River Terrace expansion approved

The River Terrace Development expansion is a done deal.  City councillors have voted to say yes to the growth of the subdivision inspite of the objection of the current residents. In a last minute effort to derail the project Councillor Brian McKinnon tried to have fellow councillors support an amendment which would have set up roadblocks for the developer, but it was soundly defeated.

Sidewalk and lighting contract a go

Almost one million dollars worth of sidewalk and lighting improvements  will be going ahead as planned.  A group of residents in the High and Parsons Street area held up approval of the contract for one week.  They didn't want a planned sidewalk being laid on the west side of  High Street.   However councillors voted to award the contract to Bay City Contractors which includes the High Street development.  Pictured:  City Engineering Manager Pat Mauro answers questions about sidewalk contract.

Taiji Park gets key city funding support

The proposed International Taiji Park on the city waterfront is one step closer to reality.   It comes after city councillors have voted to provide the group spearheading the  project close to 100 thousand dollars.   The total cost is pegged as about 200 thousand dollars.   The group has already raised 40 thousand on it's own and is hoping council's approval will help get extra funding from the provincial government.

St. Joe's working to solve detox problem

Talks are going on behind the scenes to get more beds at the Balmoral Detox Centre.   There has been a cry from Police Chief Bob Herman for more beds to help solve a shortage which he says hinders police on a regular basis.   In a presentation to city councillors St. Joseph's Care Group president and CEO Tracy Buckler said that  increasing capacity is always a challenge because it requires funding.  She says there have been some early discussions with the police and the city to see what can be done to make that happen.

City wants to go Age-Friendly

The city has voted to take the first step to become part of a new world movement. In a presentation to city councillors Monday evening a committee made the request to have the city declared an Age Friendly City. They say that because we are considered a city that is aging rapidly, it would be logical to make the declaration. It would create a policy environment that would cater to that segment of the population and ensure the city is a good place to grow old. The issue will be back to council May 31st for a final vote. Pictured: Ray Riley and Mary Kelly of the Age-Friendly-Thunder Bay Stakeholders Committee make their pitch to councillors.

CAW makes it's case

Ben Lefebvre and Paul Pugh of the Canadian Auto Workers Union state their case to city councillors in Thunder Bay Monday night. They pleaded for council's support in protesting the decision by Xtrata to close it's ore smelter in Timmins. Lefebvre says the decision is costing hundreds of jobs and eliminating a value added operation.

Protesters greet councillors

The River Terrace battle isn't dead yet. A handful of protesters with signs and slogans camped out in front of City Hall before Monday's city council meeting. They are against plans by a developer to expand the River Terrace Development next to the Regional Health Sciences Centre. In this photo protester Tom Molkoski sports a t-shirt that says "My Thunder Bay cares about the earth."

Bad medicine, city rockers won't open for Bon Jovi

A Thunder Bay band is disappointed it will not get to open for Bon Jovi in Winnipeg. Money Honey was in first place after internet voting but guitarist Michael Kondakow says in the end it didn't mean that much. The band thought that because they finished first that they would be the winner, but that wasn't the case. Kondakow feels that it only confused a lot of people. He believes it was Bon Jovi that had the final say on the winning entry.

Safeway stores take recalled meat off shelves

The latest concerns over recalled meats has affected Safeway stores in Thunder Bay. It's a voluntary recall by a company that makes a variety of pre-packaged Italian meat products. Safeway took them off the shelf Monday morning because of Listeria concerns. The Thunder Bay Health Units Christopher Beveridge says they are aware of the recall and that all inspectors have been alerted to it and will make special checks during their rounds. A list of the recalled meats can be found here.

Police Chaplain passes away

The Thunder Bay Police Service is without one of it's long standing members. Father Michael Dunnill died on the weekend at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, he was 77. Father Dunnill served as the police Chaplain since 1988. Police Chief Bob Herman says Dunnill's death leave a deep sense of loss in the organization. His funeral will take place at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street, Thursday morning at 11.

Woman dies in Atikokan house fire

One woman is dead following a weekend house fire in Atikokan. 31-year-old Amy Rachel Lee was inside a home that caught fire Saturday morning around 7:30.  An unidentified man was taken to Atikokan hospital and later transported to Winnipeg in serious condition. Atikokan Fire Department was on scene for nearly five hours before fire fighters were able to contain the blaze. The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and OPP are investigating it's cause.

Library unveils new look

The Thunder Bay Public Library is launching a new look. Along with the new logo goes a new attitude according to Chief Librarian Gina La Force. She says it will mean revamping everything from library cards to library letterhead and website. La Force is hoping the new look will attract new members who may think they know what the library is about but dismiss it as the world of yesterday, when in fact it's quite a modern and tech savvy organization. The new logo was designed by Generator Advertising. The cost of the change was 21 thousand dollars

Two dead after shooting in Whitefish Bay

Two people are dead after an incident on the Whitefish Bay First Nation. The OPP says officers responded after shots were fired in a house yesterday morning. When they arrived a 39 year old man was shot during a confrontation. The man was taken to hospital where he died. The SIU was called in to investigate the shooting and the OPP are also investigating after finding a body inside the house.

Hells Angels trying to re-establish in the city

The Hells Angels may be trying to actively recruit new members in Thunder Bay. Police put the biker gang on ice four years ago but spokesperson Chris Adams says there are indications that the criminal organization could be trying to gain a foothold again. He says they're continuing to monitor the activities of the gang and admits that the city remains a lucrative market in which they still have members present. Adams wouldn't comment on methods police are using to gain their information

No one hurt in school fire

Westmount school students have something to talk about this weekend. Their south side school had to be evacuated today after the contents of a garbage bin were set on fire in a boys washroom. The custodian put the fire out and then called the fire service. No one is hurt as the result of the incident.

Council being asked to support Timmins

One of the city's top labour leaders, who also happens to be a candidate for city council, speaks to councillors Monday evening.   Paul Pugh says he's asking for councils support in opposing the closure of the Xtrata ore smelter in Timmins. Pugh says it's an issue that affects all northerners.   Also Monday, councillors will be asked to grant almost 100 thousand dollars towards the construction of a Taiji monument at Marina Park and will be looking at the Community Garden Policy.

Lake Superior Place not dead

A local organization with it's own dreams for the waterfront isn't disappointed by the latest developments from city hall. Administration is recommending councillors put plans for Lake Superior Place on the backburner. President Laura Fralick understands the reasoning behind the move. She says the move indicates that the proposal is being taken seriously but it's happening at a time when the city just can't manage everything that's on it's plate right now. Fralick says while it may give the impression to the public the project isn't moving ahead, but that's not true adding, it's certainly not dead.

Police looking at possible robbery links

City police suspect the two cab driver robberies this week may be linked. This morning's incident began on Brock Street while Tuesday's was on Frederica. Spokesperson Chris Adams says that's not the only possible connection.  He says the descriptions of the men involved in both incidents are very similar, so police are looking at any possible connections seriously.   Adams says concerns over cab driver safety are also playing into the urgency of the case

Police seize $16,000 worth of drugs

A 29 year old man was arrested after police found 16 thousand dollars worth of drugs. The Osnaburg First Nation man was taken in by the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit yesterday at Hillcrest Park. Officers seized 100 Oxycodone pills, 283 Percocet tablets and 65 hundred dollars in cash. Police also found a rifle and a machete in the mans car.

Jobless rate in Thunder Bay plummets

Thunder Bay's Jobless rate saw a huge drop last month. It went from 7 percent in March to 6.1 percent in April. Our rate is far lower than the national rate which fell to 8.1 percent from 8.2. The provincial rate held steady at 8.8 percent.