Friday, December 16, 2011

Hobbs to give state of the city address

The Mayor will be giving his annual state of the city address to council Monday.  Keith Hobbs says he's looking forward to outline some of the year's highlights and will also give a look ahead to the new year.  Hobbs says he thinks economic development has been and will continue to be the biggest issue in the city.

NAN supports UN Inquiry

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is supporting a decision by the UN to conduct an inquiry into the murders of Aboriginal Woman in Canada.  Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its about time an inquiry was called.  The UN made the decision after hearing calls from the Native Women's Association and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action.

Feds help people with disabilities

The Government of Canada is helping people with disabilities.  MP Greg Rickford announced the government will be giving the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay almost 600 thousand dollars.  About 350 people are expected to benefit from the funding. 

FedNor funds small business development

Two Thunder Bay organizations are benefiting from Federal government funding through FedNor. MP Greg Rickford says over three quarter million dollars is going to the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.  The Enterprise Gateway gets 450 thousand dollars while the Innovation Centre receives 320 thousand.

RIM is in real danger

Things are not looking good for Research in Motion.  Local Technology Consultant and Former RIM Executive Anthony LeBlanc says 3rd quarter results are concerning but its biggest problem is delays with new software.  Leblanc says with the company's shares as low as they are, the vultures are circling and a take over could happen soon. 

Police arrest 4 in drug bust

Four people are behind bars after police made a drug bust in the city yesterday.  Officers search 2 homes on Christina and Logan Streets and Black Chrome Apparel on Red River Thursday and found large amounts of drugs and Hell's Angels clothing.  Officials say the drugs had a street value of 70 thousand dollars.

Christmas charity robbed

The Salvation Army is out almost 500 dollars after someone stole a stack of bills from their counting centre.  Major Merv Halverson says a person went to the counting centre last night asked a question and then grabbed a stack of bills and left.

Another historic day on the FWFN

It's official, the governments of Canada, Ontario and the Fort William First Nation have now signed a land settlement which concludes a long standing boundary claim.  It includes a payout of 150 million dollars from Canada and also includes Pie Island on Lake Superior.  A ceremony took place on the reserve Friday morning which included MP Greg Rickford and band Chief Peter Collins.

Man on the Street: Multi-Plex

There's strong support among some Thunder Bay residents to continuing the quest for a new arena. In the wake of the federal governments decision not to fund the project right now, we asked residents, should the city still go for it.







Grand Marais shooting

A 42 year old man who was attending court in Grand Marais, Minnesota is in jail after opening fire in the Cook County courthouse.  3 people were injured yesterday including the County Attorney and two others.  Daniel Schlienz was the defendant in a criminal sexual conduct case that was being heard in the courthouse yesterday.

Westfort Apartment Fire

One woman is in hospital after an apartment fire on West Frederica Street this morning.  All of the apartment residents got out of the building.  Crews brought the fire under control, some smoke damage is reported.  Platoon Chief Dave Nelson says it appears the fire started in one of the apartment's kitchen.  One woman is in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.