Matthews Questioned Over Hospital Crisis

The provincial government is under pressure to ease the gridlock situation at the Health Science's Centre in Thunder Bay.   Health Minister Deb Matthews, under questioning at Queen's Park, says the government is trying to make sure the health authority is very focused on finding ways to resolve the overcrowding problem and calls it  a top priority

Rafferty Weighs In On By-Elections

Thunder Bay Rainy River MPP John Rafferty is weighing in on the results of last night's Federal By-elections. The Liberals retook Toronto Centre and the Montreal riding of Bourassa while the Conservatives reclaimed two Manitoba ridings. Rafferty says the NDP have no regrets. Rafferty notes it's too soon to say if last night's election results will be an indicator of how the next Federal Election will go.

City Maps Out Appeal Strategy

City Manager Tim Commisso is playing his cards close to his chest.    City councillors held a closed door meeting last night with Commisso and the city lawyer about the Resolute Forest Products tax assessment appeal.  And while councillors approved a course of action for administration to take,  Commisso won't say what that is. Commisso says we will likely find out the city's position when the appeal hearings continue in the Thunder Bay next year.

Councillor Wants City Logo Changed

Councillor Aldo Ruberto thinks the city logo should be changed to include the sleeping giant.  He made his pitch to fellow councillors at City Hall last night.  While some like Iain Angus and Rebecca Johnson think it's a waste of time there were others supporting the idea like councillor Brian McKinnon. City administration is now going to look at the proposal and will come up with a recommendation in September of next year.

Friendship Centre Pleads For Support

The head of the Indian Friendship Centre plans to tackle opposition to a proposed youth centre on High Street head on.  Bernice Dubec told councillors she doesn't believe there will be an increase in vandalism in the neighbourhood as a result of the new facility.   Meantime the councillor for the area, Paul Pugh, came out in full support of the project saying it will be a community building in a residential area.
Officials are asking city councillors to support the proposed 9.8 million dollar centre.  The issue will be back before councillors in the new year.

Sally Ann Will Not Change Sobriety Policy

Lto R  Patty Hajdu, Rob Kerr

The Salvation Army admits a proposed Cold Weather Plan may conflict with its no drunks policy.   The plan is being set up by Shelter House to get the homeless off the street during the winter months. Rob Kerr of the Salvation Army says they will not change the sobriety rule as part of the plan. He says it's because many of those people who come to their shelter are trying to get away from those influences.  Organizers of the pilot project are asking the city for 35 thousand dollars

Campbell Wants Stories

Local residents are being urged to speak up about the state of road conditions in northwestern Ontario.  Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is taking to social media to bring our concerns to Queens Park.  Campbell has put out a Facebook message asking constituents to share their stories about the state of local highways.  She's responding to Transportation Minister Glen Murray's promise to come to northwestern Ontario and talk to local road maintenance contractors if the situation doesn't improve.

Liberals Meet In T.Bay Discuss Issues

Liberals appear to be getting ideas from northern Ontario.  Party members gathered in Thunder Bay on the weekend to discuss the regional response to Premier Kathleen Wynne's Common Ground initiative.  Regional Vice-president Anthony Leek says some key issues have emerged.  The Liberals are giving the public an extra week to submit ideas and vote for they review the suggestions.

Deer Hunting Blitz Leads To Charges

The Ministry of Natural Resources is touting the success of its weekend enforcement blitz on deer hunting safety.   The ministry says that their air and land effort lead to 11 charges being laid including, hunting without a licence, trespassing on private land and obstructing a conservation officer.

Hospital In Gridlock

Rhonda Crocker Ellacott

Thunder Bay's Hospital continues to operate in a gridlock situation. Three elective surgeries had to be cancelled last week because there was no beds for patients waiting admission. Spokesperson Rhonda Crocker Ellacott says they're trying to find other beds in the community and within the hospital for patients. Crocker Ellacott says they're not sure why they've had an influx in patients and says it's not attributed to the cold and flu season.

Wirkkala Pleads Guilty

A 46 year old City man is pleading guilty to 16 counts of uttering threats, Eric Wirkkala appeared in court Monday morning on the original 65 charges.  It's in connection to threats that were made to police, businesses, media outlets, politicians and others since June of last year. He'll be back in court on January 17th at 10 am for sentencing.

Gravelle Writes Open Letter To Rickford

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is being asked to take part in a one-on-one meeting to discuss the future of the Ring of Fire development in the Far North.  Ontario's Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle has made the request in an open letter to Rickford.  Gravelle states in the letter that the Ontario Government has asked the Federal Government to step to the plate with support on the project but notes the call has gone unanswered.  Gravelle says the province is prepared to make substantial investment in the project but notes they need the federal government to come to the table with matching funds.

Hospital Comments On Mazza's ER Shift

Gordon Porter

Thunder Bay's Hospital is commenting on the recent weekend Emergency Room shift that was filled by the former President and CEO of the Province's embattled Ornge Air Ambulance Service.  Dr. Chris Mazza worked in the ER this past weekend and Chief of Staff Dr. Gordon Porter says it went well.  Porter says he's hopeful Mazza will help fill future ER shifts.

Impaired Driving Hit & Run

A 44 year old Thunder Bay man is being charged with impaired driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision. It comes after officers responded to a single vehicle crash 8 am Sunday morning near a home on east Arthur Street.  Upon arrival, officers discovered that a silver Dodge Grand Caravan had skid off the roadway and into the front steps of a home. The driver attempted to flee with the vehicle, but when unsuccessful, abandoned it. Police located the man a short distance away and were able to arrest him for impaired driving.

Memorial Ave Boston Pizza Robbed

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a man in connection to a robbery at the Memorial Avenue Boston Pizza on early Sunday morning.  Officers were called to the restaurant at 1 in the morning Sunday after it was reported that a man approached the hostess counter and demanded money. The suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Thunder Bay Police or Crime Stoppers.

TSB Recommendations Result In Change

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says Keystone Air Service has addressed several of their concerns.  The TSB has wrapped up its investigation into a fatal plane crash at North Spirit Lake in 2012.  A build-up of ice was a main factor in the fiery crash and Peter Hildebrand says the operator has made changes to address the issue.   The North Spirit airport now has an approved instrument approach procedure which was missing at the time of the crash.

City Council Preview

A petition with 300 signatures opposing a proposed youth centre partnership between the City and the Indian Friendship Centre is going to City Council tonight.  Councillor Larry Hebert isn't sure how this might impact the proposed partnership.  The Friendship Centre wants 2 and a half million dollars from the City to purchase and renovate the Prosvita Hall on High Street and an extra 300 thousand dollars a year for operating costs. Meanwhile, City Transit wants to rename its HAGI transit division "lift+".  Councillor Larry Hebert isn't keen on the new name.  Council will vote Monday night on whether or not to approve the new name.

Snow Arrived...Finally

It took until the final week of November for Thunder Bay to go through our first blast of winter. Environment Canada officially recorded 1.4 millimetres of snow in our area on Sunday.  City Police reported a half a dozen traffic accidents, but there were no major injuries.

Loch Lomond Ski Season Shaping Up

The arrival of winter has brought with it the opening of the Loch Lomond Ski Hill.  Owner Ward Bond says the hill is nearing its full use.  Bond says with upcoming forecasts they could open the north side of the hill this weekend.

More Reaction To Cliffs Withdrawal

One of the city's louder voices in mining feels Thunder Bay's economy could take a punch if Cliffs Natural Resources continues with their decision to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining project. Mining Services Manager John Mason describes the project as having world class potential. Mason feels that other major players pulling out of the project is unlikely.