Mauro talks economic update

MPP Bill Mauro says despite the global financial problems the provincial government should still meet their budget goals.  Mauro says Wednesday's Economic Update from the Finance Minster warns of tough times ahead but the books should still be balanced by the 2017-18 budget.

Happy to have 87 back

There's lots of positive comments coming from Thunder Bay hockey fans to the return of Sidney Crosby to the NHL. Those we spoke to were happy about it.

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Beardy: NAN is already transparent

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is stopping short of saying he supports new First Nations legislation.  The Harper government plans to introduce a law to force First Nations to release officials salaries. Stan Beardy says NAN has always been accountable adding NAN publishes an annual audit anyone can see.

Matawa says Webequie can do what it wants

The CEO of the Matawa First Nations says the Webequie First Nation is fully within its right to act independently on the Ring of Fire. David Achneepineskum says the organization fully backs the stand taken by Webequie to speak on the chromite project on its own.  Achneepineskum says each community has the authority within Matawa to develop their own community position.

Standoff ends in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay police have taken a person into custody in connection to today's standoff on Northern Avenue.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says investigators made contact with the person early this afternoon and he was taken into custody at Victoriaville Mall.  Adams says at this time no charges have been laid in connection to this morning's Mac's Mart Robbery.  He says officers searched the man's house and found a number of items including a replica handgun.

Webequie goes rogue

There appears to be a crack in the solidarity within the Matawa First Nations. Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation says Matawa doesn't speak for his community on the Ring of Fire. He says his people have concerns about Matawa's approach and he's standing by them. The comments by Chief Wabasse come a couple weeks after Matawa said all nine of its chiefs pulled their support for the chromite project

LUSU fails tuition cut plan

Lakehead University's Student Union is giving the McGuinty Government's promised tuition cuts a failing grade.  The governmnet promised to cut college and university tuition fees by 30 per cent starting Jan. 1st.  President Michael Snoddon also takes issue with the fact that all students aren't eligable for the tuition fee reduction.

Terrace Bay Pulp downtime

Terrace Bay's Pulp Mill will be closed for three months starting November 30th.  Mayor Mike King hopes market conditions will improve during the down time.  The mill will be conducting some maintenance work inside the mill during the downtime.

Global Sticks Reaction

The Provincial Government has given Oliver Paipoonge's Global Sticks millions of dollars in start up funds and now can no longer keep it's doors open. We asked residents if they think the Provincial Government should continue to subsidize business.

Police playing wait and see game

Thunder Bay Police have surrounded a house on Northern Avenue as they attempt to speak with the suspect in this morning's armed robbery of a Mac's Convenience Store. The home in the 800 block of Northern Avenue is now the focus of the investigation. Police are asking the public to avoid the area around Northern Avenue west of May Street until the situation is resolved.

Ring of Fire announcement expected

The Chief and Council of the Webequie First Nation are planning to make an announcement Wednesday related to the Ring of Fire chromite project.   They say two independent documents related to the development will be released as part of the news conference that has been scheduled for 10:30. 

Stabbing suspect appears in court

It's back to court next month for the city man who is charged in connection with a stabbing rampage at Andras Court last month.   29 year old Eli John remains in custody at the District Jail following this weeks court appearance.  Several people were stabbed in the incident,  one of them very seriously. 

OPP take us for a R.I.D.E.

The OPP's Festive R.I.D.E. program is going to begin on Friday. Sgt. Shelley Garr says it's during the holiday period that drinking and driving seems to spike with police statistics showing it's worse this time of year.  She says last year 22 impaired driving charges were laid by the Thunder Bay OPP.

ER stays busy

The Emergency Room at the Health Sciences Centre is still hopping. Director Dr. Andrew Affleck says visits this year are up about 3 per cent. Affleck says contrary to what some may think, most patients aren't candidates for walk in clinics. He says many of them need the services of the ER when they come in with chest pains along with heart and breathing problems. Affleck says the increase at the Health Science Centre mirrors what is happening across the province.

Deer kill creates talk

There's no shortage of opinion about the city's decision to allow bow hunting for deer to reduce the population. We asked people if they agreed with the move.  Those we spoke to were split on the issue.

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Humane Society hopeful

Thunder Bay's Humane Society is hopeful after receiving almost 7 thousand dollars in just 17 days.  The organization is short 180 thousand dollars and is threatening to close its doors if more money isn't raised by December 31st.  The board will meet again in December to evaluate their options.

City Solicitor takes 1 year break

Thunder Bay's top lawyer is taking a one year break to focus on labour relations law. Rosalie Evans' one year sabbatical starts January 9th and will practice with the Thunder Bay firm of Weiler Maloney Nelson. The City says the solicitor who will act during the sabbatical will be announced in the near future.

Council Approves Deer Management Plan

City Council has approved the Deer Management Strategy.  Council voted to move forward with a pair of by-laws that will pave the way for bow hunting in the city next fall.  Council also voted in favour of banning the feeding of deer in the city.  The debate over the by-laws went till just after 11:30 before the vote was called.  Councillors asked a number of questions to a couple of deputations and wanted to learn more about how bow hunting would be done in the city.

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.