Council signs onto economic development project

The City will be using 200-thousand dollars in provincial funds to carry out a regional economic development project.  The pilot project was part of the Province's 2010 budget and two brain storming sessions will be held in Thunder Bay on June 13th and 14th.  Council signed onto the project at Monday night's meeting.

Multi-Plex process rolls along

City Councillors are weighing their options for funding a proposed Multi-Plex.  Council was given its funding options at Monday night's meeting which include public funding, private and public funding and strictly private funding.  Administration is recommending the City apply for Federal Government funding under the P3 Canada federal grant program.  The public will have their say at a series of public meetings later this week.

Public encouraged to comment on strat plan

The public has until June 10th to comment on the city's strategic plan. A final draft of the plan was presented to council Monday night. The public can receive copies of the strategic plan at City Hall, Thunder Bay public libraries or on the City's website.

Waterfront Hotel and Condos discussed

The group developing the condominiums on the waterfront will be ready to start selling them in October.  The developers made a presentation to City Council Monday night.  Joe Bova says they've had over 80 people show an interest in buying one of the units in the two condos.  Construction could begin in January.  Although the name of the hotel chain has yet to be announced, the developers are looking for a height extension of about four feet.  The hotel would be 26.3 metres high.  Bova says they should be able to announce the name of the hotelier by September.

Council talks Waterfront parking

The Prince Arthur Landing is going to require over 900 parking spaces once the waterfront work is complete.  Councillor Andrew Foulds wanted to know if 900 spaces would be able to accommodate any future growth on the waterfront.  Consultant Alun Lloyd says he's confident there will be enough spaces for any future development, noting the Pearl Street parking lot could be expanded.  Council received a first report on parking along the waterfront at Monday night's meeting.

Beardy slams OPP commendations

The head of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says a decision to reward some OPP officers last week sends a wrong message to First Nations.  One award was for exemplary performance in the Pikangikum First Nation dispute last year and the other, a bravery award for the officer who shot a First Nations woman in Kenora.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy calls the commendations glorified and unnecessary.

Cash or credit card only please

The Red Cross is encouraging financial donations only in response to the flooding in Quebec and Manitoba along with the wildfires in Alberta.   The organization says response teams are working with authorities to provide emergency help including food and shelter,  and it's only through financial donations that the work is possible.

Wind farm debate hits FWFN

The proposed Horizon Wind Farm project comes up for discussion on the Fort William First Nation Monday evening. Community member Wyatt Bannon says the open house on the project is not enough for him and for others. He says two hours of listening to concerns can hardly be considered consulting with the public. Bannon says he'd like to see the June 6th deadline for voicing concerns extended

Thunder Bay police investigating sexual assault

An alleged sexual assault has city police looking for more potential victims. Staff Sergeant Don Lewis says a 46 year old man who runs a modelling business is charged with assaulting a 23 year old woman.  Lewis says they hope any other potential victims who may have modeled with him come forward. Charged is Luc Paul Despres of Thunder Bay.

Boys and Girls club hurt by crime

Police are looking through surveillance video to find the culprits who broke into the Thunder Bay Boys and Girls club on the weekend. Executive Director Albert Aiello hopes it wasn't done by teens who use the facility. He says the club feels hurt and saddened by the crime which saw two flat screen TVs and two gaming systems stolen. Aiello doesn't know how they can replace the stolen and damaged items

CMHC forecast looks good for Thunder Bay

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is forecasting a strong year for Thunder Bay.  Analyst Warren Philp says we should see a 22 percent increase in total starts this year due mainly to an increase in multi family dwellings.  Philp says there has been a demand for condos in Thunder Bay for the past couple decades that hasn't been met yet.  Philp says the resale market should stay strong as well.  

Local video stores not on the selling block

The Blockbuster video stores in Thunder Bay are not being sold.    They are not on the list of 146 Blockbuster locations  in Canada that are being closed.   It was released by the receiver Grant Thornton.  The targeted stores will be sold to make the video rental chain more attractive on the market.

Good deed saves citizen

City police would like to thank the citizen that performed a good deed. A 65 year old man suffered a heart attack while traveling eastbound on Francis street then collided with two parked cars. A citizen who witnessed the accident performed CPR on the man before paramedics arrived on the scene. The man is now in Thunder Bay hospital and is currently in ICU. There were no other injuries.

Break in at boys and girls club

Police are reviewing video footage from a break in that occurred this morning around 5 AM at the Boys and Girls Club on 270 Windsor st. Two males in their teens broke into an insecure door on the west side of the building and stole 2 big screen televisions, an Xbox 360 and Ninento Wii game consoles. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Animal bite prevention week

The Thunder Bay Health Unit wants to make sure you are safe around animals. Spokesperson Darlene Binette says many people are bitten each year, and some are not reported. Animal Bite prevention week runs from May 28th to June 3rd, and aims to give people ways to be safe with animals.

North Shore Communities get cash

North Shore communities are benefiting from 686-thousand dollars in provincial funding.  The money is going to Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber, and Rossport's aging water treatment systems.   Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle made the announcement on Friday.

Kashechewan illegal booze

A shipment of illegal booze didn't make it to someone in the remote community of Kashechewan First Nation.  Nishnawbe-Aski Police assisted Band Council to seize nearly 13-thousand dollars worth of alcohol at the Kashechewan Airport.  Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Crimestoppers or Nishnawbe-Aski Police.  Kashechewan is a dry community.

Gas tax money goes to transit

Thunder Bay is on the receiving end of provincial funding.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says they're giving the city two million dollars from the gas tax fund.  The money will be used to improve the city's transit service.

LHIN doles out cash

The North West Local Health Integration Network is providing a total of 3.6-million dollars to 13 Northern Hospitals for upgrades. Over 300 thousand dollars is going towards the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre. The Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout is cashing-in with nearly 420-thousand dollars in funding. The Dryden Regional Health Centre is getting than 222-grand. The Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital in Red Lake will see just over 206-thousand dollars.

Commissioner talks OPP

Building relations is the focus right now for the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.  Chris Lewis has been on the job for nine months now and says working with area Municipalities is his primary goal.  Speaking in Dryden, Lewis says he also wants to strengthen the OPP's relationship with the media.  Lewis adds the biggest challenge facing OPP in 2011 is staffing, as they are losing 400-people this year.