Monday, December 10, 2012

City Reserves Support For Green Energy Project


The City is holding off on throwing its support behind a new company that wants to use food waste to create green energy.  Digestic Corp. will burn food waste from local grocery stores to create renewable energy.  Company Spokesperson Jason Whiteside says he doesn't foresee any neighbours on Front Street having a problem.  Council isn't going to give its blessing until it hears more from city staff.  The company is looking for support from the City so it can gain approval from the Provincial Government.

City Takes Over Training Centre


City Council is taking over the management of the local Emergency Training Centre.  Councillors voted Monday night to waive the 572-thousand dollar loan that was provided to the centre's board several years ago to build the training facility.  President Larry Price says they'll have to hold a board meeting to determine the fate of their many projects.  City staff told council the training centre had muddy finances and that they should consider recouping their loan by taking over the facility.

Idle No More

Rallies are happening all across the country today including in Thunder Bay. Idle No More is raising awareness on how Bill C-45 will affect treaty rights. Maegan Gardner from Eagle Lake First Nation is the coordinator of the rally that was held in Dryden this morning, and says this bill will affect everyone. Gardner says the bill will have an impact on area First Nations and the environment.

Airports Authority Get 1 Million $

The Thunder Bay Airports Authority's industrial park is getting 1 million dollars to help attract new businesses, specifically, those involved with the aerospace industry.  The money is coming from the provincial government and MPP Bill Mauro says  part of the expansion includes adding up to 10 more lots to the park.

Director Says She Has No Choice

The Public School Board is closing its elementary schools on Wednesday because teachers will be going on a one day strike as part of their labour action against the Ontario government's anti-strike legislation. The Board's Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says she has no choice but to make the move to shut the schools down for the safety of the students. Siemieiuk says however the schools day care centres will remain open.

First Aid Funding

The Red Cross is preparing a first aid program for several northwestern Ontario First Nations communities thanks to a donation from Union Gas.   Red Cross spokesperson Rob Zuback says the company has given them 25 hundred dollars towards helping the most vulnerable learn the basics of first aid.

Housing Starts Up 17 Per Cent

The number of new housing construction starts in Thunder Bay has surpassed last year . According to government statistics the number of single detached starts is over the 200 mark. Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says it's only the 3rd time that's happened in the last 15 years and is a 17 per cent increase over last year at the same time.

Missing Man Found

Thunder Bay Police say a 19 year old Cherry Ridge man is now back with his family.  Police say James McCormack returned last night after being on the missing person's list for almost a week.   No further details are available.

Crimestoppers Crime Of The Week