Council gives direction to lawyer

City Council is giving marching orders to legal counsel; but that's all City Manager Tim Commisso can say.  That's the only information available to the public after a closed door meeting on the 126 million dollar Horizon Wind lawsuit.  City Manager Tim Commisso says he can't say when they'll be back in court.

United Way reaches its goal

After struggling to raise money over the holiday season, the United Way is deeming its 2010 fundraising campaign a success.  Fundraising Chair Wayne Fletcher says the community came through for them. In December the organization had said they weren't sure if they could reach their goal.  Fletcher adds they surpassed their 2.4 million dollar goal by 8-thousand dollars.

Lac Des Iles Mine to get facelift

The Thunder Bay economy is getting another shot in the arm. It comes with the news that North American Palladium is boosting production at it's Lac Des Iles Mine north of the city by almost 55 per cent this year. As well the company is spending 147 million dollars to expand the mine.

Wind turbine health concerns drive court case

The wind turbine debate in Ontario is now before a judge. Opponents are in a Toronto court claiming the turbines are being allowed too close to people's homes. Sam Bachinski is a local opponent of the Nor'wester wind farm. He says this case, brought on by Ian Hanna, has a direct bearing on the Horizon Wind project.   The government says there is no credible evidence to suggest the turbines harm health.   Bachinski says his group is not providing financial support for the group.

The Carnegie Kids are back

Two local piano virtuosos are back at home after a trip to the Big Apple. The two Lakehead University music students performed in a competition at New York City's Carnegie Hall. Robyne Tenkula and Jonathan Boo placed second and third in their respective categories.

CAA stretched to the max during cold spell

CAA workers in Thunder Bay are relieved the worst is over. They were kept hopping responding to dead battery calls during the near record breaking cold spell. Spokesperson Cory Kennedy admits the wait times were quite long, anywhere from 6 to 24 hours.  Kennedy says in the northern region the CAA responded to 650 calls for service on Sunday.

LU prof sees positives in fitness guidelines

New physical fitness guidelines in Canada show we are the least active generation in decades. Glen Paterson, of Lakehead University's Kinesiology Deparment, is pleased to see the issue is being addressed by the Canadian Society for Exercise. Paterson says there are a lot of positives in the new guidelines because they address the importance of daily exercise for children to older adults.

CN talks result in tentative deal

The threat of a strike by CN Rail workers in Thunder Bay is diminished now that a tentative contract agreement is in place.  The members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union were threatening to walk the picket lines across the country at midnight.   The details of the new deal will not be released until it's voted on by the union.

United Way to release final total

The United Way's 2010 campaign officially comes to an end later today when the organization releases its fundraising total. The goal was to raise 2.47 million dollars in the community.

Power restored to outlying areas

Power is back on for Hydro One customers after they were without it for about 8 hours during one of the coldest days on record. A report says more than 12 hundred homes were affected Sunday morning in Fowler, Gorham, Jacques, Ware and Oliver-Paipoonge.   Power line problems are being blamed by the utility for the outage.

FWFN says yes to deal

There is near unanimous approval on the Fort William First Nation.   On the weekend members voted on a 154 million dollar land claim settlement that includes the transfer of Flatland Island and Pie Island to the band.    Chief Peter Collins says of the 800 or so members who voted, about 98 per cent of them voted in favour of the deal.  Collins says it was no surprise to him.

Its a winter wonderland

Expect some more snow today. Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says Lake Superior will be adding moisture to the system moving through the area and more snow will fall.  He says in Thunder Bay the snow should taper off near noon, with more significant amounts in the Nipigon area.  Laidlaw says it looks like we could get another dumping of snow come Thursday.

Near record low temperatures

Thunder Bay came close to breaking a record for the coldest temperature. Environment Canada meteorologist Arnold Ashton says temperatures were a record low minus 37.3 Sunday morning, falling just short of the previous record of minus 37.6 that was set back in 1996.

Funding for Lakehead University

Lakehead University is in the money. The Canada Foundation for Innovation awarded 312 thousand dollars to the University. The money will purchase microscopes that will be used by geology, chemistry, engineering, biology and physic students.

Fort William First Nation Votes

It's a historic day on the Fort William First Nation. The band membership are voting today on a proposed  land claim settlement from the Canadian and Ontario governments. The tentative settlement includes about 154 million dollars and transfers of land on Flatland and Pie Island. 

Dog park death results in legal action

The owners of Jimi the dog and the city of Thunder Bay are being sued for 50 thousand dollars.  It's in connection with the death of  Gus the chihuahua last year at a city off leash dog park.   Lawyer Chris Watkins says the Perrier family wants the city to pay for improper supervision of the dog park and the owners of Jimi for general damages and other items.    The claims have not been proven in court

Shuniah Chimney Fire

Shuniah Fire Officials responded to a fire this afternoon on Cedar Bay road.  A chimney caught fire, and the owner of the house escaped with no injuries.  Chief Blair Arthur says the damage is estimated at around five thousand dollars.  The cause of the fire is improper installation of the chimney.  Two children and one other adult were not home at the time of the incident.

Inquest postponed

An inquest into the death of Christopher Coaster has been postponed.  The inquest was to take place February 7th.  The 29 year old died in August of 2008 while in custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail.   An inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act and will be rescheduled.

NOWW E-Writer in Residence

If you have writers block, the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop can help.  They're offering an E-Writer in Residence.  Vice President Jenny Morrow says it's a program that's been needed for some time.  Writers across the region are isolated when it comes to meeting up and discussing their craft. Winnipeg author Michael Van Rooy will critique manuscripts, and host online workshops.

Budget Time

Budget season is upon us.  Thunder Bay City Council will get their hands on the budget package Monday.  City Clerk John Hannam says they've been busy preparing the financial document.  The public will get to see the document online starting Tuesday.  A series of budget related meetings will start in February.