Today America, tomorrow the world

A Thunder Bay Lab that has the rights to a prostate testing service is able to expand it's market in the United States. Bob Poulter, the president of Mitomics says they've signed a distribution deal with Lab M-D of Atlanta, Georgia and he hopes for more to come with future world wide distribution contracts.  This latest distribution deal is the third such agreement for the company.

Assault fuels mayor's ire

The Mayor isn't happy with this week's mugging outside Fort William Gardens.  Hobbs says the incident where a woman was assaulted and robbed is just another reminder about the sad state of crime in this city.  He says one of the biggest problems is the courts which in his opinion are weak.  Hobbs says crime has been an issue here for a very long time and its time we start addressing the issues behind it.

RNAO boss visits city

The executive director of the province's Registered Nurses Association is calling for more funding for primary care in Thunder Bay.   Doris Grinspun's call comes after today's visit to the Lakehead Nurse Practitioner Clinic which she says is short four NP's because of a lack of funding.  Grinspun also visited the Health Science's Centre, the District Health Unit and Hogarth Riverview Manor.

Legal victory for former councillor

A former Thunder Bay city councillor is getting his day before the highest court in the province.  The Ontario Court of Appeal has granted Robert Tuchenhagen permission to appeal his conviction that he broke the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act in his purchase of some surplus city property in 2008.  The purchase took place while he was a city councillor.   His lawyer Chantelle Bryson,  says her client is thrilled that the appeal has been granted noting the case has some novel issues to explore.  

NAN not happy with Feds Report

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is less than pleased with the Federal Government and a report it plans to send to the United Nations.  NAN is upset the Government failed to consult First Nations in their report on combating discrimination.  That report is set to go to the UN this week.  NAN is also sending the United Nations their own report on the discrimination First Nations face and the denial of their fundamental rights.

Memorial planned for former mayor

The city is giving you the chance to pay your respects to Dusty Miller. The former mayor died last week at the age of 82. City Clerk John Hannam says there will be a public memorial service Friday afternoon at the Community Auditorium.  He calls it a unique opportunity to honour someone who has given quite a bit to the city.  The doors to the auditorium will open at 1:15 and the service starts at 2 o'clock

Noront Resources Open House Thursday

You can have your say tonight at an open house for Noront's Eagle's Nest mining project.  Chief Operating Officer Paul Semple says public feedback on their project so far has been positive.  The open house is being held at the Travelodge from 5 until 9 Thursday night.

Critic pays visit to T.Bay

The Liberal Aboriginal Affairs Critic says a regional approach is needed to move the Ring of Fire project forward. Dr. Carolyn Bennett issued the comment following a briefing in Thunder Bay on Tuesday. Bennett says they need everyone on the same page. Bennett met with advisers of area Chiefs and Council.

Dryden in trouble

Dryden has been red flagged by the provincial government.  The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing paid council a rare visit last night to update it on the city's current financial situation.  Spokesperson Susan Fraser says Dryden hasn't filed a Financial Information return in 3-years.  The province is already withholding 3.4-million dollars in funding for the city and the grant allocations for 2010 and 2011 haven't been calculated.

Mauro pays tribute to Miller

Former Thunder Bay mayor Dusty Miller is being remembered across the province. Miller died last week after a lenghty illness she was 82. In the Ontario Legislature, provincial member of parliament Bill Mauro paid tribute to Miller.

Fire Marshall investigates Sandy Lake Fire

The office of the Fire Marshall is expected to arrive in Sandy Lake First Nation today to survey the damage caused by a large fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School.  Nishnawbe-Aski Police received an anonymous report of a fire on Sunday afternoon.  The fire caused extensive fire, smoke and water damage.  No one was injured.  An initial investigation shows that the fire started in the storage and supply room area.

Campbell on region's Oxy addiction

The Provincial Government is being asked to come up with a strategy to help people addicted to prescription drugs.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell rose in the Ontario Legislature this morning to ask the Health Minister to take action.  Campbell says while it has been announced that Oxycontin will no longer be produced, there are still many people who will have to deal with the devastating impacts of their addiction to the drug.

Oversight leaves 7 million out of budget

At first it looked like a major blunder but an apparent 7 million dollar oversight was just a timing issue.  Administration informed council Tuesday night that the capital investment for the Emergency Services Shared Facilities plan was left out of the document.  City Clerk John Hannam says the funds were approved after the document was put together and since the capital investments are paid for through reserve funds it won't affect the tax rate. Hannam says much of the funding will come from the EMS reserves which is meant for these types of expenditures.

City Council approves 2012 budget

The city's budget is another step closer to being in the books.  Council voted 11-2 in favour of accepting the document at Tuesday night's meeting.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto voted against the budget saying we keep going to the tax payer when maybe its time to look at city staffing.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says its a very lean budget that does go after the deplorable state of our roads, and because of that its a great document. The document comes with a tax increase of 2.67 percent and will be ratified March 5th.

Councillors take aim at staff hirings

The hiring of city staff is taking heat from our elected officials. At Tuesday night's budget meeting came to an end a couple of councillors made the case that with 80 percent of the budget coming from wages, maybe its time to stop the hiring of new staff. Councillor Aldo Ruberto says we keep hiring staff and putting it on the shoulders of the tax payers, maybe its time for a wage freeze. Councillor Ken Boshcoff also spoke up about staff numbers.

Council puts off budget increase

A potential 84 thousand dollar budget increase won't be decided until March 5th.  Council voted to defer the increase so they can find out more information about where the money will be going.  Councillor Larry Hebert asked for the increase to be given to a number of not for profit organizations.  Mayor Hobbs didn't want to make a decision until he learned which organizations were asking for the funds.

Off duty cop helps capture suspect

Police now have a suspect in custody in connection with Monday night's Mac's Convenience Store robbery on Beverly Street They say that at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon an off duty OPP officer helped nab a shoplifting suspect who ran out from a city electronics store. Police say it turns out he was the person they were looking for in connection with the Mac's robbery. He is now charged.

Do you recognize this man?

Thunder Bay Police are hoping you can help lead them to the arrest of the person responsible for Sunday nights Mac's Convenience Store robbery on Syndicate Avenue.  They have released this surveillance camera photo.

OPSEU sounds warning bells

You can add the Ontario Public Service Employees Union to the growing list of organizations panning Don Drummond's report.  OPSEU Spokesperson Brenda Clapp says they're worried the Government might take the report's suggestion to privatize parts of Service Ontario.  Clapp says if that happens confidentiality will go out the window as well as good jobs in communities across the Province.

DSSAB funding program

The District Social Services Board wants to provide money to local organizations working on improving child poverty.  CAO Melissa Harrison says the money is available from their Community Social Reinvestment Fund.  It will go towards food security programs, school readiness initiatives and homelessness prevention.  The deadline to apply is March 2nd.