Hobbs Says Expect Cheques Soon

Mayor Keith Hobbs says it won't be long before victims of the May 28th disaster start seeing their payouts from the city.  During his State of the City address to the Chamber of Commerce the Mayor said the cheques are just several weeks away from being issued. Hobbs says with provincial help there will be about 4 and a half to 5 million dollars available to pay victims. 

Former Local Arrested In Richmond Hill Murder

Not much is being said about a weekend murder in the Toronto area that involved a former Thunder Bay resident.  Police say that 36 year old Jonathon Ross is charged with second degree murder in the incident.  They say the body of a woman was found in a condominium complex in Richmond Hill.   Her name can't be released because of a court ordered publication ban.   A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office says the ban was requested by the prosecution and that no further comment can be made.  Ross is due back in court tomorrow.

Northern Ontario Tankard Begins Today

The Northern Ontario Men's Curling Championship begins today in Nipigon with a pair of draws today at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay's hopes for winning the championship and moving on to the Brier rest on the shoulders of Trevor Bonot, Jeff Currie, Bryan Burgess and Al Hackner. 4-time defending champion Brad Jacobs from Sault Ste. Marie is also part of the 9 team field.

Low Income Seniors Get Help With Water Bills

Thunder Bay City Council is looking at increasing the low income seniors water bill rebate program.  They decided at Tuesday night's meeting to increase the program from 100 to 200 dollars per eligible applicant.  Councillor Andrew Foulds voted in favour of the move.  The program helps offset the cost of water bills and the increase still needs to be ratified in the 2013 budget in March.

Tipping Fees Concern Rydholm

City Council continues to plug along in its attempts to pass the 2013 budget.  They reviewed the solid waste department's budget Tuesday night.  City Councillor Linda Rydholm was concerned about a six percent increase in landfill tipping fees and raised the issue to Infrastructure Manager Darryl Matson.  Matson says the tipping fee will help them pay for future projects.  Council also examined the water department which also saw their budget increase 7 percent.

Boys & Girls Club Wants Help

E.D. Albert Aiello 

The Boys and Girls Club wants Council to exempt them from property taxes.  Executive Director Albert Aiello says they were always considered tax exempt and only recently found out from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation they weren't.  The club is looking at a tax bill of just under 10 thousand dollars a year.  They are also facing a 28-thousand dollar bill for back taxes.  City Council is asking staff to look into how they can help the club.

Council Hears From Public

City Council is getting an earful from the public on their thoughts on the 2013 budget.  The Lakehead Canoe Club is speaking to Councillors this evening ask for the dredging of Boulevard Lake to be included in the fiscal document.  Meanwhile, City Finance Manager Carol Busch talked about what the draft budget would mean for the average home owner.  Busch says if the budget is passed as is property taxes would go up $89 dollars, and water & sewer bills would go up $55 dollars.  City lawmakers have set three days aside to review the draft budget before sending it for a final vote in March.

More Local Foods In Public Institutions

The Health Unit, City, and Federation of Agriculture are meeting this week to discuss how they can use local food in public care institutions.  The 2 day workshop wraps up Wednesday and is being put on by a 100-thousand dollar grant from the Province.  The end goal is to serve local produce in daycares, schools, hospitals and long term care homes.

Wynne Makes Pledges For North

Kathleen Wynne says northern Ontario is on her radar.   The premier-designate says that she is setting up a northern Ontario cabinet committee and she promises to hold a full cabinet meeting in the north within a month of her swearing in.   Wynne also promises to continue having northern and regional representation in her new cabinet.

LU Students & Staff Back In Centennial

Lakehead University students and staff  are being welcomed back into the Centennial Building after fire alarms were pulled this afternoon.  School Spokesperson Toby Goodfellow says discarded cigarette butts fell into a grate catching little pieces of paper on fire.  The smoke then traveled up the exhaust system and into the building.  The building was evacuated this afternoon while fire fighters went room to room to find the cause of the smoke.

Cancer Centre Gets New Toy

Thunder Bay's Regional Cancer Care Centre is getting a new high tech toy.  They've recently installed a new radiation therapy that will be available to cancer patients across the region.  The complex project is now underway at the Health Sciences Centre.

Double Fire Calls

No major fire to report at Lakehead University after crews were called to a report of smoke in the Centennial Building during the noon hour. The source of  the smoke turned out to discarded cigarette butts.  At around the same time there was a gas leak at Western Supplies on Tungsten. No one was injured when a fork lift operator struck a gas line. The situation was under control in less than half hour.

