Christmas Tree Disposal

Christmas Tree chipping sites are open starting December 26. City Spokesperson Jason Scherband says there are five locations on both the North and South sides of Thunder Bay. Trees are brought from recycling locations to composting sites at which they are shredded up and turned into soil and compost that is offered back to residents in the spring. You must take all ornaments, tinsel and plastic tree bags off of the tree to have it chipped.

Kettles stuffed this year

The work put in by volunteers for the Thunder Bay Christmas Kettle Campaign is paying off. Over 147 thousand dollars was raised in this year's campaign: a new record. The Salvation Army's Major Mervyn Halverson says he's grateful for the generosity of city residents. The money will go towards the charity's food bank and other programs as well, such as mobile feeding and anti-bullying education.

Accused is from Mexico

More is now known about a man charged in connection with a weekend traffic death. Christian Emhir Hernandez, who's charged with impaired driving causing death, has been living in Thunder Bay for 6 years. He was a Mexican citizen according to his lawyer Chris Watkins. Watkins says his client came to Canada to work as a structural engineer at Bombardier. Watkins couldn't confirm that the car involved in the weekend incident  may have had Mexican plates only to say it was insured in Mexico. The concern of prosecutors is that if Hernandez is released he'll escape to Mexico and because Canada has no extradition treaty with that country he could avoid a trial. However Watkins says he plans to fight that saying Hernadez has family and roots in Thunder Bay. Hernadez will be in court again on January 12th

Nice weather for Holidays

We can expect nice weather over the holiday weekend.  Giant News Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says temperatures will reach minus five and we'll have plenty of sunshine. Winds are expected to pick up on Boxing Day. Snowfall could come by Wednesday.

Terrace Bay Pulp Holiday Downtime

Terrace Bay's Buchanan Pulp Mill is taking some down time during the holiday season.  Spokesperson Yves Fricot says the mill is doing good, but notes there are some areas of improvement.  Fricot says in 2011 they hope to improve conditions in the mill's woodlands operation. Fricot notes both of the mill's lenders have paid a visit and they're happy with the operation.

Bill Mauro New Years Resolutions

Thunder Bay has weathered the economic storm.  That's the message of Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro.  Mauro says there will be plenty of financial activity in the New Year with plenty of construction work.  Mauro adds in 2011 he will start to push harder for a Northern Ontario Law School.

Wrapping paper not recyclable

After your done ripping into your presents today; don't forget to throw out the wrapping paper. City Spokesperson Jason Scherband says the colourful wrap isn't recyclable. Scherband notes garbage and recycling pick up will resume as normal on Monday because the holidays fell on the weekend.

Tree Chipping Sites open on Boxing Day

You can get rid of your Christmas Tree for free.  Ten chipping sites are open in the City starting Boxing Day.  City Spokesperson Jason Scherband says the trees must not have any tinsel or ornaments on them when you drop them off.  Drop off sites are as follows: Brent Park, Country Park Tennis Court, Grandview Arena, John Jumbo Gardens and the Strathcona Golf Course.  On the south side it's Delaney Arena, Kinsmen Northwood Centre, Lakehead Labour Centre and Westfort Playing Field.

Drunk driving victims remembered

The OPP are warning party goers to not drink and drive. On the anniversary of Debbie Dawe's death to a drunk driver, OPP held their memorial RIDE check in front of the MTO building on James Street. Sgt. Ken Mantey says the message is simple, they don't want any more victims of drinking and driving because it's 100 per cent preventable.  Both OPP and city police will be out in force this holiday weekend.

Hay looks into the future

There will be some unfinished business for Fire Chief John Hay in 2011. Hay hopes the year will finally see an end to the on-going contract hassles with the Firefighters Association. Hay says 2010 will go down as a benchmark year for the service because of their involvement with the G-8 summit

OPP remind public to drive carefully

The OPP are reminding the motoring public to take it easy on area highways this winter.  Constable Carol Michtics says people need to modify their driving habits to ensure you have additional time to arrive at your destination in case road and weather conditions make it hard to travel.  Michtics says you should ensure your gas tank is full, take time to clear your windows and lights, and carry warm clothing and boots in case of an emergency.  Michtics recommends calling for road conditions before heading out on the road.  The MTO's road conditions hotline is 1-800-268-4686.

Crimestoppers happy with tips received

Thunder Bay's Crimestoppers program is reporting another successful year. Constable Jerry Tabucci says they've received over 700 tips in 2010. Tabucci says even though tips declined from 2009 they're still pleased with the program. Almost 15 thousand dollars was spent on rewards.

New tix act called a facade

A Thunder Bay based tour producer calls the McGuinty governments new Ticket Speculation Act a facade. The law is designed to prevent the reselling of event ticket. However, Mark Zurevinsky says there is no way the province will be able stop that.  He says for the government to try to circumvent the sale of tickets is an impossible feat, he calls the act a facade.  Zurevinsky says the law of supply and demand will always rule the world of ticket scalping.

Airport's are bustling with traffic

 It's a busy time at the Thunder Bay Airport.  Manager Scott McFadden says people should arrive early to avoid a rushed feeling. McFadden adds wrapped presents packed in your suitcase might be opened during a search.

College to recruit foreign students

Confederation College's enrollment has jumped 10 percent in 2010. President Pat Lang says it's been a good year for the college. Lang adds they plan to recruit students from China and India in the New Year.  Lang adds in 2011 they will implement their new strategic plan.

Vinet heads KDMA

The Kenora District Municipal Association has appointed Phil Vinet as its new President. The Red Lake mayor replaces Gary Parkes, who was defeated in the Machin Municipal election this Fall.

Dryden Mayor lends a helping hand

A Dryden senior is praising the quick thinking of Dryden's Mayor.  After having a water metre installed at her home she noticed it was leaking water into her basement.  Martha Dunn says she didn't know who to call on the weekend so she called Craig Nuttall.  Nuttall called around and found someone from the company to fix the leak and then later stopped by to see how the situation worked out.  A private company is in the process of installing water metres throughout Dryden.

NW LHIN provides money for seniors

As many as 35 seniors in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts will be able to remain in their homes thanks to funding from the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.  The money is targeted at supportive housing services for seniors.  Laura Kokochinski is the CEO of the LHIN's and says its all part of their Aging at Home strategy.  Kevin Queen is the CAO of the Pinecrest Home for the Aged and says they will be getting

240 thousand dollars to expand their Home Support Services.

Con College gets cash

Confederation College is going to expand two of it's apprenticeship program. 10 students this fall in the Culinary management program will benefit from 185-thousand dollars in Provincial funding. The Instrumentation Engineering program will see 189-thousand dollars from the government.

Bombardier contract still hot topic

It's local politics.  That's the feeling of Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro when it comes to the Bombardier TTC contract.  Recently former cabinet minister David Caplan made comments in favour of scrapping the deal; but Mauro says as an MPP he's allowed to do that.  Mauro says Caplan is doing what he thinks is best for Toronto and it's no different from him standing up for Thunder Bay.  Mauro says he's going to continue to fight for the Bombardier contract.