Unifor President In T.Bay

The Unifor "Rights at Work" campaign is in Thunder Bay today. Union President Jerry Dias spoke at the Hoito Restaurant about threats to basic labour rights and what unions can do about it.  Unifor is concerned about the Federal Government's Bill C525 which they feel will make it easier to decertify unions in the federal sector on the basis of biased voting rules.

Kenora Family Safe

For the second time this week, snowmobilers had to be rescued after being stranded in the bush in the Kenora area.  The latest incident took place north of Minaki after a family of four became stranded.  The OPP say the family, which included a 6 year old and a 10 year old had spent a week trapping in the Wingiskis Lake area.  On their way home over the weekend, one of their sleds broke down and another became stuck. Fortunately they had survival gear with them, and they managed to make a shelter, start a fire and had enough food for three days. Family members became concerned when they didn't return home, and contacted a local pilot. He managed to locate them safe and sound Monday morning.

Council Starts Budget Process

The City is kicking off a review of the 2014 budget.  A long term financial plan was presented to Council Tuesday night.  City Treasurer Carol Pollard says they had some unexpected challenges that have had a negative impact on the 2014 budget including increases in the emergency services budget, a decrease in child care revenues and a 25 percent increase in insurance premiums. Meanwhile, Pollard says in the future they hope to put 1.5 million dollars into the infrastructure fund in 2015, another 1.75 million in 2016, and 2.25 million in 2017.  Over the next five years the projected tax levy increases will range from 2.7 percent to 4.7 percent.

Dog Seized From Apt. Dead

Animal Services says the rottweiller mix dog that police turned over to them last week has passed away. The dog was seized from a May Street apartment building by Police after they were called to deal with a possible case of animal cruelty.  The dog was thin and in stable condition when it was turned over to a City vet.

City Says Get Your Facts Straight

The city is telling the Chamber of Commerce, get your facts straight. They are asking the chamber to revise its report critical of  city taxes that it released a couple of weeks ago.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says the report, in reaching its conclusions, applies incorrect assumptions with respect to tax rates, tax forecasts and assessment changes.

Horizon Funds Turbine Prototype

Horizon Wind, the company building the Big Thunder Wind Park, is financing the research some Lakehead University engineering students are doing on wind turbines. Horizon's Kathleen MacKenzie says the students are designing a prototype turbine for residential use. She says it's a way to fill a need for small scale wind power development so it can be accessible to anyone who wants it. MacKenzie won't divulge how much the company is giving the students for their study.

Witness Wanted

City Police are looking for a witness to a single vehicle collision that took place on Mountdale Avenue on Sunday morning.   A Red Pontiac was westbound on Arthur Street West when control of the vehicle was lost and the vehicle spinned across five lanes of traffic.  It came to a rest by hitting a cement sign pole in front of the Galaxy Lanes parking lot.  Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the police.

Shoppers Drug Mart Robbery

City police are charging a woman in connection with a robbery Tuesday morning at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Red River Road.  Officers say a woman entered the store, produced a knife and demanded narcotics, she also tried to gain entry into a safe but failed. Police found her in the backyard of a Picton Street residence where they arrested her at gunpoint. She's charged with Robbery, Disguise and Dangerous Weapons.

Heritage Waterway Touted

Fort Frances council is on the side of a group working towards having a water route between Thunder Bay and Rainy River designated under the Canadian Heritage River System. It would be called the Voyageur's Boundary Waterway Route Rainy Lake Conservancy's Stephen Challis says it will help draw awareness of the area's historical significance and play a part in economic development. Challis says they hope to submit a proposal for review this March.

Highway Re-opened

The Trans Canada Highway is now re-opened at Ignace.   It had been closed since about 4:30 this morning so firefighters could battle a blaze that destroyed a grocery store.  While the fire is essentially out, firefighters are expected to be there for the rest of the day. No one was injured and the cause isn't known.

Ruberto Stoked About Sister Sities

The head of the sister cities program continues to give it high marks. Councillor Aldo Ruberto spoke about the program review presented to councillors Monday evening. He believes the program gives back. He says for every dollar invested we get 10 times the return both financially and in the knowledge gleaned from those who travel to the member cities. Ruberto says while we have cut ties with some sister cities, our new relationship with Jiaozuo, China will make up for it.

