Paramedics vote to accept new contract

There is labour peace among local paramedics. The 90 employees of Superior North EMS have voted to accept a new two year contract with their employer. The deal will see them get a wage increase of 3 per cent over the life of the contract. There are also improvements to some benefits. They are members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union.

Pharmacists continue attacks on local MPPs

Thunder Bay MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle continue to be the targets of a campaign by Ontario pharmacists. It's the latest salvo in the war over so called professional allowances. Donnie Edwards,  of the Community Pharmacies Coalition,  says a poll shows the local MPPs are in danger of losing their seats over the issue.  He says the Angus Reid poll in both the Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Atikokan ridings indicates that roughly two thirds of those surveyed say that failure to speak out on the issue will negatively impact their chances of being returned to Queens Park in the next provincial election. 

Cats sign local pitcher

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown gets to pitch in front of his family and friends this year at Port Arthur Stadium. The Border Cats say they have signed the local righthander for the 2010 Northwoods League season. As well the club has signed three other Canadian pitchers in Corey Pappel, Paul Barton and Nathan Kennedy.

Motorists ignoring Expressway speed limit

OPP say drivers are still having problems obeying the posted speed limit on the Thunder Bay Expressway during construction periods. Constable Diana Cole says many are speeding when there are workers present. She says motorists have to be aware of when the limit is 70 kilometres per hour and reduce their speed. Cole says fines are doubled if you're caught speeding through an area under construction.

Fatal accident kills one man

OPP are investigating a fatal accident on the Trans Canada Highway at Kenora. They say that a tractor trailor unit drove off the road, crashed and caught fire. The 47 year old man driving the truck was killed. He was from Cardinal in Southern Ontario.  Police say the accident took place early this morning. There is no indication why the truck veered off the highway.

Cabbies on edge after third robbery

There are nervous cab drivers in the city. For the third time in two weeks a Roach's Taxi driver has become the victim of an armed robbery. In all three cases the taxi was stolen, but the driver wasn't hurt. Roach's owner Dennis LeBeau thinks the robberies may be isolated and hopes police can get those responsible off the street.  He says the drivers have come up with ideas they hope can be implimented to help prevent future occurances.

John Howard Society in its new home

The local John Howard Society is celebrating the opening of it's new location. The new digs are located at 315 Syndicate Avenue. Executive Director Liisa Leskowski calls it a dream come true for the organization that provides a transition for those who come out of the justice system. She says it marks a new era for not just the residents but for the Society as a whole. They were forced out of the former location, the old YMCA, when the Archibald Street building was demolished to make way for the new courthouse.

Another cab is stolen in the city

For the third time in two weeks a city cab has been stolen. The driver picked up two men at a bar on Cumberland street last night and took them to Waverly Park. Once there police say the men demanded money, and the driver and the men got out of the cab. The men then stabbed one of the cab's tires. The two men then drove away with the cab which was found shortly after on Pearl Street.

Housing starts hold steady in April

New housing starts in Thunder Bay continue to hold steady. April saw 5 single detached starts down one from 2009. So far this year there has been 18 starts in the city which is up one over the same period last year.

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.