2011 an interesting year for Rickford

MP Greg Rickford is all smiles when he talks about 2011.  First he was re-elected in his Kenora Riding and then his Conservative party won a majority government. The year also saw Rickford take some of the national spotlight for the Harper government in the Attawapiskat crisis.

Highs and lows for the NDP in 2011

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says 2011 was a year of mixed emotions for the NDP. In his look back on the year Rafferty says there were huge strides made in the election with the low point being the death of their leader Jack Layton. The year will also go down as an interesting one for Rafferty. He and his fellow NDPRer Bruce Hyer were sanctioned for voting against their party on the Long Gun Registry, but he's doing what he can to be the voice of his constituents. Rafferty predicts 2012 will be a struggle for the NDP since the Harper government has a majority.

FWFN Chief calls 2011 "positive"

As 2011 closes out on the Fort William First Nation, Chief Peter Collins says it was a positive year. He says the reserve made history with the signing of a land claim agreement with the Canadian and Ontario governments. Strategic planning will play a key role for the Fort William First Nation in 2012. Looking to the future, Chief Collins says that planning will be centred around economic development and adds, the community will keep looking for different economic opportunities.

Hobbs admits to rough spots in 2011

Mayor Keith Hobbs now has a full year under his belt. He says that 2011 was a good year for him even though he had to plow through some rough spots, like being kicked off the Police Service's Board for most of the year,  but says he's resilient  The Mayor says to watch for the city to continue getting aggressive with economic development in 2012 adding, the new year should bring an added push to get  new development here

Hospital CEO looks to the new year

The Health Sciences Centre will be going into some uncharted territory in the new year.  President Andre Robichaud says 2012 will be the first full year for the hospital under its new strategic plan. It's a four year plan which they plan to pursue aggressively next year.  Robichaud says in 2011 the hospital reached or exceeded its objectives.

Buses to run on holiday schedule

City buses will be running during the Christmas holidays.   On Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, Thunder Bay Transit will provide service on the holiday schedule which is the same as the Sunday schedule. For more information, visit. www.thunderbay.ca/transit

Gun registry bill still needs passage

Abolishing the federal long gun registry is going to have to be a New Year's resolution for the Harper Government.  The last session of Parliament ended last week without the bill being passed. Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford expects the legislation will finally make it through the House of Commons early in the new year. The next session of Parliament is scheduled to start in February.

Woman escapes Peter St. fire

No one is hurt as the result of a house fire this morning at 103 Peter Street. Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it began just before 9 o'clock in the basement of the bungalow.   A woman who was in the house at the time escaped the blaze.  There's no word on what may have caused the fire.

Holiday Fire Safety

Thunder Bay's Fire Department wants you to have a safe holiday season.  Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says there are a number of ways fires can start over the holiday season.  Vander Ploeg says keep an eye on candles especially when kids and animals are around them.

NAPS bust bootleggers

Nishnawbe Aski Police have put an end to bootlegger operation in Kashechewan.  They stopped two men at the LCBO in Moosonee who were attempting to bring booze to the community.  Police seized 225 units of booze with a street value of over 17-thousand dollars.

Dryden councillor quits

Over to our west, a major vacancy to fill for Dryden city council. Mike Wood has resigned as Councilor, effective January 31st. Wood says he feels like he's not making an impact on Council. Wood finished second in the 2010 election and third in the 2006 election.

Durand wants a premiere for Thunder Bay

If Thunder Bay's Kevin Durand has his way he'd like to host a motion picture premiere in the city. Durand wants to have a special opening for the movie Edwin Boyd, which he stars in.  It's the true story about one of Canada's most famous bandits. He's hoping to invite the director up for the event which could include a question and answer session with the audience.  Durand says he has a total of four movies that'll be coming out next year.

Clarification

A clarification on a story regarding a class action suit planned by Thunder Bay's Heli Kijanen.  We said that she was planning a suit alleging sexual harassment when in fact her complaint centres arounding alleged bullying and harassment.

Toys for Tots does it again

It's another success for Thunder Bay Firefighters Toys for Tots Campaign. Spokesperson Bob Vander Ploeg says they raised over 149 thousand dollars for the Christmas Cheer fund. Vander Ploeg is thanking the community for supporting them.

Domestic assault

Thunder Bay Police were called to a domestic assault on the City's North side last night. Police say a 34 year old man is charged with assault with a weapon after threatening his common law wife with a knife.

"Serious interest" for law school post

Brian Stevenson

There's a high degree of interest for the job of Founding Dean of Lakehead University's new law school. Search coordinator Rod Hanley says since the search began it's attracted quiet a few applicants.  He says about 40 to 50 people have expressed a "serious interest" in the position.  Hanley says the names will go to the search committee by the end of January.

ER holiday crunch

The Health Sciences Centre is preparing for the holidays. Spokesperson Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott says the Emergency Room at the hospital will be hopping. She says during the holidays they get up to 400 visits a day up from 300 on a typical day. It's because most of the walk-in clinics in the city are closed for much of the season, causing the holiday crunch.

Christmas Tree Chipping starts Monday

Christmas tree chipping sites are open starting Boxing Day.  City Spokesperson Jason Scherband says there are five locations on both the North and South sides of Thunder Bay.  You must take all ornaments, tinsel and plastic tree bags off of the tree to have it chipped.

Knife point robbery at Mac's

A Mac's Mart clerk is safe after having a knife held to his throat during a robbery last night. Police say they were driving by the store on Arthur Street when they saw the incident go down. Police caught three young men in the store and talked them into dropping their knives. The trio are charged with Robbery with a Weapon, Assault with a Weapon, Wearing a Disguise and Forcible Confinement.

Taxi By-Laws to be reviewed in 2012

The New Year will bring an overhaul of the City's outdated taxi by-laws. Spokesperson Ron Bourret says they're working with local taxi companies to improve the municipal legislation. Bourret says they plan to hire someone to conduct a review of the current taxi system.