Fire Hits Ignace Grocery Store

Fire crews are expected to be at the scene of a major fire at Gramma's Supermarket in Ignace for most of the day. The blaze at the Main Street business ignited around 2:30 this morning. Mayor Lee Kennard owned the grocery store for 5 years and he calls the fire devastating. Kennard says firefighters will be putting water on the building for most of the day. The fire is under control and was contained to the store. Kennard believes a home behind the building may have been damaged. No injuries are reported and the cause isn't known at this time.

Veterans Protest Office Closures

Veterans from across the country are in Ottawa this week to make one last call on the government to stop the shut down of Veterans Affairs offices in their communities this Friday. That includes Thunder Bay's Roy Lamore.
Lamore was one of seven veterans who spoke at a news conference on Parliament Hill today and who will meet with Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino this evening.

Morning Fire At Seniors Home

There were no injuries following an early morning fire at the Suomi Koti Seniors Home in County Park. Firefighters were called to the residence in the 500 block of County Boulevard just before 6:30 this morning. District Fire Chief Mark Harris says the fire was contained to a mechanical room.  Firefighters worked to clear minor smoke from the building and residents were placed in a common area inside.  The cause is not yet known.  

Council Sends Letter

The City is sending a letter to both levels of government opposing Ontario Power Generations plan to bury radioactive nuclear waste under the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant site in Southern Ontario.  It's proposed burial site is near Lake Huron and the City doesn't feel comfortable with its proximity to the water. Council's letter says they're against any burial sites in the Great Lakes Basin in Canada, the US or any First Nations. A spokesperson from OPG spoke to Council last night to try to change their minds on the issue.

Something Needs To Be Done

City Councillor Mark Bentz says something needs to be done to improve the City's south core. That comment came after architect Ahsanul Habib told Council Monday night about his vision of creating a pedestrian market on Victoria Avenue. Habib wants the City to adopt his idea by closing off the street and designating the area a heritage market district. City staff will be looking into the concept further and bringing back a report at a later date.

Heritage Sites Approved

The City is giving the green light to turn three local buildings into heritage sites. The Saint John Evangelist Anglican Church on Pearl Street, the Times-Journal Building on May Street and the Cenotaph Monument in McGillivray Square on East Donald Street are now recognized as historical buildings.

EMS Building Deal Done

The deal is done.  City Council approved the sale of the former EMS building on Donald Street.  Esquega-Everall Holdings Corporation spent 200-thousand dollars for 401 Donald Street. The sale of the building came out of the committee of the whole closed session last Monday.

No Temperature Criteria For School Buses

Don't expect rural school buses to be taken off the road when we are in a deep freeze. One man claiming to be a school bus driver called our newsroom and wondered about student safety as the result of a bus breakdown in the country, but David Carrol of the school bus consortium says a cold weather criteria doesn't exist adding there is no temperature threshold that would stop school buses from running. Carrol says during cold weather spells parents are asked to dress students appropriately.

Council Puts Off Debt Plan

City Council didn't make any decisions last night about its debt management strategy. The strategy includes how the City will pay for the next phase of the Golf Links/Junot Road renovations and whether or not Tbaytel will be allowed to borrow 10 million dollars. Councillor Mark Bentz was one of many around the council table that agreed to put the report off so they could study the strategy more closely.

Support Needed For Monument

A Military Tribute Committee is hoping the public will support their proposed monument for local soldiers who died in military conflicts around the world.  Spokesperson Jim Mauro says so far all they want from the City is a location for the monument. The project could cost up to 100-thousand dollars. Mauro says they hope to be able to fund the project on their own through the Federal Government and community donations.

FWFN Looks For City Help

The Fort William First Nation is looking for the City's help to preserve their heritage. The community wants to create a facility that will house historical artifacts and research about their traditional lands. Walter Bannon says he wants the City's help in developing a business plan for the project. Bannon is asking for 40-thousand dollars towards a feasibility study. He says total funding will involve a number of stakeholders including both levels of government for funding. City staff will come back at a later date with more information about the project and whether it's feasible.

No Injuries In Multi-Vehicle Collision

Thunder Bay police say there are no injuries to report after  a five vehicle smash up on Arthur Street at Mountdale on Monday morning just before 10 am.   They say 27 collisions took place from midnight until 3 o'clock Monday afternoon.   Police say that with the colder weather road salt doesn't work and that as a result streets are slippery. 

