City Council Round Up

The City is spending almost a million dollars to purchase defibrillators.  The expenditure is to replace the existing medical machines for both the Superior North EMS and Fire and Rescue Service.  The existing defibrillators have reached the end of their use.  Meanwhile, The social services board is providing 70-thousand dollars to two child care facilities in the City.  50-thousand dollars will go towards the Algoma Child Care Centre to provide a review of their facility.  Grace Remus will use 20-thousand dollars towards upgrading a special needs room.  An update on the projects were provided to City Council last night.

Riverview Drive Stays The Same

City Council is going to keep the status quo when it comes to Riverview Drive.  Some residents had concerns about the speed of cars driving down the neighbourhood road.  Staff recommended to Council they don't implement any traffic calming measures since residents who took a poll suggested they didn't want change.

Council Puts Off Water Vote

City Council isn't making a decision anytime soon on delivering well water to rural homes.  They asked staff to look into other municipalities best practices and the liability of offering the service.  Councillor Trevor Giertuga is against discontinuing the service saying it's not fair to the rural homeowners. Council Chambers were packed Monday night with residents speaking out against the decision.

Church Donations Stolen

City Police are investigating a theft from St. Paul's Anglican Church.  Someone broke into the church early Monday morning and stole a safe full of money set aside for Christmas Cheer. Archdeacon Deborah Kraft says it breaks her heart to think someone would steal from the needy. Kraft says they've notified police and are hopeful they will be able to apprehend the person or people responsible.

Break Ins Reported At Max Lake

Constable Diana Cole

The OPP are looking into a series of break-ins at camps on Max Lake north of Thunder Bay.  Constable Diana Cole says that the incidents took place sometime between November 24th and the 30th to about 17 cottages, with more reports coming.  Cole says some of the items stolen included generators, chainsaws, outboard motors and fishing equipment.

Roadside Sleeper Charged

Thunder Bay OPP are charging a 66 year old man with a drinking and driving related offence after police spotted a vehicle parked at the end of a merge lane on Highway 11/17 on Friday. An officer attempted to get the driver's attention who appeared to be sleeping.  Once the man woke up officers smelled alcohol on his breath and found him to be over the legal driving limit. He'll appear in court on January 7th.

First Nation Company Likes Ontario Energy Plan

A First Nation power company is putting its support behind the Provincial Government's long term energy plan.  The Ontario power plan commits to connected remote First Nation communities currently serviced by diesel generation.  The First Nations-led company looks forward to working with the provincial government to connect the communities to a transmission power line.

OPP Report Several Incidents In Terrace Bay Area

Terrace Bay OPP are charging a 35 year old man with assault and theft under five thousand dollars after an incident Friday. Police responded to a call of an assault at a business in which a man sustained injuries after being struck by another man. He made a court appearance in Thunder Bay Monday. Meanwhile, Schreiber OPP are currently investigating reports of break and enters that happened two weeks ago in Strey Township, west of Terrace Bay. Someone forced their way into buildings and homes causing property damage. Numerous items were stolen.

RFDA To Feed Seniors & Singles

The Regional Food Distribution Association will be feeding less fortunate seniors and single people this holiday season.  It comes after the Christmas Cheer Fund announced they would only be giving hampers out to families with children.  RFDA Board Member Larry Brigham says these are people who already depend on area food banks.  Those in need can apply for a Christmas package on Wednesday by calling 211.

Richardson Seeks South Side NDP Nod

The executive director the North Superior Workforce Planning Board is stepping into politics.   Madge Richardson says she is seeking the nomination for the NDP in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.   She says the riding needs a strong voice in the legislature to make sure we have the resources to maintain and improve our economy.  

Local To Receive G.G.'s Bravery Medal

A Thunder Bay man is being honoured for his heroic efforts this week by the Governor General.  Alex Myros and two southern Ontario men, are receiving the Medal of Bravery in Ottawa on Thursday.  It's for risking their lives to rescue two people from a burning vehicle near Angola, Indiana in June of 2009.

Community Foundation Partners With Dilico

The Thunder Bay Community Foundation is breaking new ground.   Executive Director Bonnie Moore says they are making the Dilico Children’s Foundation eligible for the Community Foundation's support through an endowment fund.   She calls it an historic announcement since only about two other foundations in the country have partnerships with First Nations. Moore says the Community Foundation will match the fund dollar for dollar up to 50 thousand dollars.

Victim Won't Have To Pay Rescue Costs

The victim of a weekend rescue on Mount McKay will not have to pay  for his misadventure.  The 24 year old man was attempting to parachute down when something went wrong and he became stranded.   Chief John Hay says the costs of the rescue are minimal and will not be charged back to the victim. He says it's not something the fire service normally does and in this case the extra costs were minimal, amounting overtime for some off duty technicians.  Saturday evening's rescue lasted for about 8 hours.

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers and the OPP are asking for your assistance in solving a break and enter in the Municipality of Shuniah.  Sometime between the evening hours of October 7th and the morning hours of October 8th someone broke into a locked storage container by cutting the chain and stealing and large amount of industrial tools.  Some of the items included a DIA bore welder, a digital tool adjuster, grinders, tool sets and welding equipment.  The tools are valued at over $40,000.  Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a web tip at www.tipsubmit.com.    

Wild Police Chase

A 26-year old man is in custody after a wild chase on the City's north side.  Shortly before 10 o'clock last night Police attempted a traffic stop, but the car driven by the man, took off and eventually collided with another vehicle at the corner of Cumberland and Wolseley Streets.  The suspect then fled on foot before officers eventually captured him hiding under the deck of a home on St. James Street.  The male was found to be in possession of several weapons including two knives, brass knuckles and a taser, plus a large amount of cash.  The suspect had eight outstanding warrants and now faces an additional 10 charges including dangerous driving, fleeing from police and assault of police.  He'll answers to those charges in court today.  The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision was not injured.  

East West Tie Meeting Tonight

NextBridge Infrastructure's proposed East West Tie Transmission line is going to be the subject of a series of public consultation meetings in the region this week.  Tonight, officials will be speaking to area residents at the Current River Community Centre.  Meetings on the electricity grid project will also be held in Nipigon, Marathon, White River and Terrrace Bay.

Open Government Meeting Tonight

The term "open government" may seem like a contradiction in terms to some, but the province's government services minister wants to change that. John Milloy says his open government team is stopping in Thunder Bay this evening to get your views on what can be done to make the government more open. A forum is taking place at the Valhalla Inn this evening from 6 until 9 o'clock

City Council Preview

City Council is discussing putting speed bumps, curb extensions or speed radar signs on Riverview Drive to slow down traffic.
Mayor Keith Hobbs says it's a good idea. A staff report suggests the City keep the status quo with the street as a poll of area residents supported making no changes. Meanwhile, City staff are asking council to stop delivering well water to rural areas of the City. Councillor Ken Boshcoff expects lively discussion around the suggestion. If the city decides to do away with the service residents will be notified in the New Year.