Dryden's Money Woes Continue

A major blow for the City of Dryden. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has reassessed the value of Domtar's operations in Dryden and the new figure has come in at 14-million dollars. That's a 72-percent drop in assessed value from the previous 50-million. Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they will have to go back to the drawing board with the 2013 municipal budget. The city had been hoping for an assessment in the range of 36-million dollars.

Lowerys Sponsors SportsDome

Just call it the Lowery's SportsDome.   The locally owned office supply company has entered into a deal for naming rights to the facility. General Manager Brian Tsubouchi says it's time to raise the dome's profile. The naming agreement runs for 5 years.

Crime Stoppers Sets New Record For Tips

Thunder Bay and District Crime Stoppers are boasting about a record number of tips coming in for the month of January. Coordinator Jason Disher says they received 87 tips via phone or the internet for the month, the highest they've seen since the program started 27 years ago. Disher says they received tips from the public about robberies, homicides, wanted people and other crimes throughout January.

Sergerie Named O.U.A. Athlete Of The Week

Lakehead University men's hockey team captain Adam Sergerie has been named the O.U.A. male athlete of the week. Sergerie tallied four goals and two assists in a pair of wins for the Thunderwolves over the weekend against Waterloo.

Council Approves More Money For RegenMed

Regen Med didn't speak to City Council as promised Monday night, but they did get a nice cash infusion of 150-thousand dollars.  Council approved a final interest free loan to the tissue bank just a week after the Provincial Government promised cash to the company as well.  City Councillor Rebecca Johnson was the only Councillor to vote against the move.  The money is to help the company implement its sales strategy over the next six months and complete a business sustainability plan.

Johnson Wants Affordable Bus Fees For Youth

City Councillor Rebecca Johnson would like to see lower transit rates for those riders under the age of 17.  Council received a report on new transit rates at their meeting Monday night, which includes a monthly senior and youth pass for 53 dollars.  Johnson says it's important for young people to be able to get around the City affordably.

Consultants Report & Recommendations Approved

City law makers are going ahead with over a million dollars in long and short term solutions the the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Plant.
Council received a consultants report with the recommendations at their meeting Monday night.  The fixes are supposed to better protect the facility from future floods.  Some of the upgrades include better drainage and filtering processes.

Threats Investigated

Police say an investigation continues in an  incident involving C.D. Howe public school.   Police say threats were made to a teacher at the school and officials put some precautionary measures into place which included a  temporary lock down. Children were also escorted out of the school.  There are no injuries to report.  No arrest has been made.

City Hears More About Aboriginal Liaison

City Clerk John Hannam is talking up Thunder Bay's Aboriginal Liaison position. Hannam spoke to City Council Monday night about all of the wonderful initiatives outgoing Anna Gibbon created during her tenure.
Gibbon is being temporarily replaced with Sam Achneepineskum.

OPP Charge 42 Year Old With Drunk Driving

A 42 year old Thunder Bay man is charged with driving his snow machine while under the influence of alcohol.  An off duty Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer alerted OPP to a possible drunk driver on Highway 590 between Adrian Lake and Boreal Road.  The C.O. saw the snowmobile operator crash his vehicle twice before taking off down a road and onto a trail.  Police found the snowmobile driver to be over three times the legal limit.

Horizon Wind Takes MOE To Court

Horizon Wind is taking the Ministry of Environment to court over their Renewable Energy Application.  The REA is one of the final steps in getting the Big Thunder Wind Park project off the ground.  Spokesperson Kathleen MacKenzie says they just want to get on with the approval process.  MacKenzie says the Ministry has taken an unusual amount of time to post their application for public comment and that's why they are taking them to court.

Busch Takes Out Her Crystal Ball

City finance boss Carol Busch lays it on the line for city councillors Tuesday as they begin their budget deliberations.  She will be giving her long term financial overview.   Busch says her report will ask councillors to continue spending on future infrastructure projects which she admits will likely require higher taxes.  The report will be giving budget projections for the next five years.

