacRae says
there were indeed enough coaches, but not enough support staff to ensure the
students particpating would be supervised appropriately on school grounds.
Christmas Cheer Fund Sets Goal At 160-Thousand
The Christmas Cheer campaign is underway with a goal of 160
thousand dollars. Chair Linda Gambee says this year the need in the community
is bigger than ever. The organization faced a funding shortfall last year and
in order to balance their books this year they had to eliminate stew from the
Christmas grocery hampers.
Eye See Eye Learn
The Eye See Eye Learn program is reaching out to
Thunder Bay's surrounding communities. The Ontario Association of Optometrists
pilot program just started. It will see a local optometrist travel to the
surrounding communities and provide free eye exams and glasses to school
children. The program already exists in the City and now it will include Red
Rock, Nipigon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Geraldton and Manitouwadge.
CAA Reminds You To Drive Safe
While the official start to winter is a few weeks away, it's
good to always be prepared. The Canadian Auto Association has some safety tips
to help everyone stay safe on the roads. Spokesperson Korey Kennedy says it's
important to keep an emergency kit. Kennedy also stresses the importance of
making sure snow and ice is completely scraped off the vehicle.
Rickford On Residential School Ceremony
Shining light on an unfortunate past. Kenora MP Greg
Rickford hosted a dedication ceremony on Wednesday to commemorate the legacy of
Indian Residental Schools, which featured a stained glass window being installed
in Center Block on Parliment Hill. Rickford says that it's a move forward for
Aboriginal people who were affected by the residential schools. Rickford adds
that it had some personal significance to him, considering he was part of
negotiations and the signing of the Residential Schools Agreement.
Levesque Proud Of Diamond Jubilee Award
Thunder Bay's Police Chief JP Levesque says he's
proud to receive a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. Levesque says he's elated to
receive the award and was shocked when MP Bruce Hyer's office called to tell him
he was receiving the medal. Levesque says he's probably receiving the award for
his years with the police force.
Hyer Hands Out 30 Jubilee Medals Today
ETFO Ready For A Strike
Basketball Teams At Home This Weekend
Thursday, November 29, 2012
55 Year Old Man's Death Not Foul Play
OPP are continuing their investigation into the death of a man at a residence at the Elizabeth Street Manor in Fort Frances. Police are ruling out foul play in the cause of death. Dead is 55 year old Derek Pollard.
NAPS Continue To Investigate Fatal Fire
The cause of death in a fatal house fire in New Osnaburgh First Nation is pending toxicology reports. A post mortem exam was conducted at the Kenora Hospital on Sunday, the I.D. of the deceased cannot be officially confirmed until the return of DNA testing. Due to the extent of fire, the Ontario Fire Marshall is unable to determine the exact cause of the fire. Nishnawbe Aski Police are continuing their investigation of the event that occured last week.
Missing Teen Found
Trans Support Collective On Federal Bill
The head of Thunder Bay's Transgender Support
Collective hopes the Federal Government will do the right thing and pass a
private member's bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against
transgendered residents. Transgender Collective Organizer Aiden Kivisto says
whether or not the Federal Government passes the bill it's still a positive step
in the right direction. MPs are currently studying the bill; if the bill clears
this hurdle it will head back to the Commons, where it must pass two more key
votes.
Flood Relief Fund At Almost 1.2 Million
After 6 months of fundraising the Disaster Relief Committee has raised almost 1.2 million dollars for victims of the May 28th flood. Spokesperson Wayne Fletcher says they're pleased with the amount raised so far but notes the goal is still 5 million dollars. Fundraising will continue until January 31st.
Warm Weather On The Way
Cold weather is about to give way
to above average temperatures as we head towards the weekend. Environment
Canada's Geoff Coulson says a warm front in advance of system coming in from the
prairies is expected to give us highs of plus 4 and plus 2 on Saturday and
Sunday. Coulson says the warm air associated with this system is coming up
from the southern United States.
Rafferty Meeting With Resolute
More answers about Resolute Forest Products future in Fort Frances could come tonight. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he and MPP Sarah Campbell will be sitting down with company president Richard Garneau in Toronto. Rafferty says he also hopes to pose a number of questions forwarded to him by mill workers, including one pertaining to a suspected offer to buy the plant.
World AIDS Day
Thunder Bay's local AIDS group is marking World AIDS
day Friday. The actual awareness day is December 1st, but the local group will
be holding their public event Friday morning at the Victoria Inn. Spokesperson
Bob Manson says they want to keep spreading the word in Northwestern Ontario
that AIDS is a preventable disease. Manson adds a huge number of Thunder Bay
residents are involved with fighting AIDS and HIV in Africa.
Shelter House Kicks Off Fundraising Season
Thunder Bay's Shelter House is looking to raise 200-thousand dollars in the month of December for it's Christmas fundraising campaign. Executive Director Patty Hajdu says that's a slight increase from the previous year's fundraising goal. To donate to Shelter House phone them, drop off money in person or by mail or stop by any TD Canada Trust location.
Three Hurt In Accident
Police say charges are pending after three people were sent to hospital following a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Secord Street and Dufferin just after 10:00 o'clock this morning.It's alleged that a car on Dufferin drove into the intersection before it was safe to do so and struck a van that was southbound on Secord Street. The two female occupants of the van were taken by ambulance to hospital with minor injuries. The male driver of the car was also taken to hospital by a friend to be checked out.
Back To Square One
Accident Slows Traffic On Water Street
High School Teachers Set To Resume Job Action
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
New Westfort Fire Station Seeks Approval
City Council is being asked to approve the fire department's suggestion for a new Westfort Fire Station on West Frederica Street. The new site if approved would replace the old Brown Street Fire Station that can no longer accommodate the fire fighters and their equipment.
