School trustee retires

Bill Mokomela is retiring from the Lakehead District School Board after 33 years. Mokomela helped resolve a teachers strike in his first term as trustee in 1974 and to shepherd the district through a difficult period of school closures in the 1990’s. He says he'll be spending more time with his wife and grandchildren.

Respiratory illness outbreak

Officials at the Health Unit and Dawson Court have declared an outbreak of respiratory illness in three resident care areas. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled in those areas until further notice. Relatives and friends are encouraged to call the facility for more information.

Injuries in traffic accident

The Trans Canada Highway west of Nipigon is now open.  It follows a traffic accident that involved two cars Friday morning.    OPP say it was a head on collision.   The drivers of both vehicles were taken to the Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Their injuries are not considered serious.

City aquires south core properties

The city has plans for some recent property it's acquired.  It says the plan is part of the revitalization of the downtown south core.   The property that's now under city ownership includes, the former West Hotel on Simpson street and a hall beside it.   Along with that the city has ownership of the former Inntowner Hotel on Brodie street and two properties on Donald Street.

Underground gym needs cash

The Underground Gym is looking for operating funds from the City of Thunder Bay.  The group provides a place for needy kids and teens to work out, play and learn to box free of charge.  Representatives from the gym will be making a deputation and funding request at Monday night's council meeting.

Hyer reveals H2O spending

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says bottled water is being used too much by federal government departments.   Hyer studied the issue for the NDP and found that almost 2 and a half million dollars has been spent on bottled water in the last fiscal year.   Hyer says it could be even more, because last year, seven government departments and agencies stopped tracking how much they spent on bottled water.

Pat Lang announces retirement

The President of Confederation College has announced she plans to retire this summer. Pat Lang will officially step down in July, 2011.  A national search for a replacement will get underway as soon as possible. Lang was appointed president in 2000.

62 million dollar contract awarded

A 62 million dollar contract for the expansion of highway 11/17 is going to Bot Construction.  The project will be providing 400 construction jobs. A 14 kilometre section from west of MacKenzie Station Road to Birch Beach Road will be expanded to four lanes. The project is expected to get underway immediately and could take several years to complete.

Mac's Mart teams up with Amber Alert

All 18 Macs Convenience Stores in Thunder Bay are teaming up with the OPP and Amber Alert.  Amber alerts will now be able to be viewed on screens in Macs stores. Sgt. Steve Monpetit says descriptions of vehicles, last locations seen, and pictures of the missing child will be able to be seen from the LCD screens mounted in Mac's stores across Ontario.  The project is ready to go and will be used the next time an amber alert is sent out in Thunder Bay area.

Confederation College woos students

Confederation College is wooing students this week on its regional recruitment campaign.  Spokesperson Shari MacKenzie says they'll be telling students about their programs.  Confederation College will be hosting 12 other post secondary schools on Friday for an information session for Thunder Bay high school students.

Upgrades made to Confederation College

Students at Confederation College are benefiting from the latest technologies and equipment thanks to funding from the Provincial government.  Almost 255 thousand dollars is being put towards equipment upgrades.  The money will be used to buy a plane, dental lab equipment and training equipment for the fire fighter program.

Local business owners praised

The Stezenko brothers of Thunder Bay are in the spotlight. They officially opened their new Quality Market grocery store. John Scott, the president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, says both businessmen have proven that independents can survive against the big chains.  The new store is located on Golf Links Road.

Transit talks taking a break

The Amalgamated Transit union and the City are taking an almost a two week break in negotiations. Talks will resume October 5th and will again include a conciliator. Transit services will continue as usual for the time being.

Local med students are wooed

Thunder Bay is the latest stop for the Health Professionals Recruitment tour.   Organizer Ceara McNeil  says its a chance for communities to strut their stuff to attract potential doctors  The tour stopped at Lakehead University Thursday.   There are also stops in Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton ,London, Toronto and Sudbury.

DSSAB awards building contract

Finn Way Contracting of Thunder Bay is the winner of the contract to build the new District Social Services Building. At 11.6 million dollars, it was the low bidder to build the new facility at Arthur, May and Brodie Streets. Construction is expected to begin next month and it should be completed by the end of next year.

Fair Wage Policy discussed

The City of Thunder Bay is set to receive a report on a fair wage policy for road, bridge, and sewer and water contracts.Administration is bringing a study on the matter to council Monday night. City Spokesperson Dan Munshaw says they don't really have a use for the fair wage policy, since mostly local businesses have won city contracts. The study shows from 2008 to 2010 95 percent of the contract awards were given to local firms. 

Heritage Buildings in Thunder Bay

City administration will be recommending a number of old buildings to the municipalities heritage register. The George Graham, John King, and Ross Residences are being considered for the register. The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and Canadian Car and Foundry Historic site also being looked at.

Student remains in critical condition

Still no arrests to report in connection with a vicious assault on the weekend. A 22 year old Lakehead University student from Southern Ontario remains in critical condition in hospital.    Police say they have interviewed several people in the area of Darwin Crescent and Newton Street, which is a student rental hub.  Police say the man was assaulted there by a group of about 5 men who are also believed to be LU students.

Drug suspect turns himself in

Police have a person in custody in connection with a recent million dollar pot bust. They say that a man they had an arrest warrant out for, has turned himself in. They say he has been charged in connection with a marijuana grow-op they found last week. Police say it was located at a home on the 100 Block of Nelson Street. It followed complaints from the landlord.  Meantime drug officers were busy recently with several busts.  One in Lybster Township saw two people charged after police say they found marijuana.   Two men are charged after oxycodone pills were found at a Fitzgerald Street address and a woman was arrested at the airport for trying to bring oxycodone to a remote First Nations community. 

Contact North helps program expand

More remote First Nations communities now have access to a program from the National Centre for First Nations Governance.  The Centre is using the distance education services of Thunder Bay's Contact North to train more first nations the art of governing.   Brian Smith, the Centre's Director of Operations,  says the focus is teaching young people.   He says it's possible that one day the program could be taught across Canada from here.