Ignace Political Drama

A political drama is brewing in Ignace. Council will hold a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss what to do with the Mayor's seat. Lee Kennard submitted a resignation letter to the municipal clerk on January 27th but he decided to withdraw that letter 5-days later. Council declared the office of the Mayor vacant on February 6th, sparking a debate on whether Kennard should return as Mayor. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says Council handled the situation correctly. Several options now lie on the table including holding a by-election, appointing a councilor as Mayor or appointing Lee Kennard as Mayor.

NAN on education motion

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is applauding the Federal Government's unanimous vote to improve aboriginal education.  The N-D-P motion calls on the government to put First Nations schools on an equal footing with provincial schools, but is vague on details.  The motion is named after a former youth leader from Attawapiskat First Nation.

Klusterhuis anticipates Global Sticks return

The Mayor of Oliver Paipoonge is happy to hear news that Global Sticks is set to reopen again.  Lucy Klusterhuis says the business is important to her community.  Layoffs were announced at the plant back in October. 

RMG call centre linked to scandal

There's a Thunder Bay connection to the robo calls scandal on Parliament Hill.  The RCMP is probing allegations that voters in dozens of ridings were either misled or discouraged from casting their ballots.  The Responsive Marketing Group call centre in Thunder Bay is linked to some of the calls.  The RCMP have not returned our calls.

Illegal weapon found at mall

Police found an illegal weapon after paying a visit to the Intercity Mall yesterday to investigate a shoplifting incident.  While searching the man, police found a small pen like tool.  They put the modified flare gun down and it fired a .22 calibre round off into the air.  No one was injured and the man is going to be charged with several weapons charges.

Hotel project approved

There's a new hotel coming to Thunder Bay. It didn't take a lot of arm twisting for city councillors to approve the re-zoning for a new hotel to be located on property in front of the Superstore on the Harbour Expressway. A representative of Thompson Centres told councillors Monday night it will be a Marriott Town Place Suites hotel worth about 18 million dollars. Construction is expected to start in April. The project comes with another component which would include a Harvey's Restaurant and construction on that portion could start as early as the summer.

Thunder Bay Principal gets provincial award

A big honour for a local principal.  The Learning Partnership is pegging Johnathon Kakegamic of Franklin Cramarty School as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for the year.  Kakegamic will receive an honourary Aboriginal Award for his leadership.  The award will be given to Kakegamic Tuesday in Toronto.  As part of the award the 41 principals from across Canada will take part in a week long leadership training program in Toronto.

Ski operators happy with snow

There is at least one industry that is happy with the snow.  Ward Bond of Loch Lomond Ski Hill says its great for skiing.  Bond says this amount of snow will just help keep all the area ski centres going longer.

Police investigating assault

Thunder Bay are investigating after a 27 year old woman was assaulted at the Landmark Inn.  The woman was found in the lobby yesterday morning and officers arrested a 29 year old man who is now facing charges.  The woman was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Outdoor show does well

Calling it a good sign for local businesses, Nancy Milani of the Chamber of Commerce says the weekend outdoor show attracted close to 16 thousand people and calls it a good sign for local businesses.  She hopes to keep the momentum going into next year.

More snow possible this week

Weather forecasters are saying we received up to 18 centimetres of snow in Sunday's storm.  Meteorologist Jeff Coulson says it depends on where you live. He says the airport officially recorded 12 centimetres while some of Environment Canada's volunteer observers in the outlying areas recorded  to 18 centimetres.  Coulson says another system is being tracked in the United States that could bring us more snow on Wednesday.

Big plowing job ahead

City streets are now being plowed after yesterday's snowstorm. City Road's manager Brad Adams says it's in full swing with all the main routes finished. He says they're now moving onto the side streets. Sidewalks are also being plowed.  Adams says all streets should be completed in three days with all sidewalks opened in five days.

Two people vying for Dryden seat

It's early but the Dryden Council by-election is in full swing. Former Councilor Gwen Kurz has declared her candidacy and says she's gained some useful skills during her time away from Council Chambers.  Former Police Chief Shayne MacKinnon is also in the running and he is banking on his experience. One Council seat is available and the mail-in vote is May 14th.

Doctor woes in Rainy River

The Mayor of Rainy River is headed to Toronto this week looking for help in her community's search for more doctors.Mayor Deb Ewald says the meeting comes as the community's lone doctor has announced plans to end his practice this April.Ewald says she was hoping to meet directly with Health Minister Deb Matthews in Toronto, but instead has a session with her Parliamentary Assistant.

The digging out begins

It's clean up time.  The last 24 hours have brought us our first snowstorm of the winter season.   All highways in the region are open .  Highway 527 was the only roadway closed because of the storm but has since re-opened.   City Transit buses were hauled off the streets during the height of the storm last night and are running this morning, but manager Brad Loroff says expect some delays.  Police were asking people to stay off the roads so the plows could do their job.  Major roadways have been plowed overnight, but many side streets are not.   As for schools.....all school buses  are cancelled for the day.   Rural schools are closed...city schools are open for working parents who want to leave their child at school for the day.   The Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed.

Police recommend you stay off the roads

Both Thunder Bay city police and the OPP are asking people to stay off the roads and highways if they don't have to travel. So far no highways have been closed but the OPP say that visibility and snow covered roads are a concern. City police say they want people to stay off the roads until the city crews have an opportunity to plow them Meantime a decision on school busing will be made early in the morning.

Snowfall Warning in Effect

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the area. 10 to 15 centimeters are expected today, snow falling heavy at times. Wind becoming east at 30 km/h in the morning and blowing snow in the afternoon.

Kirby Wants Change to Safe Streets Act

A Kenora lawyer isn't giving up his crusade to get some changes made to the federal government's Safe Streets Act. Peter Kirby says he's worried that the act will result in more people going to jail. Kirby has launched a petition asking for changes to the criminal code.

MP Rickford Says Diversification is Key

The population in northwestern Ontario needs a kick-start and Member of Parliament Greg Rickford believes diversification is the key. Rickford admits the downturn in the forest sector has taken its toll on the region, but he believes the federal government has a role in turning that trend around. The most recent census showed the population in the Kenora District shrank by 11 percent, largely due to the decline in the forest industry.

Another leadership hopeful visits

The latest candidate for the NDP Leadership says he thinks our local MP's shouldn't have been punished for voting in favour of abolishing the gun Registry.  Martin Singh says its all about democracy.  He thinks both Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty have clearly been representing their constituents and shouldn't be punished for that.   Singh hosted a meet and greet Friday.