Cell Tower resolution fails

A call for administration to work with the health unit to look into the health impacts of cell phone towers died last night.  Instead Council voted in favour of creating a standard notice for the public that let's them know when a cell phone tower is going to be placed in their neighbourhood.

Council grills Police Chief on deficit

Thunder Bay's Police Department's million dollar budget deficit didn't go unnoticed at Monday night's council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and several other councillors expressed their displeasure and worry over the announcement that was made last week at a Police board meeting.  The cost over runs are being blamed on overtime and legal fees.

Tax ratio changes on hold

The City's tax ratios are staying the course for now.  City lawmakers are holding off on implementing a four million dollar shift from business to residential tax payers.  Councillor Mark Bentz says property owners won't stand for what's being proposed.  A decision will be made on whether to approve the changes at a December council meeting.

Regenerative Medicine Report due in November

City Council will have to wait to be updated on the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine project.  The city provided five hundred thousand dollars towards the implementation of a business strategy for the centre.  Administration will bring a report back to council on November 28th.

Council holds off on Bending Lake Iron

Thunder Bay City Council is holding off on throwing its support behind Bending Lake Iron's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace. Speaking Monday night, Chief Executive Officer Henry Wetelainen says it's OK that council needs some time to digest the information he's provided them. Bending Lake Iron is asking for support as part of its environmental assessment process. Council will vote on a resolution of support at it's November 7th meeting.

T.Bay lands Can-Am Police Fire Games

Thunder Bay has beaten out several large American cities to host the 2016 Can-Am Police Fire games.  The games will be held in the Lakehead July 2nd to 10th, and will bring in more than a thousand competitors.  Police Chief JP Levesque says the games are expected to bring in over 5 million dollars in economic activity. 

Pukaskwa Park: The Movie

Parks Canada is paying tribute to Pukaskwa Park in film.  Spokesperson Nancy Saunders says "A Park for all Seasons" is going to play at Thunder Bay's SilverCity on November 13th.  You can purchase your tickets online at cineplex.ca

Half a million dollars worth of durgs seized

Police have made a major drug bust at Boulevard Lake.  Officials says officers saw a 31 year old man known to be involved in the drug trade walking near the lake last Tuesday.  The man fled police but was quickly found.  Officers found a back pack on the man with half a million dollars worth of cocaine.

PETA weighs in on deer issue

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is urging our city councillors not to choose bow hunting as a method to control the deer population.  PETA's Kristen Simon says it's one of the cruelest forms of hunting since bow hunters routinely spend hours tracking the bloody trails of deer who are stuck by arrows,  before finding them.  She says the simple solution would be not to feed the animals.

Protesters "occupy" City Hall

From Waverly Park to Donald Street.  The Occupy Thunder Bay protesters brought their "make the rich pay" message to City Hall Sunday.  About 50 took part including MP Bruce Hyer and Councillor Paul Pugh.   The protest is part of the Canadian offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon that has spread across the world.

Early morning fire at Travelodge

Guests at the Travelodge on Memorial Avenue experienced a frightening wake up call Saturday morning. A 2 alarm blaze broke out in the Sushi restaurant around 4 am. A portion of Memorial Ave. was closed briefly and guests of the hotel had to be evacuated with the help from the Canadian Red Cross. Smoke damage spread throughout the restaurant and one person was thought to have suffered smoke inhalation. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.

Raffery calls for ban on asbestos

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice in the call to ban asbestos.  He presented a petition in the House of Commons this week calling on the ban of the toxic material. The petition also calls for an end to government subsidies of asbestos both in Canada and abroad.

Bending Lake Iron talks to Council

Bending Lake Iron Group is looking for City Council's blessing on it's Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan and processing plant in Ignace.  Council's resolution is part of the province's Environmental Assessment process. The company already got the go ahead from Ignace and Atikokan.

Bif Naked lends her support to the Cancer Centre

The Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre is getting a huge endorsement.  Canadian Rock Icon and Cancer Survivor Bif Naked toured the facility today and says its a beautiful facility that is built with patient care and comfort in mind.  The Juno Award nominee was in town to speak at the annual Hope Luncheon. 

Matawa First Nations put Feds on notice

Enough is Enough.  That's the message from the Matawa First Nations to the Federal Government.  Marten Falls Chief Eli Moonias says they want to take part in the Ring of Fire, but they can't unless the Feds agree to a Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment.  Moonias says if the Federal Government continues to ignore First Nations they will take legal action and force an injunction to stop the comprehensive study.

T.Bay Teen up for music award

A young Thunder Bay musician is nominated for a 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award. 17 year old fidller/violinist Olivia Korkola is up for a "Young Performer of the Year." The awards will be announced on December 4th.

Delivery man robbed..not hurt

City police are looking for three men who they say robbed a delivery man at knife point yesterday afternoon.  They say the man was accosted by the three as he was getting back into his vehicle after making a delivery in the Limbrick Place area.  The three thugs were given money and they ran off.  The victim wasn't hurt

Inflation jumps in Thunder Bay

There's no stopping the cost of living from going up these days.   Government figures Friday show that inflation in Thunder Bay took a big jump in September from August.  It went up a full half a point to 3.6 per cent.   Nationwide, Statistics Canada says high costs for gas and food increased the rate to 3.2 per cent.

Oh Deer! Heated discussion at meeting on population

Let's put the deer on the pill. That was one of the ideas brought up at a meeting about the City's deer population Thursday night.  Mapleward Road Resident Cheryl Bak mentioned that Quebec is managing their deer by putting out birth control laced salt licks.  Other residents were in favour of the bow hunting in rural areas idea, and noted the deer are bringing wolves into residential areas.  City Council will discuss what to do with the deer population at it's November 21st meeting.

Construction work update

Expect some close quarters when you use the Red River, Expressway intersection this weekend. The Ministry of Transportation says the number of lanes will be reduced as crews work to finish paving.