Justice minister gets an earful

Canada's Justice Minister is up to date on city concerns about crime and justice. Rob Nicholson met with community leaders including the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce. Nicholson says it's been very helpful. Nicholson says he told the city leaders that the government will be moving ahead with his anti-drug trafficking bill.  Meantime Mayor Keith Hobbs says the minister heard the message from the group loud and clear.

NOMA calls for more cash for policing

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is supporting a resolution calling on the provincial government to provide more funding for police services. Vice President Dave Canfield says the cost of policing locally has skyrocketed and says they want the government to increase their grants under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. The NOMA Board met last week in Thunder Bay.

Long form census pushed

Use your voice and take part in the 2011 long-form census.  That message is being pushed by the Union of Ontario Indians.  Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.  The data collected by Stats Canada is then later used by the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding allocations.

Daytime robbery

Thunder Bay Police are looking into a daytime break and enter in the South Harold Street area.  A man came home at four o'clock on Wednesday and spotted an intruder.  Inspector Scott Smith says police are still looking for the suspect.  Police found property on an adjacent laneway which they hope will provide forensic evidence that can lead to the suspect.

CPC meets in February

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council will be meeting for the second time in February.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson will provide an update on the municipal drug strategy.  Coordinator Amy Siciliano says she'll be speaking about her ongoing interviews with committee members.  City Manager Tim Commisso will propose a housing strategy for people living with substance abuse.

OLG gives city cash

The latest payment to the city of Thunder Bay from the provincial government casino is almost 584 thousand dollars. The cash is the city's third quarter share of cash collected from the slot machines.

Kitchen fire sends kids into the cold

Students at Woodcrest Public School have something to tell their parents.   The school was evacuated around 9:30 this morning because of small kitchen blaze.   Fire officials say it was put out by the time they got there.  While students were taken outside at first, they were later moved into the gym before resuming classes.    No one was hurt

Old fashioned police work credited for arrest

One man has been arrested in connection to the armed robbery of the Alliance Credit Union. Thunder Bay Police arrested the 21 year old man last night and he will be appearing in court this morning. Yesterday morning a man entered the credit union armed with a shot gun. Police say through the use of a police dog they were able to find a shot gun which in turn led to a Blind Line Road address which led to the suspects arrest in Nipigon late in the day.

6 year old helps World Vision

A 6 year old local girl has helped provide clean water to 10 families through World Vision.  Ezra Westerman and a group of kids from Redwood Park Church raised 2-thousand 400 dollars.  Ezra says she thought it would be nice to help others.  The money was raised in three weeks.

Judge frees Hernandez on bail

Thunder Bay's Christian Hernandez is now free on bail.   In bail court on Wednesday Justice Bernard Caron allowed the 26 year old out of jail on several conditions.  They include not drinking any alcohol, staying at his girlfriend's mother's home and he's also prohibited from driving a vehicle.   As well, because he's a Mexican national he was forced to surrender his passport.   Hernandez is charged with impaired driving causing death following a traffic accident just days before Christmas which killed 45 year old  Richard Carmichael.  The case comes to court again in February. 

Airport breaks records

Thunder Bay's Airport continues to set new records for annual passenger traffic.  Over 689 thousand passengers arrived and departed through the local airport.  That's a 5.6 percent increase over 2009 passenger volumes.  President Scott McFadden attributes the continued growth to the strengthened local economy.

Commisso talks law suit

The Horizon Wind lawsuit will be the hot topic at Monday night's City Council meeting.  The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently rejected the City's request to hold off on the 126 million dollar lawsuit in favour of arbitration.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they still hope to find a solution.  Commisso says they're formulating a plan and will take their time before making any final moves.

More drugs seized

Two Attawapiskat First Nation residents face charges following a Nishnawbe-Aski Police investigation.  Police were tipped off about drugs being transported by airplane to the Fort Albany Reserve.  Officers found 33-thousand dollars worth of marijuana and 9-hundred dollars worth of oxycodone pills.  A 29-year-old and a 20-year-old face possession charges.

Ronald Mitchell moved from Thunder Bay

A man charged with second degree murder is no longer in Thunder Bay.   The 26 year old was returned to Sault Ste. Marie last night and will appear in bail court today.  26 year old Ronald Mitchell is charged in connection to a decapitation.  Police still do not have the results of an autopsy exam of the victim.

Federal Government invests in FedNor

Businesses will have more access to capital investment courtesy the Federal Government. Industry Minister Tony Clement announced today the Harper Government will be giving 1.1 million dollars to FedNor. Clement says the money will flow to businesses through Community Futures Programs like Thunder Bay Ventures. He says the funds will help grow business in Thunder Bay and across the northwest by providing easier access to loans. The announcement was made at Thunder Bay Hydraulics because the business has benefited from support from Thunder Bay Ventures.

Foreign Affairs Minister responds to Mexico rape allegations

The Foreign Affairs Department is looking for an inquiry after a Lakehead University student claimed she was raped by Mexican police. Lawrence Cannon says Ottawa wants to get to the bottom of the issue quickly and is taking the allegations very seriously.  Rebecca Rutland, says she was raped New Year's Eve after her Fiance got into an argument with officers.

Gravelle runs again

MPP Michael is officially running in this year's election.  He accepted the nomination at a meeting last night.  He will be seeking his 5th term as MPP for Thunder Bay Superior North.

Another armed robbery

Another armed robbery has Thunder Bay Police looking for a suspect.  Just after 5 yesterday afternoon a man armed with what police say was either a knife or a syringe robbed the Victoria Park Variety.  No one was injured and the suspect fled in a baby blue car.

Horizon lawsuit back on track

The 126 million dollar Horizon Wind lawsuit against the city can now proceed unhindered.   The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has rejected the City of Thunder Bay's attempt to put Horizon’s legal action on hold in favour of an arbitration.   As a result of its failed effort, The City of Thunder Bay has been ordered to pay 15-thousand dollars in legal costs to Horizon. Horizon's suit came after city council voted to move 4 of the company's planned wind turbines for the Nor'wester Escarpment.

Harding back as Chair

Maria Harding is back as the Health Unit's board chair.  Superior North EMS Chief Norm Gale is also back as vice chair.  The elections took place at a board meeting recently.