Council turns down e-voting

There will be no internet or phone voting in the upcoming municipal election. Councillors have voted 8-5 against the proposal. Trevor Giertuga was one of the 8 to turn thumbs down to the idea.  Giertuga says he's not convinced all the security issues have been answered.   For Mayor Lynn Peterson it's a question of security as well saying she is not comfortable with voters names, PIN numbers and other private information being in a data base that be would susceptible to hackers.

Consortium re-brands itself

The Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium is no more. In its place is a new company called Thunder Bay Metal Fabricators Association. Speaking to city councillors on Monday evening board member Paul Peterson said the name change is designed to show the firm is doing more than just getting contracts for city firms from the Alberta oil sands. He denies the change had anything to do with the negative environmental publicity the oil sands have received recently.  Peterson says that includes seizing new markets where they can find them including the so called Ring of Fire chromite deposit 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Former trustee eyes City Council

Former Public School trustee is looking to jump into city politics. Beatrice Metzler has declared her intention to run as a canadidate for City Council in the October municipal election. She will be running for councillor-at-large.   Metzler says her priorities will be a diversified economy for the city, a safe community and fair taxation.

Shear Heaven to close

After 31 years Shear Heaven is closing its doors. Owner Aldo Ruberto says he is retiring from the hairstyling business. He says it's been quite a ride and has learned a lot from being in business for so long.   Ruberto says he considered moving the salon to a new location, but decided to retire instead and focus on being a full time city councillor.  The last day of business for Shear Heaven will be Friday. Ruberto says he has found jobs for all his 11 stylists.

Rafferty pension bill could go to committee

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty is optimistic about his private members bill. He says the bill is designed to add protection to workers pensions by moving them  from unsecured status to secured status.  He says 4 million Canadians stand to benefit from the bill if it's passed.  Rafferty says after debate on the bill today,  it appears all parties, including the Conservatives, are interested taking it to the committee stage.

Thunder Bay police have busy weekend

City police had to deal with a couple of incidents over the weekend. Saturday a man walked into the south downtown salon and assaulted a receptionist before making off with her purse. No has been arrested and police continue to investigate. Then yesterday two people were arrested after the discovery of a grow op. Officers responded to a call on Keith Street early yesterday morning and saw marijuana plants in the residence when they arrived. A search found 40 plants and a man and woman were arrested and charged.

Rural cemetery vandalized

Officials at the Lappe Cemetery are cleaning up the mess after a weekend of vandalism. OPP report that several headstones were overturned , ornaments damaged and garbage thrown around. Also over the weekend, no one was home after fire engulfed a house on Highway 11/17 east of Shabaqua. The cause is under investigation.

Wesway project gets extended

Employees at Wesway services in Thunder Bay are celebrating. The non profit organization provides care to those people who are close to death. It was taking part in a special pilot project that provided those services to seniors living in communities throughout the Thunder Bay district. The provincial funding was to have run out at the end of last month. However officials have received word the funding will be extended another year.

No major controversy expected at City Hall

City councillors should be getting a break from any controversy Monday night. They won't have to deal with wind farms, bus depots or subdivision expansions. Instead they will hear a presentation from the Thunder Bay Oil Sands Consortium. Thats the group that tries to secure contracts for local businesses from the Alberta oil sands project. Also on the agenda, councillors will be asked to approve a policy on Violence in the Workplace as part of the changes to the provinces Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Snowbirds making a return visit next month

The Snowbirds are coming back to Thunder Bay. The Armed Forces precision flying team will entertain us May 26th. It will be part of Confederation Colleges' Aviation day according to organizer Paul de Oude.   He says they'll perform a fly-by and not a full aerobatic show.   The fly by will take place over the airport and city during the lunch hour and last about half an hour

Young soldier injured in Afghanistan back home

A bottle of scotch and some Pink Floyd. That's how Master Corporal Chris Drewes wants to relax now that he is back home in Thunder Bay. Drewes was injured in Afghanistan in the same roadside bomb blast that killed fellow soldier Private Tyler William Todd. The 24 year old Drewes doesn't consider himself a hero. He says if anyone should have that tag, it's Private Todd. Right now he is recovering from a shrapnel wound to his shoulder. He says he does have limited use of it. Drewes was welcomed at the airport by family and friends Friday afternoon.

