Tuchenhagen will not seek re-election

There's no turning back for Councillor Robert Tuchenhagen. He has decided not to run for another term as McKellar Ward representative. Tuchenhagen says he's had enough of the antics of some of his fellow councillors who he says help to drag meetings on much too long. He says multi million dollar decisions are being made at 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning which isn't right. Tuchenhagen will try to bring about changes to help shorten meetings as one of his last acts as councillor

Local student vies for spot at the G8 and g20

A Thunder Bay student has a chance to become a part of history. Melissa Courte is one of 100 finalists who have the opportunity to be a student rep for their province at the G-8 and G-20 conferences in southern Ontario next month. The LU political science students calls it an honour just to be a finalist. The preliminary gathering of the group takes place this weekend in Ottawa.

Cabbies welcome news of arrest

There is relief among cab drivers in Thunder Bay. News that a suspect has been arrested in connection with a string of taxi cab robberies is welcome news to cabbies. For Dianne Sheparski it's a week she never wants to re-live.   She says everyone was concerned their lives were in danger not knowing what would happen next.  Sheparski says the robberies caused her to have many sleepless nights.

Students stand up against racism

Students at Hammarskjold High School are standing up for racial equality. They organized an anti-racism day. Jesalynn Beebe spearheaded the event because she's sick of racist attitudes saying she has seen so much racism in the school and the community that she felt someone had to stand up and do something about it. As part of the event students stamped painted images of their hands on a large mural.

Councillor lives like a paraplegic for a day

A number of city leaders now know what it's like to live as a paraplegic would. They volunteered to live in a wheelchair for a day. For Councillor Rebecca Johnson it was an eye opener. She has a better handle on what obstacles people in a wheelchair have to face everyday from getting through doors to getting in a taxi. Johnson admits that even some parts of City Hall can be difficult for the disabled.

Host says take stock and stay out of "debt hell"

The host of a reality TV show says many of us are heading for "debt hell". Gail Vaz Ox-lade of Till Debt Do Us Part says since she started the program she has been amazed at how many people aren't aware of how much money they spend or what they're spending it on. She says it's important to take stock of where your finances are going if you're concerned you're going over your head in debt. Vaz Ox-lade was in Thunder Bay to be the featured speaker at a woman's conference on money.

Robbery suspect arrested

City Police have a suspect in custody in connection with the recent rash of taxi driver robberies. They say he was arrested yesterday evening. Over the last two weeks three Roach's taxi cabs were stolen in armed robberies. In all cases the driver was not hurt. Charged is Paul Joseph Vukmanich of Thunder Bay. The 23 year old is facing a number of charges and will be in court today.

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.