Mauro on seniors tax credit

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is defending his government's decision to implement the HST. The NDP have launched a campaign calling on the Provincial Government to exempt energy from the HST.  Mauro says the NDP's numbers weren't accurate and only told half of the story.  The government announced a tax exemption today for Seniors for their energy costs.

OPP investigate murder in Fort Hope

OPP are investigating a murder in Fort Hope First Nation.  Police were called out to the community north of Sioux Lookout on Monday.  The deceased is 38 year old James Wasawa. 27 year old William Oskineegish is in custody, and has been charged with second degree murder, and breach of probation.  He'll be in Thunder Bay court on October 4th.

Breast screening program tests thousands

The Regional Cancer Centre is celebrating a milestone.  It's operated the Breast Screening Program in Northwestern Ontario for 20 years.    Cancer Care Director Alison McMullen says over 32 thousand women have been given mammograms, but more needs to be done.McMullen says the goal is to have 90 per cent of women screened by 2020.

OPP honor local police officers

Several Thunder Bay Police Officers are being honored by the Ontario Provincial Police.  Det. Sgt. Ken Davis and Det. Constable Justin Dubuc won the Officer of the Year Award.  Constable James Laton of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau also was honored as an officer of the year.

NOSM back to bargaining table Thursday

 The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is going back to the bargaining table with its OPSEU union employees.  Another round of talks are scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Sudbury.  Meanwhile, a Lakehead University Student is holding her own protest because she's frustrated with NOSM picketers at the school's entrances.  The rally is being held at the campus' Balmoral Street entrance at 1 on Friday.

Hotel and Condominiums start in June

The City of Thunder Bay is just weeks away from signing the waterfront development agreement for the proposed Hotel and Condominiums. Developer Gisele Mac Donald says they're on track.  Meanwhile, Councillor Larry Hebert says they'll be starting the project much earlier than expected.  The start date for the construction is June 30th, 2011.  Council approved the changes to the development agreement at their meeting Monday night.

ER is at a gridlock

Thunder Bay's Health Sciences Center is experiencing patient gridlock.  The emergency department is overwhelmed with in patients waiting for care in another part of the hospital. Alternate level care patients; those who are too sick to stay at home but don't need to be in the hospital are taking up beds that are needed for other patients.  Hospital CEO Ron Saddington says this crisis will mean an increase in wait times in the ER.

Tony Villeneuve Memorial Auto Rally is a success

The Auto Rally brought in just over 61 thousand dollars for lung cancer research at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Thirty one teams took in the 380 rally organizers are very happy with the results.  Terri Hrkac says they passed last years total by over a thousand dollars.

More details about Mofia in Thunder Bay have surfaced

More details surrounding the mafia cell reportedly operating in Thunder Bay has come out. The National Post says information from investigations in Italy say the Ndrangheta has ramped up recruitment in Thunder Bay and is planning on becoming active again. The probe says members from Thunder Bay met with the organizations top boss Giuseppe Commisso recently in Siderno Italy. The reports say prosecutors have named several members in Thunder Bay ranging from 53 to 73 years old. All were born in Siderno and at this point are not facing charges. Recorded discussion with Commisso say the Thunder Bay Chapter has done nothing for decades but want to become active in the community again.  Thunder Bay police are investigating the reports and spokesperson Chris Adams says considering the secretive nature of the Ndrangheta it isn't surprising they have been able to keep a low profile.  Adams also says this is the first large scale overseas crime organization to be found operating in Thunder Bay.

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.