Monday, April 16, 2012

Dawson Road Truck Issue Postponed Again

McIntyre Ward Councillor Trevor Giertuga was frustrated on behalf of residents in his ward as the Dawson Road and heavy truck issue came up before city council Monday night. Giertuga was upset for a variety of reasons but wanted to be involved in the process during council's intergovernmental liaison committee meeting on the subject. After venting his frustration about not being invited, despite asking to be, he put forth a motion that council have another intergovernmental committee meeting on the subject. It was passed and now council won't be expected to hear back on the subject until July.

ReGen Med requests cash

City Council is hearing a request from ReGen Med.  The not for profit bone and tissue bank is requesting 500-thousand dollars in transitional funding.  The organization feels the money would ensure their future growth.  They want to increase their staffing levels from 8 to 40.  Council is getting a report on the funding request and will make their decision at a future meeting.

McDonald tops locals at marathon

12 Thunder Bay runners are celebrating their Boston Marathon finishes today. The City was well represented this year with Ryan McDonald posting the best time of all Thunder Bay runners. He finished in 3 hours 13 minutes and 40 seconds, while Marcia Migay was tops for the local women with a time of 3 hours and 35 minutes. Local results as follows.

McDonald, Ryan (CAN) 03:13:40
Migay, Marcia (CAN) 03:35:58
Pazianos, Tom (CAN) 03:46:55
Sneve, Darren (CAN) 03:53:42
Harris, Allan (CAN) 04:00:59
Baraskewich, Lindsay (CAN) 04:01:04
Bociurko, Christine (CAN) 04:12:02
Smith, Leigh (CAN) 04:30:04
Frederickson, Deborah (CAN) 04:34:23
McDonald, Susan (CAN) 04:35:40
Barton, Judy (CAN) 04:45:49
Smith, Mark (CAN) 04:48:27

Area highways start to re-open

OPP say Highways are starting to open up. Police say Highway 11 from Nipigon to North Bay Highway 17 from Sistonen Corners heading west to Ignace is open as is Highway 11 between Shabaqua and Atikokan.


Gun incident on FWFN

A woman is out of police custody after an incident with a gun on Chippewa Road Sunday afternoon.  Anishinabek police say the woman was on the road waving what appeared to be a rifle or a shotgun.  Police took her into custody but later let her go. Police say charges have been laid.

Cartoon display at City Hall

The city is hosting a display that involves award winning editorial cartoons from all around the world. The Freedom of Expression Broadstrokes exhibit is being shown in the lobby of City Hall until May 15th.

Grocery shopping goes high tech

Quality Market is introducing the first online grocery store in the city. In addition to city residents the new internet shopping system will benefit many First Nation communities. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says remote communities will have access to fresh produce at an affordable price. The link for the grocery store website is here.

Marathon stolen vehicle

Marathon OPP are charging two Southern Ontario residents with possession of stolen property and fleeing police.  It stems from a report of a stolen vehicle over the weekend.  Police spotted the vehicle and started a high speed chase.  Two men and woman evaded a speed belt and abandoned the vehicle.  The K9 unit helped track the duo a short distance from the stolen car.

Hobbs talks truck traffic on Dawson

City lawmakers will be considering a proposal many hope will discourage truck traffic on Dawson Road. Councillors will be voting on whether to reduce the speed limit and make it into a community safety zone.

Hydro One reports outages

Hydro One is reporting a power outage in the outlying communities around Thunder Bay.  128 customers near Pass Lake are without power this morning, as are several residents in Neebing and Oliver Paipoonge.

Rural Schools Closed-All buses cancelled

The bad weather is impacting all school bus transportation today. All buses are cancelled. School closures today include, CRESTVIEW, MCKENZIE, FIVE MILE, NOR’WESTER VIEW, GORHAM & WARE, VALLEY CENTRAL, KAKABKA FALLS, WHITEFISH VALLEY, Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed. All rural schools are closed. Urban schools will be open. All Thunder Bay Catholic and French Catholic schools are open.




Foulds brings hockey rink resolution

City Councillor Andrew Foulds is introducing a resolution tonight that will look at increasing supervision at local hockey rinks.  Foulds says it's the first step towards getting kids more physically active in the winter.  Foulds says if the resolution passes tonight, staff will come back with a list of options for council on how they can make the rinks more accessible.

Queens are winners again

Thunder Bay's Sportop midget double A Queens are the Ontario Women's Hockey Association provincial champions. It's their second time winning the title in three seasons. The Queens now move on to represent the province at the Esso Cup Canadian national female hockey championship in P.E.I.




Pikangikum suspicious death

Police are investigating the suspicious death of a 32 year old Pikangikum First Nation man.  Officers were called to a house on the First Nation to deal with an altercation on April 14th.  A short time later a man was located unresponsive on the side of a road.  A post-mortem exam still needs to be conducted.