Time savings measures coming to council

The move is on to shorten long winded city council meetings. Councillors will be considering two possible solutions at tonight's meeting. One is a proposal to have all Monday night council meetings end at 11:30 pm. Any further business would be settled the next evening. The other proposal would be to restrict councillors questions during presentations by the public and to administraiton. Also at council several major contracts are being considered by city councillors tonight. One is for the new Mary J. L. Black Library, another is for the re-roofing of the Canada Games Complex. There is no cost associated with those two projects in the council agenda. Meantime councillors will also vote on the purchase of 6 new transit buses at a cost of 1.2 million dollars.

Drug bust in Conmee

Two men are charged after a drug bust in Conmee Township on Thursday. After a raid on Enders Road, police say they found marijuana plants, seven pounds of dried marijuana, magic mushrooms, and cannabis resin totalling over 100-thousand dollars. Police say the men will appear in court in August.

G20 causes chaos in Toronto

The opening of the G20 summit caused chaos in Toronto throughout the day yesterday, as protestors set police cars on fire and broke into several businesses. The main group remained on the destructive streak more than four hours after their violence began. Police say the violent protestors dressed in black balaclavas, and used the Black Bloc tactic to evade police. Police were dressed in riot gear as they tried to keep the protestors under control. The summit continues today.

Walleye coming to Thunder Bay

Next week, a new monthly magazine will be available in Thunder Bay. The goal of the Walleye is to promote arts, culture, and entertainment within the city, by offering local coverage and a comprehensive events listing. Editor Tiffany Jarva says the magazine will spotlight people, events, and ideas that help shape and define Thunder Bay as a community. Sections will include The Top Five, Music, Film, Food, Getaway, and more. The free magazine will be available July 1.

Come on feel the noise

The city is experimenting with noise around the City Hall Transit Terminal. Transit Manager Brand Loroff says it's part of a study for a possible future terminal location.  He says it's being done to gather data on what the noise and air quality would be at any given location in the city.  The current site at City Hall is only temporary until a new temporary location on Violet Street is ready. The study will be taking place all this week.

New occupational health clinic open

Workers in Thunder Bay will have a new resourse to utilize. An occupational health clinic opened yesterday on Barton Street. It is a pilot project designed to assist clients who would normally directed to the Sudbury office of the Occupatyioanl Health Clinics for Ontario Workers.   It's an offshoot of the Workplace Safety Insurance Board.  Steve Mantis of the local Injured Workers Support Group says the pilot project is long overdo.  Mantis says having these services is great for workers across the district.

Paramedics get latest lifesaving device

There's new equipment on board city ambulances. Superior North EMS has purchased new devices that will help paramedics open air passages of heart patients. Deputy Chief Wayne Gates says its another useful lifesaving tool called call Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices. All 35 ambulances have been equiped with the devices at a cost of 42 thousand dollars.

Cats make roster moves

Injuries and such are keeping the Thunder Bay Border Cats on their toes.   The club announcing that pitcher Nathan Kennedy is out for rest of season with a right elbow injury.   Released were two players, catcher Brooklyn Foster and infielder Joel Stubbs.    Added to the roster are three players:   pitchers  Alex Murrieta and Connor Little along with infielder Sean Miller-Jones

Local mother faces charges for child's injuries

A 38 year old Oliver Paipoonge woman is facing charges in connection with the hospitalization of her 3 year old daughter over the winter. Police say the woman is charged with Criminal Negligence and Failing to Provide the Necessities of Life. The toddler was transported by air ambulance from her family's home on Candy Mountain Road in the early morning hours of February 16th.   Police were called after hospital staff felt the child's injuries were suspicious. The little girl is still recovering in hospital. The woman has been released from custody and will be back in court August 9th

Clelia II back for the season

The Cruise Ship Clelia II is back in the city for another season . It arrived in port after 6 Friday morning. The ship will only remain here for half a day or so on each visit. Time enough for the 100 or so tourists to roam the city. It's the first of 10 trips to the city this season.

Local film industry gets a shot of adrenaline

There's a new website up and running designed to help the local film community grow. It got off the ground with the help of the city's Economic Development Commission. CEO Steve Demmings says they're reaching for a global audience. Among other things, the website is collecting a data base of possible filming locations in the city. Local filmaker Dave Clement says it's just what is needed to help make film production easy in Thunder Bay, by giving us a better shot at the potential 30 million industry dollars that could be up for grabs. Clement says's it's possible to get 10 to 15 million of that here

T-Wolves sign former OHLer

The Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey team has it's first signing for the new season. Mike Quesnele is a defenceman from Sault St. Marie . Quesnele played 5 seasons for his hometown Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, his best year coming last season where he scored 13 goals and added 41 assists for 54 points – good for fourth in team scoring.

