College president pleased with vote result

Faculty at Ontario's 24 colleges have accepted what the colleges called their final contract offer. The Ontario Labour Relations Board confirming that almost 51 and a half per cent accepted the offer in a vote across the province. Confederation College president Pat Lang is glad there will be no strike. Lang says in this day and age 5.9 per cent over three years is a fair contract

Waterloo man will now be sentenced in May

It will now be May 13th before 47-year-old Peter Fonteece will know his fate. The Waterloo man was in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Thursday to face a possible jail term in connection with the death of his wife in a city motel room a year ago. However the judge postponed sentencing. Fonteece was convicted of criminal negligence causing death. The crown says his failure to call for help after his wife Yanisa took 40 sleeping pills warrants jail.

Alex Auld put on waivers

Thunder Bays' Alex Auld has found himself in limbo again. The 29 year old goalie has been placed on waivers by the Dallas Stars. NHL clubs have until noon on Thursday to claim Auld. If that doesn't happen the Stars can keep him on their roster or send him to the minors. Auld is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July the first. He is making 1 million dollars for this current season. The Stars were able to make the move with the aquisition of Kari Lehtonen from Atlanta.

Conference addresses First Nations housing

Leaders from 11 northern tribal councils and more than 80 aboriginal communities are in Thunder Bay this week to share expertise and ideas on northern housing. The 8th annual First Nations housing conference is taking place at the Valhalla Inn. Organizer Richard Habinski says the gathering is designed to address issues related to housing in those communties. The conference wraps up Thursday.

Peng You pitches venture on Dragons' Den

A Thunder Bay businessman went on the TV show the Dragons Den to get support his venture. Peng You pitched his plan to mix martial arts learning and Chinese cooking. Under his plan he will come to your house or party and teach Tai Chi and cook at meal. He recently went on the popular program hoping to get one of the investors to back the idea. That program will air on Wednesday March 3rd. He was not allowed to tell us the results.

Quality Market's BYOB program has successful first year

Year one was a huge success for Quality Market's Bring Your Own Bag program. Co-owner David Stezenko says the program was created after the big chains started charging more for plastic bags so they decided to encourage customers to use reusable bags and donating money to local charities. The first year of the program raised almost 11,000 dollars for the Health Science's Centre, Camp Quality and the RFDA. This year the three charities are Eagle's Cry Life Centre, Shelter House and Habitat for Humanity.

Castlegreen looking for more $$$$$

The Castlegreen Housing Co-op is looking to the federal government for more funding. General Manager Sharon McKinnon says they just completed over a quarter million dollars of  patio doors improvements and now they have applied to Canada Mortgage and Housing for additional funds.   McKinnon says the money would go towards new windows and fuses boxes.

Peter Fonteece is in a Thunder Bay court room today.

The man who watched his wife commit suicide in a Thunder Bay Motel is in court today to find out how much time he will spend in jail. The Crown prosecution wants jail time for 47 year old Peter Fonteece who sat by while his severly depressed wife took 40 sleeping pills and died. Fonteece pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in December. The body of 38-year-old Yanisa Fonteece was discovered in a Super 8 Motel room after her husband phoned 9-1-1 a year ago.

Pat Lang returns to high school

The president of Confederation College went back to high school on Tuesday. Pat Lang was at Thunder Bay's Superior Collegiate to become principal for a day. Lang says it was to meet students who might be considering chosing Con College as a post secondary option. She said it was also to gain insight into the current high school experience. Lang accompanied principal Wayne Fletcher for the day.

Quit smoking promotion draws record participation

It appears that Thunder Bay smokers are driven to quit. The District Health Unit says its quit smoking promotion has attracted a record number of smokers. Almost 700 have registered in the contest with only five days left to enter. Participants are eligible to win a Ford SUV, a vacation or MasterCard gift cards.

Waterfront hotel project proving popular

The request for proposals to build a new hotel at Prince Arthurs Landing is only a week old and already there's been action. Developer Giselle MacDonald, of the Resolve Group, says there's been a significant amount of interest shown by hotel chains in North America that want to become part of the waterfront project adding,  they've received five or six expressions of interest.   MacDonald says the bid process will end on April 30th

Sleeping Giant Loppet set to go

Organizers are hoping to attract 800 to 1000 participants to this years edition of the Sleeping Giant Loppet (formerly the Sibley Ski Tour).   It will be taking place March 6th at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.  Cross country skiiers can choose from the 8 km mini loppet to the 50 km free technique which will see the fastest male and female participants win $1000 each.   This year the honour of bib #1 has been given to two people who have skied every year since the event began in 1978, Ron Lappage and Guy Latimer.

Hyer wants to bring back Via Rail

The move is on again to bring back passenger rail service to Thunder Bay. MP Bruce Hyer plans to introduce a private members motion on the issue when parliament resumes. Hyer says the time is right to restore the service saying it would reduce greenhouse gases, suppliment dwindling bus service and increase tourism.  Hyer hopes his motion brings attention to the issue.  It's been two decades since Via Rail service has come through Thunder Bay

PAGH closer to the wrecking ball

Officials at the Health Sciences Centre hope they will soon be one step closer to tearing down the old Port Arthur General. Spokesperson Scott Potts says they've issued a formal request for companies to submit demolition bids. Once that happens, Potts says other options can be reviewed.  That includes selling the land, developing it with another partner or keeping it for potential future uses.   The building has sat idle since the new hospital opened six years ago.

Valerie Pringle to speak on mental health

TV personality Valerie Pringle is coming to Thunder Bay next month. She is being invited to speak on the topic of mental health because her daughter Catherine was diagnosed with panic and anxiety disorder six years ago. She's expected to discuss some of the stigmas associated with those living with mental health and addictions. The event will be held at the Valhalla Inn March 22nd at 7 pm.

City set to compensate marina users

The City is trying to minimize the impact the Prince Arthur Landing construction is having on Marina users. Parks Manager Paul Fayrick says the work on waterfront development will definately impact the marina next season. Fayrick says boat owners who choose not to use the marina this year will have their 2011 fees waived by the city.

School bussing contracts up for renewal

School bussing contracts are being reviewed by both school boards in the city. Last night the Catholic Board renewed it's annual contracts at a cost of just over 5 million dollars. Spokesperson David Carroll says thats thats a 260 thousand dollars decrease from last year. He attributes that to lower fuel costs. The Public school board reviews it's bussing contract tonight

Thunder Bay councillors have short meeting

There are no bleary eyed city councillors this today.   They managed to make quick work of a short agenda last night getting home in time to watch the Olympics.    It did make for a light moment when some councillors decided to declare conflicts of interest on some rezoning issues starting with Iain Angus, which then moved on to Mark Bentz and then Larry Hebert. Councillors did manage to pass two minor rezoning amendments.

Kennel cough forces restrictions at the Humane Society

The Thunder Bay Humane Society has suspended all dog adoptions, and implimented other strict controls. It follows the discovery of the kennel cough virus among some of the dogs. Director Deb Cooper says it may take some time to get it under control as they treat the affected animals. She predicts anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. Cooper says that local vets are even asking dog owners to keep their pets out of the dog parks under the virus goes away.

First ever local food conference planned

For the first time ever Thunder Bay will be hosting a food conference. It will be headed up by local public health nutritionist Catherine Schwartz Mendez. She says the purpose is to strenghten the local food system. The conference will take place March 3rd and 4th at Lakehead University