Missing 15 Year Old Girl
Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 15 year old girl. Orlanda Chickekoo was last seen leaving her guardians Lansdowne Court residence just after noon today. She is described as 5 feet five inches tall and weighing 125 lbs with long dark hair. She was wearing an army green t-shirt, a black hoodie, a black jacket, dark jeans and white sneakers with a pink design. There is a ongoing concern regarding her health and welfare, therefore investigators are urging anyone who has seen her to contact the Thunder Bay Police.
WSIB Head Pays TBay A Visit
The head of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board says it's an ongoing process to fix the WSIB. Elizabeth Witmer spoke at the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday and says they continue to modernize their programs. Witmer says they will continue to keep in contact with Northern communities about ongoing changes to the WSIB.
Arthur Street Accident Update
Thunder Bay Police are charging a 66 year old man with careless driving, driving while suspended and failing to wear a seat belt after a 3 car pile up on Arthur Street Saturday night. Police say the collision took place when a blue Ford Focus crossed the center line of Arthur Street and hit an approaching grey Mazda sedan. Another approaching vehicle then struck the Mazda a second time in the curb lane. Had the 66 year old's vehicle been salvageable, it would have been
impounded for seven days as a consequence of driving while under suspension.
Sudden Death Fort Frances
Fort Frances OPP are investigating the sudden death
of a man inside the Elizabeth Street Manor on Tuesday. The OPP Forensic
Identification Unit is helping the Regional Coroner confirm the identity of the
man and determine the cause of death. A post mortem exam will take place today
at the Kenora Hospital.
Not Many People Disobeying Calendar Parking
The City's Parking Authority says most people have been
following the calendar parking rules since last Friday's snowfall. Manager
James Coady says there are a few that park on the wrong side of the road and
they get ticketed. Coady says they'll be paying extra attention to parking
areas in congested residential neighbourhoods and school areas. Calendar
parking is used to allow snow plows to clear the road and snow banks.
Habib Happy With Lower Taxes
The President of Habib
Architects is pleased the City has decided to lower the taxes on his Victoria
Avenue property. Ahsanul Habib says it was one of the conditions that was
required before a low income housing project could move forward. Habib notes
the next step is to formalize an agreement for the 21 unit building with the
local Social Services Board. Construction should start sometime in February or
March.
Ontario Provides $ For Mental Health Workers
The Provincial Government is
investing 375 thousand dollars annually for mental health and addictions workers
in Ring of Fire communities. These workers will provide counselling, individual
and group therapy, crisis intervention and other health services. Over 80 new
workers have been hired, which will help almost four thousand aboriginal
children and young people.
Fort Chamber On Resolute
The president of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce
is trying to reassure his members the community will make it through the idling
of operations at Resolute Forest Products. At the Chamber's annual meeting
Tuesday night Mark Caron aknowleged the move will have a huge impact but tried
to remain positive repeating several times...we will get through this.
Have You Seen This Yellow Jeep?
Thunder Bay Police are looking for more information
about what lead to a collision at the intersection of River and Algoma Street.
A yellow jeep was going westbound on River Street when it suddenly went out of
control and struck a pole. A witness then saw the vehicle back up, and then hit
the pole a second time. Traffic Sergeant Glenn Porter says they just want to
know what went wrong. The law requires you to file a report with the police in
any accident that results in injury, or damage over a thousand dollars. If
anyone witnessed the event, or know the vehicle in question they are asked to
call the police.
Fort Frances Budget Draft Delayed
The town of Fort Frances is delaying bringing forward a draft budget for council to review. C.A.O. Mark McCaig says the idling announcement at Resolute Forest Products have to be taken into account in next years budget. A draft budget is usually presented in early January. It will now come to council at the end of February.
Warmer Weather Coming
Horse Put Down After Collision With Car
Provincial Police are reporting a car accident this morning on Highway 11-17 in the area of Wing Road and McFarland Road. Police say the car hit a horse that was on the highway. A 44 year old woman was taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. Police say the horse did suffer injuries and officers had to put it down. O.P.P. had to close the highway for a short time while they investigated and removed the car from a ditch.
Councillors Wiser On Infrastructure Needs
City councillors are now prepared for some big decisions they'll have to make going into the new budget process. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they were briefed yesterday by the city manager on what the needs will be when it comes to sewers, roads and other infrastructure. Now it's in the hands of his colleagues to set priorities. Boshcoff says his priorities are taking care of some long standing issues and staying ahead of any crisis.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Angus Speaks In Support Of Events Centre
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One of the city's most seasoned politicians is putting his support behind the proposed events centre. Iain Angus voted to move the process into phase three and accepting the downtown north core as the site. Below is Councillor Angus' entire speech.
United Way Predicts Shortfall
The United Way is again facing a
fundraising challenge. Organizers predict they will be 95 thousand dollars short
of the 2.6 million dollar goal. Chair Carol Busch says she is not
panicking yet. Busch is confident they will meet their goal.
Tsubouchi To Retire As Centre CEO
The George Jeffery Children's Centre is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer. It comes with the announced retirement of Eiji Tsubouchi. His last day on the job will be March 31st. Tsubouchi has guided the organization through a lot during his tenure of over a decade, including the construction of it's new building on Brock Street.
Bentz Calls It An Exercise In Planning
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McKinnon Gives His Events Centre View
Councillor Brian McKinnon is a staunch supporter of keeping the events centre dream alive. He says it's the same message he is getting from the public. Below is Councillor McKinnon's entire speech to council.
Virdiramo Makes His Events Centre Pitch
City Councillor Joe Virdiramo is supporting the downtown location for the proposed events centre. Last night he voted to move to the next stage of the process. Below is his entire speech to council.
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