Zwig crossing fingers on wind farm approval

The president of Horizon Wind is hoping for speedy approval of his wind power project. Tony Zwig says all the comments gathered from the public meetings this week will be submitted to the provincial government. Zwig is hoping for approval before the provincial election in October.

Wilson talks Bill 151 passing

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce has mixed feelings about the passing of the forest tenure reform bill.  President Harold Wilson says some of the negative aspects of the bill have been changed.  Wilson says they're not sure how the bill will impact area mills ability to get financing.  Bill 151 was passed third and final reading Tuesday in the Ontario Legislature.

Hillier comments on Bill 151

The Provincial Government has passed the forest tenure bill.  Third reading of Bill 151 and an hour of debate took place on Tuesday.  Progressive Conservative Critic for Northern Development Randy Hillier says the Liberals played a shell game with the region switching the legislation and closing down discussion.

NAN says jury roll problem not resolved

A lack of First Nation representation on Ontario's jury rolls has yet to be resolved.  That's according to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.  NAN is commenting after Attorney General Chris Bentley claimed issues around jury selection have been resolved.

Rafferty hopes for role in new look NDP

John Rafferty doesn't believe he'll be lost in the shuffle.  The Thunder Bay MP admits that with a record number of members in the NDP caucus he may not get the attention from leader Jack Layton like he used to. The new session of Parliament starts on June 2nd and Rafferty says he'll take whatever role the party wants him to play.   He expects to spend most of his early days helping new members learn the ropes.

Wind farm debate at the next stage

The wind farm controversy in Neebing moves to a new level tonight. It's the provincial phase of the approval process for the Big Thunder Wind Park. The first of two public consultations on the project takes place at Blake Community Hall starting at 6 o'clock

Aspenware plans for Dryden on hold

An economic blow to Dryden. Officials there say that Aspenware has put construction of a manufacturing plant in that city on the back burner. Mayor Craig Nuttall says they have been notified that the company, that specializes in wooden cutlery, wants to concentrate on its manufacturing plant in B.C. first.

Fewer dollars coming from OLG

The City of Thunder Bay will be losing money as the result of accounting changes at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The OLG's Tony Bitonti  says the changes will result in a reduction in the quarterly dividends which this year will amount to about 65 thousand dollars.  Bitonti says, however, the city's 5 per cent share of slot machine revenues from the casino is not changing

Blue Parrot set to close

After 38 years the Blue Parrot Restaurant is closing its doors.  The family who owns and operates the Greek restaurant on Lisgar Street will be retiring with their last day of business being this Sunday. 

Hilton Hotel reps talk to City Council

Representatives from Hilton Hotels spoke to Thunder Bay City Council Monday night.  The Thunder Bay Hotel Partnership Group wants council to amend the zoning by-laws to allow the proposed hotel to be built on Airport lands on Arthur Street.  The Hilton Hampton Inn is a four story building that would have a resort like setting.  The construction of the hotel is expected to cost 10 million dollars and property taxes for the city would be around 225-thousand dollars a year.

Police Chief recognized

Thunder Bay Police Chief Bob Herman is among three northwestern Ontario officers being recognized for their contributions to policing. Treaty Three Police Chief Henry DeLaronde, along with OPP Detective Inspector Dennis Olinyk have been appointed members of the Order of Merit of the Police Services.

Workshop dissects Community Forestry

A controversial idea gets a hearing at Lakehead University Tuesday.  Peggy Smith of the Natural Resources Department says a workshop will examine the concept of Community Forestry which sees decisions on forestry made at the local level.   Smith says the workshop brings together people across the north to discuss the issue.

Horwath talks forestry

The Provincial NDP is not letting up in its offensive against the McGuinty Liberals and its wood re-allocation policy.  In Queen's Park on Monday, Leader Andrea Horwath brought up the Hudson Sawmill bankruptcy.  Horwath says she's frustrated by reports of interest from Lac Seul First Nation, noting that interest is tied to a secure wood supply.

Nursing program deemed success

A community based nursing program currently offered across the Region will be featured in a soon-to-be released paper from Lakehead University and Confederation College.  Dryden Hospital Spokesperson Darlene Furlong says the program has been a critical recruiting tool.  This is the second installment of the program which will graduate 21-nurses at the end of the 4-year course.

Curtola says Richardson's death a big loss

Thunder Bay's Bobby Curtola calls him a great man.   Curtola says the death of record producer Jack Richardson is a big loss for the industry.   Richardson recorded some of Curtola's songs in the 1960's.   Curtola says Richardson was a no nonsense guy who demanded perfection.  Richardson died on the weekend at the age of 81.  He is best know for producing the Guess Who

MNR sending help to fight Alta fires

Help is on the way for weary firefighters in Alberta. Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says a group of over 80 Ontario firefighters are going to help with the forest fires in that province. MacLean says half of the force will come from the Northwest Region the other half from the Northeast Region.

Collins eyes good relations with city

Chief Peter Collins and the new Fort William First Nations band council are now sworn in. Collins says the next two year term will be a busy one with numerous projects on the go.   Collins is also looking forward to improved relations with the City of Thunder Bay through a Memorandum of Understanding .  He says it will help build the economy's of both communities together

Foundation launches 2011 Prostate Campaign

Lets start talking about our prostates...that's the message in this year's Regional Health Sciences Foundation campaign.  President Glen Craig says a few years ago men wouldn't talk about anything south of the belt and that is changing.  Craig says hundreds of men have put their names into the hat to become a Prostate Man and that shows the increase in awareness. Craig says both Quality Market locations will be selling Prostate Man T-shirts for the campaign.

Beardy heads to the UN

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is heading back to the United Nations.  Stan Beardy will be leading a NAN delegation to the annual forum on Indigenous issues in New York this week.  The two week forum will focus on topics including economic and social development and the environment.

OPP look for distracted drivers

The O-P-P in Thunder Bay are out in force starting today looking for distracted drivers.If you are caught chatting on a cellphone the ticket is 155 dollars.  Using a cellphone isn't the only distraction police are looking for.   Eating while driving and fiddling with your mp3 player can also land you a fine.