Peterson proud of accomplishments

Lynn Peterson says she appreciates the time she's spent serving the community as an elected official and that it's been a real honour. The outgoing mayor is proud of the many projects that she has overseen. She says initiatives like the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the waterfront development and the new courthouse are moving the city forward.  Peterson says while she feels she ran a good campaign, clearly the community wanted some change.  While  she has no immediate plans, Peterson says she will stay involved in the community.

Pugh takes McKellar

Paul Pugh showed a strong win in the McKellar Ward and says he's honoured voters have given him their trust.  During his campaign he found the efforts of community groups  in his ward encouraging and wants the city to do more to work with neighbourhood groups. Pugh says his next step is to do further research into the city's issues as he prepares to take his seat on council.

Hobbs wins mayor's race

Thunder Bay is going to get a new mayor.  Keith Hobbs pulled off an upset over incumbent Mayor Lynn Peterson.  Around 200 people attended his celebration at the Da Vinci Centre.  Hobbs says he's looking forward to working with administration and the rest of council.  He notes there shouldn't be any hard feelings from the election campaign.  In the At Large Race it's Ken Boshcoff, Larry Hebert, Iain Angus and Aldo Ruberto.  Other winners, Trevor Giertuga , Andrew Foulds, Joe Virdiramo, Paul Pugh, Mark Bentz, Brian McKinnon and Linda Rydholm.   Complete election results available at this link 

Thunder Bay sees slight increase in voter turnout

It wasn't the highest voter turn out for the City of Thunder Bay.  Around 40 percent came out to exercise their right to vote which is two percent more than the last election.  Voter turnout in the seventies was around fifty percent. Returning Officer John Hannam says they're not overly disappointed.  Hannam says they'll have a better idea of how many people voted Wednesday when they release the official election results.

At Large Councillor Election Round Up

Most of Thunder Bay's at large councillors will be on the job for another term.  Ian Angus, Larry Hebert, Rebecca Johnson, and Aldo Roberto appear to have won their seats back according to unofficial election results.  Hebert says he's going to work towards making council more transparent.  Meanwhile, Angus says he's ready to tackle job creation.  Former Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff rounds out the at large council members.  Boshcoff says he's happy to return to municipal politics.  The new council and Mayor will be sworn in December 1st.

Pullia reflects on campaign

Former City Councillor Frank Pullia feels he put up a good fight in the Mayor's race.  Pullia lost his council spot, but notes he doesn't regret his decision to run.  The former at large council member says he could sense people wanted change, and he offered it but Hobbs was a more radical change.  This was Pullia's fourth attempt for Mayor.  Pullia stopped by to congratulate Hobbs last night.

Inntowner coming down

You can officially say good-bye to the Inntowner Hotel.  Starting this week, the city is  tearing it down to put up a parking lot.  Officials say it's part of the plan to revitalize the city's south core.

Plastic Bag ban supported by EcoSuperior

Plastic bags at grocery stores could be on the way out, if EcoSuperior and an MP from London Ontario get their way. The MP is introducing a private members bill calling for an out right ban on plastic grocery bags. EcoSuperior Executive Director Ellen Mortfield says Thunder Bay people use reusable bags very often and feels we are ready for a ban.  Mortfield says EcoSuperior will be talking to our local MP's to see how they will be voting.

It'll be a rainy start to the week

Get ready for some wet and wild weather. Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says we are going to get a drenching with as much as 30 milimetres of rain expected to fall tomorrow.  Coulson says in addition to the rain its going to be very windy with gusts hitting the 70 kilometre mark.

Dawna Friesen visits our radio station

 Dawna Friesen is back to her roots today.   The new anchor of Global National is in Thunder Bay as part of the network's plan to broadcast the news program from cities across Canada.   She took time this morning to visit our studio and talk about her adventures as a reporter for NBC News and to read a newscast for us.

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OPSEU and NOSM set new talk dates

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine strike will continue for the rest of this month at the very least.  OPSEU and NOSM officials won't be heading back to the negotiating table until November 1st.  The two sides haven't met since union members rejected the school's last offer two weeks ago. 

No cause found for fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall has completed the investigation of the West Hotel fire. According to Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, it doesn't look like the investigation was able to uncover the cause of the fire. The site was turned back over to the city yesterday around noon and the next step will likely be demolition.

Family day at the farm for new health care professionals

Around a hundred new health care professionals and medical students along with their families will enjoy a day of activities at Belluz Farm today.

The event is being put on by the Thunder Bay Physician Recruitment & Retention Council.

Thunder Bay Community Relations Coordinator Cheryl Armstrong says it's a good way to show medical professionals what the city has to offer. Armstrong also adds that it gives them a chance to meet one another.

The event is also being sponsored by the Thunder Bay NOSM Group.

Highway improvements

32  highway projects in the region are nearing completion.


Nearly 500 kilometers of highway are being repaved and nine bridges are also being worked on.


Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says that the improvements will lead to safer roads and encourage economic growth.


The province is spending a record $773 million in this years Northern Highways Program.

Minnesota man fined for hunting violations

A Minnesota man learned the hard way about following the rules when it comes to hunting.


The man--who is from Grand Marais--was fined a thousand dollars for firing his gun across a road when he shot a moose last year.

He was also fined another four-hundred dollars for providing a false statement to a Ministry of Natural Resources officer.

The man appeared in court on October 13th in Thunder Bay.

It's illegal to discharge a firearm over or on a public road in Ontario

Electronic waste collection

Not sure what to do with with your old electronics?

Thunder Bay residents will have an opportunity to recycle their old electronic equipment tomorrow.

The Ontario Electronic Stewardship program takes place 9:30-2:30 in the Intercity shopping centre parking lot.

Collected materials will be tracked until they are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

The program is being funded by importers, brand owners and assemblers.

NOSM talks back on

The two sides in the Northern Ontario Medical School strike are heading back to the bargaining table November first. They'll be attempting to negotiate a contract to end a strike that has been on since August 16th. It's the first set of talks since the OPSEU members voted to turn down a tentative contract agreement earlier this month.

Burt Transportation faces operation challenges

A transit company providing rides to the Handi-Cap is facing challenges from City Hall.  The company was offering free rides to Community Living clients but was asked to stop by the City.  Burt Transportation Manager Wayne Boulter says the City Solicitor feels they're operating as an illegal taxi service.  He wants to speak to council but can't because city staff is investigating.  Boulter says he's not giving up the fight.

Over limit of walleye proves to be costly

Four Illinois men were pinched with an over limit of fish.  Each guy had to cough up 800 dollars for possessing an over limit of Walleye, and only two of them had to pay an extra 500 dollars for lying to a conservation officer.  The illegal fishing activity took place on Smooth Rock Lake near Thunder Bay.

It's "red nose" time again!

The Fort City Kinettes are selling red noses for charity. The project is called "Clowning 4 Kids" Organizer Alexis Szczomak  says the money collected will go towards the George Jeffery Children's Centre and Ronald McDonald House.  The noses are 2 dollars each and can be found at a variety of city locations.