OPP Investigate Death

The OPP's Criminal Investigation Branch is looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Kasabonika Lake First Nation.  On Friday, A 23 year old woman died while in Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service custody.  Kasabonika Lake First Nation is located 580 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Hammarskjold Open Tuesday

Hammarskjold High School will be open again Tuesday after being closed today because of poor air quality.   Contractors worked today to clean up the school thoroughly to remove dust containing trace amounts of lead.  The decision to reopen the school comes after board officials spoke with local environmental officials.

Health Services Increase At Shelter House

There's more health care services for Thunder Bay's homeless shelter.  The Norwest Community Health Centres is making its services available on a daily basis now according to the shelter's Executive Director Patty Hajdu who says it takes health care to a new level at the facility.  Hajdu says among the changes, an increase in  Nurse Practitioner services.It's hopes that eventually more and more of the clients can move on to other community health care services.

Traffic Lights Out At Red River & Expressway

O.P.P. are warning motorists of potential delays this morning. The traffic lights are out at the Intersection of the expressway and Red River Road. Hydro crews are working to make repairs but it could be some time before the lights are back and operational. Traffic in all four directions are experiencing  delays this morning.

Crime Stoppers Feature

This week's Crime of the Week feature is a thank you from Crime Stoppers. January was Crime Stoppers month and they are reporting a record number of tips coming in since the program's inception back in 1986. Crime Stoppers gets the information from the public and passes it to the police for investigation. Crime Stoppers wants to thank everyone who has supported the program over the past 27 years. 

Highway 17 Back Open

O.P.P. say traffic is now moving in both directions following an accident overnight that forced the highway to be shut down. Officials say two transports got into an accident East of Nays Provincial Park. Only minor injuries are suspected and both drivers were sent to hospital as a precaution. O.P.P. had to call the Ministry of Environment after diesel fuel from one of the big rigs was leaking into a nearby creek.

Spokesperson Steps Down

Thunder Bay's Idle No More movement is losing one of their organizers and and a spokesperson. Joyce Hunter is stepping aside to focus her attention on her new career. In a media release she stated: "her new role will continue to allow her to work with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in building better relationships that will hopefully result in a more inclusive, healthier and safer community."

Project "Firefly" Begins Today

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service are beginning project Firefly today at the Valhalla Inn. The provincially funded program brings police and fire rescue workers together to help educate community-based agencies on the issue of fire safety and arson prevention. Spokesperson Chris Carson says the 75 to 80 participants are being taught for the first time in arson prevention. Since 2005 Nishnawbe-Aski Police have noticed an increase in the number of arson investigations almost annually.

Transit Fees & Water Pollution Plant On Tap For Council

City transit fees could be going up this April.  Council will vote on proposed rate changes Monday.  A monthly adult pass could go up by about 4 dollars, while a family day pass could increase by 3 dollars as well.  Meanwhile, City Councillors will vote Monday on putting over a million dollars into improvements at the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Control Plant.  The upgrades will help prevent future floods at the facility.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says he'll be supporting the move.  Some of the upgrades include better drainage and filtering processes.

Hammarskjold High Closed Monday

There's no school for Hammarskjold students on Monday.  The school is closed because of poor air quality.  Staff sanded lockers creating paint dust that has traces of lead.   Over the weekend, the school will be cleaned to ensure that all paint dust is eliminated.  Environmental testing will take place to ensure the building is clean.

Complex Hosts Swim Meet

The Canada Games Complex is preparing to host the Regional Swimming Championships.     Swimmers from across the northwest are here this weekend to participate in a meet which is divided into four sessions. It starts at 5 o'clock this afternoon and wraps up Sunday morning.

Achneepineskum Appointed Acting A.L.

Sam Achneepineskum will take on the acting position of Aboriginal Liason Officer while the City searches for a permanent replacement for outgoing Anna Gibbon.  Achneepineskum comes to the City from Nishnawbe Aski Nation where he was the Residential Schools Program Coordinator.  Gibbon is leaving the position since she was appointed an Ontario Justice of the Peace. 

Service Ontario Cuts In Region

A handful of Service Ontario counters in our area have been deemed "low-volume" by the provincial government. The union representing Ontario Public Service workers says sites in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Atikokan could see their hours reduced in the coming months. Sevice Ontario helps with birth certificates, driver's licences, health cards and other government identification.

Property Taxes Could Increase

Property taxes could be going up 2.6 percent.  The extra 4 million dollars tacked onto the 159 million dollar budget will go towards emergency services and infrastructure.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff hopes some cuts will be made to the budget. Water rates could be going up if the draft budget is approved.  The average household could see a 7 percent increase in their sewer and water bills.   Council will embark on a series of budget meetings this week and will attempt to ratify the budget on March 4th.

