Council supports EMO position

Thunder Bay City Council is throwing it's support behind a resolution asking the Province to ensure the region has its own Emergency Management Field Officer.  The province isn't going to replace Dale Smyk when he retires in January.  Councillor Ian Angus says the move would hurt the region's communities big and small.  Meanwhile, Fire Chief John Hay echoed Angus' comments and says the closest field officer is in Duberville.

Waterfront contract over budget

The civil works contract for the waterfront development project is coming in over a million dollars more than expected.  Waterfront Manager Katherine Dugmore says it's over budget because of design changes.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she can't understand how it can cost so much to complete fourty five changes.  Johnson says she's not happy the project ran over and that it's proving to be very expensive. The civil works contact came in at over 3.9 million dollars.  Dugmore adds the sewer, water and storm water projects are expected to be complete in the Spring of 2011.

The Clap is on the rise

The District Health Unit says it's dealing with an unexpected increase in gonorrhea.    They say normally from September until December there are about 15 reported cases of gonorrhea in the district, but this year there have been 43 cases reported.   No reason has been given for the jump in cases. The Health Unit says it's investigating.

Scenic lookout project up for council approval

City council meets for the final time in 2010 tonight. One of the highlights will be the approval of the Current River Scenic Lookout Project. It's a development being sponsored by Hydro One in co-operation with the city. As well councillors will be asked tonight to oppose the elimination of low key, but important civil service position in the city. The McGuinty government is not going to fill the job of Emergency Management Field Officer for the region once the current officer, Dale Smyk, retires. The province says it wants to run things from Southern Ontario.

Con College to include Red Lake and Wawa

Confederation College is expanding. Starting next year it's regional campus network is going to include Red Lake and Wawa. As of February, both campuses will offer full time programs in Office Administration along with Construction and Mining Techniques. President Pat Lang says it shows the commitment the college has to the region.

Johnson back in the big leagues

Ryan Johnson is back in the NHL. The veteran forward signed a one year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks Friday. The Thunder Bay native made his way back to the NHL through the minors after signing a tryout contract with Chicago's AHL affiliate a couple of weeks ago. Johnson was in Chicago's lineup Friday and Sunday. The team won both games.

Another Christmas Charity is falling behind

The Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign is in danger of falling short of its goal.  Major Mervin Halverson says they are about 26 thousand dollars short of its 130 thousand dollar goal.  Halverson says they also have a few shifts open for people who want to volunteer to man the Kettles.

A Christmas tragedy for a Thunder Bay family

Richard Carmichael's family is facing a tragedy just days ahead of Christmas.  He was killed in a hit and run early yesterday morning.  City police arrested 25 year old Christian Hernandez in connection and charged him with failing to stay at the scene and impaired driving causing death.  Carmichael was hit on North High Street.  Hernandez will be back in court Wednesday.

Constance Lake First Nation renews call for water

Constance Lake First Nation is renewing it's call for more water. In November, Indian and Northern Affairs reduced the amount of bottled water being shipped into the community from four litres to 1.5 litres per person.

While there is a temporary work-around that has water coming into the community from a power plant, Chief Arthur Moore says that water is unsafe to drink and is only being used for things like bathing and laundry. Also, there has been a recent increase in rashes and fungal infections and many in the community feel that the water coming from the power plant may be the culprit.

The need for bottled water began this summer when an algae bloom covered the lake the community used as its main water supply and it's water treatment facility was unable to properly filter the water. The community is waiting on a new well that should be finished in the new year. Moore says the well is only a temporary fix and the only long term solution is more modern water treatment technology.

Armed robbery arrest

Police have a man is custody after an armed robbery. Dutchaks Recycle Inc. on Hammond Avenue was robbed by a man with a knife around 10 a.m. yesterday. After an investigation, police arrested a man in the East End. The suspect will appear in court today and is being charged with robbery.

Highway 17 closure

Highway 17 was closed west of Kenora last night because of an accident involving several vehicles. The pile up started when two tractor trailers collided. The OPP closed the highway when one of the big rigs started leaking fuel and was reopened after the cleanup was complete. There were no injuries.

Crash results in impaired driving arrest

Police responded to a two vehicle crash last night at the intersection of Dawson Road and Strand Avenue. One man was taken to the hospital with a broken arm, no other injuries were reported. Police arrested the driver of one of the vehicles for impaired driving; he'll appear in court this morning.

North end garage fire

Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to a burning garage on Court Street just before midnight. Firefighters quickly put the blaze out upon arriving; there were no injuries. The fire is currently under investigation.

Slovak Legion kitchen open again after food sickness

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is waiting on lab results to determine what caused 37 people to get sick from a meal at the Slovak Legion on Tuesday. The Health Unit has narrowed it down to one food, and is just waiting on the lab results for confirmation. The food in question has been removed from the kitchen. The Legion was fined as a result of the outbreak. Manager of Environmental Health Chris Beveridge says the Health Unit believes it was an isolated incident and adds that the Slovak Legion runs a clean kitchen. If anyone suspects they have been affected by food-borne illness, they are encouraged to contact the Health Unit.

More First Nations bound Oxy's seized

Oxycontin continues to be the drug of choice to smuggle on to First Nations communities in the northwest. Police say that they recently busted 2 women at the Thunder Bay airport with trying to smuggle 268 thousand dollars worth of Oxy's to the Weagamow First Nation. In an unrelated bust 3 people in the city are charged after a raid at a Hargrave Street home. They face drug and weapons related charges.

New officers sworn in

The city police now have five new officers. They've just completed their stint at Ontario Police College and are ready to go according to Deputy Police Chief J-P Levesques.  He says they'll begin in the new year at which time 5 more recruits will be sent to police college and will graduate in March.  He says this is the time to apply for the force since they are seeing a high rate of retirement.

KI to DeBeers-take a hike!

It's a no go for De Beers.  KI First Nation has sent the diamond company a letter saying they can't look for diamonds around their community.  Chief Donny Morris says they're just trying to organize themselves.  De Beers wants to look for diamonds around the community this summer, but Morris says the community won't be ready by that time.

LU hopes for dividends from invention

Researchers at Lakehead University have developed a concrete idea. It's an additive which makes cement stronger. It's partnered with a company called GreenCentre Canada to help get it to market. Spokesperson Rui Resendes says it's got the potential to revolutionize the cement industry.  The additive is now being taken to it's next stage of development in Southern Ontario.

Christmas Cheer nearing its goal

We're getting close but there still a little ways to go. Christmas Cheer Chair Linda Gambee says the community has made a tremendous push over the last few days and their food donation goal has been met. Gambee says as of this morning they were still 50 thousand dollars short of their 165 thousand dollar goal.

Burned toast results in fire call

Burned toast resulted in Fire and Emergency vehicles swarming a south end condo Friday A.M.   The apartment building across from City Hall had a false alarm triggering crews to respond.