Over 300 People Attend Multiplex Meeting

Around 350 people attended Wednesday night's public meeting on the City's proposed event centre.  Opportunity Thunder Bay held up signs in favour of the downtown waterfront project. Meanwhile, the Concerned Taxpayers group asked people to sign their petition calling for a vote on whether the project should go forward and if it does at what location.  City Council will discuss the full report on the proposed waterfront event centre at its meeting Monday night.

Fednor Gives Sachigo Lake Help

Improvements are on the way for Sachigo Lake First Nation.  Fednor Minister Tony Clement announced today that the federal government is providing 490 thousand dollars to the community.  The funding will allow the First Nation to construct a small business center which will house a number of businesses and provide a space for entrepreneurs.  Clement adds that it will allow for new investments in the area and allow existing businesses to grow and prosper.

Paterson Park Public Meeting

The City wants to hear your thoughts on what to do with Paterson Park.  A second meeting on the green space is being put on Thursday night at McKellar Park School by the non-profit group 8-80 Cities.  City Spokesperson Werner Schwar says 8-80 Cities will be sharing their findings from their first visit to Thunder Bay.  The goal of the project is to make the park more user friendly for users of all ages.

Koltun In, Evans Out

The City has appointed Nadia Koltun as their new lawyer.  Koltun acted as Rosalie Evans replacement over the last year.  City Manager Tim Commisso says after 9 years in the job Evans decided to pursue other opportunities.

Nickle Seeks Nom for Kenora Rainy River PC party

Making Ontario a have province.  That's the goal of Randy Nickle who has declared his intentions to run for the provincial PC party.  Nickle says Northwestern Ontario needs to take advantage of the resources we have.  The PC's will select a new representative for the Kenora-Rainy River riding on December first.

Black Friday Deals

More and more retailers in Thunder Bay are jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon. They are hosting their own promotions to counter the Black Friday in the United States, known for huge sales. Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson notes it's a growing trend, especially in the 3 years he has been with the Chamber. Wilson says the move may help to prevent people from cross border shopping and show prices here are comparable to the States.

Report Isn't Walmart Bashing

They say it's not Walmart bashing, but a new study predicts there will be a loss of jobs in the retail sector as the result of the expansion of the retail giant in Thunder Bay.  Consultant Keith Wootten  says they aren't trying to paint a negative picture with the results of their study. The Lakehead University study for Thunder Bay Ventures also says that most residents felt more Walmarts weren't needed, but they prefer the cheaper prices.  

Generic Oxy's Causing More Concern

The opposition continues to mount against the federal government's decision to allow generic Oxycontin on the market. Bob Herman of the Nishawbe Aski Police Service says it's a big step backward in the fight against addiction in First Nation communities.  Herman believes the feds should be taking a leadership role on the issue by banning the product.

Ontario N.D.P. Launch Healthcare Survey

The Ontario N.D.P. want to hear from you and your concerns about the healthcare system. A new survey has been launched by the provincial New Democrats. Party Leader Andrea Horwath says she and her MPP's will be hosting a series of town hall meetings in the coming weeks across the province. A link to the survey is available here.

Events Centre Gathering Tonight

The proposed multi-plex takes centre stage at tonight's public meeting at the Community Auditorium.   Consultant Conrad Boychuk will be giving a detailed presentation on his recommendation that the city's north downtown core be the site of a new events centre.  If you wish to watch the program the city is streaming it live, you can link up to it here. 

Police Seize Drugs & Weapons Worth $10,000

Two Sioux lookout residents are facing drug and firearm charges after O.P.P. executed a search warrant just over a week ago. Police say a 25 year old man and a 26 year old woman will next appear in court on December 18th after cocaine, Oxycodone and marijuana were found. Provincial police say they also seized two firearms as well. The value of the drugs seized is said to be worth $10,000 dollars.

Shutdown At Fort Frances Mill

A big blow to the Northwestern Ontario economy. Resolute Forest Products in Fort Frances is shutting down its paper machine number 5 and the kraft mill displacing 230 workers. The company says the shutdown is indefinite.

Kenora Apology

A very public apology from the two culprits who stole the Stanley Cup banners from the White Cap Pavillion this past summer. Adam Green and Jena Poschner read letters of apology to Kenora City Council last night. Poschner says the timing of their actions couldn't have been worse. The Stanley Cup banners were stolen from the Whitecap Pavillion just before Mike Richards was scheduled to bring the trophy to the city for a community celebration. 

Police Get Money For Social Networking Site

Thunder Bay's Police force is using 97 thousand dollars to create a website and a community based social networking site.

The money for the Zone Watch program came from the Provincial Government and Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says community members will register to take part in the social netoworking site.  Some members of the Police Services Board are concerned about the security aspect of having information posted online, and Adams is assuring them it will be secure site.

 

Multiplex Public Meeting Wednesday

More information will be released  tonight on the proposed Event Centre.  The third and final public information session is being held at the Community Auditorium at 7 Wednesday night.  If you want to watch it from the comfort of your own home you can log onto the City's website for a live stream of the event.

Balloon Animals On The Move

The waterfront's balloon animal sculptures are being repaired this weekend. Since they've been placed at Prince Arthur's Landing they've been badly damaged on more than one occasion. They're being fixed at the Baggage Building and then they will be placed near Pier 1 which has better visibility, lighting and security.

Taxi Issue Being Looked At

The Police Services Board is hearing complaints about taxi service at the local airport.  Roach's Taxi has a contract with the Airport to provide service to travellers landing in the City and people have had to wait for a cab.  Chair Joe Virdiramo says he understands the situation first hand as he too was in need of a cab after an out of town trip.  A committee with the Police Services Board is looking into the matter.

Farming Sector Good To NWO

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board is set to release a new report on the local farming sector. Executive Director Madge Richardson says we have a number of farm related jobs in the region. In the Thunder Bay area in 2011, we had 717 jobs in the food production sector. The full report on the farming sector is being released in December.

Brawl On Limbrick

Police are investigating a brawl last night on the city's south side. Constable Julie Tilbury says that it took place at Limbrick Place at involved about 20 people and weapons were involved. Tibury says they are hoping witnesses will call them to say what happened because right now no one involved is cooperating.

City Wants Dog Destroyed

The city's Animal Services section is proceeding with charges against the owner of an english bulldog involved in the mauling of an 11 year old boy over the weekend in Tarbutt Park.  The city's top By-law enforcer, Ron Bourret says they are recommending that the dog be put down.  The owner has been charged with failing to leash and licence the animal.   Bourret says the fines could range up to 5-thousand dollars.