Careless Smoking Cause Of Fire

Thunder Bay's Fire Department say the cause of Thursday's house fire on Riverside Drive is careless smoking.  Spokesperson Anthony Stokaluk says they're not sure what type of material it was but they do know the blaze could have been prevented by placing the item in a metal trash can outside.  The house was badly damaged yesterday and no one was hurt.

Thunderwolves Hockey Back At Home

The Lakehead University men's hockey team are back at home against division rivals Waterloo this weekend. Tonight, the team will be auctioning off their jersey's in support of cancer care. Puck drop is set between the 4th place Thunderwolves and 7th place Warriors is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. Meanwhile, the men's and women's basketball teams are on the road this weekend in Guelph for a pair of games against the Gryphons.

Elks Central Canada Tournament Underway

The annual Elks Central Canada hockey tournament is taking place this weekend at the Tournament Centre and Delaney. Teams will be competing for championships in six divisions from Pee Wee all the way up to midget with championship games set for Sunday.

House Fire On Riverside Drive

No one is hurt following a Thursday afternoon fire at 176 Riverside Drive.  The blaze started in the garage and quickly spread and got out of control sending black plumes of smoke high into the sky.  Fire Service Platoon Chief Joe Grzelewski says they were unable to save the house and most of its contents. He says now its the job of investigators to find out the cause.. Cold weather was also a factor because of ice build up

LRCA Holds Election

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is welcoming back its Chair Bill Bartley.  He was re-elected last night as was Shuniah's Donna Blunt as Vice-Chair.  The LRCA held its monthly meeting last night, where they were told they are getting a 22 thousand dollar grant from the Ministry of Environment for the Mission Marsh's 25th Anniversary.

Hudak Slams Conversion Decision

Tim Hudak says he supports the city in its efforts to keep the Mission Island generating station open.  The Ontario Conservative Leader says it was the first concern of Mayor Keith Hobbs when the two of them met today.  Hudak says it was a "boneheaded" decision by the Liberal government to stop the conversion to natural gas.  He believes the Liberals are simply using the savings from the closure here to help pay for the cancellation of the gas plants in southern Ontario. 

Resolute Opens Sawmill In Atikokan

Richard Garneau

Resolute Forest Products plans on spending 50-million dollars to build a new sawmill in Atikokan. The company expects to open the mill early next year, creating 90 jobs.  President Richard Garneau says the chips produced in Atikokan will be used here at the Thunder Bay mill.  The company hopes to begin construction later this spring.

Thunderwolves To Auction Jerseys Friday

Lakehead University men's hockey team are doing their part to help the local Cancer Centre. Team President Rory Cava says they'll be wearing special jerseys on Friday and fans can bid on them at a silent auction table that will be set up in the lobby of the Fort William Gardens. Money raised will go towards the Northern Cancer Fund.

Kam Nordic Ski Tour Postponed

Organizers with the Kamview Nordic Ski Tour are electing to postpone this weeken'd event. The family friendly cross-country ski race of 5, 15 or 30 kilometres has been postponed by a week from this Saturday to next on February 9th.Organizers are saying due to the extremely cold temperatures forecast for Saturday, we have decided to postpone by one week. They say they want this to be an enjoyable event for all participants, not a lesson in cold weather survival!

Hudson Mill Re-opens In Sioux Lookout

More positive news for the forest industry in northwestern Ontario. Sioux Lookout Mayor Dennis Leney says the Hudson Mill has re-opened. Leney says Buchanan Forest Products hopes to have a full crew of 100-plus people by May or end of June. He stresses the future looks bright for the mill and for the community.

Ornge To Hire New Staff In Thunder Bay

Ornge Air Ambulance is adding additional staff to its Thunder Bay Base. C.E.O. and President, Dr. Andrew McCallum made the announcement today, saying they will add a third team of paramedics dedicated to performing transports on the helicopter. McCallum says the number of people being hired will be 10 and Ornge is looking to increase staff levels through the recruitment and training of additional paramedics.

NADF New E.D.

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund's new Executive Director is Brian Davey.  Davey says he's excited to get to work on a number of initiatives that he hopes will boost the number of Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the region.  Davey is replacing Harvey Yesno who went on to become the Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.