Wilson Resigns As Chamber Prez

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is heading in a new direction now that President Harold Wilson has resigned.   Wilson says in his 3 and a half years in the position his proudest achievement is increasing chamber membership to where is now is close to 11 hundred.  Wilson says he is exploring his options for the future and has some irons in the fire.

Thunder Bay Connects To "My Kind Of Town"

As of today, United Airlines is officially operating out of the Thunder Bay International Airport. Their first flight is scheduled to arrive this evening which will be followed by an official ceremony marking the occasion.   It will then turn around and head back to the the Windy City at 6 in the morning. Airport Manager Scott McFadden thinks it will be good for local businesses hoping to expand their markets.

United Way Wants Your Pennies

The United Way is running it's final penny collection promotion. Campaign Chair Walter Flasza  says the umbrella charity group is hoping to collect as many of the coins as possible now that the government has stopped circulating them.  The promotion usually nets the United Way about 20 thousand dollars.

Conservatory To Open Friday

The city's botanical conservatory is going to re-open tomorrow.  It will be open daily from 1 until 4.   It was temporarily closed last year after a report raised safety concerns about falling glass.   City lawmakers then approved money for netting to provide a temporary fix to the problem. 

Baseball Pitches Community Funds

Three baseball related organizations are sharing in 5 thousand dollars from the local Baseball association.  President Larry Hebert says 2 thousand dollars will go towards Lakehead University. Hebert says they're also donating money to the District 3 Little League, and the Umpire's Association.

Rollover Results In Charge

A 22 year old man is recovering from minor injuries but the hurt might come in court.  City Police, Fire and EMS were called to Arundel Street near Lyon Boulevard just after 5:00 o'clock yesterday after a vehicle had rolled over.  The driver had to be extricated using the jaws of life.  He was treated and released from hospital but has been charged with impaired driving and will appear in court in March.

Big Lottery Win For Local Woman

Thunder Bay resident Zoovart Wakewich is the city's most recent lottery winner. The 81 year old retiree won 100 thousand dollars in an instant scratch game. She plans to use the winnings to redo the shingles on her roof, buy a new vehicle and to help out her grandkids. The winning ticket was purchased at the OLG Casino on Cumberland Street.

Suspended Driver Caught Speeding

A Toronto man faces charges of speeding and driving with a suspended licence. O.P.P. in Upsala clocked the man driving 45 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit and will now appear in court on February 27th.

Police Pull Old Vehicles Off The Road

Thunder Bay Police are keeping their eyes peeled for old vehicles that are driving past their prime on area roads.  A commercial vehicle round up was held yesterday at the Transit yard on Fort William Road, and officers were looking for vehicles that were either in obvious disrepair or didn't meet equipment standards.  Police pulled 8 vehicles out of service and laid 12 charges.

Thunderwolves Now Face Elimination

The Lakehead University men's hockey team will have their backs against the wall when they take to the ice in game two of their O.U.A. West Quarter-final playoff series with Waterloo. The Warriors scored 5 times in the second period and posted a 7-2 win over the Thunderwolves in game one and now lead the best-of-three series 1-0 with game two tomorrow night at the Gardens.

OPG Power Plant Looking Into Biomass

Thunder Bay's Mission Island Power Plant is looking into using biomass instead of natural gas.  Ontario Power Generation Spokesperson Chris Fralick says he wants to keep the local plant alive.  Fralick says they're looking into many options for keeping the plant open beyond 2014.  Fralick says the Ontario Power Authority and the Energy Minister are aware that he's looking into other options of keeping the plant up and running.

McCarville Takes A Break

Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville is putting her curling career on hold.  McCarville says she's taking some time off to focus on her teaching job and to spend time with her family.  She says she's not sure how long she'll stay away from the sport.  McCarville and her rink recently took part in the Ontario Scotties Tournament Of Hearts.

Local Businesses Encouraged To Look West

The mining and oil sands industries  in Saskatchewan and Alberta are ripe for the picking for northwestern Ontario businesses.   Speaking in Thunder Bay, Steve Matheson of the Ministry of Economic Development says those industries need the services and talents we have available in abundance. Matheson says there are a number of projects in both provinces that are up and running or are about to be.

Beardy Says Gravelle Right Man For The Job

Ontario Regional Chief is pleased to see Michael Gravelle back as Minister of Northern Development and Mines.  Stan Beardy says Gravelle is the right man for the job.  Beardy is hoping that Gravelle capitalizes on economic opportunities facing the north as well as an emerging mining sector.

Boys & Girls Club Looks Forward To Talks

The Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club is happy the City has decided to sit down with them to talk about their property taxes.  The group had asked for the City to help pay for 40 thousand dollars in property taxes but many on Council felt they needed more time before making a decision on the request.  Albert Aiello says he thinks talks will go well.  The Municipal Property Tax Assessment Corporation reassed the club's tax status after they moved to a new building.

Last Chance To Comment On Budget

City Council is approving its 2013 budget in principal.  It means property taxes will increase by 2.6 percent plus the infrastructure increase of half-a-percent.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she wishes the budget would have come in lower.  The final budget vote will come down on March 4th.  Meanwhile, taxpayers will have a second chance to comment on the fiscal document Wednesday night at City Hall.

Poverty Reduction Meeting Underway

City Councillor Paul Pugh is working on getting the City's first ever poverty reduction strategy off the ground.  A day of discussions is planned for today that focuses on what actions can be done to make a difference in the community.  Pugh says there are many issues that need to be addressed.  Pugh adds affordable transportation is also key in helping reduce poverty.

Horizon Wind Teams Up With Charity

Thunder Bay's Boys & Girls Club is teaming up with Horizon Wind to teach kids about renewable energy. The program will use the Big Thunder Wind Park as a live laboratory according to Executive Director Albert Aiello.  Kids will learn about wind, solar, and other forms of renewable energy.

Constable Suspended

A Treaty 3 Police officer being suspended from duty after allegedly being found drunk in a police vehicle. A Shoal Lake Constable was charged with impaired driving Saturday after Treaty 3 Police were called about a cruiser parked on an ice road on Lake of the Woods. The 49 year old Constable will now appear in Kenora court March 7th.

Kenora Man Charged In Excavator Rampage

Charges are being laid following a a bizarre incident last week in Kenora involving a mini-excavator. Police say several vehicles were damaged by a mini-excavator operated by a 64 year old man. Kenora O.P.P. have charged the man with mischief under $5,000, mischief endangering life and unauthorized posession of a weapon. He'll face a court appearance on February 27th.