Municipal Golf Fees Up For Debate Tonight

The City's Municipal Golf Advisory Committee is recommending dropping user fees back to 2007 levels as away of increasing its membership.   The committee was put in place to try and find ways to keep the golf course open and make it sustainable.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson isn't in favour of the move.  If approved an adult membership for Municipal will be set at 900 dollars and an older adult will pay 800 dollars a year.

Sachigo Lake Teens Wrap Up Walk Today

Sachigo Lake teens are on a fundraising walk have made it to Thunder Bay!  They had hoped to make it to the City by April 27th but instead arrived just in time for a special celebration at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School today.  The teens want to raise money for new residences for the DFC high school.

Council Hears Plans For Old Church Lands

City Council will hear about plans for the former Ukranian Catholic Church on the corner of Mountdale and Gore Street West.  The developer of the property is asking Council to rezone a portion to allow for a pet store, recreational facility and apartment building.  They are also asking to spruce up the existing parking lot across from the Church.

Dillico Workers Strike Vote

Unionized staff who provide child welfare, health and mental heath services to aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.  The 450 plus staff at Dilico Anishnabek Family Services have voted in 95-percent in favour of strike action.  The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union says their old collective agreement expired in March 2012.  CEP says workloads, off-hour coverage and wages and benefit improvements are just a few of the issues that haven't be resolved.  The Union is hoping to schedule more meeting dates with the employer.

OPP Say Highway Open

Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and the Hemlo Mine is now open to both lanes of traffic.  OPP say bad weather and road conditions caused the closure of the highway earlier today.

International Astronomy Day Today

Be on the lookout for telescopes and astronomers today as people interested in the wonders of the universe celebrate International Astronomy Day. Thunder Bay's Fort William Historical Park will be taking part in the celebrations tonight.

Public Transit Back To Normal Today

Public transit is up and running again today. City buses were shut down yesterday because of the poor weather conditions. Thunder Bay Police are also reporting that John St Road is open again following a closure yesterday due to downed power lines. 

Red Cross Uses Flood As Learning Experience

It's being described as the worst disaster to ever hit Thunder Bay but it has resulted in some positive changes for emergency groups. Last year, the Lakehead was hit with massive flooding and a price-tag to clean up at 15-million dollars. Mike Morton is the Director of Disaster Management for the Canadian Red Cross and he says they learned that they had to proactive in helping those affected. Morton says the Red Cross is currently looking at different means of helping victims including the use of social media and new technology.

Heritage Designation Requested

The United Nations is being asked to declare a portion of Northwestern Ontario as a world heritage area. Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti  says the land in question is 33 thousand square kilometres of boreal forest north of Kenora that straddles the Manitoba border. He says the designation will help to give the area world recognition. 

Breaking News>Marathon Bombing Suspect Captured

Police in Watertown, Massachusetts have their suspect.   They say that, 19 year old Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was taken into custody after being found in the backyard of a residential house hiding in a covered boat.

Buses Pulled Off The Street

All city buses are off the streets because of today's snowstorm.   A city official says the buses will resume normal operations at 6 o'clock Saturday morning.

Trans Canada Highway Closed

A winter storm warning remains in effect.   The storm is causing white out conditions here in the city and outside the city.  OPP say that due to extremely icy conditions Highway 11/17 from Thunder Bay open again  after being closed because of downed power lines.   The Municipality of Neebing has pulled their plowing equipment off the roads until the weather improves.

Boston Is A "Ghost Town"

A former Dryden resident is stuck in a Boston hotel as the City is in lockdown mode. A massive manhunt is underway for a 19-year-old man involved in Monday's twin bombing attack at the Boston Marathon. Andrea Henderson is visiting the city and she says Boston has turned into a ghost town. Businesses and schools are closed and all public transit isn't running.

Police Release Robbery Video

Police are now releasing video of last night's Mac's Convenience Store robbery on Simpson Street.   It shows a man  with his face covered and carrying a knife and appearing to make demands.   The suspect made away with money and cigarettes.  No one was hurt. The video can be viewed HERE

Breaking News>Boston Under Lockdown

It's a fluid situation in Boston as police search for the 19 year old suspect in Monday's Boston Marathon bombing.   The city on lockdown as heavily armed officers search for the
man, who they say is a terrorist who is out to kill.  Stay tuned to the Giant 105.3 for any breaking news on this story.

Summer Jobs Program Back On

The provincial government is setting up it's summer jobs program for students.  MPP Michael Gravelle says the highlight is a 2 dollar an hour hiring incentive for employers when they hire students aged 15- 30 years old. The deadline for employers to apply is April 30th.

Latest OLG Dividend Is 500 K

More casino cash for City Hall coffers.   The latest payment from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is 570 thousand dollars.  The money is a quarterly payout and is 5 per cent of the revenues from the slot machines in the facility.

LCBO Rally In Thunder Bay

Union employees of the LCBO are holding an information picket today during the lunch hour.  They'll be rallying outside the Fort William Road LCBO store in support of their bargaining team's negotiations with the Crown-owned company.  On April 9, LCBO workers voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action should contract talks break down.  The main issues in negotiations include wages and benefits, job security and improved health and safety standards.

Simpson Street Mac's Robbed

No one was hurt in an armed robbery last night at the Mac's Convenience Store on Simpson Street.  Police are looking for a man they say entered the store with his face covered and carrying a knife. The suspect made away with money and cigarettes.

Winter Storm Warning

There's a winter storm warning in effect for the City.  Environment Canada Meterologist Desjanelle Matthews says its going to be a messy day with blowing snow.  Matthews says at the Airport they reported the City getting 5 to 10 centimeters of snow last night.  We will have a snow free weekend but on Monday could see snow or rain.