Molesti lawyer frustrated by process

A Thunder Bay lawyer is complaining about the treatment her client is getting by Canadian Immigration. Lydia Stam is representing 59 year old Patrick Molesti. He's accused by American officials of trying to buy a 5 year old online and was recently captured in Thunder Bay. Stam says hearings have taken place and her client was moved out of Thunder Bay without her knowledge or presence. She is currently trying to get him a lawyer for his next detention hearing in Toronto Friday morning.   She says she is frustrated by what has happened.

Wind farm opponent scoffs at compromise

An opponent to the proposed Nor' Wester Mountains wind farm is turning tumbs down to a compromise by Horizon Wind. The company has offered to moved its turbines back by 1 kilometre. But area resident Margot Freitag says that's not good enough. She says there are Paragine Falcons there along with other endangered animal and plant life. Freitag also insists the mountain location is a health hazard

Shuniah highway upgrade announced

7 and a half kilometres of Highway 11/17 in Shuniah Township is getting upgraded. The federal and provincial governments are providing 3 and a half million dollars for the project. The area involved is beween Mackenzie and Birch Beach. The section is not considered part of the four laning project between Thunder Bay and Nipigon. It will continue to exist for local use once the new highway is completed.

Women's United Run all set

There's a new look and name for the annual womens' run. The Womens United Run, Stroll or Roll is once again being sponsored by Royal LePage Lannon Realty. Organizer Art Lannon is hoping the name change will get more women to participate. About 15 hundred women are expected to take part with money raised going to the United Way and a goal of 25 thousand dollars. The event takes place May 8th at Blvd Lake.

Police make arrest in cab driver robbery

A cab driver was the victim of a robbery Tuesday morning on the south side. Around 4 O'clock the driver dropped off two males in the 500 block of South Marks Street, when the males assaulted him and made off with some cash. Police arrested a 21 year old in connection but are still looking for the second suspect. The victim was taken to hospital and was treated and released.

Horizon makes changes to wind farm

Horizon Wind is offering an olive branch to those against the proposed Nor' Wester Mountains wind farm. The company has agreed to move its turbines 1 kilometre away from the nearest home. President Anthony Zwig says the move shows they are trying to be flexible and trying to find solutions that both sides can live with. At least one opponent says the compromise is not good enough.

Siemens awarded contract for Dorion wind farm

Siemens Energy has been awarded the contract for a wind power project just east of Thunder Bay. Dorion's Greenwhich wind energy park will have 43 turbines that will be built by Siemens. The project will power around 30 thousand homes in Ontario and officials expect it to be up and running by next summer.

Police respond to morning robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking for two men wanted in connection with a south side robbery this morning. Officers say two men entered a convenience around 2 o'clock and demanded the safe be opened. When the safe couldn't be opened one of the suspects took money from the till and fled.

No early problems for Donald St. terminal

Day one of the temporary Donald Street bus terminal is now in the books. According to Thunder Bay Transits' Ken Koza, riders were getting used to the new situation and it went smoothly on Wednesday.   The transit terminal will stay in front of City Hall until the Violet and North Street location is ready.   The temporary locations are needed in order to allow for the construction of the new consolidated courthouse.    There is the possibility the corner of Brodie and Donald may require a four way stop to control traffic.

Seniors centre opens woodworking shop

Seniors in the Kakabeka area now have a remodeled 60 Plus Centre to go to. The old Pineview school on Highway 11/17 had 225 thousand dollars worth of renovations done to house a woodworking shop. Project manager Bob McCluskey says it was a long time coming.   A total of 170 thousand dollars was granted from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Heritage Corporation.

George Jeffrey gets treatment cash

There are smiles all around at the George Jeffrey Children's Centre. The McGuinty government has come through with over a quarter million dollars for the facility. Executive Director Eiji Tsbouchi wasn't expecting the extra money. He says the government told provincial centres that with a 25 billion dollars deficit there wasn't likely to be any extra cash available. Most of the money will be going towards treatment programs

90 year old ash trees to be cut down

Say goodbye to the 14 ash trees on Arthur Street in front of Vickers Park. They will be cut down. City Forester Shelley Vecsio says there's some roadwork taking place there and those trees aren't needed anymore.  She says even if there wasn't any road construction,  the trees would have had to come down this year anyway having reached the end of their lifespan.  The trees are about 90 years old and are expected to be cut down starting next week.

LU students fueled up for car competition

Lakehead University students are set to make their mark in Michigan next month. The automotive engineers are entering an international competition with their new race car. One of those students is Trevor Farrow, and he's pumped. He says they're hoping to make the top 25 after winning rookie of the year honours last year. As well they have more sponsors this year along with and a team of 45 making them far more competitive. The event takes place May 12th to the 15th.

Beardmore is getting a new multi use centre

The town of Beardmore is getting a new multi use centre. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is investing over 650 thousand dollars to the project that is projected to be completed next March. The facility will include a municipal office, community meeting rooms, a public library, tourist information centre and office space. The project is expected to create about 30 construction jobs.

Thunder Bay Police officer facing charges

A Thunder Bay police officer has been charged under the Police Services Act. Sergeant James Mauro is charged with Deceit and Discreditable Conduct. Mauro is accused of forging a letter from the President of the Thunder Bay Police Association for an arbitration hearing in October. Mauro was suspended from duty March 26th.

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.