The marina is set to open tomorrow even though there is still ice in the harbour. City spokesperson Paul Fayrick says while it may be a problem now, he doesn't anticipate it will be long before boaters begin docking their vessels. He says the slips in Pier 3 are free of ice, the only problem is getting there. Fayrick says staff will be ready to take in boats when they start arriving.
A cool spring isn't doing Thunder Bay's Tourism market any favours. Manager Paul Pepe says it's been a slow start to the tourism season. Pepe expects their outdoor experience visitors to pick up in the warmer months.
The City is looking to renew its deals with Confederation College and Lakehead University for student transportation. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says the Upass agreement provides students with yearly bus passes that are paid for through tuition fees. If council approves the three year term it will start this September.
Two teenaged Oakville, Ontario sisters who collected books for kids living in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are in Thunder Bay today. Emma and Julia Mogus bought books with their own money and accepted donations leading to over 18-thousand books being sent to NAN communities. They'll fly out to Fort Severn with Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.
The local Canadian Autoworkers Union is holding its executive elections today. Voting takes place at the Lakehead Labour Centre from 10 until 8.
The Ontario Energy Board is giving Thunder Bay Hydro approval to increase their electricity rates. The 6.35 percent increase means most residential hydro bills will go up almost 7 dollars a month. For businesses that increase will look like almost 14 dollars a month.
The Ontario Provincial Police are launching a recruitment campaign in Thunder Bay. Constable Erin Huckell with the Dryden Detachment says it's a "Northern Policing Experience", and runs from May 25th to 26th. Huckell says travel and accommodations will be taken care of.
The new CEO of the George Jeffrey Children's Centre is Juliana Jason. She says it's important for her to keep Centre's good reputation in Thunder Bay intact. Jason says a priority for her will be reaching out to special needs children in northern communities and looking at rural services.
Cops for Cancer is happening today. The event will see local police and regular folks shave their heads to show support for those who are fighting cancer. The event will be going on from 11-3 at Intercity Mall.
Are you interested in becoming a firefighter? The Preliminary Firefighter Recruitment tests are being held today at Lakehead University. Fire Chief John Hay says anyone interested in joining the department is encouraged to take the test.
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Kenora-Rainy-River MPP Sarah Campbell isn't convinced with the latest announcement about the Experimental Lakes Area. Sarah Campbell says the Memorandum of Understanding really only means that negotiations will continue. Campbell adds she doesn't know why the government hasn't made any financial commitments or time frames during the 7 months of negotiations.
The immediate future of the Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay looks brighter today. The Harper government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it's a great step forward. Rickford says the provincial government will continue talks with the ISSD.
The days are numbered for the Royal Edward Arms apartments on May Street. Mayor Keith Hobbs says the District Social Services Board will not renew the lease with the city when it expires, and you aren't hearing any complaints from the mayor who calls it a cesspool which will cost 10 million dollars to fix up. Hobbs says there will be other housing found for the current tenants when in closes by 2015.
Organizers of the annual 10 Mile Road Race on Victoria Day will pay respects to the Boston Marathon tragedy. Ralph Hibbert says what form that tribute will take isn't known, and that it's still in the planning stages. Hibbert says about 1 thousand runners are expected to participate.
Nishnawbe Aski Police are confirming a fatal fire in Wunnumin Lake First Nation 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout. Sergeant Jackie George says three people are dead following a house fire early yesterday morning. All three are reported to be girls and aged 1, 6 and a 21 year old woman. Officials say the community of roughly 600-people is devastated.
The Ministry of Transportation has crews working on Highway 593 today after water flooded the highway near the Highway 588 intersection. The water has receded. Highway 593, 7.8 km south of Highway 588 has now been re-opened to traffic in both directions.
A Dryden man's quest has resulted in some trouble with the law. City Police were contacted on Monday regarding a man, who appeared to be drunk, wandering around Wilson's Trailer Park carrying a long handled axe. Police arrived, and say that the man told officers he was looking for someone and was " going to chop them up into little bits". As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Richard Halverson with uttering threats to cause bodily harm.
The North Neebing Community Centre is about to be transformed into a fire hall. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says it's so the current Neebing Fire Station can be rebuilt. Hankkio says the coverage area will not suffer as a result of the move since the community hall is only a block away. Hankkio says the new Neebing fire hall should take about a year to complete.
Thunder Bay has seen an increase in support for youth suicide prevention. Youth suicide prevention task force co-chair Sheila Hansen says over thirty organizations are partnering up to help tackle the issue. This partnership includes ten more organizations than the original, signed in 2009.
The poor weather conditions in April are having an impact on the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Statistics. Analyst Warren Philp says so far 2013 has seen 11 housing starts compared to 24 last year. Philp says we saw four new housing starts last month.