Homicide Was A Stabbing

Police say the city's first homicide of 2014 was a stabbing death in which alcohol was a factor. They say that a couple at a building on the 700 block of Kingsway Street were involved in a domestic dispute which ended with the man being stabbed. They say that 35 year old Jeffery Munroe later died of his injuries. Charged with Second Degree murder is 38 year old Priscilla Thomas. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

Colin Bruce Retiring

It's the end of an era at the Chronicle Journal.  Colin Bruce is retiring from his position as Publisher and General Manager of the city's only daily newspaper as of March 31st.   It ends a 44 year career in the newspaper industry first as a copy boy and at the age of 39 becoming one of the youngest publishers ever appointed by the Thomson Corporation. 

Hyer Appointed Deputy Green Leader

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer has new responsibilties. He is now the Deputy Leader of the Green Party . Hyer became a Green MP on December 13th of last year over a year after he left the NDP over his differences with leader Thomas Mulcair. In his new position Hyer will be tasked with promoting Green policy initiatives in the House of Commons.

Police Report Two LCBO B&Es

City police are releasing more information about early morning break ins at two LCBO outlets.  One at the Thunder Centre and the other on the 600 block of Arthur Street.   They say that several males were involved in the incidents and in each case the windows of the stores were smashed to gain entrance and a number of bottles of alcohol were stolen before police arrived.

Contractors Dinged By MTO

The Ministry of Transportation is penalizing maintenance contractors clearing provincial highways in northwestern Ontario for not meeting winter maintenance standards. Carillion Canada Inc. and Integrated Maintenance and Operations Services in the Thunder Bay region are the three highway maintenance companies penalized. Transfield Services in the Kenora area is the other. The MTO will not say how much the penalties amount to because of contract obligations. However, the MTO has described them as "significant financial consequences".

City Tax Increase Pegged At 2.1 %

City Hall is out with its budget numbers for 2014.  The financial picture shows that if the budget were to be passed the way it is there would be an increase in the tax levy of 2.1 per cent.   They say the proposed budget will allow the city to maintain current services while continuing to fund infrastructure upgrades.   City Manager Tim Commisso says there is room for cuts.

United Way Gets Trillium Grant

The United Way is getting a 92 thousand dollar Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to improve its computer operating system and website. United Way Board Chair Jules Tupker says it will help to make online donations easier. Tupker says the new system will help to streamline operations.

Two City Stores Merge

Two city cycling and outdoor stores are merging.   Cyclepath and Fresh Air Experience say they are currently working on details of the union,like what the name of the new company would be.  They hope to have that, and other details,  ironed out by April.  Between them the companies have 60 years combined experience in serving the cycling community in the city. 

Lobby Group Voices Energy Concerns

A northwestern Ontario lobby group is trying to prove that the proposed biomass conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station will not meet the future energy needs of the region during a major cold spell. Common Voice Northwest says that since January the 6th the station would have already used up the supply of biomass that would be alloted to the station from the Ontario Power Authority, once the conversion is complete.  

Busy Night For Cops

City Police had a busy night and our searching for suspects after three separate incidents.  Just after one o'clock this morning, four males smashed a window and made their way into the LCBO store in the Thunder Centre on Fort William Road.  The four fled on foot and were last seen heading south bound from the liquor store.  Just after 3 o'clock, a window was also smashed at a business located in Centennial Square, but no entry was gained.  Meanwhile, officers responded to a call of an accident on Memorial Avenue and Isabel Street.  Just before 3 o'clock, a single vehicle struck a light pole, knocking it onto the road, but the suspect drove away from the scene.      

Victim Identified

Both the Thunder Bay Police Criminal Investigations and Domestic Violence units continue to look into the City's first homicide of the year.  38-year old Priscilla Thomas appeared in court Sunday on charges of second degree murder.  Just before 8 o'clock Saturday morning, Police responded to a call at an apartment building at the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Walsh Street where they found a 35-year old man in critical condition.  Jeffrey Munroe was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.  Police haven't said how Munroe was killed, but the two were known to one another and it was a domestic violence situation.

New Medical Officer Of Health

The Northwestern Health Unit will have a new Medical Officer of Health as of March 3rd. Dr. Kit Ngan Young Hoon will be taking over the position from Dr. Jim Arthurs. Arthurs is leaving at the end of March after having held the position for the past five-years. Young Hoon comes from Hamilton where she currently serves with Toronto Public Health.

Winter Fun Days Cancelled Today

Today's scheduled Winter Fun Days activities at Prince Arthur's Landing have been cancelled because of the cold weather. The Sugar Shack, Club Canadien de Thunder Bay and skating with the Thunderwolves will be pushed back until next weekend weather permitting.

