City budget meeting in the books

Just a handful of people turned out to an open house on the City's budget directions for the next two years.  Anne Ostrum says she understands the City has an infrastructure shortfall that needs to be taken care of.  City Manager Tim Commisso says people are concerned about the possibility of taxes being raised to help pay for the rising infrastructure deficit.  The comments from the meeting will be brought to council November 28th.

Raffery wants to hear from his constituents

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is going to let his constituents do the talking on the latest legislation to scrap the gun registry.  Rafferty says he wants to hear from the public.  The new legislation includes a clause to destroy the records collected through the registry.

NAN looking at gardening to increase healthy eating

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation wants healthy food at affordable prices for their people.  Spokesperson Joseph Leblanc says that's why they're holding a food symposium looking at reintroducing gardening to First Nation communities.  Farmers from across the Northwest are sharing their trade secrets with NAN and helping them create community gardens.

Legion isn't happy about Federal Cuts

The Federal Government's proposed 226-million dollar cut to Veteran's Affairs isn't sitting well with everyone.  Roy Lamore is the past president of the Port Arthur Legion and says if these cuts go through it will mean less benefits for future veterans. MPs are currently studying the funding cut.

Mission Nutrition enjoys a successful 2nd year

From humble beginnings to smashing expectations a new food drive is making waves in Thunder Bay.  Nicole Konkin with the Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre says this year's Mission Nutrition Food Drive made huge strides in only its second year.  She says their first attempt at a food drive didn't even collect one can.  Now in its second year 4 Chiropractic offices hope to collect 4 thousand pounds of food and smashed their goals.  Konkin says 3 of the offices have made their collections and so far over 4400 pounds of food has been collected for the hungry in Thunder Bay.   Konkin says the community support has been overwhelming.  The Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre, along with Santin Chiropractic, Doctor Lila Coulter of the Healthy Families Wellness Centre or Doctor Christina Peterson at Jessiman Family Chiropractic took part in this year's food drive.

Mauro repeats wind farm concerns

The cat is out of the bag. A letter to two cabinet ministers from MPP Bill Mauro about the proposed Horizon Wind Farm has been leaked. In it Mauro asks Environment Minister Jim Bradley and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle  to turn thumbs down to the project.  He says it was important to remind Gravelle that his predecessor had concerns with the project as they related to the peregrine falcon population.  Mauro feels it was important to get the two ministers up to speed.

Behavior issues tackled by Catholic Board

The Catholic School Board is about to embark on a new policy to help students with behavior problems. Director of Eduction Joan Powell says the policy received preliminary approval from trustees last night. It's hoped formal approval can be given in about a month or so. The board is also looking at new cell phone rules for staff and visitors at it's schools. Powell says the new policy will make texting and talking during school hours a no-no, putting everyone on the same level as students.

Mac's robbery foiled by feisty female

A female customer is a hero today after she helped to capture a person who was holding up the Mac's Convenience Store at Arthur and Syndicate around 4 o'clock this morning. Police say she held back the culprit as he was beating on the clerk.  A cab driver who was outside witnessed the incident and called police who came and arrested a 25 year old man who appears in court today.

Gun registry bill to be introduced

The Federal Government is introducing another bill to scrap the long gun registry. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says they've kept the bill closely under wraps. Rafferty adds he doesn't know if today's bill will look anything like the previous bills that aimed to scrap the registry.

Cell Tower resolution fails

A call for administration to work with the health unit to look into the health impacts of cell phone towers died last night.  Instead Council voted in favour of creating a standard notice for the public that let's them know when a cell phone tower is going to be placed in their neighbourhood.

Council grills Police Chief on deficit

Thunder Bay's Police Department's million dollar budget deficit didn't go unnoticed at Monday night's council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and several other councillors expressed their displeasure and worry over the announcement that was made last week at a Police board meeting.  The cost over runs are being blamed on overtime and legal fees.

Tax ratio changes on hold

The City's tax ratios are staying the course for now.  City lawmakers are holding off on implementing a four million dollar shift from business to residential tax payers.  Councillor Mark Bentz says property owners won't stand for what's being proposed.  A decision will be made on whether to approve the changes at a December council meeting.

Regenerative Medicine Report due in November

City Council will have to wait to be updated on the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine project.  The city provided five hundred thousand dollars towards the implementation of a business strategy for the centre.  Administration will bring a report back to council on November 28th.

Council holds off on Bending Lake Iron

Thunder Bay City Council is holding off on throwing its support behind Bending Lake Iron's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace. Speaking Monday night, Chief Executive Officer Henry Wetelainen says it's OK that council needs some time to digest the information he's provided them. Bending Lake Iron is asking for support as part of its environmental assessment process. Council will vote on a resolution of support at it's November 7th meeting.

T.Bay lands Can-Am Police Fire Games

Thunder Bay has beaten out several large American cities to host the 2016 Can-Am Police Fire games.  The games will be held in the Lakehead July 2nd to 10th, and will bring in more than a thousand competitors.  Police Chief JP Levesque says the games are expected to bring in over 5 million dollars in economic activity. 

Pukaskwa Park: The Movie

Parks Canada is paying tribute to Pukaskwa Park in film.  Spokesperson Nancy Saunders says "A Park for all Seasons" is going to play at Thunder Bay's SilverCity on November 13th.  You can purchase your tickets online at cineplex.ca

Half a million dollars worth of durgs seized

Police have made a major drug bust at Boulevard Lake.  Officials says officers saw a 31 year old man known to be involved in the drug trade walking near the lake last Tuesday.  The man fled police but was quickly found.  Officers found a back pack on the man with half a million dollars worth of cocaine.

PETA weighs in on deer issue

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is urging our city councillors not to choose bow hunting as a method to control the deer population.  PETA's Kristen Simon says it's one of the cruelest forms of hunting since bow hunters routinely spend hours tracking the bloody trails of deer who are stuck by arrows,  before finding them.  She says the simple solution would be not to feed the animals.

Protesters "occupy" City Hall

From Waverly Park to Donald Street.  The Occupy Thunder Bay protesters brought their "make the rich pay" message to City Hall Sunday.  About 50 took part including MP Bruce Hyer and Councillor Paul Pugh.   The protest is part of the Canadian offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon that has spread across the world.

Early morning fire at Travelodge

Guests at the Travelodge on Memorial Avenue experienced a frightening wake up call Saturday morning. A 2 alarm blaze broke out in the Sushi restaurant around 4 am. A portion of Memorial Ave. was closed briefly and guests of the hotel had to be evacuated with the help from the Canadian Red Cross. Smoke damage spread throughout the restaurant and one person was thought to have suffered smoke inhalation. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.