Library costs expected to increase

City councillors will likely be asked to approve added costs for the construction of the new Mary J. L. Black Library.    While the original budget of 4.1 million dollars to build the facility isn't expected to change, there are added costs that City Manager Tim Commisso has drawn to the attention of council.   He is recommending that the entire parking lot at the proposed site be totally replaced as part of the process along with a complete rebuilding of a nearby children's playground.  Commisso says the costs are expected to be about half a million dollars or so.  He says he will report back to council by the end of June or early July on where the money will come from

More uses approved for Red River Road building

There will be some added uses for the old Safeway store at the corner of Red River Road at Clarkson Avenue. Councillors have voted to include the uses of a community clinic and a mini-warehouse. One of the concerns raised was whether there would be a methadone clinic located at the site. Mark Smith the General Manager of Development Service says while there is nothing that the city can do to prevent such a clinic from operating, it's his understanding that the applicant has no intention of setting one up. Pictured: Officials with Red River Square state their case before councillors.

Forest industry finds an ally in NOMA

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is going to bat for the Ontario forest industry. It's started an effort to exempt the industry from more red tape under the Endangered Species Act. NOMA President Anne Krassilowsky says that forest companies are already required to file to identify threatened and endangered species when they prepare a Forest Management Plan. NOMA has launched an email writing campaign to lobby the government on the issue.

Forest fire season heats up

Be careful with your outdoor fires this May long weekend.  Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Mitch Miller is urging the public to take caution when burning outdoors because of the hot dry conditions.  5 forest fires were reported in the Northwest Region over the weekend.

Global Sticks opens in July

The manager of Global Sticks is hoping to have the company's Thunder Bay operations up and running by July.  It'll make sticks for ice cream bars, corn dogs and paint stirring paddles.  Earl Metcalf says they look forward to hiring up to 100 staff.  Metcalf adds they're in the process of ordering the equipment and building the plant.

Local group ponders report

The local chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition is still reviewing the finer points of a report on rural and northern hospitals.
The Ontario Health Coalition penned the document that deals with health services.
Thunder Bay Health Coalition Co-Chair Barb Maki says they want to ensure all health services in the region stay intact.
Maki says the local health coalition will keep an eye out for any possible service cuts to emergency departments or other areas of care.

Etienne wows 'em at the Gardens

School students in Thunder Bay are still buzzing about a performance Monday by a popular children's entertainer. Steven Langlois, who goes by the stage name Etienne, sang his eduational french songs to about 4 thousand students at the Fort William Gardens.  He says the concert was as wonderful as he imagined it to be.  Langlois says students respond well to his energy and motivation. There is video on our news website.

OPP arrest impaired drivers

A 35 year old woman is facing impaired charges after being arrested over the weekend. OPP pulled her over on the Expressway Saturday after noticing her driving erratically. Officers say her blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit and was driving with her 9 year old child. The next day officers arrested a 30 year old man at a RIDE checkpoint for being impaired.

Fire training course on council agenda

At City Hall Monday,  councillors get to discuss a fire training program for Confederation College.
If approved the Thunder Bay Fire Service will be partnering with the Ontario Fire Marshal and the Association of Fire Chiefs to establish a fire training course at the college. It would be a one year course modelled after ones offered at 12 colleges in southern Ontario. Also tonight an application is being made to change the zoning for Red River Square at Red River Road and Clarkson. The purpose is for a mini warehouse and community clinic at that location

Bike rodeo teaches safety

The city police Bike Rodeo is all set to go. It takes place Saturday, June 19th at the Community Auditorium parking lot. Organizer, Detective Constable Tammy Reynolds, says the purpose is to teach kids bike safety and to promote the Kids 'n Cops website. Registration is limited to 300 participants and forms are available at kidsncopsca.

Food Buddies inspires students

Students in the Foods and Nutrition class at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute are making friends with the elementary students from Vance Chapman School. It's all part of a program called Food Buddies. Family Studies teacher Nancy White is proud of the program. She says the purpose is to educate and inspire the young students about making healthy eating choices. The program was inspired by the reality TV show Food Revolution. Pictured: Foods and Nutrition student Abaigeal Clark watchesVance Chapman students during the Food Buddies program

Program improves early reading skills

The Catholic School Board is pretty pumped about a new program that's helped grades 1 to 3 students with their early reading skills. Board spokesperson Joan Powell says the PALS program was introduced this school year and has gone beyond expectations.  She is thrilled at the magnitude of the results and how all students, including those considered "at risk", are succeeding.  Powell says that they're expanding the program next year to include math.

Neebing fire crews are back in home station

It took over 3 months but the Neebing fire crew is back in their home but for how long that will be is still up in the air. Firefighters were forced out of the station February 10th, after mould was discovered at the facility. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says the living quarters and offices were gutted to remove the mould so there is a lot of work needed before crews can move back into the station. For now crews are being housed in an onsite trailer next to the facility. Hankkio says a consultant will be used to see if its worth renovating the station or finding a new permanent home.

Provincial Parks are open for business

If you're looking for something to do this weekend why not go camping. Most of the provinces parks are open for business starting this weekend. There will also be an alcohol ban for the next 44 days.

Skateboarding safety promoted

The District Health Unit and the Skateboard Coalition are teaming up to promote safety. Marita Campbell of the Health Unit says the campaign will focus on the young people who use the Marina Skate Plaza.   She says the Coalition told her that they were concerned that a lot of young people were trying tricks beyond their abilities, not learning the basics first and not wearing appropriate gear.   Campbell says the promotion will include posters and a parents guide to safer skateboarding

Jared joins Eric in Carolina

Eric Staal will be spending some more time with family and he'll be able to do it in Carolina.  The Hurricanes have aquired his younger brother Jared from the Phoenix Coyotes for a 5th round draft pick.  Jared was chosen 49th overall in 2008 and has yet to play an NHL game.

Atleo wants leaders to attend Treaty 5 ceremonies

Canada's top native leader says government leaders must attend the upcoming Treaty 5 celebrations in Northwestern Ontario. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Shawn Atleo the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations,  says it would show a respect for past actions.   He says that's critical  because the Crown is the treaty partner and needs to take full responsibility for those errors, but it has yet to happen.  So far no government officials have indicated they will be attending the ceremonies.

LRCA upgrades low water warning

We may have received a lot of rain, but the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority says drought conditions in the area are getting worse. For that reason the organization has upgraded its low water condition warning from Level 1 to Level 2. The LRCA says that means that the overall precipitation hasn't been enough to ease water supply problems especially for those who rely on wells for their drinking water.

Fonteece escapes jail time for wife's suicide

A Waterloo man is not going to jail for his wife's suicide in Thunder Bay. 48 year old Peter Fonteece pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in connection with the incident in a city motel room in February of last year. The court was told his wife Yanisa took 40 sleeping pills and asked Peter not to interfere. He then tried numerous times to take his own life but failed. Fonteece says he's pleased he didn't get anymore time in jail than what he has already served. He adds he's grateful for the understanding of Madam Justice Helen Pierce. She called the case unique in Canadian law. Fonteece will be on probation for a year and must stay in the care of The John Howard Society.

Hundreds turn out for Dunnill funeral

Father Michael Dunnill has said his final farewell. The Thunder Bay Police Service Chaplain was given a full police funeral Thursday complete with an honour guard at St. Paul's Anglican Church. Hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects to the man who served as Chaplain since 1988. He died on the weekend at the age of 77.