Brodie Street bus terminal comes to a close

The south downtown will have a new bus terminal starting tomorrow. The Brodie Street terminal is closing for good today to make room for the Consolidated Courthouse. Transit Manger Brad Loroff says as of the end today City Hall will be the new location for the south bus terminal. Loroff says the terminal will remain at City Hall until the Violet and North Street location is ready.

Forest Allocation competition comes to an end

The deadline to place bids for 11 million cubic metres of Ontario Forest has come and gone. The forest allocation competition started last November and there were a number of proposals put forward. Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says most of the bids came from companies in the North and many from smaller companies focused on the value added side of the industry. Gravelle hopes to see recommendations from his ministry within 6 months.

Canadian Cancer Society gearing up for Relay For Life

The Canadian Cancer Society has officially kicked off the Relay For Life. The annual kickoff breakfast took place this morning and Chair Elizabeth Stafford says everyone is encouraged to take part in the event and can find more information at the Canadian Cancer Society's website. Stafford says she hopes to see 85 teams enter this years relay that takes place June 18th.

Patrick Molesti to appear in another court hearing

The man accused of trying to buy a 5 year old online will be back in court tomorrow (Wed). 56 year old Patrick Molesti will have another detention review hearing to determine if he can be legally held in Canada. Canada Border Services Spokesperson Kris Kealey says this review will determine whether Molesti will remain in Thunder Bay. Kealey says Molesti will eventually face an admissibility hearing that will determine whether he will remain in Canada or be deported to the US. That hearing hasn't been scheduled.

Thunder Bay's Archives are open to the public

Your in luck if you want to get an inside look at Thunder Bay's history. Its Archive awareness month and the City's Archives are open to the public. City Archivist Mat Szybalski says everyone is welcome to come down and get tours of the archives from 11 am to 2 pm all week. Szybalski says their will be displays highlighting the fire department and emergency measures organization and some of the City's oldest records.

The loss of the Home Retrofit program is a major blow for the environment

Last week's cancellation of the Home Retrofit program is being called a major blow to the environment. EcoSuperior's Ellen Mortfield says it was a very popular program, helped a lot of people increase the efficiency of their homes and the loss of the federal grants is troubling.  Mortfield says there is some good news however, as it appears the provincial government will continue to fund its portion of the program.

Warm up to prevent injury during spring yard cleanup

When you head out to get the spring cleaning done, its a good idea to warm up to prevent injury. Doctor James DiGiuseppe at the Port Arthur Chiropractic Centre says yard work is a vigorous activity and shouldn't be taken lightly. He says doing some light stretches is a good way to warm up and prevent injury. More information can be found on the Ontario Chiropractic Association's website.

Another person dies after falling through thin ice

Another person has died after falling through the ice in Northwestern Ontario. Greenstone OPP say the latest incident happened on Upper Jobrin Lake 40 kilometres north of Longlac. A 48 year old Cochrane man died when a snowmobile fell through the ice yesterday. Two others were rescued and one was airlifted to the Health Sciences Centre. Warm weather has caused unsafe conditions and officials are urging people to stay off the ice.

March smashes record for warmest month on record

If March was any indication its going to be a blistering summer weatherwise. Last month saw records fall for both warmth and the least amount of snowfall in Thunder Bay. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says the average temperature last month was just over one degree which smashed the record previously set in 2000 at minus 0.5.  March also saw trace amounts of snow far less than 1992's record of 2.4 centemetres. 

Habitat for Humanity gearing up for a big year

Habitat for Humanity has a big year ahead of them. They will be auctioning off three playhouses at the Home and Garden show and have three building projects ahead of them as well.  CEO Diane Mitchell says three local families built play houses for auction.  Habitat will also be building two homes and renovating a third that will provide new homes for three families.

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue suspend burning permits

You won't be able to do any open burning for the Easter long weekend. Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Chief John Hay says all burning permits are suspended until conditions improve.  Hay says the warm dry spring is making conditions perfect for fires.  He says there needs to be significant rain and greening before permits will be reinstated.

Patrick Molesti will be staying in Thunder Bay

Patrick Molesti will remain in Thunder Bay for the foreseeable future. The man accused of trying to buy a 5 year old boy online maintains he's innocent but did admit he is a flight risk. The 56 year old appeared via video link in a Toronto courtroom yesterday to see if he could be legally held in Canada. Canada Border Services Officials expect Molesti will be deported to the states where he faces several charges.

More record temperatures in store for Northwestern Ontario

You can expect a mixed bag of weather for the long weekend. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says we could set new records for warmth for the next few days but Saturday we will see a change to cooler temperatures and rain.  Coulson says the sun will come back out Sunday and will bring the temperatures back up to the double digit mark.

Fort Frances man dies from a form of Mad Cow Disease

A Fort Frances man has died from a disease closely related to Mad Cow disease. The Northwestern Health Unit confirmed the man died from a rare form of Creutzfeldt  - Jakob's disease. Director of Health Protection – Arlene Lesenski says this form of disease is NOT linked to a another form contracted by eating tainted meat from cattle. The man died  last week.

Vancouver Police make arrest in connection with the death of a Thunder Bay woman

Vancouver police made an arrest in the murder of a former Thunder Bay resident. 45 year old Alexander Le Grace was arrested and is charged with second degree murder in the death of 43 year old Tammy-Lynne Cordone. Cordone was originally from Thunder Bay but was living in Vancouver at the time.

New MJLB Library unveiled

The wraps are now off the drawings for the new Mary J-L Black Library. It will be located next to the West Thunder Community Centre. Chief Librarian Gina La Force says the 92 hundred square foot facility will be spread out over 1 floor instead of two at the current location.  She says there will also be lots of windows to give it a bright feel.   La Force says the budget for the new library is 4.1 million dollars. Tenders are expected to go out shortly with completion set for this time next year.

Molesti video hearing set for Wednesday

A 56 year old American man has a detention hearing set for Wednesday at the District Jail. 56 year old Patrick Molesti was picked up by city police last week at the request of Canada Border Services. American officials want him in connection with a plot to buy a 5 year old boy on the internet. Services spokesperson Chris Kealey says the hearing is to determine whether he should remain in jail.  Kealey says Molesti will participate in via video conference with an Immigration and Refugee board adjudicator located in Toronto.   Another hearing has yet to be set on when Molesti will be sent back to the States.

Cops for Cancer set to go

The 14th annual Cops for Cancer fundraiser is set for May 8th at the Intercity Mall. That's where people get their head shaved and raise money in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Organizer Dana Levanto says they are looking for volunteers.   The goal is 30 thousand dollars.  Pictured: Constable Barry Ritch watching his son Jarvis get shaved by Shear Heaven stylist Rachel Parenteau with help from owner Aldo Ruberto.

Online voting decision in April

The decision on internet voting could be weeks away.  Friday is the deadline for companies who want to submit proposals to change the way we vote during city elections. City Clerk John Hannam says that includes a new ballot counting machine and a proposal for remote voting which could mean voting on the internet, by phone or by mail.  He says those proposals will be evaluated and on April 26th he  will report back to council on possible recommendations.  The idea is to increase voter turnout.

Proposal for smaller council shot down

Councillor Larry Heberts' proposal for a smaller council is dead in the water...at least for now. Councillors voted down his idea to reduce the size of council from 12 members to 8. But Hebert says all is not lost. He says councillors suggested that the idea be brought up after the new council is elected.  He says in that way a citizens committee can be formed to look how council is elected.  Hebert is satisfied that he drew attention to the issue.