Speech From The Throne

GG David Johnston

The Federal Government's Throne Speech makes a lot of promises. Governor General David Johnston read the "Seizing Canada's Moment" document Wednesday afternoon and says the Feds will work on improving the skilled trades sector by having workers credentials recognized between the Provinces and Territories. Johnston also mentioned the Federal Government's vow to improve First Nation's education on reserve and developing our resources in an environmentally friendly manner.

Driver Succumbs To Injuries

The 64 year old Alberta man involved in a single vehicle accident this afternoon has died in Thunder Bay hospital.  He lost control of his vehicle just before 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon hitting a rock cut on the opposite side of the road.  Highway 11/17 near Sistonen's Corners was closed for over 2 hours on Wednesday.

Solar Hydro Projects Complete

Thunder Bay Hydro's rooftop solar panel project is officially complete. The last of six City building's started collecting solar energy on Tuesday and officials held a ribbon cutting Wednesday.  Hydro President Rob Mace says the solar panels do provide some energy.  Panels have been installed on the roofs of the Port Arthur Arena, Tbaytel Work Centre, Mountdale Maintenance Garage, Thunder Bay Transit, Victoriaville Parkade and Superior North EMS building.

Habitat Program Reaches 25 Year Milestone

Major Rob Kerr 

The Salvation Army is happy they've been able to help offer housing to 34 people living with disabilities.  A 25th anniversary celebration was held on Wednesday at the Habitat Program's Pearl Street Apartment Building.  Major Rob Kerr says he's in awe of the longevity of the program.  Kerr adds if the program didn't exist the building's 34 residents might be homeless. The Social Services Board provides the funding for the program and Thunder Bay Housing owns the building.

Camp Quality Fundraiser Wednesday Night

There's a charity event for Camp Quality taking place at the CLE Coliseum Wednesday night.  Organizer Clara Butikofer says local participants will be peddling away on stationary bikes as part of the event.  13 teams are registered and over 100 people will be attending Wednesday's event. Ceremonies begin at 5:45....the fundraising goal is 18 thousand dollars.

Longlac Man Keno Winner

Longlac resident Andre Boulanger is 125-thousand dollars richer after playing in Ontario's Daily Keno draw. The retiree plans to save some of his winnings, but also spoil his daughter and grandson.

20 Ounces Of Cocaine Seized

City police are reporting the seizure of over 50-thousand dollars worth of Cocaine.  Over the Thanksgiving long weekend, police searched a West Arthur Street hotel and charged two men with possessing and trafficking cocaine. Staff Sergeant Murray Brown says they seized over 20 ounces of cocaine and just over six thousand dollars in cash.  35 year old Berkley Blake from Thunder Bay and a 38 year old Brampton man are facing the charges.

Education Minister Unveils Youth Job Strategy

The Provincial Government is touting its new Youth Jobs Strategy. Education Minister Liz Sandals toured Sir Winston Churchill High School today and unveiled the strategy. Sandals says they're spending over 200 million dollars will go towards creating four new funds that will help young people find work, build job skills and start their own business. Sandals is also holding a discussion today in the City with school board officials, students and other education representatives about the needs of students in Ontario.

Shelter House Kicks Off Raffle

Shelter House is kicking off it's largest fundraising raffle in the history of the organization. Executive Director Patty Hajdu says they've seen a jump in demand for their services and don't have enough money to offset the increased need.  First prize is 30-thousand dollars in cash, followed by 10-thousand, and 5-thousand dollars for third place. The draw will be made on Christmas Eve with early bird draws taking place in November. City Councillors Larry Hebert, Iain Angus and Paul Pugh bought the first three tickets for the raffle at an event this morning.

Conservatory Reopens

After being shut down over the long weekend, the Centennial Botanical Conservatory is set to reopen today.  Last Friday, City officials closed the 47-year old building after a couple of roof vents had broken over a walkway.  The Conservatory was closed last winter after glass panels came crashing down, which led the City to install protective safety netting from the ceiling.  The facility opens its doors this afternoon at one o'clock.    

OPP Nab Naughty Drivers

OPP say they laid a number of charges over the Thanksgiving long weekend.  244 tickets were handed out for speeding, another 34 for seat belt infractions, there were four distracted drivers charged and only 1 impaired driver arrested.

Group Talks Minimum Wage Today

Poverty Free Thunder Bay wants to hear your stories about living on Ontario's minimum wage.  Chair Terri Carter says they want to hear about the hardships people making minimum wage face.  To share your story stop by the Village Green in the Victoriaville Mall from 11 until 1.  Stories shared with Poverty Free Thunder Bay will then be passed on to members of the Provincial Government.

Airport Holding Training Exercise

Thunder Bay's Airport is undergoing an emergency training exercise today.  President Scott McFadden says it will involve Wasaya Airways, Fire, Police, EMS, and Nav Canada.  McFadden says the training exercise will take part in the Southwest corner of the airport.

Hunter Found Dead Near Rainy River

OPP say the death of a hunter in the Rainy River area isn't suspicious.  Police say the American man was found on Monday, 30 km north of the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 611.  A post mortem is being conducted at the Kenora Hospital.

Status Cards Are Welcome

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce is re-launching a program that they hope will make Aboriginal customers feel more welcome at area businesses.  President Charla Robinson says they're handing out decals to businesses that tell their customers that "Status Cards are Welcome".A recent study by Thunder Bay Ventures says the Aboriginal workforce contributes over 300 million dollars to the local economy.

Late Painting For Bike Lanes

The city is being criticized by some for painting new bike lanes in October, which is considered late in the season.   Active Transportation Coordinator Adam Krupper says the company doing the job was delayed in getting started.  He says they had a backlog of jobs to complete before they could get working on the bike lanes.   Krupper says it would not have been practical to wait until the spring to get the painting done, nor would it save any money.

Holiday Train Here Dec. 1st

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be stopping in Thunder Bay once again.   The food bank fundraiser will stop in the city Sunday December the first at 8:45 in the evening at the Syndicate Avenue train station.  This years entertainment includes  Melanie Doane and Crystal Shawanda

Go Purple Day Wednesday

Expect to see a lot of purple Wednesday for the first "Go Purple for Prevention Day".  The Thunder Bay Childrens Aid Society is using the day to raise awareness surrounding child abuse.  People are encouraged to take photos of themselves dressed in purple and post it to the Step Up Campaign's Facebook page.

Police Board Interested In Changing Beat Program

Some members of the Police Services Board would like to see the beat officers walking area neighbourhoods patrol later into the evenings. Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says the program has been successful from 9 to 5 but they would like to see if the hours of the shifts could be altered.  Virdiramo says they'll continue to look for efficiencies that will allow them to offer the program later into the evening.  The cost to expand the program to another six officers would cost around a million dollars something Virdiramo says they can't afford at the moment.

12 Hour Shifts Start In January

Some members of the City Police Service are going to a 12 hour shift schedule starting in January.  Chief JP Levesque says uniform, communications and records employees will be adding an extra two hours to their work day.  Levesque says the move should save them some money through fewer overtime shifts.  Two staff sergeants and four sergeants will be moved into a variety of positions including the gang unit, criminal investigations branch and the school resource section.  The new twelve hour shift will be tried out for a year.