Hillier and Mauro work it out

PC Northern Development Critic Randy Hillier tried to call out the local Liberal MPPs at a Pre-Budget consultation session yesterday in Thunder Bay; but had the tables turned on him.  Hillier sent out a news release asking why there weren't any Thunder Bay area MPP's at the pre budget consultation.  But only moments after the making the release public, MPP Bill Mauro showed up.  He was late because he was attending a Health Science Centre news conference but took it all in stride. Mauro and Hillier were spotted later having a friendly chat.

Research Institute going to MaRS

The dollars signs are starting to show in the eyes of those at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.  They've entered into a deal with MaRS Innovations, a company that takes medical inventions and tries to sell them.  The first idea to be put on the market from here is a new X-ray technology.   The Institute hopes it's the first of many patents developed at the Health Sciences Centre to be commercialized by the company. 

Police looking for robber

Police are looking for a mugger this morning.  Officers say a women was opening her car at the McIntyre Centre yesterday when a man in his 20's grabbed her purse and ran off.  The K-9 unit was brought in but no arrests have been made. 

LHIN rolls out funds

The Northwest LHIN is rolling out a number of new programs for residents living with brain injuries.  715-thousand dollars is being used to offer a variety of programs across the region.  A family therapist will work with families in the region, while program facilitators will be posted in Dryden, Fort Frances and here in Thunder Bay.

Shannon set to receive Order of Ontario

Thunder Bay's Dave Shannon is about to receive the province's highest civilian honour. On Thursday Shannon will be given the Order of Ontario for his work with the disabled. The local lawyer and quadriplegic says he wants to share the recognition with others he's come in contact with who have worked with him for  human rights. Shannon calls the experience humbling and gratifying.

Standing Committe on Finance in T. BAY

It's a full day of speakers Wednesday at the Provincial Government's Pre-Budget Consultations. The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is in town to speak to a variety of stakeholders. NOMA will be addressing the panel. Other speakers include the Chamber of Commerce, Confederation College, and Poverty Free Thunder Bay.

Former chief lays down the law

There's tough talk from the new Ring of Fire Cooridinator for the Matawa First Nations. Raymond Ferris says he's going to make sure that corporations play by the rules and give his people the maximum benefits of any mining discoveries in the area. Ferris says he expects the government to pick up the tab. Ferris is known within the First Nations communities as an expert on land and resources issues and is the former chief of the Constance Lake First

Pope John Paul going solar

Thunder Bay's Catholic Schools are going green.  The school board is installing solar panels at three of its schools which will save them 70 thousand dollars a year in energy costs.  Superintendent of Business Tom Mustapic says Pope John Paul will have the panels installed in April.  The system will provide electricity for the buildings, and preheat air coming into the schools heating system.

Gas Leak resolved

Union Gas has fixed a gas leak at the former Triple Nickel bar site.  A front end loader hit a gas pipe while during excavation work this morning.  That leak cause parts of Miles and Simpson Street to be closed for a short period of time.

ORC to become a memory

The Ontario Realty Corporation is in for a change.  The McGuinty government is merging it with another agency.  MPP Michael Gravelle says he doesn't know exactly how the merger will affect the Corporation's Thunder Bay office but expects any savings to come from administrative costs and not at the expense of front line staff.

Extra Flu Shot Clinic this Monday

Flu season is upon us, and it seems there's a rush to get immunized. The Health Unit has been overwhelmed with requests for shots at it's weekly Wednesday clinic. An appointment only clinic has been scheduled for Monday to alleviate the congestion.

Input sought on housing strategy

A second round of public input sessions on a proposed housing strategy start today.  Iain Angus is the Chair of the Social Services Board and says they want to make sure they meet the public's needs.  To comment on the draft plan log onto the Social Services Board website.

Council gives direction to lawyer

City Council is giving marching orders to legal counsel; but that's all City Manager Tim Commisso can say.  That's the only information available to the public after a closed door meeting on the 126 million dollar Horizon Wind lawsuit.  City Manager Tim Commisso says he can't say when they'll be back in court.

United Way reaches goal

After struggling to raise money over the holiday season, the United Way is deeming its 2010 fundraising campaign a success.  Fundraising Chair Wayne Fletcher says the community came through for them. In December the organization had said they weren't sure if they could reach their goal.  Fletcher adds they surpassed their 2.4 million dollar goal by 8-thousand dollars.

Lac Des Iles Mine to get facelift

The Thunder Bay economy is getting another shot in the arm. It comes with the news that North American Palladium is boosting production at it's Lac Des Iles Mine north of the city by almost 55 per cent this year. As well the company is spending 147 million dollars to expand the mine.

Wind turbine health concerns drive court case

The wind turbine debate in Ontario is now before a judge. Opponents are in a Toronto court claiming the turbines are being allowed too close to people's homes. Sam Bachinski is a local opponent of the Nor'wester wind farm. He says this case, brought on by Ian Hanna, has a direct bearing on the Horizon Wind project.   The government says there is no credible evidence to suggest the turbines harm health.   Bachinski says his group is not providing financial support for the group.

The Carnegie Kids are back

Two local piano virtuosos are back at home after a trip to the Big Apple.  The two Lakehead University music students performed in  a competition at New York City's Carnegie Hall.  Robyne Tenkula and Jonathan Boo placed second and third in their respective categories.  

CAA stretched to the max during cold spell

CAA workers in Thunder Bay are relieved the worst is over. They were kept hopping responding to dead battery calls during the near record breaking cold spell. Spokesperson Cory Kennedy admits the wait times were quite long, anywhere from 6 to 24 hours.  Kennedy says in the northern region the CAA responded to 650 calls for service on Sunday.

LU prof sees positives in fitness guidelines

New physical fitness guidelines in Canada show we are the least active generation in decades. Glen Paterson, of Lakehead University's Kinesiology Deparment, is pleased to see the issue is being addressed by the Canadian Society for Exercise. Paterson says there are a lot of positives in the new guidelines because they address the importance of daily exercise for children to older adults.

CN talks result in tenative deal

The threat of a strike by CN Rail workers in Thunder Bay is diminished now that a tentative contract agreement is in place. The members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union were threatening to walk the picket lines across the country at midnight. The details of the new deal will not be released until it's voted on by the union.