Hyer weighs in on contempt of parliment

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says lying in parliament should be strictly punished. The comments come after our newsroom asked for his thoughts on the Commons Committee investigating if the government should be found in contempt of Parliament. Hyer says he has considered putting forward legislation to prevent misleading statements. Hyer would like members caught lying to be suspended the first time and after that removed.  Hyer says he's watched the Harper Government skirt the truth for 2 and a half years.

Libyan situation continues to change

The Situation in Libya continues to move and change almost by the hour. In the latest development the Libyan Foreign Minister has declared a ceasefire. Lakehead University Political Science Professor Laure Paquette says the move could signal a number of possibilities.  The call could be only an attempt to prevent any bombings by Western Powers.  Paquette says it is unclear exactly what kind of ceasefire this is, will government forces defend themselves and will rebels also take part in the ceasefire.  Another possibility is a split in the government since the Foreign Minister made the announcement and not Gadhafi.  Paquette says it could also mean Gadhafi is just buying time to move forces close to civilians making it very harder to bomb without civilian deaths.  

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Former Mill Manager passes away

A former mill manager of the Abitibi Bowater mill here in Thunder Bay has passed away.  Lorne Crawford was also a member of the air ambulance board "ORNGE".  Crawford's funeral will take place Saturday in Dryden.

Small drug bust on south side

Thunder Bay Police have made another drug bust.  Officers searched a house on the south side and found over 6 thousand dollars worth of drugs and over 18 hundred dollars in cash.  A 42 year old man was arrested and is facing charges.

Local inflation rate falls

Thunder Bay saw a big drop in its inflation rate last month.  Our rate went from 3 percent in January to 2.4 last month.  That followed the provincial trend where Ontario went from 2.9 to 2.5.  The national rate went from 2.3 to 2.2 in February.

Library board shows La Force the door

The Thunder Bay Public Library is looking for a new Chief Librarian. It's fired Gina La Force, who has been at the post for four years. Board chair Terrance Yahn says the board made its decision to let her go last week but didn't tell staff until Wednesday. Yahn says it had to do with La Force's management style but he didn't go into detail. Until a new Chief Libarian can be found Barbara Philp will take over in an acting capacity.   La Force has not returned our call.

Wood Supply awarded

Long Lake Forest Products in Longlac and Nakina Forest Products are the lastest companies to accept wood supply offers from the province.  The move will create 38 jobs and will bring several hundred people back to work.

Red Cross raises 17 thousand dollars

Thunder Bay's Red Cross branch has raised 17 thousand dollars for its relief efforts in Japan. Ken Widdifield says fundraising is going well. Halfway Motors is collecting money for the Red Cross and will match money raised up to 5-thousand dollars.

Railyard accident sends man to hospital

One man is injured after an industrial accident on the city's south side.   Police say it happened at the CPR maintenance yard around 2 o'clock on Thursday afternoon.  Police say a man sustained a broken leg.  A spokesperson for Superior North Emergency Medical Services says the injury is not considered serious.    The man  had apparently become trapped somehow resulting in the injury.  

Waterfront art will "engage discussion"

Even though the waterfront project is well over budget, the city is spending 100 thousand dollars for art at Prince Arthur's Landing. It's asking for your input on 3 works of art. The city's public art committee chair Bruce Stonehouse believes it will be money well spent that will "engage discussion."  City councillor Mark Bentz, the head of the waterfront committee, also believes the project is good value for the money

Court cases await jury roll decision

A city defence lawyer says there are 4 court cases in Thunder Bay that could be delayed over the issue of jury rolls. Gil Labine says until the province makes a move to include more Aboriginals in the jury selection process, those people will languish in jail.  Labine says he has at least two clients on the waiting list and there are numerous cases in Kenora as well.

Halfway Motors helps Japan

The Red Cross and Half Way Motors are teaming up to raise money for Japan.  Owner John Trevisanutto says they decided to start fundraising because they feel a kinship with the country.  Donations can be made at Halfway Motors; the company will match funds up to 5-thousand dollars.

Outbreak Over

An outbreak at the Grandview LodgeLong Term Care centre is over.  The building was shut down earlier in the week and caused the health unit to cancel visitation.

LU Professor weighs in on Middle East Situation

The situation in the middle east continues to spiral out of control. Lakehead University Political Science expert Laure Paquette says its hard to get an accurate read on the situation in Libya.  The pro democracy forces are becoming organized but not much is known about their situation, while pro Gadhafi forces are claiming to be making gains.  The problem is, many of the reports are coming from Gadhafi forces.  Paquette says the situation in Bahrain is even more frightening were government forces are apparently killing protesters in an attempt to get them to stop.

Women converge on Thunder Bay

First Nation women from across the region are coming together in Thunder Bay Friday.  Spokesperson Norma Fawcett says they'll be discussing child care issues.  Fawcett says men are encouraged to attend since some single parent families are made up of just the Father and there is a stigma attached to it.  A representative of the Minister of Children and Youth Services will be speaking about children in Dilico's care.

Border Cats add 4

The Border Cats have added 4 more players for the upcoming season, First baseman Kevin Taylor, outfielder Eric Aguilera, Pitcher Donnie White and Shortstop Jake MacWilliam.

Man saves dog from fire

No one was hurt in a fire in Westfort.  Fire Crews were called to a house on Christina St just before noon when a neighbour spotted smoke coming from the house in the 100 block of the street.  The neighbour entered the house to retrieve a dog before crews arrived.

100 days of council

Mayor Keith Hobbs has now completed 100 days on the job.  He calls the experience so far challenging and exciting. He says there have been no real surprises to this point.  Hobbs says though he has heard the message loud and clear from fellow councillors that he is only one voice.

Wilson weighs in on cuts

The Chamber of Commerce isn't surprised the Province decided to eliminate the Northern Development Corporation.  President Harold Wilson says he saw the axe dropping for some time now.  Wilson says the corporation hasn't been active for over ten years.  Wilson adds he isn't surprised the northern grow bond program didn't catch on; since the government refused to run it the way the Chamber suggested.

Health Unit may use Facebook to recruit MOH

The District Health Unit is going beyond newspaper ads in it's search for a new Medical Officer of Health. CEO Doug Heath says who knows, they might even try Facebook.  He says they are still at the intitial stages and Facebook is something they may need to look at as a tool.  Heath says they will also be looking a wide variety of Internet options for the recruitment campaign