Pumpkin Compost

Now that Halloween has past doesn't mean you need to throw your Jack-O-Lantern in the garbage. The Great Pumpkin Compost is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old pumpkin. Collection bins are placed at the County Fair Mall on Dawson Road, the Lakehead Labour Centre on Fort William and the Westfort Playfield off Neebing Avenue. The bins will be open until November 15th.

Cell Phone Protection Bill Passes

The Provincial Government is supporting cell phone users by passing the new Wireless Services Agreements Act.  The final vote on the legislation was held last week and Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says they'll be protecting wireless customers by ensuring contracts be written in plain language with all the basic fees and extra charges clearly spelled out.  Mauro adds the new law will mean fewer surprises for people when they enter into cell phone and wireless service contracts in the Spring of 2014.

FedNor and the Agricultural Showcase

A variety of businesses from northwestern Ontario will be featured at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto over the next couple of days. Greg Rickford is the minister responsible for FedNor, and says they have sponsored a major exhibit at the showcase. The Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion runs until November 10th. Products like barbeque sauce, salad dressing and wild rice are just some of the things that will be on display at the exhibit.

Council's Back Bill's Bill

Several Municipalities are throwing their support behind Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill calling for the Spring Bear Hunt to be brought back.  Thunder Bay's City Council recently sent a letter of support to the Ministry of Natural Resources backing the bill.  Mauro says it's good to get support from the region and suspects other town councils are following Thunder Bay's suit.  The bill comes up for debate on December 14th.

Call For Unity

The Mayor and the Chief of Fort William First Nation are standing side by side and calling for unity in the wake of racist comments.   In a symbolic show of support the two held a joint news conference holding eagle feathers in Council Chambers. Several racist tweets and facebook messages were posted after the James Street bridge fire.

LU Maclean's Magazine Ranking

Rave reviews for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.  Maclean’s magazine’s annual University Rankings places Lakehead in second place among Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities.  When compared to all Canadian universities in this category, Lakehead climbed two spots from last year’s results to rank tenth overall. L-U finished first in social sciences and humanities grants, total research dollars and in library services.

Hep A Case In T.Bay

The Health Unit is investigating a case of Hepatitis A of a Wendy's employee.  The worker at the Red River Road location tested positive and anyone who consumed any food from that restaurant between Oct. 11th to 26th may have been exposed to the virus. People who consumed food from this restaurant during this period should watch for signs of illness and contact their health care provider if they experience any of the following: fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Symptoms can develop anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus.

UA Changes Flight Time

There's a new departure time coming for flights to Chicago from Thunder Bay.   Airport officials say that starting December 19th the United Airlines flights will depart at 7:20 each morning.  Right now that flight leaves at 6 am.    There is no change to the time the flight from Chicago arrives in Thunder Bay.  It remains at 9:05 pm.

Trains Going Over James Street Bridge

Trains are now going over the James Street bridge following this week's fire. Lindsay Fedchyshyn of CN Rail says the damaged portion of the rail line was fixed by this morning, however vehicle traffic is still not being allowed to cross. Fedchyshyn says the consultant will prepare recommendations on what work needs to be done to the road portion of the bridge.

Golf Links Opening Soon

Golf Links Road should be back open to traffic in two weeks time.   City Engineering Manager Rick Harms says they're on schedule and are putting the finishing touches on the road.  Harms says weather permitting we could see Golf Links open the week of November 18th.

Needle Found In Candy

City Police say a needle was found in Halloween treats Thursday night.   A parent told officers her kids were trick or treating in the Kakabeka Falls Village when they came home and found the needle in their loot.   Police are encouraging parents to make sure all treats are carefully looked at and any questionable pieces should be thrown out.  This incident is being followed up by police to try to determine if it was intentional or accidental.

BB Gun Seized

Police are investigating a weapons incident from Tuesday that saw a 16 year old man sent to hospital.   A group of friends were at the John Kusznier Memorial Park area when a BB gun was fired and hit the youth in the face near his eye.  The weapon used in this incident has been seized by police and the investigation is continuing.

Movember

It's Movember, and local men will be growing their facial hair to raise awareness about Prostate Cancer. Movember Campaign Chair Jon Hendel says there's many ways residents can take part in the fundraising effort.  Last year's local Movember campaign raised almost 30-thousand dollars.For more information visit www.movembertbay.com and www.movember.com.

