Dryden To Get $ Reality Check Nov. 13th

The picture of future operations in Dryden will soon be a little clearer. A public meeting is planned for November 13th to release the recommendations of KPMG. The consulting firm has spent the past couple of months picking apart City departments, facilities and operations in a bid to find roughly 2-million dollars in savings over the next 3 years. Council is not bound to the recommendations but all members have stated that they will take the report seriously. Labour relations, personal and land issues will be dealt with in a closed door meeting the same day between Council and KPMG.

Man Arrested For Threats

Police say they have arrested a city man whom they allege is connected with threats to police, businesses, media outlets, politicians and others since June of last year.   They believe anonymous letters to these people and organizations originated with one person.  Charged with 21 counts of Uttering Threats is 46 year old Eric Wirkkala.

Terrace Bay Mayor Steps Down

The mayor of Terrace Bay has resigned, citing what he calls "irreconcilable differences" with councillors over a potential reassessment of the town's pulp mill. Michael King is upset that Council has opted to negotiate a settlement with the owner of the mill. AV Terrace Bay has decided to file for a reassessment of its municipal tax rate with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. King says he would rather see council fight the company's application. In a statement, the township's four councillors predicted the review will likely result in a drastically reduced tax rate for the mill, since recent applications from similar operations in Dryden and Espanola have led to decreases in excess of 65 per cent.

Board Regrets Staffer's Comment

The catholic school board is expressing regret  to three students at Pope John Paul the Second school who were offended by the remark of a staffer.   The board says the staff member was referring to the last week's fire on the James Street Bridge.   The students are from the Fort William First Nation and they were asked if they had purchased some beef jerky before or after the bridge fire.   The board says it has spoken with the families of both students about the incident and looking at the matter very closely.

Hernandez Verdict Postponed

It will be another two weeks before Thunder Bay's Christian Hernandez learns his fate.   The 28 year old is charged with impaired driving causing death in connection with a collision in December of 2010 that resulted in the death of 45 year old Richard Carmichael. Carmichael was walking across the street at the time. Justice Joyce Pelletier was to have delivered her verdict in the case today,  but says she will have it ready on November 18th instead.

Mishaps Send Half Dozen To Hospital

Police say two separate traffic mishaps on the weekend sent a total of 6 people to hospital.  The first happened on Saturday night on Oliver  Road near Jackpine Road when they say an SUV collided with the rear of another vehicle.  Four people in the SUV were taken to the regional hospital for treatment.    Later that evening on the highway at Sistonen's Corner two tractor trailer units collided sending two people to the Health Science's Centre. 

Pedestrian Struck

City Police continue to investigate an accident that involved a pedestrian last night.  Police say around 10 o'clock a 26-year old Thunder Bay man was hit by a vehicle in the 200 block of Robertson Street.  The man was taken to Regional Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Anyone who may have information on the accident is asked to contact Thunder Bay Police.  

Crime Of The Week

Crime Stoppers and the OPP are asking for your assistance in solving a case of mischief in the town of Marathon.  On August 22nd or 23rd, a vandal or vandals, damaged a parked black and tan Chevrolet Tahoe, smashing the hood and roof by jumping on the vehicle and then fled the scene.  The damage is approximately $5,000.00.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Working with the James Street Bridge

With the James Street Bridge expected to be closed a little while longer for cars and trucks Councillor Joe Vidiramo says drivers must remain patient. The Councillor believes given the bridges history it's worth it to take the extra time needed to ensure the job is done right. Vidiramo also mentioned replacing the bridge as a possibility that should not go overlooked.

Addition to Mission Island

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority will continue to add to the Mission Island lookout. Donna Blunt is the groups Vice-Chair and spoke at the Thunder Bay District Municipal League this past weekend. Along with increased maintenance and planting, the group will introduce four new interactive panels in the new year.

Pumpkin Compost

Now that Halloween has past doesn't mean you need to throw your Jack-O-Lantern in the garbage. The Great Pumpkin Compost is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old pumpkin. Collection bins are placed at the County Fair Mall on Dawson Road, the Lakehead Labour Centre on Fort William and the Westfort Playfield off Neebing Avenue. The bins will be open until November 15th.

Cell Phone Protection Bill Passes

The Provincial Government is supporting cell phone users by passing the new Wireless Services Agreements Act.  The final vote on the legislation was held last week and Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says they'll be protecting wireless customers by ensuring contracts be written in plain language with all the basic fees and extra charges clearly spelled out.  Mauro adds the new law will mean fewer surprises for people when they enter into cell phone and wireless service contracts in the Spring of 2014.

FedNor and the Agricultural Showcase

A variety of businesses from northwestern Ontario will be featured at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto over the next couple of days. Greg Rickford is the minister responsible for FedNor, and says they have sponsored a major exhibit at the showcase. The Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion runs until November 10th. Products like barbeque sauce, salad dressing and wild rice are just some of the things that will be on display at the exhibit.

Councils Back Bill's Bill

Several Municipalities are throwing their support behind Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's private members bill calling for the Spring Bear Hunt to be brought back.  Thunder Bay's City Council recently sent a letter of support to the Ministry of Natural Resources backing the bill.  Mauro says it's good to get support from the region and suspects other town councils are following Thunder Bay's suit.  The bill comes up for debate on December 14th.

Call For Unity

The Mayor and the Chief of Fort William First Nation are standing side by side and calling for unity in the wake of racist comments.   In a symbolic show of support the two held a joint news conference holding eagle feathers in Council Chambers. Several racist tweets and facebook messages were posted after the James Street bridge fire.

LU Maclean's Magazine Ranking

Rave reviews for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.  Maclean’s magazine’s annual University Rankings places Lakehead in second place among Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities.  When compared to all Canadian universities in this category, Lakehead climbed two spots from last year’s results to rank tenth overall. L-U finished first in social sciences and humanities grants, total research dollars and in library services.

Hep A Case In T.Bay

The Health Unit is investigating a case of Hepatitis A of a Wendy's employee.  The worker at the Red River Road location tested positive and anyone who consumed any food from that restaurant between Oct. 11th to 26th may have been exposed to the virus. People who consumed food from this restaurant during this period should watch for signs of illness and contact their health care provider if they experience any of the following: fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Symptoms can develop anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus.

UA Changes Flight Time

There's a new departure time coming for flights to Chicago from Thunder Bay.   Airport officials say that starting December 19th the United Airlines flights will depart at 7:20 each morning.  Right now that flight leaves at 6 am.    There is no change to the time the flight from Chicago arrives in Thunder Bay.  It remains at 9:05 pm.

Trains Going Over James Street Bridge

Trains are now going over the James Street bridge following this week's fire. Lindsay Fedchyshyn of CN Rail says the damaged portion of the rail line was fixed by this morning, however vehicle traffic is still not being allowed to cross. Fedchyshyn says the consultant will prepare recommendations on what work needs to be done to the road portion of the bridge.

Golf Links Opening Soon

Golf Links Road should be back open to traffic in two weeks time.   City Engineering Manager Rick Harms says they're on schedule and are putting the finishing touches on the road.  Harms says weather permitting we could see Golf Links open the week of November 18th.