Aboriginal involvement in municipal election presented to council

Aboriginal involvement in municipal elections is very low. That was the findings of a report that was presented to council by the Ontario Native Women's Association. The report was handed out to council as well as Elections Ontario and Elections Canada. ONWA Spokesperson Judi Nelson Childs says she hopes to see a committee developed to help increase Aboriginal involvement ahead of the next municipal Election.

Evergreen group gets approval

City Council has voted in favour of rezoning a house on Heron Street to allow a community group to move in.  Evergreen A United Neighbourhood is hoping to open a community health and resource centre.  The building was formerly the club house for the Hell's Angels.  One man spoke out against the plan saying he didn't want to live next to a youth centre that would lower property values.  Council voted unanimously in favour of the rezoning. 

Gravelle wants to hear from Global Sticks

With news that Global Sticks has closed its doors, the Forestry Minister is hoping to get an explanation from the company.  Michael Gravelle says he isn't going to speculate on why the company closed down until he gets the facts.  Gravelle says he hopes the company reopens in the near future.

LU athletes to instruct FN youth

Lakehead University is taking its sporting skills to Northern First Nations. Coaches and players will be going to the remote communities to instruct the youth this season. LU's Tom Warden says it's an important step for the university.  Wasaya Airways will be flying the students as part of the agreement.

NAN Conference this week

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs are in Thunder Bay this week to talk about the Ring of Fire and prescription drug abuse.  Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they've got a lot on their plate.  The Chiefs are meeting at the Victoria Inn for the next three days starting Tuesday.

16 and Pregnant in Kenora

After sifting through 4 years of data- its official - Teen pregnancy is on the rise in Kenora. Code Red says there were 53 pregnancies for every thousand girls between the ages of 15 and 19 in 2009 – that’s 24 more teen pregnancies in the district and the Ontario average.

Sioux Lookout new interim CAO

Sioux Lookout has a new interim CAO.  Council has agreed to appoint Arie Hoogenboom to the position, effective tomorrow.  Hoogenboom is the former Dryden City Manager and will serve as CAO for a 6-month term.  Mayor Dennis Leney says Hoogenboom knows the opportunities and challenges facing local communities.

Grann trial to resume in the new year

The first week of testimony is now complete in the trial of police Constable Toni Grann.  She is facing 11 counts of Breach of Trust.   The prosecution says it involves local records of the Ontario Sex Offender Registry which Grann was in charge of.   Testimony took place all of last week and the trial will be continuing in Thunder Bay on January the 30th

Coroner concludes Antoinette Lavoie investigation

The Regional Coroner's Office has wrapped up it's investigation into the murder of Antoinette Lavoie.  Dr. Michael Wilson says they've decided to send the case to the Chief Coroner for review.  Joseph Lavoie killed his estranged wife and then himself in December of last year.

Council set to hear presentation from ONWA

One of the big topics before council tonight will be a presentation on Aboriginal Participation in Municipal Elections.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says election participation needs to improve on all fronts especially with First Nations.

Deer plan up at council tonight

City Administration is recommending council approve two new bylaws to help curb the deer population in the city.  Councillor Lynda Rydholm says the first bylaw would prohibit feeding deer and the second would allow bow hunters to hunt in parts of the city.

Global Sticks Closed

A local company that has received Provincial funding for it's operations has closed its doors.  Global Sticks in Oliver Paipoonge is not up and running and hasn't made any indication that they'll reopen.  In October the company was forced to make layoffs.  The company makes sticks for ice creme bars, corn dogs, and paint paddles.

21st annual Christmas parade

Today is the 21st annual Christmas Parade. The parade is being hosted by Thunder Bay Rotary Club, with help from Shelter House volunteers and Lakehead University students. The parade starts at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium the moves down Memorial Avenue to the CLE grounds, where kids can meet Santa Claus.

Heavy fine levied on ski area

A local ski operator is facing a big fine in connection with a fatal workplace accident. Matt Blajer  of the Ministry of Labour says it came after Loch Lomand Ski Area pleaded guilty to one charge under the province's Occupational Health and Safety Act. The fine is 70 thousand dollars plus a 17 per cent victim surcharge. The incident took place in September of 2009 and saw an 18 year old worker electrocuted after a steel ladder he was holding touched an electrical wire.

Snow causes collisions in Thunder Bay

Its been a busy day for police due to the slippery conditions.  There has been 27 collisions on the roads since just before 9 this morning.  Police are reminding people to drive to the conditions and slow down. 

DSSAB dilemma

The District Social Service's Administration Board is having a dilemma with its new building and it's not even finished yet. Chair Iain Angus says added provincial responsibilities may mean there won't be room in the new building for added staff so they're looking at options like where to rent extra space from.  He says other options could be to build a new facility or add a third floor to the new quarters.

Benefits of tax break not clear for St. Joe's

The head of St. Joseph's Care Group is welcoming a seniors tax credit from the province. The credit is a promise from the McGuinty Liberals to encourage senior care at home. However St. Joe's Tracy Buckler will not speculate on any possible spin offs for her organization.  Buckler says that having more seniors stay at home has the potential to relieve pressure on the health care system.

Hyer ponders third reading vote

Bruce Hyer isn't saying if he'll be voting to scrap the long-gun registry when it comes up again for third reading in Parliament.  The Thunder Bay NDP MP says even though he has voted against the party line on the issue, he's taking this time to consider his options and won't commit to anything until he sees the final legislation.  However,  he says he wants to keep the promise he made to his constituents.  Hyer, and fellow NDP MP John Rafferty have been punished by the party for the way they voted.  Rafferty says he'll vote the same way as he did before.

A snap-shot of local hockey history

Thirty years after his death, Thunder Bay author David Nicholson is now telling the story about his cousin Bruce Gamble. "Gamble in Goal" is a book about Gamble's career in the NHL compiled from interviews Nicholson did with family and friends.   Nicholson says the book took about 14 years to write.

Maltese wins Environment Award

Grade seven student Sophia Maltese is happy to win the TD Friends of the Environment Art Contest.  Her school Bishop E.Q. Jennings gets over seven thousand dollars because of Maltese' artwork.  Maltese wants the school to use the money to create an outdoor classroom. On top of the cash prize, Maltese gets a digital camera.