Woman charged in police shooting

After a two week long investigation, the OPP have laid charges against a 39 year old Grassy Narrows woman, who was shot by an officer in downtown Kenora. Helen Proulx has been charged with assault with a weapon, assaulting a police officer, uttering death threats and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public. Superintendant Shelley Garr says members of Kenora's Crime Unit have been looking into the circustances surrounding the shooting. Proulx is still in hospital recovering from her injuries so a court date has not been set yet.

Habs keep Pyatt top of mind

Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt is one step closer to a possible signing with the Montreal Canadiens. The team has presented him with a qualifying offer. While Pyatt says it's a routine move....he's pleased the Habs seem interested in keeping him.   He says contract talks with the team were going well before he left.  The club indicated to him that he was a part of the teams future going forward.  Pyatt says he's interested in continuing with the organization.   Had the team not given him the qualifying offer, Pyatt would have become an unrestricted free agent as of July first.

Business owner sings HST praises

A local business owner is touting the benefits of the new HST. Craig Urquhart of Intercity Industrial Supply explains that the tax will mean fewer costs when he buys his supplies. For him, waiting to make his order after the HST kicks in on July First will mean a saving of 23 hundred dollars which he calls significant for his business. Urquhart was part of a news event held with Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello

M.Y. Clelia II coming to Thunder Bay

Keep your eyes on the harbourfront.  The first cruise ship to visit Thunder Bay this summer will be docking at 6am Friday. The 100 passenger boutique cruise ship the M.Y. Clelia II will be visiting Thunder Bay ten times this cruise ship season. The cruise ship will be at the docks until five pm.

Get Fresh Thunder Bay

Get fresh Thunder Bay! The Food Action Network and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit wants people to buy locally grown food and is launching a number of initiatives this morning. A new online local food store will be unveiled and copies of the "Get Fresh Thunder Bay" guide will be released. The guide will now include information on local restaurants and caterers who are making a significant effort to use local food.

Sour Cherries land provincial award

Two northwestern Ontario agriculture businesses are being honored by the Government. Mountain Fresh Farm in Kakebeka and Rainy River District Regional Abbattoir received the agri-food innovation excellence award. James Sovren owns Mountain Fresh Farm and says their sour cherries landed them the provincial award. Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle and Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro presented the awards in Thunder Bay on Thursday.

Cabinet minister pumps HST

Thunder Bay is the latest stop for the McGuinty governments HST bandwagon. Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello went to a local business to promote how the tax will lower some prices.   She says that over 83 per cent of goods and services will see no difference in prices, while 17 per cent will see a price increase.  The HST will be introduced on Canada Day.

There'll be construction at the Health Sciences Centre

The Angioplasty Unit in Thunder Bay is getting a face lift. Tom Jones Construction has been given the tender for that will see a second Angioplasty studio built at the Health Sciences Centre. Vice President Scott Potts says right now the hospital can't meet the current demands making the Angioplasty Unit expansion greatly needed. The 12 million dollar project should be completed by next fall.

The Blockade has been called off

There is some confusion surrounding a possible Fort William First nation blockade of the Trans Canada Highway. CTV is reporting about 300 band members will be holding the blockade for 5 hours today, but according to Thunder Bay OPP the blockade has been cancelled.

Quake shakes southern Ontario-Thunder Bay

Folks in southern Ontario are buzzing about an earthquake Wednesday afternoon.  Reports have the quake centred just north of Ottawa and measuring at 5.0 (revised) on the Richter Scale.  One witness just outside of Ottawa says it lasted about 30 seconds and was "kinda scary".  She says things were knocked off shelves.  She says she never experienced something like that before.   Meantime,  there are some people who believe they felt a bit of the southern Ontario earthquake here in Thunder Bay. Susan Bushby works at the airport and says she touched a doorway and felt it moving back and forth slightly. She says they even saw hanging clothes swaying as if they were blowing in the wind.  Bushby says it was a bit of a shock.
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Waterfront development equals jobs

The City of Thunder Bay is giving itself a pat on the back. Since the redevelopment of the waterfront started; 333 local jobs have been created. Two football fields worth of fill has been added to the Prince Arthur landing to create the land along the shoreline. Waterfront Project Manager Katherine Dugmore says 28 million dollars in contracts have been awarded to date.

Swimming advisory up at Blvd Lake

It's a sad but true sign of summer in Thunder Bay. The Health Unit has placed Boulevard Lake's beach area under a swimming advisory. Officials say that water quality tests show higher than acceptable bacteria levels.

Survey says-residents approve of wind park

The results are in from a survey on the Big Thunder Wind Park.  Horizon Wind paid for the survey and 65 percent of people polled are in favour of the project.  700 people were consulted, including residents from the Neebing area where the wind turbines will be placed.  Residents of Neebing who were polled were 59 percent opposed to the project, and 41 percent in favour of it.

