Mayor Wants Vacant Buildings Assessed

The mayor says it may be time to look at the status of vacant buildings in the city.  Following this week's wall collapse at the abandoned Empire Hotel Keith Hobbs is concerned there may be more danger lurking around other such buildings, so they should be assessed.   He calls it a concern that requires proactive measures.  The city will be demolishing the rest of the Empire this weekend.  

Fire Hazard Low To Moderate

The Far north continues to be the hot spot for forest fires.  The Ministry of Natural Resources is monitoring several lightning-caused fires burning in remote locations.  The MNR is also looking at possible new starts in the southern portion of the region due to recent lightning.  The fire hazard remains low to moderate across the region.

Fatality In Falcon Lake

One person is dead and another has been taken to hospital following a bizarre incident at the Falcon Lake Campground in eastern Manitoba.  The RCMP say a 45-year-old Quebec man was early this morning after a tree fell on a tent.  Corporal Miles Hiebert says severe weather is likely to blame.  The Mounties says a 44 year old woman has been taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  The name of the person who was killed is not going to be released by police.

TBRRI New Board Chair

The Regional Research Institute is getting a new Board Chair.  Dr. Gary Polonsky was the founding director of the organization and will be back at the helm.  Polonsky is replacing Keith Jobbitt.

Empire Hotel Gets The Wrecking Ball

The City is hiring a contractor to demolish the Empire Hotel.  It's being torn down later this week after a wall collapsed on Tuesday night.  The cost of the demolition will be the building owner's responsibility.

Mac's Robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a suspect in an early morning robbery of the Oliver Road Mac's Convenience Store. The man got away with cash and merchandise. No one was hurt. Police are describing the suspect as tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a red ball cap and a long sleeved green shirt. Police say he was last seen heading north bound on Oliver towards Ontario Street.

Shelter House Wants CPC Support

Shelter House is looking for the Crime Prevention Council's support in getting the City to sell them the old EMS building on Donald Street.  Executive Director Patty Hajdu says any support will help them with their cause.  Shelter House has asked the Crime Prevention Council to write a letter in support of the managed alcohol program.

Second Hospital VP Resigns

The president of the  Regional Health Sciences Centre is confirming a second senior executive has resigned   Andree Robichaud says that Lori Marshall is no longer working at the hospital.   She joins senior vice president Scott Potts who have both recently left under a cloud of community suspicion. .  Robichaud says she doesn't want to taint their legacy with rumours and allegations.   Robichaud says she is confident patient care will not be affected by the recent resignations of both senior staff and doctors.

Mauro Appeal Denied

It appears to be the end of the line for Jim Mauro.   The city police sergeant's appeal of his demotion to constable for one year has been turned down by the provinces Civilian Police commission.   Mauro had been found guilty of discreditable conduct in connection to a letter he presented at a labour hearing.  No reason was given for the dismissal.

Empire Hotel Wall Collapses

The City will be investigating the collapse of a wall at the Empire Hotel on Simpson Street.   The wall came down last night and Licensing and Enforcement Manager Ron Bourret says they've had their eye on the vacant building for sometime.  Bourret says they'll be getting an engineers report on the structure of the building.

OPP Report Body Found

OPP say they have found the body of 26 year old cliff diver Larry Larivee.  Police were called to the McKenzie River last night after someone said they found a body.  The cause of death at this time is unknown and a post mortem has been ordered.

Outlive Yourself Campaign Coming To T.Bay

Now that summer is here, more and more people are either biking or running across the country for a cause. Cayse Ruiter cycled into Kenora recently as part of his Outlive yourself campaign to raise awareness about organ donation.  Ruiter is continuing his journey and hopes to be in Thunder Bay today.

Provincial Education Awards

A provincial school association is honouring two Thunder Bay residents.  Laura Sylvestre and Carolos Santander-Maturana received the Ontario Public School Board Association's achievement awards at last night's school board meeting.  The awards recognize their outstanding efforts in public education.

Public School Board Budget Passes

The Lakehead Public School Board's 132 million dollar budget is in the books.  The 2013-2014 budget puts money towards full day Kindergarten and information technology.  Other spending highlights include a mental health and addictions strategy and a promise to provide social workers in schools.  The school board now has to present their budget to the Provincial Government's Ministry of Education.

C of C Prez Like Report

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce appears encouraged by the latest economic report from Lakehead University.   Charla Robinson says the study results will be useful in helping move forward and is encouraged by its recommendations. Among the recommendations Robinson is happy with is the establishment of a mining supply association and is impressed that the report shows the Aboriginal population is critical to the city's economic future and requires more study.

Study Makes Economic Recommendations

A Lakehead University study  is making several recommendations to help the city's economy move forward.  It was done for Thunder Bay Ventures and manager Royden Potvin says it lays out a blueprint which he hopes is taken seriously by the movers and shakers in the community.  He says strategies are needed to attract private business.  Among the recommendations is one which says we should increase the availability of professionals and skilled labour and another calling for more study into the economic contributions of the Aboriginal population.

Hobbs Not Down With Potvin Comment

 The mayor isn't liking recent comments by the manager of Thunder Bay Ventures.  Royden Potvin says the latest Small Business Survey shows almost 60 per cent of those questioned say city council is not doing a good job representing their business.  Potvin says that city council has an image problem.  But Mayor Keith Hobbs says he doesn't know what image problem Potvin is talking about. Hobbs is especially miffed at Potvin' s comments since the latest report to the community shows the city running efficiently on all cylinders saying " maybe he needs to come and talk to us".

City Ready To Host Canada Day Party

 Canada Day is quickly approaching and the city is ready to throw another party at Marina Park.   City Events Coordinator Doug Henry says it will again be the biggest mass gathering of people in the city all year, with up to 20 thousand people expected to attend.  The parade will be returning, but it will be held within the friendly confines of Prince Arthur's Landing at Marina Park.   As always, a fireworks display will wrap up the day's  festivities.  

Council Doesn't Meet Small Business Needs: Survey

The latest survey from Thunder Bay Ventures should be a concern to city councillors.    Manager Royden Potvin says the study indicates the city should pay attention to the needs of small business and that city council has an image problem. The survey indicates council is not meeting the needs of business. On a positive note half the  businesses questioned expect to hire more employees in the next year and that overall, there are more positive responses to questions this year than in some previous years.  

Greenstone Finalizes Budget

Greenstone is finalizing its 2013 budget.  There won't be an increase in the total taxes raised from 2012 to this year.  Officials say it was hard to keep the taxes down with the increased costs in utilities, policing, & water and sewer.