Decision to be made in September

City Council is putting off making a decision on a proposed Bell cell phone tower in the area of Regina and John Street.  Council was asked to write Industry Canada saying there are concerns over the site.  Concerned resident Attilio Garro says the city let him down by putting off making a decision.  Bell will be making a deputation to council at it's September 19th meeting and that's when council will make a decision.

Cell tower sparks squabble

Who would have thought a proposed cell phone tower could spark a squabble between City Councillors.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga was visibly angry with Chair Iain Angus when it came to the procedural rules.  Giertuga alleged Angus may have been controlling the debate to his advantage.  Angus called Giertuga out of order and asked for an apology.The tiff was over Council being asked to write a letter to Industry Canada over the location of a Bell tower.

Whalen Building renos approved

Some City Councillors are concerned over the size of the contingency fund for repairs slated for the Whalen Building.  Administration says it's because the building is 98 years old and they're not sure what they could find when they start to rehabilitate.  Council approved a 719 thousand dollar renovation contract with Roof Tile Management.  3 million dollars will be spent on the building in the next two years.

Council confers over curbs

Some residents of Holly Crescent would like the city to hold off on resurfacing their street.  They want the city to repair the street at the same time as their water mains and curbs.  Administration told council they just don't have the funds to repair all of the curbs in the City.  Several councillors visited the street to see the state of its infrastructure.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff mentioned there are homeowners in Thunder Bay who are unhappy with new sidewalks being put in place, while places like Holly Crescent would like one.

Suicide Stigma

A local firefighter wants to remove the stigma from talking about suicide. Scott Chisholm is the creator of the Collateral Damage project. Chisholm spoke to City Council Monday night and asked them to help foster a community dialogue about the signs leading up to suicide and prevention.

Forbes Township youth dead in accident

A 16 year old Forbes Township teenager is dead as the result of a weekend traffic fatality. OPP say the single vehicle accident happened on Highway 11-17 west of Highway 102 Saturday morning at around 9:15. The victim, Marvin Spencer, was pronounced dead at the scene while two other occupants were taken to the Regional hospital with less serious injuries

NDP claim Clement controlled G-8 slush fund

The NDP believe they have dug up information that's damaging to FedNor minister Tony Clement. Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says his party has discovered the Harper government set up a slush fund for last year's G8 meetings in a way designed to avoid scrutiny by the auditor general. Hyer claims that Clement secretly funnelled 50 million dollars in G-8 money from FedNor through his constituency office.


 

CLE makes its mark again

Organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition say they couldn't be happier. President Lawrence Timko says they expect they will reach the 62 thousand mark in attendance. He adds, everything went right this year with very few, if any, glitches or problems. Timko says the weather was also perfect.

Missing man on Shoal Lake

Kenora OPP are searching for a missing Winnipeg man on Shoal Lake.  They say he was last seen swimming in the lake early Sunday morning.  The shoreline search is centred around Galt Island.

New chief of police in Dryden

The City of Dryden has a new Chief of Police. Rob Davis has accepted the position, effective August 29th.  The Police Services Board says Davis has extensive experience in policing, particularly with aboriginal issues and combating organized crime.

Boshcoff takes up residents cause

Residents in the Regina and John Street area have a supporter on city council in their corner. Ken Boshcoff says he'll be asking council to vote in favour of his request to have Bell move a planned cell phone tower in the area.  He says the neighbourhood is making  it quite clear they're not in favour of the tower.   Boshcoff's request is directed at the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission which has jurisdiction over the issue.

NDP In Kenora-RR continue the process

The last of four nomination meetings for the NDP in Kenora-Rainy River goes tonight in Fort Frances.  Former Thunder Bay resident Sarah Campbell and Robert Sinding of Kenora are vying to be the riding's candidate in this October's provincial election.

Young offender arrested in stolen vehicle

A 14 year boy is behind bars this morning after being found in a stolen car.  Police found the car at Hillcrest Park just before 3 o'clock, when they approached it the driver took off and collided with a cruiser.  The vehicle was then driven to Marlborough Street where it was abandoned and the occupants fled.  Officers arrested the driver but the others escaped.

AbitibiBowater joins CEP

Workers at AbitibiBowater in Thunder Bay voted to join Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. A vote took place on Friday with CEP winning majority support from employees. National representative Stephen Boon said this should be a perfect fit, with CEP already representing most employees at AbitibiBowater Thunder Bay and almost 80% of AbitibiBowater employees in eastern Canada.

Bombardier workers vote yes and end strike

Seven hundred Bombardier employees will be returning to work on Monday after voting to accept a new 3 year contract.   Over 90 per cent of the workers who voted went along with the recommendation of the union executive and said "yes" to the new deal.   The contract includes improvements to wages and pensions along with a change in the work schedule from a 5 day a week operation to 7 days. 

Arson on East Francis

Thunder Bay police are investigating a suspected arson that took place on East Francis st. Police and firefighters were called to the scene late Friday night, where a vehicle and a motorcycle were lit on fire. It's reported that the vehicle was a 2001 Jaguar and the motorcycle was a 2001 Kawasaki. Police also found a 5 gallon gas can, along with a home made explosive device. Both the vehicle and motorcycle were destroyed by fire.

Cats bats coming back

Don't count out the Border Cats just yet because the baseball club is coming back next season. General Manager Brad Jorgenson says they were able to increase attendance 15 per cent this year and hope for an even brighter 2012.   Jorgenson believes a warmer June could have helped to boost attendance even more.

Pukaskwa Park reopens back country

The back country of Pukasaw park is open again.  It was closed for a week after a bear attacked a park visitor.  Meantime, DNA testing on the bear that was killed this week has yet to come back.

C-Dif outbreak at hospital

There's an outbreak of C-Dificile at the Regional Health Sciences Centre. The first floor of the facility has infection control precautions in place.

NAN Chiefs Conference starts Tuesday

Ontario's Lieutenant Governor will be speaking at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's chiefs conference next week.  It kicks off in Summer Beaver Tuesday, with housing, mining, and education being discussed.  David Onley will speak about his work with aboriginal youth literacy.