Heberts tries to reduce tax increase by using reserve funds

Councillor Larry Hebert tried to reduce the budget tax increase by drawing 2.5 million dollars from the Renew Thunder Bay Fund. Hebert didn't like the idea of increasing taxes to fix roads when it could come from the city's reserves. Councillor Foulds argued, that reserve fund is designed to fund legacy projects like the multi-plex. In the end council voted against Hebert's motion.

Council shoots down library budget increase

City Council held another budget meeting Wednesday night and there wasn't much in the way of fireworks.  Councillors seemed to be pretty content to tow the line with not many attempts to make any additions or subtractions.  Councillor Andrew Foulds tried to increase library hours to the tune of an extra 100 thousand dollars but the motion was shot down. 

Book of condolences open at City Hall

A book of condolences is now open at City Hall to allow you to pay your respects to the late Dusty Miller. The former mayor of Thunder Bay died this week at the age of 82. The flags at city hall will be flying at half staff until her funeral.

Chamber prez critical of Drummond report

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson is disappointed the Drummond report to the McGuinty government doesn't pay enough attention to the importance of the Ring of Fire mining development.  Wilson says he would like to see more emphasis on it.   He thinks Drummond may not understand the opportunity the development provides

Report isn't a budget: Mauro

A 700 page report to the McGuinty government provides 362 recommendations to prevent the province from going into a financial abyss.   The Drummond report says overall program spending for every person in the province should be cut by 16 per cent MPP Bill Mauro is quick to point out that the Drummond report is by no means government policy and that it simply provides advice and it's not the budget. Mauro says the report shows that it's a time for restraint in the province.

Wareham trial in final stage

The Andre Wareham murder trial will be going to the jury tomorrow.   Justice Terrance Platana is going to be giving his legal instructions to the 12 members at 11 am.   Wareham faces a second degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of William Atkins in 2009.  Wareham maintains it was self defence.

Police officer fails to show for hearing

A Police Services Act hearing for a Thunder Bay police Sgt. is taking place without the officer or his lawyer.   For the second time in a row Jim Mauro failed to show for the hearing into charges of misconduct.   The hearing officer, Morris Elbers ruled that the hearing will go on without Sgt. Mauro or his lawyer present.

Eight years for Manslaughter

Two Thunder Bay women are going to jail after being sentenced in a manslaughter case.    Joanne Vivier and Michelle Morris pleaded guilty in the death of a Big Trout Lake woman who's body was found in a room at the Arthur Street Travelodge Hotel in September of 2010.   In a Thunder Bay courtroom this morning they were each given a sentence of eight years.

Shoal Lake man dies in Winnipeg

A northwestern Ontario man who was months away from becoming a father is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of this year.  Eighteen-year-old Wahb Mandamin of Shoal Lake First Nation was stabbed near his hotel early yesterday.  He was in the city to accompany his girlfriend to her ultrasound appointment.

STI's in NWO

The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting high rates of sexually transmitted infections in the Kenora and Rainy River districts. The Health Unit's Gillian Lunny says chlamydia and gonorrhea are most commonly detected in the region.

Sexual Assault and Stabbing in Thunder Bay

Police are charging a 37 year old man in connection to two separate incidents this morning.  Sgt. Brain Crocker says they were called to a Park Avenue Apartment building by a woman who was reporting a sexual assault.  Police say the suspect in the sexual assault was also involved in a stabbing on Ambrose Street.  A 37 year old man is being charged in connection to the two incidents.

Former mayor dies

Former Thunder Bay Mayor Dusty Miller is dead. She died on Tuesday after a lenghtly illness. She was the first woman to become the mayor of the city when she was elected for one term in 1978. She was also a councillor for two terms, the first just prior to her election as mayor and the second in 1985. She was noted as a huge supporter of arts and culture. The funeral arrangements are pending.  Dusty Miller, dead at the age of 82.

Haircut incident now settled

A dispute over an impromptu haircut given to a Aboriginal student at McKellar Park School is now settled. The incident caused a furor and ended up with a top Toronto lawyer taking the case on behalf of the family. However Bruce Nugent of the Lakehead Public School Board says the terms of the deal are a secret, but both sides are satisfied with the outcome.  The incident took place in almost three years ago.

Murder trial about to go to jury

The Andre Wareham murder trial is winding down. The prosecution and the defence have completed presenting their evidence, which included testimony from the accused himself. Wednesday morning Steven Hinkson will be giving his final summation to the jury followed by the Crown's Rob Kozak. That is expected to take until the lunch break. From there it will be up to Justice Terrance Platana to given his instructions or as it's known in legal terms, his charge to the jury. Whether that will be Wednesday or on Thursday isn't clear. When that's complete it will be up to the jury to decide whether Andre Wareham killed William Atkins in self defence or whether he is guilty of second degree murder.

Border towns work for recognition

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to give recognition to the relationship between Fort Frances and International Falls. Speaking to Fort council last night, Falls city administrator Rod Otterness says the two cities deserve to have July 2nd proclaimed by their leaders as Peaceful Border Day. The day coincides with the annual tug of war between the two cities.

Wareham faces prosecutor

Wareham is claiming self defence in the 2010 stabbing death of William Atkins. This morning the prosecution tried to show an inconsistency between what Wareham told the jury yesterday and what he told a 911 operator right after the stabbing. In Court Monday,  Wareham testified about being kneed in the face repeatedly while he was stabbing Atkins, while he told the 911 operator he was being booted, or kicked in the face. Wareham explained he was hysterical at the time of the call.

Botanical Conservatory closed

Thunder Bay's Centennial Botanical Conservatory is closed for two months time because of glass that has fallen from the ceiling. General Manager Michael Smith says the closure takes effect at noon today. City staff will take safety precautions while they work at the Conservatory to maintain the plants. A feasibility study on the facility will come before Council this Spring.

Dilico holds addiction conference

Dilico Family Services is trying to empower area First Nation leaders with knowledge on how to help their residents dealing with addictions.  A 2 day conference on drug addiction kicked off this morning in Thunder Bay and Spokesperson Rose Pittis says they've provided conference goers with takeaway tools.  The conference will wrap up tomorrow at the Victoria Inn.

Kidnapping at the Greyhound

Police are investigating a kidnapping at the Greyhound last night. Staff Seargent Frank Earley says two men grabbed another that was standing inside the bus terminal. They forced him into a waiting truck; shortly after a man was reported going door to door in the White Park Road area asking for help. Police located the two men in the truck at the Can-Op gas bar on Oliver Road. They're charged with kidnapping, assault, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

Paterson Park Could be revitalized

A grant could mean some updating in the near future for Paterson Park.  The City has received 30 thousand dollars from the 8-80 Cities program and the Provincial Government and is looking at Paterson Park as a target for revitalization.  Councillor Mark Bentz says Paterson Park is a gateway to the south downtown but is showing its age and needs a face lift.