Fall Feast Away For People To Come Together

The City's 3rd annual Fall Feast is on today at the Lakehead Labour Centre.  The event is meant to bring both First Nation and non aboriginal residents together as a community.  Aboriginal Liaison Officer Ann Magiskan says it's important for the community to work together especially after offensive comments were made on social media sites about the James Street bridge fire.  The event runs until six tonight.

Two Morning Fires

City fire crews are on the scene of a major fire at Frankie and Johnny's Auto Body shop at 830 North Vickers Street.  Fire units arrived at the blaze at 6:40 this morning and a second alarm was called in immediately.  No injuries have been reported and North Vickers Street is closed between Forest Avenue and Northern Avenue.  Meanwhile, there was extensive damage to an upholstery store in the 400 block of North May Street following an early morning fire.  Four pumpers and an aerial platform truck were called to the scene around 3:40 this morning and battled the blaze for close to two hours. Fire investigators will be on the scene today to determine the cause.  There were no injuries.

College Program Gets Accredited

Confederation College's Medical Laboratory Assistant program is receiving two year accreditation from the Canadian Medical Association.  The accreditation shows that the program has met national educational standards.

Inquest Into Lee Antoniak's Death

The Ontario Coroner's Office is conducting an inquest into the death of 31 year old Lee Antoniak.  Antoniak died in April 2012 as a result of injuries received during the course of his employment at a construction site in the City. The hearing will take place on December 18th.

Update On James Street Bridge

More investigative work continues at the charred James Street Bridge.  The Ontario Fire Marshal is expected to conduct more testing on the bridge throughout the day, trying to find the cause of the Tuesday night's fire.  Over 80 planks of burned wood have already been removed with more coming.  Security is also very tight with a perimeter being staffed while officials continue their probe.

LU Teepee In Tatters

City police are investigating a case of vandalism at Lakehead University.  They say someone used a sharp object to rip some slits into a  teepee on university grounds.  LU has designated that grounds as a ceremonial lodge site.  The area includes a sacred fire pit, a sweat lodge and it is used by students and members of the community for Aboriginal ceremonies. Police don't know when the incident took place.

Baseball Bid One Step Closer

Officials of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association are pumped after a bid to host a major junior baseball tournament took another step forward. Spokesperson Warren Philp says  Baseball Canada has agreed to take our bid to the International Baseball Federation and he thinks our chances are good especially because of our success in hosting the World Junior's in 2010. The Federation is expected to make a decision early in the new year on who will host the 2015 under 18 Baseball World Cup.

Bridge Fire Brings Out Racists

The ugly face of racism appears to have reared its head as a result of the James Street bridge fire. Both Facebook and Twitter were abuzz on Tuesday night when the bridge caught ablaze.  A local blogger who lives on the Fort William First Nation says that some of the Tweets he saw on Twitter that night cross the line as being offensive.  He called it a Ku Klux Klan parade and was concerned that some of the rants came from young people in the city.  Mayor Keith Hobbs condemns the racist diatribe and says he even encountered a racist comment on his own Facebook account.  The original blog post can be read here.

LU Starts New Program

 Lakehead University is expanding its programming in Central Ontario.  The Thunder Bay school is teaming up with Georgian College to develop a four year degree in electrical engineering.  The program will be available in the fall of 2015.

Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Starts Friday

Curbside collection of leaf and yard waste starts tomorrow.  The collections will take place on your regular recycling day, between November 1st and November 14th.  Each bag has a weight limit of 40 pounds.

New Businesses Open

There's some new life in the Park Avenue and Cumberland area.  A new business called "The Gym" on Park Avenue is one of three new businesses in the area including High Tide Tattoo Parlor and Connect the Dots. Empty buildings were renovated in the area and the new businesses made their homes in them.

67 Year Old Charged In Collision

A 67 year old Atikokan resident is facing charges after a two vehicle collision at the intersection of the Harbour Expressway and Highway 11/17.  The incident on Tuesday saw extensive damage to both vehicles.The driver is charged with failing to stop at a red light.

Local Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion

A Thunder Bay engineer and director of Norall Group Contracting is paying the price for tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency says Carl Gustafson was sentenced recently in the Ontario Court of Justice to a fine of over 84-thousand dollars and given a 9 month conditional sentence. He plead guilty to one count of income tax evasion and has two years to the pay the fine.

