ATU Deal Ratified

It's now official, city council ratified a five-year agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union during last nights council meeting.  Mayor Keith Hobbs took the time to thank those involved in the negotiations.  The deal provides a 1.75 percent general annual wage increase to all members.

Apartment Building Approved

Council is approving the development of a 4-unit apartment dwelling on Hutton Park Drive.  One of the main concerns raised by residents living near the proposed site includes an increase in traffic. Don Manahan is a consultant involved with the project and says it won't be an issue. Manahan adds the project will be even smaller than the maximum size allowed on the lot.

Public Art Debate

Funding for public art at the Transit Building Renovation is being brought into question by some city councillors.  Councillor Paul Pugh says changing funding for the transit building would make the City look bad. Currently the City is spending 80-thousand dollars for public art at the transit administration building.

Time Is Ticking

Fort William First Nation's frustration is growing over CN Rail's inaction over repairing the James Street Swing Bridge.  Chief Georjann Morriseau says they have safety concerns about the increased traffic on Highway 61 and the junction to their community. She would like to see a slower speed and other traffic controlling measures. Morriseau expects a meeting to be held between the City, CN and themselves in the near future.

Building Bridges

The City and Fort William First Nation want to eliminate racism.  They held a special round table discussion yesterday to discuss where the two communities go after the James Street Swing Bridge Fire last year sparked racist comments on social media websites. Fort William Chief Georjann Morriseau says the only way to eradicate racism is to talk about it.  The event is meant to shed some light on the issue and foster open communication between the two communities.

Pre-Budget Hearing Today

The Provincial Government will hear from Thunder Bay organizations about what they would like to see in the upcoming budget.  The local Alzheimer Society is going to present today and President Alison Denton says they'll ask for more financial support for their clients.  Poverty Free Thunder Bay, the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and the Thunder Bay Health Coalition will also present their requests at the Valhalla Inn today.  Meanwhile, The Ontario Nurses' Association will call on the government to end cuts to registered nursing positions and to hire more RNs.

OPP Investigating Two Deaths

Provincial Police are investigating two deaths along with the Forensic Unit, Sioux Lookout Police and North Caribou Lake Police in the Weagamow Lake First Nation.  Police responded to a disturbance call and when they arrived at the residence they found a deceased woman.  Early this morning a pickup truck believed to be involved with the incident was found along with a deceased man nearby.  The identities of the victims are being withheld.

Hobbs Files Papers

Mayor Keith Hobbs making it official today.   He filed his papers this morning to stand for re-election in October and says he's counting on voters to give him another 4 years in office.  Hobbs says he's taking nothing for granted and plans to work hard to get his message across.

Flu Outbreak Over At Lakehead Manor

The flu outbreak at Lakehead Manor has been called off meaning all admissions, discharges and social activities are allowed to resume.  The Health Unit reported the first signs of the outbreak January 10th on the fourth floor of the facility, before it spread throughout the building.

LU Researchers Launch Palliative Care Kit

There's a new toolkit for long term care homes who want to offer palliative care to their residents. The kit was developed by a group of people at Lakehead University.  Dr. Mary Lou Kelley says there really wasn't anything like this in Canada before.  Kelley says thanks to their research they can tell Long Term Care homes how they can create their own palliative care programs in their facilities.

Joint Funding For Greenstone

The Provincial and Federal Government are giving Greenstone's Community Forest 3.5 million dollars to open a training centre.  The money will be used to open a regional skills training centre at the Greenstone airport.

Top 20 Under 40 Celebrated

Northwestern Ontario's young movers and shakers were honoured on Saturday in Thunder Bay.   The top twenty professionals under the age of 40 were named in the second annual event which is sponsored by the Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario Chambers of Commerce and SHIFT the Young Professional's Network.    Here are the winners:                                                                      

Thunder Bay                                      
Anthony Marrelli                                      
Ashleigh Quarrell                                        
Chris Fralick                                              
Colleen Peters
Curtis Hildebrandt
Daniel Skaarup
Dave Thomas
Derek Lankinen
Marcus Luft
Meaghan Sharp
Michelle Mack
Nadia Kurd
Nadia La Russa
Nikos Mantis
Robert Animikii Horton
Teri Joseph
Thomas Russell

Regional 
Annabella Zwada, Terrace Bay
Daryl Skworchinski, Marathon
Jessica Lunday, Kenora

WestJet Brings New Service To T.Bay

WestJet Airlines is bringing a new service to Thunder Bay. The company announced this morning that it will start Encore routes between Toronto and Thunder Bay and between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.  WestJet says the new service will start in June.

Police Find Hikers

City Police say two 17 year olds are safe after getting lost at the Cascade Conservation Area on Sunday afternoon.  The two teens took their dog for a hike in the trail system, got lost and called home for help. Police went out on snow machines and found them in the area of the Shuniah Mine. Both the hikers and the dog were very cold and possibly suffering from frost bite. Police are urging people who are heading out for hikes to be adequately dressed for the weather and to stay on a trail system that they are familiar with.

Drivers Approve Deal

City buses are rolling today after a strike by transit drivers was avoided over the weekend.  An all night mediated session led to an agreement early Saturday morning.  Drivers with the Amalgamated Transit Union, local 966, voted 76 percent in favour of the new deal Sunday.  Transit workers had been without a contract since June of 2012.  City Council will vote to ratify the contract at its meeting tonight.  ATU President Sheila Kivisto says the five year deal includes an increase in wages.

Missing Teen Found

A teenager is home safe after going missing over the weekend.  Thunder Bay Police found 17-year old Rayna Johah in the company of another female last night on south May Street.  Jonah, who was uninjured, was reported missing on Friday after last being seen at the County Fair Walmart.

Light Night At Council

It's a light night at City Council tonight. Up for discussion...a request to allow a 4 unit apartment building on Hutton Park Drive.  City Staff were also scheduled to talk about a by-law issue dealing with the number of pets a person can own but that topic is being put off for the time being.

Model Ship Finds Home

A model of the ship MV Thunder Bay will soon be on display at the Mariner's Hall at Prince Arthur's Landing.  City Archivist Matt Szybalski says Canada Steamship Lines presented the City with the model of the Laker on a visit to the Port of Thunder Bay in September. The MV Thunder Bay made its maiden voyage in 2013.

Head Lice Policy Changed

The Catholic School Board is changing its head lice policy. Spokesperson Omer Belisle says it was their approach to keep kids with head lice in school as long as their parents were taking action to stamp out the bugs. However, some parents were not taking the appropriate actions. Belisle says they will keep kids in school as long as their parents vow to treat the head lice.

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Coming To T.Bay

Diversity Thunder Bay will have a prominent figure attending their March 20th 'Celebration Breakfast'. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and will be speaking at the event in support of ending racial discrimination.  Chair Tina Tucker says their guest speaker brings with him first hand experiences. Abuelaish is now an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.