Cost savings for Prince Arthur's Landing identified

Officials with the Waterfront Development office are scrambling to lower costs. They'll be working with Tom Jones Construction trying to find savings for work on Prince Arthur's Landing.Waterfront manager Katherine Dugmore says the bid for the project has come in 2 million dollars over the 12 and 3 quarter million that was originally budgeted. Tom Jones Construction General Manager, John Jones,  says the company has met with waterfront officials to discuss potential savings and that some have been identified and seem reasonable.  Where some of the cost savings have been identified Jones wouldn't say.   He says those talks are continuing.  The Prince Arthur's Landing project includes the splash pad and ice rink, along with the baggage building. The city hopes to award the contract at the June 21st. council meeting.

Foundation and Naturalists to build fund

Two local organizations are teaming up hoping to leave a green legacy. The Community Foundation and the Field Naturalists are working together to build a 60 thousand dollar endowment fund. The Foundation's Paul Wolfe says the money will provide resources to preserve nature sites. He says the Field Naturalists have quite a bit of land in the area and they need the funds to help maintain the land. Wolfe says the money would be used to make sure that things like fences are in good shape and that paths are well taken care of. It's hoped 20 thousand dollars of the fund can be raised from the community.

Treaty 5 ceremonies set to go

Wednesday is an important day for First Nations people in Northwestern Ontario. They're celebrating the 100th anniversary of Treaty 5 with federal government. Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy says it's a day to remember that without treaties there would be no Canada.  He says those treaties were signed to allow settlers to access lands under international law.   Ceremonies are taking place in Sandy Lake and Deer Lake First Nations.  You can get more at the Treaty 5 website.

Triple Nickel owner charged

Charges are being laid against the owner of the former Triple Nickel on Simpson Street.  City of Thunder Bay Licensing and Enforcement Manager Ron Bourret says they filed charges with the Provincial offences court.  The building was completely destroyed in a massive fire in the winter; leaving nothing but a pile of rubble.  Bourret adds that if the owner of the property is found guilty, the city will clean up the site and add the cost of the work to his property taxes.

Thunder Bay's housing starts on the rise

Thunder Bay's housing market continues to see positive signs of recovery. The Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation is reporting 24 single-detached starts last month.  Analyst Warren Philp says that's the highest May tally for singles starts since 2003.  The 24 singles started in May were four units higher than the five-year-average for this month.

Beardy optimistic about HST solution

Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy says he is encouraged a solution may be reached in the HST point of sale controversy. Beardy's comment comes in the wake of a meeting held this week between Ontario First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. He says both levels of government have come a long way and is confident the point of sale exemption will continue for Natives when the HST comes into effect July first.

Construction nixes Canada Day Parade

There'll be no Canada Day Parade in Thunder Bay this year. The city's coordinator Melissa Wnuk says the waterfront construction forced them to cancel this year's parade and replace it with a short procession instead.  That will start at Camelot and Cumberland and move into Marina Park where the opening ceremonies will take place.  As well this year Canada Day festivities will be expanded to include Water between Red River Road and Cumberland Streets.

Fort William mill sold for scrap

Thunder Bay's Fort William Paper Mill has been sold for scrap. Abitibi Bowater sold four papermills across Canada to American Iron and Metal Company for 8.4 million dollars. National Representative for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union Marvin Pupeza says it doesn't come as a shock. Abitibi will also be paid 40 percent of the net proceeds from any sale of papermachines from the four mills.

LU steel bridge team places third

Lakehead University's steel bridge team has taken third place in a National competition.  Zack White says they're bridge faired well against competitors.  White and his team mates are all civil engineering students at Lakehead University.

PETA wants a ban on horse drawn carriages

The animal group PETA is calling on Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson to ban horse drawn carriages in the city.  PETA's request follows a May 31st incident in which 4 year old Willow Scott-Hannam was killed. 
PETA says similar incidents have happened in other city's as well. Director Debbie Leahy says forcing horses to pull heavy loads is cruel and is an accident waiting to happen. Mayor Lynn Peterson has yet to comment.