E-Bike Driver Charged

OPP are charging a 31 year old with drinking and driving an E-Bike. On Tuesday, police saw two men on the bike not wearing helmets so they decided to pull them over at the intersection of Red River Road and Highway 11/17. The officer noticed when speaking with the driver that there was the smell of alcohol in the air. The local man was arrested and charged with two drinking and driving related charges.

Heart Of The Continent Partnership

A new tourist idea is being discussed for our region, and both sides of the border would be part of the plan. A group called the Heart of the Continent Partnership, wants to create a new travel destination by connecting the dots between International Falls and Duluth in Minnesota and Fort Frances and Thunder Bay. The group is on the verge of raising 200-thousand dollars that would fund the project.

Safety Tips For Halloween

Every year at Halloween, The OPP and City Police makes a conscience effort to promote trick or treat safety to children. And, while young people need to be cautious tonight....drivers need to be mindful of the holiday as well.  Being visible and travelling in groups will also help to make this a safe Halloween.

Treaty Three Police Hire Consultant

Work continues to protect the Treaty 3 Police Service. The board of directors has decided to seek a consultant who will look at the long term sustainability of the force. Board Chair Eli Mandamin says one of the consultants responsibilities will be helping to search for new police chief. Earlier this year the police service laid off a number of officers, slashed benefits, and issued 45 day lay-off notices due to a lack of funding.

New Changes to the Christmas Parade

This years Christmas parade will have a few new changes. Volker Kromm is co-chair of the event and says that one of the new additions will be a giant Christmas card that will show up at the parades sponsor stores. Kids are encouraged to sign the card with a message for Santa. The parade route is also new, being reversed from years past now beginning at the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot. The parade is November 16th at 10am.

Engineer Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

A Thunder Bay engineer and director of Norall Group Contracting is paying the price for tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency says Carl Gustafson was sentenced recently in the Ontario Court of Justice to a fine of over 84-thousand dollars and given a 9 month conditional sentence. He plead guilty to one count of income tax evasion and has two years to the pay the fine.

Elevator Company Hopes For Short Bridge Closure

A major grain elevator company is hoping the James Street bridge can open soon.   Darin D'Aleo  of Superior Grain Elevators says Tuesday night's bridge fire could have a severe effect if there is a prolonged closure.  He says it's a busy time of year for them with heavy rail movement until the end of December.   D'Aleo adds officials at the company's corporate headquarters in Winnipeg say down time could only be a couple of days.

A Unique Milestone for the Casino

The Thunder Bay OLG Casino is celebrating a recycling milestone. Partnered with TerraCycle Canada over one-million cigarette butts have been collected and sent from the casino this past year. Tim O'Doherty is the casino's General Manager and says he is proud of their growing environmental reputation. For every pound of filters collected the casino receives a one-dollar donation for a charity of their choice.

A New Way of Voting

The Municipality of Shuniah is taking a new approach to voting for their next municipal election. More than half of the population lives elsewhere for most of the year. The new electronic voting system being put in place will allow these residents to vote without having to be there in person. Reeve Maria Harding says she prefers the traditional voting method but added that she supports the change. As it stands, between twenty and thirty percent of those eligible vote.

Swing Bridge Treated As Crime Scene

CN Rail Police, City Police and Fire Officials are treating last night's blaze at the James Street Swing Bridge as a crime scene.  The fire was called in just after 7 o'clock last night and Charlene Squire lives on the street that runs beside the bridge and says it was an emotional evening.  Meanwhile, City Fire Prevention Office Paul Abernethy says the bridge is badly damaged.  An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office is expected to arrive in Thunder Bay tonight and will start investigating the cause tomorrow.

FWFN Chief Calls For A New Bridge

The chief of the Fort William First Nation thinks it's time to replace the James Street bridge . It follows last night's fire on the bridge which has forced its closure for an indefinite amount of time. Georjann Morriseau says there has to be a way to make sure there is a reliable access to her community. Chief Morriseau says that the community is in shock as a result of the blaze and she plans to contact both CN Rail and the city to find out where to go from here. 