Human Library

The third annual Human Library is being held at the Brodie Resource Library today until 3. Visitors will have a chance to speak with a paralympic cyclist, a radio personality, a strongman competitor, a veteran of the Afghan war, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, an ex-offender, an Aboriginal from Dennis Franklin Cromarty School and a Muslim man.

Battle For Cash

Three Lakehead University students are competing in the annual Battle for Cash being held by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario today in Toronto. Alyssa Westerback, Holden Mascarin and Jason Flint will represent Lakehead against 36 other teams of three from universities across the province. First prize wins $3000 including an additional $1500 to go towards the schools business society.

Early Morning Fire On Jean Street

There are no injuries following an early morning fire that began around 2:30 am at 74 Jean Street. The home is vacant but sustained significant damage as the fire spread to the buildings walls and eventually through the roof. Firefighters had to take a conservative approach and brought in an aerial ladder.

Open House

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame is holding an open house today from 1-3. There will be new exhibits on display for 2013 inductees including: Brian McLean, Tony Hrkac, Brian Mallon, Katie Weatherston, Andrea Cole, the members of the Cameron Lightning Sailing Crew and the 1991 Canadian Open Champions.

OPP Search

OPP are asking for the public's assistance in finding a 44-year old Greenstone man. Ronald Albert of Towegishig has several outstanding warrants for his arrest and is known to spend time in Greenstone areas as well as Thunder Bay. OPP are asking the public not to approach the man due to his history. He is described as a 5'9, 190 pound first nations man with some missing teeth, short black hair and brown eyes.

Sim Lab Launched

Confederation College is opening up its simulation lab for a variety of medical students.  It's part of an agreement that sees the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, EMS, and St. Joseph's Care Group work together.  St. Joe's Care Group CEO Tracy Buckler says they'll be using the college's lab to help their employees. The training initiative was unveiled at a news conference on Friday.

Break In Video Released

City Police are releasing a video of a break and enter that took place last weekend at Westfort Foods. On January 18th at 4 am the store was entered by a man and cash was stolen from the Frederica Street business. Police believe the break in may be connected to two other commercial break and enters on the City's south side and a similar break and enter to a home on South Franklin.

Tax Appeal Hearings Postponed

The Resolute Forest Products tax appeal hearings that were scheduled to take place in Thunder Bay starting Monday have been postponed.   The city was preparing to fight the provinces reduced tax assessment for the company.  However Mayor Keith Hobbs says the company asked for a postponement in order to wait for the results of a similar appeal in another community.   Hobbs says the postponement could be as long as four months and doesn't believe the delay will hurt the city's position.

Head On Collision

City Police, emergency officials and Fire are on the scene of a two vehicle head on collision in the area of Balmoral Street and Harold Crescent. Police say one person was trapped inside their vehicle. A woman has been taken to hospital with injuries not considered serious.

New Contract For Bombardier

The Provincial Government is putting in a 481 million dollar work order at the local Bombardier plant. The cash is going towards building 65 new bi-level GO Train cars and will support 250 jobs at the facility.  The order will increase GO Transit's fleet of train cars to 743. The cars will be delivered between June 2016 and July 2017.

Soldiers Monument Proposed

A Military Tribute Committee wants the City to support their plan to erect a permanent monument for those Thunder Bay soldiers who died in military conflicts around the world. They're looking for a location for the monument. The group also has a variety of legion and military officials on board with creating the monument.

FWFN To Reveal "The Mission"

The Fort William First Nation is going to City Council Monday night to ask for some funding for a historical development project.  It's called "The Mission" and organizers believe it's of interest to the City because it will expand business activity, tourism, cultural heritage and historical awareness about the First Nation.

Pedestrian Market Vision For South Core

A Thunder Bay architect has a vision for the city's south  downtown area that he will be sharing with city councillors on Monday.  Ahsanul Habib says he wants to close off a portion of Victoria Avenue and turn it into a pedestrian market. Habib is looking to get city support for his proposal which he hopes will revitalize the area.

Conference Focuses On Culinary Tourism

Thunder Bay Tourism, Confederation College and a variety of other organizations are working together to improve the region's culinary tourism.  A tourism training session is being held all day today at the College. Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says it's going to help improve what Thunder Bay has to offer.  In 2011, visitors to the Northwest spent over 83 million dollars in local restaurants.