City works with Service Ontario

Thunder Bay City Council is entering into a memorandum of understanding with Service Ontario.  The two parties will look at ways they can improve Provincial Government and Municipal services.  Councillor Andrew Foulds is wary of working with Service Ontario noting its mostly automated.  City Spokesperson Karen Lewis says an example would be paying parking tickets while you renew your drivers license.

City decreases debt

Thunder Bay City Council is reviewing its audited financial statements for 2010.  According to the fiscal document the City is 170 million dollars in debt.  Councillor Andrew Foulds notes that's 12.2 million dollars less than in 2009.

Humanities 101 bus pass request

A Lakehead University Professor wants the City to continue its support of the Humanities 101 program.  The program is for students with disabilities and Dr. Christina van Barneveld wants enough passes to transport twenty students to 15 classes.  Councillor Iain Angus asked if they would consider holding the course in a downtown location; but van Barneveld says the students wanted to take a course on campus so they could get a feel for University life.  The students don't pay tuition so the bus passes are not included in their course. Council will decide on September 12th whether to provide the free passes or not.

Missing man on Lake of the Woods

The OPP Underwater Search and Rescue Unit has been called in to search for a missing Summerfield, Florida man on Lake of the Woods. Kenora OPP say 68-year-old Bill Amason went out on the lake early Saturday evening. Police say when the man failed to return within the expected time, his friends and family went to look for him. His boat was located drifting near the area he had said he was going to and his clothes were found on a nearby rock. OPP say it appears his boat may have drifted away while he was on shore and he attempted to swim after it.

Red Cross ready to help

The local Red Cross is looking for cash donations for the evacuees of yesterday's Adelaide Street Apartment fire.  Spokesperson Sharon Bak says they're ready to help the displaced residents. To make a donation call 623-3073. 

Apartment fire under investigation

Thunder Bay Fire still doesn't know the cause of an Adelaide Street Apartment fire.  Acting Platoon Chief David Long says the blaze started in a fifth floor apartment just after one o'clock Monday.  Fifth floor residents won't be allowed back into their apartments at all.  Long says there's extensive smoke and water damage to that floor.  The apartment building was evacuated and residents spent most of their afternoon hanging outside of the building.

Stabbing leaves one man injured

A 26 year old man is walking away with only minor injuries after being stabbed.  The incident happened yesterday evening just before 5 in the Picton Street area.  Police arrested a woman and she will appear in court this morning. 

Collision on Rockwood ave.

Thunder Bay Police are investigating a collision that occurred on Rockwood avenue. Its reported that a stolen vehicle struck a house and a hydro pole early Sunday morning causing severe damage to the house and vehicle. When Police arrived, all occupants had fled the scene. This investigation is currently on going.

OPP search for missing man

Ontario Provincial Police are searching for a missing male from Nipigon. Its reported that a 28 year old man did not return from a fishing trip in Wolf River Saturday afternoon. OPP are currently in the area searching for the missing man.

Collision on Oliver and Twin City Crossroads

Two men are in Thunder Bay hospital after a dump truck struck the side of a mini van. The collision occurred near Oliver Road and Twin City Crossroad around 2:40 pm Saturday afternoon. Its reported that the driver of the van failed to stop at a stop sign. Both men were taken to hospital. The driver of the van is in serious condition, while the truck driver suffered minor injuries.

Drive safely this fall

The school year is almost upon us. Thunder Bay Police are reminding the public to keep an eye out for students on the road this fall. Traffic Seargent Glen Porter says drivers need to take more care this time of year. Additional ride programs will be set up and there will be an increased police presence on roads.

Monday brings road closures

Your favourite travelling routes may be impacted by a series of road closures Monday.  Strathcona Avenue from Hodder Avenue to Spruce River Road, will be closed while city crews repair a watermain.  Meanwhile, Beverly Street between Ravenwood and Balmoral Street will be closed due to construction.

Local sea cadet works on tall ship

A Thunder Bay teen turned 17 on a tall ship during her time as a sea cadet. Karleen Zimowski spent three weeks this summer on the US Coastguard Cutter Eagle. Zimowski shined brass, made up rope lines, and steered the ship.

Sir Winston Principal part of ICP

A Thunder Bay principal is now part of a world wide education body. Sir Winston Churchill Principal Vicki Shannon is now a member of the International Confederation of Principals. Shannon feels the position will give her the opportunity to share what the Lakehead Public board does best to a world stage.

Northern Tourism Plan

A consultants report on the new Northern Ontario tourism plan is out.  Members of various tourism organizations are taking time to review the document and will be meeting for two days starting Monday in Sudbury. The report deals with a multi year plan for Regional Tourism Zone 13. 

Bus pass request

Lakehead University's Humanities 101 Professor is asking City Council for over a thousand dollars in bus passes.  Dr. Christina van Barneveld wants enough passes to transport twenty students to 15 classes.  Council will hear the request Monday.

Council wants cut of HST gas tax

City Council is considering asking the province for a piece of the HST revenue pie.  The government is collecting more money off of the gas tax since they rolled out HST and council wants some of that money to be diverted to municipal infrastructure.  Council will discuss the matter further at Monday night's meeting.

Sneak peak at Monday's Council meeting

City Council will hear from administration about how they plan to implement the strategic plan.  That's just one of the items up for discussion at Monday night's city council meeting.  Meanwhile, Councillor Rebecca Johnson has been asked to sit on a province wide economic development task force.  The Association of Municipalities of Ontario group would require the councillor take part in four meetings a year in Toronto.  Council will vote on whether to support Johnson financially for those meetings. 

NAN Deputy attending Layton funeral

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be heading to Toronto for Jack Layton's funeral. Deputy Chief Mike Metatawabin will be among the dignitaries in attendance.

Ministry of Labour targetting Thunder Bay

Roofers are the target of a ministry of labour blitz in Thunder Bay.  Spokesperson Don Jewitt says ten tickets were handed out yesterday for failing to follow ministry regulations. Jewitt says hail damage earlier this summer has led to an increase in roofing jobs.