LRCA requires more funds

Thunder Bay could be paying more money to the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority in 2011.  the authority is asking council for almost an extra 176 thousand dollars, and administration is recommending putting that figure into the 2011 budget.   They money is to offset the costs associated with the failed attempt to build a new facility on Fort William Road.  The remaining funds are to be used for maintenance and capital expenditures for the old facility.  414 thousand dollars will be considered for next years budget for the LRCA.

Crime Prevention Council

Thunder Bay's innaugral Crime Prevention Council is going to hit the ground running. They'll conduct a crime audit to identify the city's problem areas. 30 thousand dollars was allocated for the council in 2010. The 25 member group is made up of city council members, the public, and a variety of service providers. The exact people and organizations on the board have yet to be finalized. 

Harbourfront condo design unveilled

Thunder Bay City Council got its first look at the design plans for the proposed condo and hotel planned for the Prince Arthur waterfront. Two seven story condos housing 51 suites are to be built, all boasting lake views. Re Solve Spokesperson Giselle Mac Donald says they don't have a hard price attached to the units, but they could cost around 300 dollars per square foot.  The hotel will be four star and offer a heated parking garage. The name of the hotel chain will be finalized in the near future. Hotel Developer Jo Bova says the hotel once it is built will provide 300 jobs. Meanwhile, City Council voted in favour of changes to the waterfront development agreement.

Two men to face murder trial

The Richard Quimet murder trial is expected to take place next year. The two men charged in the case, Eric Lindstrom and Christopher Gregorchuk, were ordered to stand trial on charges of second degree murder. That followed a preliminary hearing on the matter. The two will also have to face a charge of performing an indignity to a human body. Police discovered Quimet's body off of Highway 527. They say the 36 year old was the victim of a fatal assault. The two accused will be back in court next month so a date can be set for a pre-trial hearing.

15 thousand dollars needed to keep gym open

15 thousand dollars is needed to keep the Underground Gym running until March of next year.  Representatives from the charity spoke to Thunder Bay City Council Monday night imploring them for funding.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says since 2003 the City has provided the charity with 110 thousand dollars.  Council has directed administration to come back with a series of funding solutions by October 18th.

Mauro hearing postponed

A high profile Thunder Bay Police officer is having his hearing date pushed back.   Sergeant Jim Mauro is facing 2 counts of misconduct under the Police Services Act.   The hearing was to have been held next week, but has now been moved to the week of November 9th.

Hobbs gets key endorsement

Keith Hobbs is getting a major boost in his goal of becoming mayor. The Thunder Bay District Labour Council is endorsing Hobbs for the city's top political job. Council President Melanie Kelso says it was based on his performance at the recent debate.

LU student's condition improves

A Lakehead University Student who was assaulted on a city street last week is doing better.  Police say his condition has been upgraded from critical to fair.   Police are still trying to find those involved in the incident.   They say the victim was assaulted by what are believed to have been 5 other LU students. 

Big research grant for LU

Lakehead University is taking another step to becoming a top research institution in the country.  It's received a 1.8 million dollar health research grant to study end of life care in First Nations communities.  President Brian Stevenson  calls the 5 year study exciting. 

RFDA food drive this weekend

The annual Food Drive to stock the shelves of food banks in the region takes place this weekend. The Regional Food Distribution Association is conducting the drive. Chair Larry Brigham says the need is critical. Grocery stores from Dryden to Thunder Bay to Nipigon are taking part.

Another drug bust in Thunder Bay

City police made another drug bust. Officers searched a house on McTavish Saturday morning and seized almost 9 thousand dollars in cash and a small amount of drugs. Four people were arrested and are facing drug related charges.

Latest murder victim beaten to death

The 16 year old victim died a vicious death according to City Police.  They say she was beaten to death.  The girl from Sachigo Lake was found just off a trail behind Wentworth Crescent early last week.  Two girls aged 14 and 15 are facing 2nd degree murder charges in connection and will appear in court September 30th.

Crime prevention breakfast

The city is inviting interested members of the public to a breakfast this Wednesday to learn more about the Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council.

Dr. Irvin Waller from the University of Ottawa will be the keynote speaker. Waller specializes in the area of crime reduction.

Seating is limited; anyone interested in attending can register by calling 625-2895 by 4pm Monday.

Sports Hall of fame honours new class of inductees

Four athletes and two builders were honoured Saturday night as the 2010 class of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame were inducted. Curling superstar Al Hackner earned his spot with a career littered with accomplishments high lighted with his winning shot in the 1982 World Championships. Greg Johnson played 13 years in the NHL, including 3 years as Captain of the Nashville Predators and won silver with team Canada at the 1994 Olympics. Jay Miron became a legend in the world of BMX biking, winning 6 world championships and a total of 9 X-games medals in his career. David Walker rounded out the athletes and is another athlete who was very successful on the world stage. Walker scored 60 top ten finishes on the World circuit of Ski Ballet and placed third at the 1989 and 1991 World Championships. On the Builder side George Gwozdecky coached the University of Denver to two NCAA titles and two Penrose Awards as top coach in the country. Rounding out this years inductees is a man who many say was long overdue to enter the Hall Fred Bragnalo. A veteran of the Second World War, Bragnalo has a long history of involvement in Thunder Bay sports and is one of the founding fathers of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of fame. Bragnalo says he is honoured to be chosen and is very happy to see how the Hall has grown.

School trustee retires

Bill Mokomela is retiring from the Lakehead District School Board after 33 years. Mokomela helped resolve a teachers strike in his first term as trustee in 1974 and to shepherd the district through a difficult period of school closures in the 1990’s. He says he'll be spending more time with his wife and grandchildren.

Respiratory illness outbreak

Officials at the Health Unit and Dawson Court have declared an outbreak of respiratory illness in three resident care areas. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled in those areas until further notice. Relatives and friends are encouraged to call the facility for more information.

Injuries in traffic accident

The Trans Canada Highway west of Nipigon is now open.  It follows a traffic accident that involved two cars Friday morning.    OPP say it was a head on collision.   The drivers of both vehicles were taken to the Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Their injuries are not considered serious.

City aquires south core properties

The city has plans for some recent property it's acquired.  It says the plan is part of the revitalization of the downtown south core.   The property that's now under city ownership includes, the former West Hotel on Simpson street and a hall beside it.   Along with that the city has ownership of the former Inntowner Hotel on Brodie street and two properties on Donald Street.

Underground gym needs cash

The Underground Gym is looking for operating funds from the City of Thunder Bay.  The group provides a place for needy kids and teens to work out, play and learn to box free of charge.  Representatives from the gym will be making a deputation and funding request at Monday night's council meeting.

Hyer reveals H2O spending

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says bottled water is being used too much by federal government departments.   Hyer studied the issue for the NDP and found that almost 2 and a half million dollars has been spent on bottled water in the last fiscal year.   Hyer says it could be even more, because last year, seven government departments and agencies stopped tracking how much they spent on bottled water.