Second Hospital VP Resigns

The president of the  Regional Health Sciences Centre is confirming a second senior executive has resigned   Andree Robichaud says that Lori Marshall is no longer working at the hospital.   She joins senior vice president Scott Potts who have both recently left under a cloud of community suspicion. .  Robichaud says she doesn't want to taint their legacy with rumours and allegations.   Robichaud says she is confident patient care will not be affected by the recent resignations of both senior staff and doctors.

Mauro Appeal Denied

It appears to be the end of the line for Jim Mauro.   The city police sergeant's appeal of his demotion to constable for one year has been turned down by the provinces Civilian Police commission.   Mauro had been found guilty of discreditable conduct in connection to a letter he presented at a labour hearing.  No reason was given for the dismissal.

Empire Hotel Wall Collapses

The City will be investigating the collapse of a wall at the Empire Hotel on Simpson Street.   The wall came down last night and Licensing and Enforcement Manager Ron Bourret says they've had their eye on the vacant building for sometime.  Bourret says they'll be getting an engineers report on the structure of the building.

OPP Report Body Found

OPP say they have found the body of 26 year old cliff diver Larry Larivee.  Police were called to the McKenzie River last night after someone said they found a body.  The cause of death at this time is unknown and a post mortem has been ordered.

Outlive Yourself Campaign Coming To T.Bay

Now that summer is here, more and more people are either biking or running across the country for a cause. Cayse Ruiter cycled into Kenora recently as part of his Outlive yourself campaign to raise awareness about organ donation.  Ruiter is continuing his journey and hopes to be in Thunder Bay today.

Provincial Education Awards

A provincial school association is honouring two Thunder Bay residents.  Laura Sylvestre and Carolos Santander-Maturana received the Ontario Public School Board Association's achievement awards at last night's school board meeting.  The awards recognize their outstanding efforts in public education.

Public School Board Budget Passes

The Lakehead Public School Board's 132 million dollar budget is in the books.  The 2013-2014 budget puts money towards full day Kindergarten and information technology.  Other spending highlights include a mental health and addictions strategy and a promise to provide social workers in schools.  The school board now has to present their budget to the Provincial Government's Ministry of Education.

C of C Prez Like Report

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce appears encouraged by the latest economic report from Lakehead University.   Charla Robinson says the study results will be useful in helping move forward and is encouraged by its recommendations. Among the recommendations Robinson is happy with is the establishment of a mining supply association and is impressed that the report shows the Aboriginal population is critical to the city's economic future and requires more study.

Study Makes Economic Recommendations

A Lakehead University study  is making several recommendations to help the city's economy move forward.  It was done for Thunder Bay Ventures and manager Royden Potvin says it lays out a blueprint which he hopes is taken seriously by the movers and shakers in the community.  He says strategies are needed to attract private business.  Among the recommendations is one which says we should increase the availability of professionals and skilled labour and another calling for more study into the economic contributions of the Aboriginal population.

Hobbs Not Down With Potvin Comment

 The mayor isn't liking recent comments by the manager of Thunder Bay Ventures.  Royden Potvin says the latest Small Business Survey shows almost 60 per cent of those questioned say city council is not doing a good job representing their business.  Potvin says that city council has an image problem.  But Mayor Keith Hobbs says he doesn't know what image problem Potvin is talking about. Hobbs is especially miffed at Potvin' s comments since the latest report to the community shows the city running efficiently on all cylinders saying " maybe he needs to come and talk to us".

City Ready To Host Canada Day Party

 Canada Day is quickly approaching and the city is ready to throw another party at Marina Park.   City Events Coordinator Doug Henry says it will again be the biggest mass gathering of people in the city all year, with up to 20 thousand people expected to attend.  The parade will be returning, but it will be held within the friendly confines of Prince Arthur's Landing at Marina Park.   As always, a fireworks display will wrap up the day's  festivities.  

Council Doesn't Meet Small Business Needs: Survey

The latest survey from Thunder Bay Ventures should be a concern to city councillors.    Manager Royden Potvin says the study indicates the city should pay attention to the needs of small business and that city council has an image problem. The survey indicates council is not meeting the needs of business. On a positive note half the  businesses questioned expect to hire more employees in the next year and that overall, there are more positive responses to questions this year than in some previous years.  

Greenstone Finalizes Budget

Greenstone is finalizing its 2013 budget.  There won't be an increase in the total taxes raised from 2012 to this year.  Officials say it was hard to keep the taxes down with the increased costs in utilities, policing, & water and sewer.

Shuniah Looks Into Merger

Shuniah Town Council is getting their staff to look into the possibility of merging with Dorion.  CAO Eric Collingwood says they've asked staff to report back with the feasibility at a future meeting.

City Hall Says No To Internet Voting

City Council is saying no to offering internet voting in the next municipal election.  It was quashed in a late night meeting that ended at 1:30 in the morning.  Some Councillors were concerned about the security of the new system.

Art Gallery Location Undecided

The future location of the art gallery is still up in the air.  Art Gallery reps asked City Council for 25 million dollars to help build a new building on the waterfront.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they have some time to mull the proposal over before it comes back in the fall.  The art gallery is currently housed on the Confederation College campus.

CMHC Releases Resale Report

Canada Mortgage and Housing is out with their resale market report.  The outlook says the price of a house in the City will rise 6.4 percent.  The report also shows that the amount of homes for resale are on the decline.

Enough Is Enough Ride In Town

A mental illness cross Canada bike tour is stopping in Thunder Bay today.  The Enough is Enough ride will be at the Memorial Avenue Walmart around the lunch hour today.
Money raised goes toward the Kelty Foundation.

Police Looking For Suspects

Thunder Bay Police are looking for two men in their 20s who they believe tried to rob a woman as she walked home on the path behind Walmart on Dawson Road.  Two men dressed in dark clothes pushed a 22 year old woman to the ground and demanded money or her iPhone.  She was able to get up, run away and call police.  If anyone has information contact Police or Crimestoppers.

Councillors Approve New Bike Lanes

The person responsible for the bike lane system in Thunder Bay says statistics prove they are safe.   In his presentation to city councillors Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper said  the numbers show that streets are safer where bike lanes exist.  He says there's been a 70 per cent decrease in bike collisions and a 22 per cent decrease in motorist collisions after the lanes have been introduced. The latest changes will see 120 kilometres of new bike and pedestrian routes to the city.