Survey shows a positive outlook

The annual small business survey by Thunder Bay Ventures shows a positive attitude for the local economy. Manager Royden Potvin says it appears to show we have turned the corner after the forest industry collapse.  He says we have transitioned into a service based economy.  Potvin says the survey shows that for the first time a majority of small business owners says the economy in the city is moving forward.  700 questionaires were sent out for the survey in May, and 115 were returned.

New candidate for McKellar Ward seat

There is another candidate vying for the council seat in McKellar Ward. David Nicholson says his priority issues will be crime...especially as it relates to drugs. He believes we have to come to terms with what he calls a "drug problem" in Thunder Bay and he believes that's leading to some of the "crime issues we are seeing on the street."   Nicholson says he doesn't want to see the city go down the tubes. So far his only challenger in McKellar is Paul Pugh

Med School unveils strat plan

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a vision for the next five years. Officials have taken the wraps off the new strategic plan. Dean Dr. Roger Strasser says that the priorities include enhancing the schools education program and research plans.  He says that can't be done successfully without improving the learning environment for the students and "fostering excellence" among the faculty.   Dr. Strasser believes the goals are achievable.

Former Fire Chief dies

A World War 2 and Korean naval veteran and former city Fire Chief is dead. John Bryant was 86 years old. He passed away at the Health Sciences Centre. Les Newman is with the Thunder Bay Fire Service. He says Bryant was one of a kind, giving his working life to public service. First as a member of the Naval Reserve and secondly as a firefighter.  A full navy funeral service takes place at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Everest Chapel on West Gore Street

Power failure hits south downtown

The power is back on in the city's south downtown core. It follows an outage this morning that started at 10:12  lasted for over half an hour. Thunder Bay Hydro says about 3 thousand customers were affected. The cause was a stray bird.

Ottawa man surrenders to police

City police have a mystery on their hands. They're trying to figure out why a 52 year old Ottawa man turned himself in Monday claiming that he attempted to rob a city bank. Police spokesperson Chris Adams says they don't know what he was doing in the city or what his background is.   Adams says while there was an incident at the Dawson Road TD Bank on Monday afternoon, employees never thought the suspect was any threat.

Chiefs of Ontario meet in Fort Frances

First Nation Leaders from across the province are gathering in Couchiching First Nations today for the start of the annual Ontario Chiefs Conference.  Three days of talks will focus on issues such as First Nations rights and jurisdiction, health, education and the HST.  Nishinawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief Angus Tolouse will be speaking at the event.

SIU investigates North Spirit Lake man's death

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has been called in to investigate a fatality involving a 41-year-old man from North Spirit Lake First Nation.  The SIU says the man was picked up by the OPP from the Red Lake Detachment last Monday.  Later in the day he had to be taken to the hospital in Red Lake and then was transferred to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Center.  Yesterday, the man died.  The SIU says 4 of its investigators are being sent to Red Lake to look into the incident.

Monopoly shuts out Northwest

Northwestern Ontario won't be represented when the Canadian version of Monopoly hits store shelves Monday.  After being considered for a spot, Thunder Bay has been left off the board.  The spaces were filled by public voting.  Chatham-Kent claims the coveted Boardwalk spot, while Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, Quebec takes the Park Place property.  Winnipeg has also been left off the Board.

City and LACL toast a partership

The city and the Lakehead Association for Community Living are celebrating a birthday. The Inclusion Services program for Association clients has been operating for 5 years. Executive Director Ken Pickard says it's allowed the clients to be involved directly in the community. He says it means people with mental disabilities don't need to take segregated recreation classes, they can take them with everyone else. Pickard calls that achieving citizenship. There are 80 Association clients in the program.

City streamlines zoning by-law

Business leaders and community members can have their say on the City of Thunder Bay's new comprehensive zoning by-law. A special council meeting on the legislation is being held Wednesday night. City Spokesperson Leslie McEachern says they want feedback on the new by-law.  McEachern says the comprehensive zoning by-law will be streamlined and user friendly.

Taylor Pyatt re-signs in Phoenix

Taylor Pyatt has signed a two year extension with the Phoenix Coyotes. Pyatt is coming off a season where he scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in the desert and finished with a career high plus 13. Pyatt joined the Coyotes last year after spending 3 seasons in Vancouver.

Northern Hearts wrapping up Walk with Doc

Thunder Bay's Northern Hearts is wrapping up their Walk with Doc Campaign this week. The month long event raises awareness about heart health in a fun way. Organizer June Bjorn says exercise is vital for heart health the program allows people to walk with other people and learn more about a heart healthy life style.  Anyone can head down to Birch Point Park at Boulevard Lake to take part from today until Thursday from 7-8 in the evening.

