Boys conference talks violence

The future generation of men in the City are being educated about equality between boys and girls.  The Lakehead Elementary Teachers held a boys conference along side the public and private school boards.  President Ellen Chambers says they wanted to talk to the kids about violence against women.  The students learned to identify violence in music lyrics, television and video games.  The students who took part were in Grades six, seven and eight.

580 thousand dollars in slots revenue

Thunder Bay is set to receive the latest payment from the OLG Casino. 580-thousand dollars is the city's fourth quarter share of slots revenue from January to March. That's slightly less than the last payment they received.

NOSM gets in Royal Wedding spirit

Royal Wedding fever is hitting Thunder Bay next week. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is hosting a lunch at the Travellodge Airlane on April 29th as part of a fundraiser. Organizer Gail Brescia says they'll be broadcasting the entire Royal Wedding and will educate people on what NOSM is all about.   The 40 dollar event is also being held in Sudbury.

New nurse contract at CCAC

Wages remain an issue for nurses with the Northwest Community Care Access Centre.  The members of the Ontario Nurses Association recently accepted a new contract, but President Linda Haslam-Stroud says salaries aren't where they should be.  Haslam-Stroud says the new deal does follow some wage scales of another northern C-C-A-C.

Electricity rates go up May 1st

Expect your electricity bills to jump slightly on May 1st.  May 1st marks the start of the Ontario Energy Board's summer electricity rates.  Thunder Bay Hydro's Tim Wilson says the increase is about six dollars extra on your monthly bill. 

Opposition Day in Legislature Wednesday

Northwestern Ontario concerns are being highlighted in the Ontario Legislature Wednesday.  NDP leader Andrea Horwath is using her turn on Opposition Day to bring them up.  Top on Horwath's list is the forest tenure hearings.

Citizen Satisfaction Survey released

It looks like 90 percent of the city is happy with the Thunder Bay Police according to the Citizen Satisfaction Survey.  The results from the annual survey were released Tuesday and one of the weak points for city police was crime prevention.  Adams says over one thousand surveys were sent out, but only 178 were returned.

PM announces Brain Research Fund

A re-elected Conservative government would invest 100 million dollars for a Brain Research Fund. At the Regional Health Sciences Centre this morning Prime Minister Harper said such research is necessary to better understand the causes of such brain diseases like Lou Gehrig's, MS and Alzheimer's that rob too many Canadians and their loved ones of their quality of life.  Harper says the fund will match private contributions.

Police deal with fake hostage situation again

For the second time in two weeks city police had to deal with a standoff.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says police received a call last night just before midnight about a person holding a hostage at a house on High Street.  After a standoff a 34 year old Thunder Bay man was arrested and is facing a number of charges.

PM's security included Bomb sniffing dog

The Prime Minister's security is beefed up for his campaign tour.  The RCMP contingent looking after his security has come equipped with a bomb sniffing dog.  Nash was used to screen local reporters who were covering Harper's visit.  She'll be retiring after her farewell tour.

OPP find missing family

They are hungry but safe. OPP in Dryden have found three people who were reported missing north of Dryden. The three got stuck while driving on a logging road but were not injured.

600-thousand dollars in remuneration

Almost 600 thousand dollars in tax payer money went towards council expenses and compensation last year. The former Mayor Lynn Peterson spent the most at 112-thousand dollars.  Lynda Rydholm came in second with 45-thousand, followed by Trevor Giertuga.  The financial figures were included in Monday night's council package.

Local Labour group encouraging strategic voting

Thunder Bay's Liberal Candidates are getting a boost.  The Northwestern Building and Construction Council is endorsing Candidates Ken Boshcoff and Yves Fricot.  President Gord Milliard says they are encouraging people to vote Liberal to prevent a Tory majority. Milliard says the Conservatives have nothing to offer workers.

Vacancy plan in place

City Council is ready to fill a vacant council seat if Ken Boshcoff is elected in the Federal Election.  Council voted in favour of holding a by-election for vacancies in the early stages of a council term.  A by election would cost around 35 thousand dollars. The resolution calls for longer term vacancies to be appointed by council.

Harper pumps up the Tory faithful

Thunder Bay-Rainy River is one of 30 seats in Canada the Conservatives believe they can take away from the opposition parties this election.  Monday evening,  Prime Minister Harper rallied the Tory faithful in Thunder Bay with a call for change saying each time he comes here the crowds are bigger than the time before.  Harper continues his Thunder Bay visit Tuesday morning at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Youth curfew axed

Thunder Bay won't be going ahead with a youth curfew.  Councillors approved a resolution Monday night that was against the curfew.  Police Chief Bob Herman says policing a curfew would require more man power and would cost a lot of money.  The resolution was passed unanimously.  Council is now vowing to come up with programs that will help keep youth safe.

Walsh Street Residents against sidewalk

Residents of Walsh Street West feel the City hasn't communicated with them enough about a proposed sidewalk. Spokesperson Allan Jack says they've signed a petition asking council to scrap the idea entirely. Jack adds there hasn't been any safety problems in the past without a sidewalk. The tender for the 250 metre stretch is set to close Tuesday. The project is estimated to cost around 75-thousand dollars. 


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Firefighters mandatory retirement

Fire Fighters could retire at the age of 60 if the Provincial Government has it's way.  They introduced the mandatory retirement legislation on Monday.   Professional Fire Fighters Association President Eric Nordlund doesn't foresee any problems with the age limit.  Nordlund says fire suppression is taxing work and not meant for seniors.

Thunder Bay runs in Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is a done deal with the 7 Thunder Bay participants all finished. Thunder Bay's Ryan McDonald finished with the best time out of the 7 local participants finishing just over 2 hours and 40 minutes. Other Thunder Bay participants finishing times are as follows: Karla Bailey: 3:14:51. Christine L. Bociurko: 3:38:58. Stuart J. Brimmell: 3:05:01. Susan McDonald: 4:07:13. Shaun W. Naroski: 3:39:51. Rena Viebeck: 3:18:13.

Jack Layton plans to visit Thunder Bay

It turns out Thunder Bay will see another campaign leader visit our city. NDP leader Jack Layton will be making an appearance Wednesday night at the Current River Community Centre at 5 o'clock.