Monday, April 22, 2013

Two Week Shutdown At Resolute FP

Resolute Forest Products is shutting down its newsprint mill in Thunder Bay for two weeks starting this week.  Marvin Pupeza of the Paperworkers Union calls it an inventory shutdown due to a glut of paper on the market and says it has nothing to do with a vote by members last week who rejected a company bid to contract out some mill jobs.

Laundry List Of Charges After Sunday Incident

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 35 year old man with impaired operation of a vehicle, mischief and breaking and entering.  The laundry list of charges stem from an incident yesterday that saw a man repeatedly try to enter a home.  Police say the man threw a snow shovel at the front door of the home breaking the glass.  He then left the area in a vehicle when police pulled him over for drinking and driving at the corner of Court and River Street.

Neebing Stolen Car

Two young men are charged with stealing a vehicle in Neebing. OPP say they found an abandoned vehicle on Olsen Road last week and it was later revealed it was stolen from a residence in Thunder Bay. The two under age youth are charged with possession of property obtained by crime. The two are being held in custody for a video bail hearing.

OPP Busy Weekend

OPP are taking a breath after a busy weekend.  Police responded to over 30 motor vehicle collisions over the weekend.  Most involved vehicles landing in ditches due to poor driving conditions and transports becoming stuck or jack knifed on area highways.  No one was seriously hurt in any of the accidents this past weekend.

It's Earth Day

It's Earth Day today.  Eco Superior Spokesperson Ellen Mortfield says it's important to consider how you can be more environmentally friendly.  Mortfield suggests eating local foods, cutting down on buying products with lots of packaging, and recycling when possible.  Local celebrations were held over the weekend on the waterfront.


Municipal Golf Fees Up For Debate Tonight

The City's Municipal Golf Advisory Committee is recommending dropping user fees back to 2007 levels as away of increasing its membership.   The committee was put in place to try and find ways to keep the golf course open and make it sustainable.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson isn't in favour of the move.  If approved an adult membership for Municipal will be set at 900 dollars and an older adult will pay 800 dollars a year.

Sachigo Lake Teens Wrap Up Walk Today

Sachigo Lake teens are on a fundraising walk have made it to Thunder Bay!  They had hoped to make it to the City by April 27th but instead arrived just in time for a special celebration at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School today.  The teens want to raise money for new residences for the DFC high school.

Council Hears Plans For Old Church Lands

City Council will hear about plans for the former Ukranian Catholic Church on the corner of Mountdale and Gore Street West.  The developer of the property is asking Council to rezone a portion to allow for a pet store, recreational facility and apartment building.  They are also asking to spruce up the existing parking lot across from the Church.

Dillico Workers Strike Vote

Unionized staff who provide child welfare, health and mental heath services to aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.  The 450 plus staff at Dilico Anishnabek Family Services have voted in 95-percent in favour of strike action.  The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union says their old collective agreement expired in March 2012.  CEP says workloads, off-hour coverage and wages and benefit improvements are just a few of the issues that haven't be resolved.  The Union is hoping to schedule more meeting dates with the employer.

OPP Say Highway Open

Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and the Hemlo Mine is now open to both lanes of traffic.  OPP say bad weather and road conditions caused the closure of the highway earlier today.