Funeral Centre wants another parking lot

The Harbourview Funeral Centre wants to build a parking lot for its facility. The City of Thunder Bay rezoned the property at 179 MacDougall Street from light industrial to highway commercial. Owner Chris Lent says they plan to make changes to the property to allow for proper water drainage. The City is currently in the process of selling the land. Most City councillors were in favour of the rezoning application, but Joe Virdiramo wanted it written into the legislation that the property could be used as a parking lot only and not a Methadone clinic.

Methadone Clinic phobia

Clinic phobia is making the rounds of Thunder Bay.  Councillor Joe Virdiramo made mention of the methadone clinic being proposed for Frederica Street at last night's council meeting.  Virdiramo asked Development Services Manager Mark Smith if the City has any say on what types of clinics set up shop in the City.  Smith says there is a phobia amongst the public in regards to clinics popping up in their neighbourhoods.  Smith adds they typically just have say over the zoning but not what forms of clinics can be operated on that property.  The rezoning of a piece of property on high street sparked the conversation on methadone clinics. A local union office and a possible future community clinic is being proposed for high street.

More open spaces proposed for Kam River area

More open green spaces are planned for the Kam River area. A draft report on the area was presented to City council last night and the public will have their chance to weigh in on it this summer. Development Services Manager Mark Smith says once the final report is in place; council can decide what forms of infrastructure they would like to put in place. Councillor Ian Angus would like to see a mixed use residential area on the waterfront with the possibility of a condominium.

Local Tories show interest in running

Some north side Conservatives appear to be anxious to have a shot at federal politics. Mike Auld has stepped down as the candidate in Thunder Bay Superior North for health reasons. Riding Association President Michael Picard says the buzz has already started. He says interest has been shown but he wouldn't say who those people might be until it's formalized. Picard hopes to have a candidate chosen before the end of the summer.

Public school board gets good grades

The Lakehead Public School Board is happy with its students test scores in the Ontario Secondary School literacy tests. The tests are handled by the Education, Quality and Accountability office and results were released last week. Director of Education Kathy Seminieuk says their students scored 81 percent, just 3 percent below the provincial average. Hammarskjold high was above the provincial average with 85 percent. Meawnhile, Sir Winston Churchhill scored 80, Superior Collegiate came in with 69 and Westgate scored 87 percent.

Ride for Dad sets record

The final numbers are in. The annual Motorcyle Ride for Dad on the weekend set a new record for participation. Michael Pedri of the Health Sciences Foundation says over 78 thousand dollars was raised by the 346 riders. Pedri says organizations have no complaints.  He calls support for the community oustanding especially the assistance from the coporate sponsors.  The ride's 10 year history 628 thousand dollars has been raised for the Foundation.

Counselling Centre gets thumbs up

The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre is celebrating. It's received it's accreditation, essentially a stamp of approval from counselling experts. Executive Director Nancy Chamberlain says it gives them continues credibility. She says it assures the community that they are following accepted practices in everything from administration, to finance to programming. Chamberlain credits her staff and the board for the achievement.

Still no deal for Superstore workers

The workers at the Real Canadain Superstore are yet another step closer to striking. Not only have they already voted in favour of a walkout, now comes work that concilation talks aimed at getting them a new contract broke off Monday.   The major stumbling block in negotiations are companty concessions that include wages and benefits.   The countdown to any strike action will begin with the release of a conciliators report.

Native merchants sell their wares at Chippewa

Ruth Stebens was one of the many merchants who were selling First Nations jewerly at the Aboriginal Day celebration at Chippewa Park.

Thousands take in Aboriginal Day

Aboriginal Day is another success. About 3 thousand people took in the festivities at Chippewa Park. This year's ceremonies were special for the Metis. Thunder Bay Council President Wendy Landry says it's the Year of the Metis. She says under the constitution Metis are considered Aboriginal People and so it's a huge statement for the local committee to recognize them. Landry says the contribution the Metis made to Canada can't be ignored. Organizer Stephanie Feletto says Aboriginal People have come together to celebrate the day for generations. She says it's a time to celebrate life and meet new friends.

Relay for Life fundraiser a success

Friday night marked the annual Relay for Life Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser. Almost one thousand people participated this year, with over 160 walking the Survivors Victory Lap. Fundraising Coordinator Dana Levanto says that by closing ceremonies, over 143-thousand dollars had been raised. The money goes towards cancer research, as well as treatment and support for those affected.

May St. Mac's Robbed Again

Thunder Bay Police are investigating another robbery at the Mac's Mart on north May Street. Early yesterday morning, a man armed with a knife entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. An undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes were taken. The man is described as approximately 30 years of age, Native with a scruffy face, and wearing a black hoodie and black pants with a white stripe. The male left the store on foot. Police have been unable to locate the suspect.