Public School Board gets good grades

The Lakehead Public School Board is happy with its students test scores in the Ontario Secondary School literacy tests. The tests are handled by the Education, Quality and Accountability office and results were released last week.  Director of Education Kathy Seminieuk says their students scored 81 percent, just 3 percent below the provincial average.  Hammarskjold high was above the provincial average with 85 percent.  Meawnhile, Sir Winston Churchhill scored 80, Superior Collegiate came in with 69 and Westgate scored 87 percent.

Ride for Dad sets record

The final numbers are in. The annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad on the weekend set a new record for participation. Michael Pedri of the Health Sciences Foundation says over 78 thousand dollars was raised by the 346 riders. Pedri says organizations have no complaints. He calls support for the community oustanding especially the assistance from the corporate sponsors. In the ride's 10 year history, 628 thousand dollars has been raised for the Foundation.

Counselling Centre gets thumbs up

The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre is celebrating. It's received it's accreditation, essentially a stamp of approval from counselling experts. Executive Director Nancy Chamberlain says it gives them continued credibility.  She says it assures  the community that they are following accepted practices in everything from administration, to finance to programming.   Chamberlain credits her staff and the board for the achievement.

Still no deal for Superstore workers

The workers at the Real Canadain Superstore are yet another step closer to striking. Not only have they already voted in favour of a walkout, now comes word that conciliation talks aimed at getting them a new contract broke off Monday. The major stumbling block in negotiations are company concessions that include wages and benefits. The countdown to any strike action will begin with the release of a conciliators report.

Native merchants sell their wares at Chippewa

Ruth Stebens was one of the many merchants who were selling First Nations jewerly at the Aboriginal Day celebration at Chippewa Park.  

Thousands take in Aboriginal Day

Aboriginal Day is another success. About 3 thousand people took in the festivities at Chippewa Park. This year's ceremonies were special for the Metis. Thunder Bay Council President Wendy Landry says it's the Year of the Metis. She says under the constitution Metis are considered Aboriginal People and so it's a huge statement for the local committee to recognize them. Landry says the contribution the Metis made to Canada can't be ignored.   Organizer Stephanie Feletto says Aboriginal People have come together to celebrate the day for generations.   She says it's a time to celebrate life and meet new friends.

Relay for Life a huge success

Friday night marked the annual Relay for Life Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser. Almost one thousand people participated this year, with over 160 walking the Survivors Victory Lap. Fundraising Coordinator Dana Levanto says that by closing ceremonies, over 143-thousand dollars had been raised. The money goes towards cancer research, as well as treatment and support for those affected.

May Street Mac's Robbed Again

Thunder Bay Police are investigating another robbery at the Mac's Mart on north May Street. Early yesterday morning, a man armed with a knife entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. An undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes were taken. The man is described as approximately 30 years of age, Native with a scruffy face, and wearing a black hoodie and black pants with a white stripe. The male left the store on foot. Police have been unable to locate the suspect.

New hospital chair to stay the course

The new chair of the Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors wants to build friendships in the community. Angele Brunelle says she doesn't want the board to stray from what it's doing best and that is,  patient and family centred care. She stresses that the facility is a teaching hospital and should continue it's focus on research. Brunelle says one of her first jobs will be to find a person to succeed Ron Saddington as hospital CEO. She says there should be news on that front "pretty soon."

Council at Chippewa Park

Thunder Bay City Council will be starting a little earlier Monday night.  The meeting is being moved to five o'clock at Chippewa Park pavillion.  Aboriginal Liason officer Anna Gibbon says the meeting will be special because council intends to sign a declaration of committment with area first nations.  Gibbon adds it's a great first step and will better the City's relationship with first nations.  The second half of the council meeting will take place in council chambers.

Quaint businesses and bistros could line Kam River

Thunder Bay City Council is expected to approve a draft report on the redevelopment of the Kam River area. Project Lead Victoria Kofny says they want to find new uses for the property. Kofny says they want to encourage small businesses and restaurants along the waterfront and on the islands. After the report is brought before council, a series of public consultation sessions will be held.

TBHU and Dilico team up for early learning education

A new early learning program is being launched in three area first nation communities.  The Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care have teamed up for the Nitam Giigadowin program. Health Unit Spokesperson Cathy Ferrel says they want to reach out to first nation communities and hopes they'll walk away with a better understanding of first nation culture. The program will teach speech and language skills to young children. The project will be available in Ginoogaming, Fort William, and Long Lake First Nations.

Red Rock paramedics "homeless"

Paramedics in Red Rock are away from their home base for a week at least. The EMS station there has been temporarily closed after mould was found. Deputy Chief Ernie Kadikoff says they have moved to a new location  in the Red Rock Fire Hall without any problems. Until the station is declared mould free, the paramedics will stay away .

Virdiramo didn't know about methadone clinic

City Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he too was caught off guard about a proposed methadone clinic in the Westfort business area. Area merchants are raising concerns about it. Virdiramo says it was a surprise to him as well.   He says the owner of the business across the street from the future clinic made him aware of the issue.   Virdiramo says he sympathizes with the merchants but says the clinic will not be operating illegally.

Mutiny on the Bounty

The Bounty will be paying a visit to Thunder Bay and it's not the chocolate bar or the paper towel.  HMS Bounty is one of the most famous tall ships and has been featured in the movies "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Pirates of the Caribbean".  Spokesperson John Ongaro says boating enthusiasts are encouraged to join the Bounty as it makes its way into port on Tuesday, August 3rd.  Public tours of the ship will be staged the following day on August 4th.

Gravelle unaware of funding cuts

Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle is scrambling to get answers about funding cuts. Gravelle says he was not aware that the province reduced funds to the District Social Services Board for an addictions program.  He's hoping to discuss the issue with Board Chair Iain Angus and then lobby the minister responsible to get the funding maintained.

Herman named President of Ontario Police Chiefs

It looks like it will be a good working relationship between the Ontario Government and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. Thunder Bay's police chief Robert Herman was appointed as President. Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci says he looks forward to sitting down with Herman. Bartolucci feels Herman will do a great job as President and has a wealth of experience. Herman joined the Thunder Bay police service in 1980 and was made chief in 2000.

Province finds funds for Duel Credit program

The provincial government is putting almost 1.3 million dollars into a college and high school program. The Duel Credit program allows high school students to get college credits in a course while still in at the grade level. Confederation College President Pat Lang says it helps students find the right course. The provincial money will fund the local program for the upcoming school year.

Tory candidate steps down

The Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Superior North are looking for a Federal Candidate. Mike Auld says he is stepping down for health reasons. Auld was nominated last year after a coin toss was used to break a tie vote between him and challenger Richard Harvey. Riding Association officials say that it will be up to the Party in Ottawa to decide what direction to take next

Health Sciences Centre goes into the black

There are no worries about deficits at the Regional Health Sciences Centre. The Annual General Meeting was told the surplus is a modest 139 thousand dollars. Hospital CEO Ron Saddington says it was an effort by all departments to get into the black. He says it took all of them looking over the organization with a microscope and making sure the hospital was efficient as possible.