Liberal's Commitment To Mining Questioned

The Progressive Conservatives are questioning the Liberal government's commitment to mining in the province.   In the legislature Vic Fedeli said after the Victor diamond mine was developed, the province imposed a mining tax and he wonders if history could repeat itself in the Ring of Fire with a new chromite tax.   Fedeli says in 2003 Ontario was ranked number one in mining, now we are number 16.  He notes that the Far North Act has cut off half of  northern Ontario from being explored,  causing many companies to move out of the province.

Police Release Footage

City Police are releasing security camera footage of three young men they would like to talk with. Spokesperson Chris Adams says the footage comes after a vehicle was parked outside of the Target store on February 16th and was spray painted.  It is unknown if this occurrence is linked to recent vehicle spray painting incidents in the area.

High Snow Banks Cause Worry

City Police are warning motorists about kids playing on top of high snow banks on area streets.  The banks are almost covering up stop signs around the City and Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says there's a real concern about kids playing on the hills. He adds it only takes a few seconds for a child to slide out in front of your vehicle.  Porter says it's also a good idea for parents to talk to their kids about the safety issues surrounding making tunnels in area snow banks.

Prof Predicts Continued Unrest In Ukraine

Don't expect an early end to the political turmoil in Ukraine.  At the moment their ousted president, Viktor  Yanukovych,  is on the run.  Lakehead University political science professor Laure Paquette says it's anyone guess about what might happen adding, the country is in uncharted waters. She believes there will be more unrest but with different people in charge.  Paquette says the risk is that the tensions will increase between the Russian speaking and Ukrainian speaking people leading to both political and economic problems.

PCs Stay Mum On Johnson

A spokesperson for the Ontario Progressive Conservative party isn't saying much about Tamara Johnson.  Johnson was removed as the PC candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North for the next provincial election.   PC spokesperson Alan Sakach won't comment on the reasons.  He says it's an internal party matter and he will not comment on someone who is no longer a candidate.  Johnson's outster comes a week and a half after she posted controversial comments on Facebook about businesses on the Fort William First Nation.

Power Outage At South Side School

All is back to normal at  St. Martin's School on Mary Street after some excitement this morning.  Omar Belisle of the Catholic School Board says the building was evacuated because of an electrical problem which caused a power outage.  Students were taken to St. Agnes Church  while officials tried to restore power.  Once that was complete the students were let back into school. There were no injuries.

Report Urges Partnerships

Ontario's Advocate for Children and Youth is urging local, provincial, federal and First Nations leadership to partner with them in order to create safer and healthier First Nations communities. In a report released today, 3 recommendations are made, including the joining of provincial, federal, First Nations Leadership and other interested organizations to take immediate action to meet the needs of First Nations youth.

Walkers Complete Spiritual Journey

A group of First Nations adults and youth are set to arrive in Ottawa this morning, completing their 49-day spiritual journey from Attawapiskat First Nation, located at James Bay. The group of 25 individuals made the journey to draw attention to concerns with broken treaties, land and water protection, and human rights issues. The 1700 km trek will conclude today at 12:30 pm at Parliament Hill, where they will share a message of their journey.

Bingo Hall Request

Council will listen to a proposal tonight that would see the currently closed Roxy's Bar on Memorial Avenue turned into a Bingo and Night Club. The building is currently vacant and is adjacent to the Super 8 Motel. There has been some initial negative feedback towards the proposal from neighbours who are concerned with parking accessibility.

Council Learns About By-Law Officers

Council is also going to learn more about what their by-law officers are in charge of.  A report coming to Council tonight shows that each by-law officer carried a case load of 334 complaint files in 2013. Last year, over a thousand complaints came in including noise infractions, fence issues, business licensing and yard maintenance. 90 percent of those infractions were resolved.

By-Law Officers Want Fines

City By-law officers are asking the City to give them the power to write tickets for a number of offences including smoking on hospital grounds.
Manager Ron Bourret thinks fines will help stop bad behaviour. The hospital is asking for a 150 dollar fine for smoking on their grounds, by-law officers are also looking for a set fine of 250 dollars for smoking in a workplace or 10 meters from the edge of a beach.

Johnson Out As PC Candidate

A PC source in Toronto is confirming that Provincial Conservative Tamara Johnson is out as candidate for Thunder Bay Superior North. The announcement comes following statements Johnson made on Facebook, regarding businesses in the Fort William First Nation. A nomination meeting will be held at a later date.

Highway 11 Closure

OPP have closed Highway 11 near Reflection Lake, just prior to the community of Macdiarmid. Crews are working on removing a tractor-trailer unit. The closure is expected to last another hour.

Additional Charges For Sioux Lookout Man

OPP in Sioux Lookout are laying additional charges on 39-year old Armand Cummings in relation to an incident that happened on Friday. Police say they observed Cummings while he bought liquor from an LCBO, and then sold it behind the store. They add that when they approached him he claimed he was robbed. Cummings is facing charges of unlawfully selling liquor and public mischief. Cummings was also charged with unlawfully selling liquor ten days prior to the incident.

Cultural Sector Recognizes Contributers

The city's cultural sector is recognizing several individuals who have made contributions to its development. An awards evening was held Thursday at the Prince Arthur Hotel and included awards for performing and media arts, visual arts and cultural heritage. Awards include cash prizes of either 5-hundred or 1-thousand dollars.

Sexual Charges Laid

City Police are charging a 27 year old man with a variety of sexual related offences.  It came after someone reported a Kijiji ad that called for young boy models between 6 and 13 years of age.  The investigation led detectives to communicate with the suspect via text messages. The man is charged with invitation to sexual touching, luring a child, breach of probation, and failing to comply with undertaking.

Highway Closures Updated

OPP are asking motorists travelling to call 5-11 for updated highway road conditions.  Highway 11 has been totally reopened at the Hwy 11/17 Junction in Nipigon to Hearst.  Meanwhile, west of Thunder Bay, Kenora OPP have reopened Highway 17 near the junction of Highway 71.  It was closed this morning because of a jack-knifed tractor trailer unit.

HWY 17 Open To One Lane

Highway 17  is now open to one lane at Tower Hill.  It was closed just east of Ignace due to a five vehicle motor vehicle collision involving two tractor trailer units, one snow plow and two passenger vehicles. The eastbound lane of Highway 17 is open near Tower Hill.

Gas Leak Investigated At Victoriaville

Union Gas is confirming that they have not found anything out of the ordinary following a suspected gas leak at the Victoriaville Mall. District Manager Dave Sword says they did a thorough search but didn't find anything. Emergency Operations have ceased at the building however the Victoriaville mall will remain closed for the day.

Ride Check Nabs No One

The Canadian Women's hockey teams gold medal win at the Olympics yesterday caused celebrations across Canada.  As a result, Thunder Bay Police took precautions and held a RIDE check last night to ensure no one was drinking and driving from any celebrations. Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says thankfully they didn't nab anyone with drinking and driving, and no one was in the penalty box.  Porter says with the cruddy weather today people should stay home if they can and watch the men's hockey team play the US.