Tribute paid to Leo Bernier

The King of the North is still being talked about at Queen's Park.  Members from all parties paid tribute to Leo Bernier today.  Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak stood up in the legislature and touched on his legacy.  Bernier past away at the age of 81 this summer.  Bernier was the last northwestern Tory to sit at Ontario’s cabinet table.

Anti-bullying the message

The move is on to eliminate bullying in the city's public schools. Former Westgate student Emily Lauzon returned there to discuss issues relating to alternative lifestyles which includes, gays, lesbians, bisexual and those who are transgender.  The talk was part of a week the school board has set aside to bring awareness to bullying.

Hyer's bill fizzles

Bruce Hyer's climate change bill is dead in the water. The Thunder Bay MP blames what he calls Prime Minister Harper's unelected Senate which voted it down on Tuesday night. The bill would have forced the government to set targets for greenhouse gas emissions

Health Unit increases municipal levies

The Thunder Bay Health Unit is looking for more money from area municipalities. CEO Doug Heath says they passed the 2011 budget yesterday and describes it as a status quo budget. Heath adds they're making no changes to their programs or services, and will require a 1 percent increase in Provincial funding as well as the matching funds from municipalities. Thunder Bay will see a 3.2 percent increase in the amount they pay to the Health Unit.

TV announcement just days away

Officials at TBay Tel are remaining coy about the roll out of their new TV service. It's designed to compete with cable and satellite providers. The only thing that President Don Campbell will tell us is that "day one" it's just days away.

3G Network up and running

Thunder Bay Telephone has launched it's latest cellphone technology.  President Don Campbell says the 3G mobility service is up and running in Thunder Bay.  The service will be offered in Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Red Lake and Kenora next month.  Fort Frances, Atikokan, Rainy River, and Nipigon will get the service in 2011.

Chimney Swifts on the decline

Wanted: Bird watchers.  The Chimney Swift population in Ontario is dwindling and Birds Canada needs your help.  Elisabeth Van Stam says they're looking for people to look for the bird's stomping grounds.  Stam says key swift habitat is chimneys and hollow logs.  Anyone interested is asked to e-mail volunteer@birdscanada.org

Charity dinner battles homelessness/hunger

Another milestone for a local charity. The annual Empty Bowls Caring Hearts dinner has raised 16 thousand dollars for Shelter House and the Thunder Bay Food Bank. Organizer Pyteke Blaauw says it proves we have a giving community.  The two organizations will be presented with their cheques Thursday.

Spirit of Giving Tree Campaign is on

You have another option if you want to give a kid in need a merry Christmas. Zellers is partnering with the Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care for the annual Spirit of Giving Tree Campaign. CAS Executive Rob Richardson says you can choose a gift for a child off the tree and put it in the box. He says they hope to get around 500 gifts this year and gifts will be accepted until December 17th.

Alternative School Proposed for Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's future generations could learn differently than today's school kids. The Northern Lights Education Initiative wants to create an alternative school. Spokesperson Erin Carter says tonight's public meeting is the first step towards building the facility. Carter says they hope to partner with the Lakehead Public School Board on the initiative. A public meeting on the topic is being held tonight at 515 Syndicate Avenue.

Anishinabek Police Service gets new digs

The Anishinabek Police Services broke ground on their new Head Quarters.  The new detachment located at the Fort William First Nation will be built at Anemki place and is scheduled to be completed this spring.  A special ceremony was held Monday morning.

Police Services Board looking at a raise

Members of the police services board could be getting a raise.  The Board started preliminary discussion at yesterday's meeting. Board members get 3 thousand dollars a year while the chair gets 35 hundred dollars.  The police services board hasn't had a pay increase in 11 years.

Owner will decide his dogs fate

The Dog that killed a small Chihuahua will be quarantined for 10 days.  Under the Dog Owners Liability Act the dog was put into quarantine and charges are being considered by the city after the incident last week at the off leash dog park across from the community auditorium.  A decision on charges and whether or not the dog will be put down will be made after the quarantine.  By Law Enforcement Manager Ron Bourret says if the owner doesn't put the dog down he will be charged.

Police Board wants to hire consultant

Thunder Bay's Police Board wants to hire a consultant to help them find a new Police Chief. Board Chair Wayne Bahlieda says they hope to have a consultant hired by January. Bahlieda says they will be looking for candidates from the police world. Bahlieda says the consultant will help look for a new chief, but won't have hiring powers.

L-U improves in university rankings

Lakehead University is edging up in Maclean's Magazine's national rankings. It moved to12th  from 14th in the category of best undergraduate universities. Provincially, the survey positions L-U at number 3  out of 8, and that's fine by President Brian Stevenson   He says since 90 per cent of students come from Ontario the provincial rankings are important.   Stevenson believes the survey also shows the constant improvement and development of the university.

United Way gives fundraising update

United Way has raised 37 percent of it's 2010 campaign goal. So far over 920 thousand dollars is in the groups coffers. The goal is almost 2 and a half million dollars.

Road Closure Wednesday

The City of Thunder Bay is closing the Northbound lane of Golf Links Road Wednesdy.  The closure will be in effect from Central Avenue to Oliver Road from 9 to 4.  City crews will be repairing a hydro pole that was broken during a car accident.

Toys for Tots returns

Toys for Tots is back with it's fundraising efforts for another Christmas season. Organizer Bob Vander Ploeg says there are thousands of children from needy families in Thunder Bay who will benefit. The goal this year is 130 thousand dollars. The firefighters have a booth set up at the Intercity Shopping Centre to take your donations.

Bad Bug on the way

Thunder Bay is working on a plan of attack against the Emerald Ash Borer.  The invasive pest will be in Thunder Bay within the next five years and could devestate the City's urban forest.  Forestry Program Specialist Rena Viehbeck says there are two options.  One of the options is to inject an antibiotic into some of the emerald ash in the city.  Viehbeck says the other option is to do nothing and replace the trees when they die.  Urban Forester Shelly Veccio says it could kill all of the ash trees within the city.

Pharmacies experiencing drug shortage

Thunder Bay Pharmacies are experiencing a shortage of prescription drugs. Janzen's Pharmacy Owner Brenda Adams says part of the problem began when changes were made to the rules governing drug manufacturers. Adams says a variety of drugs are on back order and some people are going without their prescriptions. Adams adds the situation is the worst she's seen in her 26 years in the business.