Minor Injuries In Crash

City Police are investigating a three-car accident at Memorial Avenue and the Harbour Expressway.  The crash took place at the intersection around 8 o'clock last night.  Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge last night.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

League Meeting To Tackle Area Issues

The staff cutbacks at the local daily newspaper will be on the agenda of this weekend's Thunder Bay Municipal League meeting in the city.   League president Larry Hebert says there's concern about a lack of full time reporters in the city.    Hebert says recently the league supported the continued operation of the radio station in Marathon.   As well the League will be asked to support a bid by MPP Bill Mauro to bring back the spring bear hunt and Hebert promises a hot topic at the meeting will the transportation
of dangerous goods through area communities.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge tonight.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

Hydro Out For 24 Tbay Hydro Customers

24 customers are without electricity in the James Street and Thistle Crescent area.  Thunder Bay Hydro crews are en route and will be working to find out what happened and restore power.

Police Search For Hit And Run Driver

City police are looking for a hit and run driver after a muli-vehicle accident on the city's south side Tuesday afternoon. They say three vehicles collided at Simpson Street and Southern Avenue. Witnesses tell police that the driver of the offending vehicle took off after the accident. There are no injuries to report.

Open Roads Program

The City is teaming up with EcoSuperior and 8-80 Cities to begin planning an Open Streets Program.  Open Streets programs are events where streets are open to people and closed to cars as the roadway becomes a paved park where people can access safe, fun and free recreation. An open house on the idea is going to be held on Tuesday, November 5th at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Fire Service Lays Charges

The City Fire Service is charging the owners of a Balsam Street residence with failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The occupants were alerted to the October 5th fire by a passerby. An order has also been served requiring owner Beendigen Incorporated to provide a written plan to address a systemic lack of smoke alarm maintenance procedures.

Hyer & May Team Up Over Motions

Independent MP Bruce Hyer is hopping mad with the Conservative Government's recent motions dealing with independent and small party MPs.  Hyer says the motion is to have those MPs submit their amendments directly to committees.  Hyer held a press conference with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May who both feel the move will take away MPs rights to move, vote on or even speak to their amendments.

Immigration Portal Upgraded

The Multicultural Association's Immigration Portal is getting an upgrade.  Executive Director Cathy Woodbeck says new features on the site include a career directory, businesses for sale directory and an interactive map. Woodbeck says since the portal's inception in 2010 they've seen several newcomers relocate in the North.

Con College Boasts Experts

Confederation College is taking part in a new online tool produced by the Province's 24 public colleges.  It's called The College Book of Experts and it lists staff with various expertise that can speak as experts on specific topics.  Our College has nine faculty listed in the data base.

Canada Games Flag Raised

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame is raising the Canada Games Flag to celebrate the achievements of local wrestlers Ron Bingham and Marco Palermo.  They earned gold medals in the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Quebec.

Ward Councillor Issue Coming Up

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is asking Council to consider putting a question to the voting public in the next municipal election. Boshcoff is requesting a question be crafted that asks the public if they would support all Councillors being elected at large. The issue will come up at next week's Council meeting.

Council Round Up

The City is applying for 2 million dollars in provincial government funds for the Court Street Bridge. They've sent in an application for the small, rural, and northern municipal infrastructure fund. The application says the bridge that was built in 1906 is in bad shape and doesn't meet certain design codes. Meanwhile, City Councillor Joe Virdiramo wants to see the Provincial Government bring back the spring bear hunt. Virdiramo asked his fellow members to support Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro's private member's bill that looks at reinstating the hunt. Council will send a letter of support to the Minister of Natural Resources. City Council is also approving its staff's budget directions for 2014. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says they have a lot of things to consider.

Walk A Mile Gibbon's Property

The City is ensuring the intellectual property of former Aboriginal Liaison Officer Anna Gibbon is preserved. Gibbon created an education board game that trained staff about aboriginal culture. The City wants to expand the use of the game and is ensuring Gibbon's rights our protected and that she receive a small sum for her work in creating the game. Gibbon won't receive money for the game while she's still a sitting Justice of the Peace.

Some City Departments In The Red

A number of City departments are reporting cost over runs. At the end of September, the City was a million dollars over its 2013 budget projections. The Golf Division was over 200-thousand dollars in the red because of a late start to the golf season and poor weather. Meanwhile, Municipal Child Care is also over 200-thousand dollars because some of their kids are taking part in the Provincial Government's new full day kindergarten program. The City is putting off filling vacant positions until 2014 and staff are vowing to keep an eye on their budget targets.

Infrastructure Priorities Approved

City Council is approving its staff infrastructure priorities plan for the next three years. It was approved at Monday night's meeting as was a three year contract for a Corporate Project Manager. Councillor Ken Boshcoff feels it's a good move and says the position will pay for itself. The City is hoping to have someone in the position by January 1st.