Two hurt in John St. fire

Two people are hurt following a fire this afternoon at 960 John St. The fire is believed to have originated in a top floor bedroom of the semi-detached home. District Fire chief David Grant says one of the injured had smoke inhalation trying to put out the fire the other suffered a cut hand breaking a window. Four people were in the house at the time the blaze broke out. The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time

Local MPP's the target of attack ads

MPP Michael Gravelle denies accusations he and fellow MPP Bill Mauro are cutting frontline healthcare. The attack ads are aimed at the McGuinty governments' decision to cut professional allowances to pharmacies. Gravelle says the whole story isn't told, saying its about cutting the cost of generic drugs. He calls it a pretty tough battle that's going on, but believes the decision is in the best interests of Ontarians who are paying more than they should for generic drugs. Gravelle says government grants to the pharmacies will help offset the losses they incur. Meantime, Mauro says he won't comment on the attack campaign.

Report targets suicide prevention

Youth leaders in the city say they are encouraged by a report on preventing youth suicide. The report was compiled after workshops with local high school students. Spokesperson Debbie Sault says the community should pay attention to this report because youth need support from adults, but many adults are terrified of the topic and they won't talk about youth suicide or don't know how to respond. Some of the recommendations in the report include, having more activities available for youth and  having more access to professional help.

Thunder Bay's inflation rate declined

Thunder Bay saw a small drop in the inflation rate last month. Our rate was 0.8 percent in March down from February's 1.1. It was the same story nationally where the rate went from 1.6 to 1.4. The core inflation rate saw an even bigger drop from 2.1 to 1.7 last month.

Replica handgun leads to weapons charges

Police say a 26 year old city man is facing weapons related charges following an incident at the OLG Casino this week. Police say staff noticed a man who appeared to be carrying a handgun. It turns out it was a replica, however a subsequent search of his home turned up pocket knives, a metal pipe and a razor blade.

TBSO names its new conductor

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra now has its new Music Director. Arthur Post becomes the 8th conductor to lead the orchestra in its 50 year history. Post says he's looking forward to his new role saying that in his short time in the city this season he noted the TBSO has a group of magnificant muscians who are also exceptional people. Post will make his first appearance as conductor October 14th when the orchestra performs at the Community Auditorium.

ATV vote Monday in Oliver-Paipoonge

The Township of Oliver-Paipoonge may be about to allow ATV's on community roads. Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says on Monday council will be voting on the issue. She says it's just a matter of convenience for the rural residents.  She says alot of them have ATV's and would like to get from point A to point B in the municipality.  Kloosterhuis says the vote will follow a presentation by the Thunder Bay Police on highway traffic laws as they apply to ATV's

LU prof stranded because of volcanic ash

A Lakehead University professor is stranded in London, England because of the ash from that volcano in Iceland. Peter Hollings just happens to be a geology professor and one who specializes in volcanoes, an irony not lost on him.  He says he is staying with family and so it hasn't been unpleasant.  He says there are some people questioning whether officials reacted in haste in grounding all air traffic.  Hollings says he was surprised by the blanket ban but admits officials had to err on the side of safety.   Hollings says he hopes to be back in Thunder Bay on the weekend and teaching by Monday.

Restricted fire zone in place

The dry conditions in northwestern Ontario have forced the hand of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Fire information officer Deb MacLean says a restricted fire zone is now in place.  It affects the Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Kenora districts as well as parts of the Sioux Lookout and Red Lake districts.  Maclean says not to let the cool weather fool you, the conditions are ripe for forest fires.