Tourist info centres closing

The full impact of the Provincial budget is just starting to be felt. The Government has announced that its closing the Tourist Bureau on Highway 17 west at the Ontario-Manitoba boundary. That's one of three tourism centres being closed across the region. The Tourist Information Centre in Fort Frances at the Canada-U.S. border is being shut down along with the one in Rainy River. The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership is blaming low visitor numbers for the decision to close the centres.

March weather amazes

No surprise here as March is being touted as one of the warmest months on record in northwestern Ontario. Our meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says it's something we may not see for some time. He says a similar weather pattern happened about 60 years ago.  Laidlaw says in all his years of weather forecasting he hasn't seen anything like it.

Donor dollars needed more than ever

Last week's Ontario budget could mean the Health Science's Foundation may need to become more relevant than ever. Board chair Brian McKinnon says the austerity measures in the budget indicate donor dollars will be more important to raise for expensive hospital equipment.  The Foundation recently honoured its donors.

Polar Bear Plunge a Success

The Third Annual Polar Bear Plunge took place yesterday at Prince Arthur's Landing. Lots of people came out to watch brave participants jump or run into the freezing cold waters. The event, hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, raised funds for Ontario Special Olympics. Event organizer and corrections officer, Warren Giertuga, was the first one in the water. Army, navy, firefighters, police, and corrections workers all helped out with the event, making sure that participants were able to get dry and warm as fast as possible out of the water. Giertuga is happy with the turnout and already looks forward to next year's event.

Westgate tops local high schools

Westgate High School is on top in the latest Fraser Institute's local high school rankings. The organization says that Westgate is on the list of the 20 fastest improving high schools in the province. The Institutes report card uses information from the annual province wide math and literacy tests by the Ontario government's Education Quality and Accountability Office. It shows that Westgate made gains over the last five years in the area of academic math. Provincially the survey shows the school ranks 144 out of 718 schools. The local results can be found here.

Westfort incident ends peacefully

A 37 year old man is in police custody following an incident in Westfort Friday afternoon. Police say they were called before 3 o'clock about a man who may have been in distress and may have had a weapon. This drew in the Emergency Task Unit who then managed to get the man to surrender peacefully. He was taken to the Health Sciences Centre for an assessment. They say firearms were located in the home.

Dawson Road could be put off

It looks like Dawson road traffic may not be discussed Monday night after all.  A motion to create a community safety zone on Dawson Road to protect residents from fast moving transport truck traffic is on the agenda but a new motion is being put forward asking discussion to be put off until April the 16th.  No word on why the move is being made but council originally decided to call for a length restriction on vehicles on the road which was shot down by the Ministry of Transportation.

Power to remain in Thunder Bay

Michael Power is staying in Thunder Bay.  His resignation from the Health Sciences Centre and the Regional Research Institute was announced yesterday and Power says he will be opening an office her that will include a support staff.  Our newsroom has been told as many as 7 people could be hired for the Elekta office and Power says it should be up and running by this fall.  Power says his 16 years at the hospital were nothing short of great and is proud of what the Cancer Centre has accomplished during that time.  His resignation takes effect in May. 

Ice Edge Holdings back in the Coyotes Saga

Ice Edge Holdings has been reborn and could be in line to run an AHL team, just not in Thunder Bay.  CEO Anthony LeBlanc said via Twitter, Ice Edge has discussed a plan B with the City of Glendale if the Phoenix Coyotes are relocated.  LeBlanc went on to say his priority is to see the Coyotes remain in the desert.  Possible locations for the Coyotes if they do move are Seattle, Quebec City or Saskatoon.  Quebec City is thought to be the front runner with a new 18 thousand seat arena in the works.  LeBlanc said during Thursday night's Dudley Hewitt Cup Dinner that they remain committed to bringing a professional team to Thunder Bay.

Time to name the worst road in Thunder Bay

Sick and tired of the state of a local road or fed up with endless pot holes? Here's your chance to take some action and cast your vote in the Annual Ontario Worst Roads campaign. Spokesperson Korey Kennedy says the campaign is extremely effective.  He says 90 per cent of roads nominated to the annual list are repaired or are slated for repair.   You can now vote for the worst road and nominations will be accepted until April 24th. (To vote go to www.worstroads.ca)

Rickford says FedNor is safe

Conservative MP Greg Rickford is defending the federal budget from area critics who say it will result in the demise of FedNor. Rickford says nothing could be farther from the truth.  He says the regional development program  remains in good shape and reports to the contrary are "disappointing".  Rickford says the budget is designed to draw a balance between keeping the deficit in check and jobs growth. 

MP says budget is on the wrong track

The federal budget is getting the thumbs down from NDP MP John Rafferty. Rafferty says he's disappointed that the government has increased the amount of goods you can bring back duty free from the United States. He's also critical about what he says is a 10 per cent reduction in money for FedNor and a loss of public service jobs.  Rafferty calls the budget a disappointment for the people of northern Ontario

KI wins mining dispute

The Ontario government has settled a dispute over mineral exploration near a northwestern First Nation by buying the land. Toronto-based God's Lake Resources agreed to surrender its mining lease and claims near the KI First Nation.  As a result of the $3.5-million sale, God's Lake Resources does not own any mineral exploration interests.

Arson arrest made

Police are hoping they have put an end to a series of arsons in the city with the arrest of a 17 year old youth.  He's been charged with three counts of arson and damaging property.  It's in connection with two fires on Regina Avenue and one on John Street Road a couple weekends back.   He is still in custody and has a court day this morning

Plasma Donar Clinic closing in Tbay

Thunder Bay Plasma Donors won't have a place to donate anymore.  Effective April 12th the clinic here is closing its doors.  Officials with Canadian Blood Services say a lack of demand for plasma is the reason for the closure and all 28 full and part time employees will be affected.

Winning 50 million dollar ticket is validated

The search is over. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation says the holder of the 50 million dollar lottery ticket purchased in Thunder Bay will be named in the next several days. OLG spokesperson Dita Kuhtey says the winner has come forward and validated the ticket. Kuhtey won't release any other information about the ticket holder.

Cancer Care Ontario opens office in Tbay

Cancer Care Ontario is setting up shop in Thunder Bay.  Vice President Rick Skinner says the first satellite office outside of Toronto is now open and will develop and test new software to be used across the province.   Skinner says with Thunder Bay's emerging technology industry, placing the office here is the absolute best choice. 

Rec centre vandalized

Damage is estimated at up to 10 thousand dollars after vandals hit the Current River Rec Centre overnight. Police say a security guard called them after noticing someone had broken in. They say windows had been broken and that a fire extinguisher was set off. Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds says the incident angers him.

Michael Power resigns

One of the most influential people at the Regional Health Sciences Centre is parting ways with the organization.  Michael Power has resigned from his position as Executive Vice President, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management.  Power accepted a position with the medical technology company Elekta as the North America Vice President.

Catholic Board weighs in on funding

The Provincial Government is increasing the amount of money it gives school boards by 1.7 percent.  Catholic School Board Spokesperson Tom Mustapic says they don't know what that means for them.  The increase in funding comes at other cost savings measures announced in the budget including amalgamating school boards and closing under-used schools.  Meanwhile, the Province is capping the number of credits students can take in their fifth year.  It's part of a cost saving plan included in Tuesday's Provincial budget.