Students study social issues

Public School students in the city are now more in tune with a number of social issues. It follows a one day conference on diversity in education. Organizer Robin Laye says it's the third year for the program.  This year the topics for discussion were, anti-homophobia, cultural sensitivity, racism, sexism and women's issues.   The purpose of the program is to allow students to learn the skills needed to deal with the problems they face in the system on a regular basis.

No early drinking in Thunder Bay

You won't be able to celebrate the FIFA World Cup in Thunder Bay by indulging in an early morning alcoholic beverage. Council is opting out of the province's longer bar hours that start at 10 am for the World Cup only. The City will be writing the Alcohol and Gaming Commission telling them their intentions to not allow the earlier drinking time.

Green bike lanes?

What colour should the bike lanes be?  That was one of the main topics of discussion at last night's city council meeting.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto brought the subject up suggesting the bike lanes should be a different colour than the white traffic lanes.  Councillor Iain Angus isn't in favour of changing the colour; he says its a waste of taxpayer money.  Ruberto feels if the bike lanes were green seniors and others would be able to easily identify what lanes you can drive in.

Bottled water vs. tap

The City of Thunder Bay is sticking with the status quo.  A policy limiting the sale of bottled water at muncipal facilities was amended to allow people the choice between drinking municipal water or paying for bottled.  The original policy was written to say you wouldn't be able to buy bottled water or get bottled water at any municipal facilities.  Several councillors were in favour of the original policy and Andrew Faulds voted against the amended version.  Foulds feels the new policy is watered down.  The city will be conducting an education study and will promote the use of municipal tap water.

High props for Power

Thunder Bay's Michael Power is being hailed for his accomplishments. The 38 year old Power has been recognized for his work at the Health Sciences Centre by Caldwell Partners International. The organization has put him on their annual list of the top 40 Canadians who have made great achievements before the age of 40. Power founded the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute

Six arrested in drug raids

City police now have 200 thousand dollars worth of drugs and cash after a buslast week. They say the raids took place at a business on the 200 block of Pearl Street and homes on Bay and South May streets along with homes on Dublin and Carl avenues. They say 6 men were arrested who ranged in age from 19 to 40. Drugs seized in the raids included cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated 140 thousand dollars.

Mac's robbery spree continues

City police are still investigating two unsolved robberies at local Mac's Mart Stores since May 22nd. The latest was early Sunday morning at the North May Street location. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says it's part of a string of robberies at south side Mac's locations.  In the last two weeks there have been 5 separate robberies altogether and Adams say police are trying to look for any links between them.   Meantime,  police have a person in custody who was believed to have been carrying a knife outside the North May Street store early Monday morning.

Mourners gather for Willow

Family and friends said good-bye to Willow Scott-Hannam today at a funeral service at the Everest Wesfort Chapel. The 4 year old girl died last week after an accident at Fort William Historical Park involving a horse drawn wagon. She had been part of a school field trip. There are several investigations taking place into the incident including one by the Lakehead Public School Board, the Coroner's Office and the Ministry of Labour.

Aids organization gets info on drug users

New research shows that the typical chronic drug user in the city isn't what you might expect. The study for AIDS Thunder Bay was conducted over two years at a cost of 50 thousand dollars. Executive Director Lawrence Korhonen says they now have valuable information. He thinks the most important finding gathered from the survey is how well they got a better understanding of the population that uses drugs in the city and how much and how frenquently they are using drugs. Korhonen says they were surprised to learn that many frequent drug users in the city are beween 35 and 54 years old. The findings will help to re-direct priorities within the organization.

Construction delay at Marina effects boaters

Boaters using the marina will have to deal with no water or power for a couple of weeks. The city's parks manager Paul Fayrick says boaters can still use the docks but won't have water or power for about two weeks. Fayrick says he doesn't expect other problems for boaters this year.