Clean, Green & Beautiful awards

Some city residents and businesses are being recognized at this week's council meeting for being Clean, Green and Beautiful. Awards will be presented to residents and businesses that the city feels go the extra mile to make their property attractive and environmentally friendly. There's a variety of criteria the winners could meet in order to be recognized, such as conserving energy, being pedestrian friendly or installing public art.

Council meetings may be on web

It looks like city residents may get a new way to follow city council.

A report from the city managers office is recommending council move ahead with a plan to stream live video of council meetings on the web. Meetings would also be archived allowing residents to view them at their convenience. The recommendation comes after a positive response to a test run of the service in June.

Chilly weather doesn't stop parade

Spectators braved the cold and lined Memorial Avenue for the 20th Annual Rotary Clubs of Thunder Bay Christmas Parade.

The crowd was treated to a variety of floats created by businesses and organizations all with their own take on Christmas cheer.

Many onlookers were especially looking forward to seeing Santa Clause cruise down Memorial Avenue.

Media criticized for coverage

The media in Thunder Bay is being chastised by some for only reporting one side of the recent dog park incident. Many feel news stories only reflect that of the dog that got mauled to death. However tbnewswatch editor Leith Dunick says it's tough when the other side stays anonymous

Courthouse contract awarded

The contract has been officially awarded for the new half billion dollar consolidated courthouse in Thunder Bay.   Plenary Justice will be building the facility on the city's south side.  Construction is expected to be completed in late 2013

EMS tender deadline extended

Companies wishing to bid on constructing the new Emergency Medical Services building now have more time.  EMS Director Norm Gale says he approved the extension last week at the request of contractors.  The deadline is now in early December.

Snow on Sunday-SOS

We can expect another 10 to 15 centimetres of snow on Sunday.  That's according to Signal Weather Services Bill Laidlaw.  He says its going to be slippery because the snow will be wet and heavy.  Laidlaw says the wintery weather will continue on Monday.

NAN communities getting high tech

The within 5 years, 26 Nishnawbe Aski First Nations Communities will be hooked up to fibre optics. The federal and provincial governments along with a private company are making it happen. Total cost of the project is 86 million dollars.

Duncan vows to look into water complaint

The Federal Indian Affairs Minister says he will deal with the water supply at Constance Lake First Nation.  The First Nation sent out a statement saying they're outraged that INAC cut the amount of water being supplied to their residents.  John Duncan vows to look into the matter.  Duncan adds he personally hasn't heard about the complaints from the First Nation.

Chamber Businesses to be reviewed

Confederation College Business Students will be getting real world experience soon.  Four students will be reviewing Chamber of Commerce businesses.  President Harold Wilson says they're looking for both the students and businesses to take part. Wilson says the project will start in January.

NDP Critic visits Thunder Bay

The NDP are on the war path when it comes to Women's rights in Canada. The NDP Status of Women Critic toured Northwestern Ontario this week and touted her committees report on women's issues. Irene Mathyssen says it looks at First Nation women's rights and the report will be released in the New Year. Mathyssen is critical of the Federal Government denying funding to the Sisters in Spirit program. She feels the Federal Government needs to provide the funds and shouldn't have cut them in the first place.

NAN wants Sisters in Spirit funds restored

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is calling on the Federal Government to restore funding to the Sisters in Spirit Program.  The program is a database for missing or murdered aboriginal women.  The Federal Government didn't renew the program's operating agency funding this year.

FWFN inks land claim deal

It's a historic day on the Fort William First Nation. They've received an offer from the Canadian and Ontario governments to settle a land claim.  The proposed settlement includes about 154 million dollars and transfers of land on Flatland and Pie Island.   The band membership will now vote on the proposed settlement on January 22nd.  However Chief Peter Collins doubts it will be turned down.

Chop Shop case moving forward slowly

Two decade long lawsuits are back in the courts.  T&T Auto and Central Auto Parts are suing a number of people including a retired OPP officer, Former Police Chief Leo Toneguzzi and Mayor elect Keith Hobbs.  The lawsuits stem from charges against the companies that were dropped in the 90's.  Part of the complex procedures saw the winner win a court order in the case.

CEP and Greenpeace Unite

Greenpeace and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union are teaming up to create green forestry jobs.  The environmental group released it's green jobs report for northern forestry in Thunder Bay today.   CEP Spokesperson Kim Ginter hopes by launching the report in Thunder Bay, Minister Michael Gravelle and the Liberals will sit up and take notice. Greenpeace Spokesperson Catherine Grant says the report represents a new forest where both the environment and jobs are protected.  Both parties say it's important to be united on the forestry front.

Save Jimi the Dog facebook group is growing

A facebook group has been started in an attempt to save the Pit Bull cross who killed a small dog last week.  So far over 300 people have signed up hoping to prevent the dog from being euthanized.  Mayor Elect Keith Hobbs joined the group.  Hobbs says he was attacked by a Pit bull once when he was a police officer and said that dog wasn't put down because it wasn't his fault.

No charges after fatal industrial accident

There won't be any charges stemming from an industrial accident that left one man dead.  A 51 year old man died after being crushed between the garbage compactor at Superstore and his Recool truck last November.  The ministry of labour investigated and no charges will be laid.

Gravelle happy about energy rebate

It's official, the McGuinty Government will give residents a 10 percent rebate on electricity bills in 2011. Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says it will start in January. Gravelle adds if companies are unable to provide the rebate on the bills in January, the rebate will be retroactive to January on future bills. The opposition parties say the Liberals are trying to buy voter support, but Gravelle says that's not the case.

More snow in the forecast

It's going to be another snowy evening in Thunder Bay.  The forecast is calling for a significant snowfall overnight according to meteorologist Bill Laidlaw.  He says 5 cm should fall in the city and up to 10 cm outside the city. Laidlaw says watch for winds to pick up as well.

Kettle Appeal kicks off

It just isn't Christmas without the Salvation Army's Kettle Appeal.   The fundraising goal this year is 130 thousand dollars.  The kettles will be located at various city locations.