Friday, January 24, 2014

Sim Lab Launched

Confederation College is opening up its simulation lab for a variety of medical students.  It's part of an agreement that sees the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, EMS, and St. Joseph's Care Group work together.  St. Joe's Care Group CEO Tracy Buckler says they'll be using the college's lab to help their employees. The training initiative was unveiled at a news conference on Friday.

Tax Appeal Hearings Postponed

The Resolute Forest Products tax appeal hearings that were scheduled to take place in Thunder Bay starting Monday have been postponed.   The city was preparing to fight the provinces reduced tax assessment for the company.  However Mayor Keith Hobbs says the company asked for a postponement in order to wait for the results of a similar appeal in another community.   Hobbs says the postponement could be as long as four months and doesn't believe the delay will hurt the city's position.

Break In Video Released

City Police are releasing a video of a break and enter that took place last weekend at Westfort Foods. On January 18th at 4 am the store was entered by a man and cash was stolen from the Frederica Street business. Police believe the break in may be connected to two other commercial break and enters on the City's south side and a similar break and enter to a home on South Franklin.


Head On Collision

City Police, emergency officials and Fire are on the scene of a two vehicle head on collision in the area of Balmoral Street and Harold Crescent. Police say one person was trapped inside their vehicle. A woman has been taken to hospital with injuries not considered serious.

New Contract For Bombardier

The Provincial Government is putting in a 481 million dollar work order at the local Bombardier plant. The cash is going towards building 65 new bi-level GO Train cars and will support 250 jobs at the facility.  The order will increase GO Transit's fleet of train cars to 743. The cars will be delivered between June 2016 and July 2017.

Soldiers Monument Proposed

A Military Tribute Committee wants the City to support their plan to erect a permanent monument for those Thunder Bay soldiers who died in military conflicts around the world. They're looking for a location for the monument. The group also has a variety of legion and military officials on board with creating the monument.

FWFN To Reveal "The Mission"

The Fort William First Nation is going to City Council Monday night to ask for some funding for a historical development project.  It's called "The Mission" and organizers believe it's of interest to the City because it will expand business activity, tourism, cultural heritage and historical awareness about the First Nation.

Pedestrian Market Vision For South Core

A Thunder Bay architect has a vision for the city's south  downtown area that he will be sharing with city councillors on Monday.  Ahsanul Habib says he wants to close off a portion of Victoria Avenue and turn it into a pedestrian market. Habib is looking to get city support for his proposal which he hopes will revitalize the area.

Conference Focuses On Culinary Tourism


Thunder Bay Tourism, Confederation College and a variety of other organizations are working together to improve the region's culinary tourism.  A tourism training session is being held all day today at the College. Tourism Manager Paul Pepe says it's going to help improve what Thunder Bay has to offer.  In 2011, visitors to the Northwest spent over 83 million dollars in local restaurants.

OPP Busy With Collisions


OPP are being kept busy today with several collisions being reported. On Highway 61 this morning a vehicle lost its wheel while driving. The accident happened just before Chippewa Road.  Meanwhile, Hwy 17 from Wawa to Batchawana is closed due to White out conditions.  Note to travellers heading west.  Traffic is moving again, albeit slowly, in the Dryden area this morning. The Trans-Canada was shut down in the Twin Towers area for over six hours last night due to what the OPP are calling a serious motor vehicle accident. The road was finally re-opened to one lane around 2:30 this morning, but police says only passenger vehicles are being allowed through at this time.