Dryden Allows ATVs

The City of Dryden is allowing the use of All-Terrain vehicles on certain streets and roads.  A motion to revamp the current by-law was approved after considerable debate on Monday.  Mayor Craig Nuttall was in favour of the changes.  One restriction in the bylaw is that ATV's can't be used after 11 o'clock.

Autumnwood Drive Is Best City Block

Thunder Bay's Best City Block is Autumnwood Drive.  The Kiwanis Club and City Parks Division helped select the winning street.  Spokesperson Jim Kalyta says it has that "WOW" factor.  The winning neighbourhood will receive a plaque at a special block party tonight.

Drivers Disobey Signs

Thunder Bay police are warning north side drivers to respect the road closure on Algoma Street at Camelot.   Traffic Sgt. Glen Porter says Union Gas is  doing some underground work and many drivers aren't obeying the signs.  He says people are ignoring all the signs and driving into oncoming traffic.   Porter says they handed out about 25 tickets yesterday will be there today to nab violators.

Impaired Charge Laid After Accident

A woman is out of hospital, but facing an impaired driving charge after a traffic accident during the supper hour last evening on High Street just up from Oliver Road.  Police say the woman's car partially destroyed a retaining wall along the street.  Part of High between Oliver and Bay Street had to be closed for a short time so police could deal with the incident.

2013 Police Report

Police Services Board

Thunder Bay's Police Service is out with its 2013 report.  Police Chief J.P. Levesque provided an update to the police board this morning echoing findings from Statistics Canada that show the City's Crime Severity Index fell by 17 percent. Levesque says more attention needs to be paid to the underlying causes of crime. Levesque attributes the decline in crime to hard work.

911 Goes High Tech

911 service is going high tech.  The local Police Service is working on updating its technology in order to track the location of cell phone made 911 calls.  City Police Chief JP Levesque says they're also working on bringing the ability to text 911.  The new modern 911 service will be in place starting next year.

Great Dane Causes Commotion

It was a dog day afternoon at Prince Arthur's Landing on Monday afternoon.  That's when a black and white great dane got away from his master and starting running about.    Witnesses first saw the big dog running loose on  Park Avenue and then down Water street and then to the marina.  Eventually the owner retrieved the pet by coaxing it into a vehicle.

T.Bay Golf Classic Coming Soon

Whitewater Golf Club is going to play host for the next three years to PGA Tour Canada.  Thunder Bay Golf Classic Executive Director Scott Smith says the tournament will take place July 14th next year and is expected to bring in thousands of spectators.  The tournament will draw Canada's biggest names and upcoming stars in the golf world.  There will be a qualifying event for local golfers who want to try their luck against the pros.

Big Private Donation For Law School

The Paterson Foundation is coming  through in a big way for Lakehead University.  The foundation is giving LU 1 million dollars to help pay for renovations to the new Faculty of Law building on Red River Road, formerly Port Arthur Collegiate.  In turn the main auditorium at the school will be called the John N. Paterson Faculty of Law Auditorium. 

Accountant Recognized

A Thunder Bay number cruncher is getting recognition from his peers. Camillo Lento has been given an award of distinction from the professional accountants in Ontario.  He will be presented with the honour at a special event in Toronto on Thursday.

Dryden Pharmacist To Stand Trial

There will be a trial for Dryden pharmacist Rob Button. Button was charged in 2012 for trafficking morphine following a two month investigation. He was committed to trial after a preliminary hearing in Dryden yesterday.  Button has opted for a trial by judge and jury which will be held in Kenora.

Early Morning Accident

Emergency crews were called to the scene of a three vehicle accident north of the Thunder Bay Expressway on Wardrope Avenue near Balsam Street just after 8 o'clock this morning.  The collision involved taxi van, a car and an SUV.  One man was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

City Getting Report On Pets

City Council is going to get a report back looking at how they can better enforce animal by-laws.  The report however isn't going to include Councillor Roberto's request looking at putting a limit on the number of pets a person can own.  The report will come back in December.

Man Rescued

Some quick work by EMS Paramedics and Thunder Bay Police during an incident just after midnight.  Emergency crews managed to pull an intoxicated man from the water below the underpass near 300 Donald Street.  The 42-year old male was taken to Thunder Bay Regional and treated for hypothermia.

OLG Deal Ratified

City Council is ratifying it's new deal with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.  The new deal includes an extra 84-thousand dollars from the local Casino's table game revenue.

More Food For Council

City Council is going to have several more meals at their weekly meetings.  They voted to allow food to be provided for meetings that start at 5:30 rather than the previous rule to only serve food at meetings that are held at 5.  Meals per meeting run around 200 to 300 dollars. Councillor Rebecca Johnson voted against the move and says people should be able to grab food on their way to the meeting.  Meanwhile, Councillor Ken Boshcoff voted for the move and says not offering food at later meetings might put people off from running for council.

Gravelle Playing Defence

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is playing defence after both opposition parties attacked the Liberals over their inaction on the conversion of the local power plant.  Gravelle says PC Leader Tim Hudak doesn't know the facts.

LU Gets Research Grants

Lakehead University researchers are receiving more than 1.5 million dollars from a national research council. The money will be used for research projects looking into new media, First Nations renewable energy initiatives, economic development, and weight biases.

Report On Pet By-Laws Coming To Council

City Council is going to get a report back looking at how they can better enforce animal by-laws.  The report however isn't going to include Councillor Aldo Roberto's request looking at putting a limit on the number of pets a person can own.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says council voted down looking at the quantity of pets.  Many Councillors were not comfortable with telling people how many pets they can have. The report will come back in December.

Robbery Attempt At Tokyo House

Another robbery attempt in the city, but this time the thief got away empty handed.  Police say a man, holding a knife, entered the Tokyo House restaurant on West Arthur Street last night around 9 o'clock and demanded money. Employees attempted to subdue the man, but he escaped.  There were no injuries in the incident. The robber, described to be around 27-years old, was last seen running northbound towards Donald Street.