Hundreds of locals on Sunshine List

The sun is certainly shining on over 500 public servants in Thunder Bay who made more than 100 thousand dollars thanks to your provincial tax dollars.  The province's so called Sunshine List is out and it shows over 200 of the top public money makers in the city last year worked at Lakehead University and 100 within the City of Thunder Bay, including Police Inspector Dan Taddeo who made a 140 thousand dollars while under suspension. Health care workers earned a good bulk of the money as well. Ron Saddington the former CEO at the Regional Health Sciences Centre made over 400 thousand dollars while Tracey Buckler the top gun at St. Joseph's Care group collected over 300 thousand dollars.  A link to the list is here

Bombardier deal draws criticism

The City of Thunder Bay will benefit from the province's eight billion dollar investment in a new transit line across Toronto.  Premier Dalton McGuinty says cars for the light rail line will be built in our Bombardier plant.  Meanwhile, the Union Rep for workers at the Bombardier plant in Thunder Bay isn't happy with the plan.  Paul Pugh says Toronto Mayor Rob Ford stong armed this deal.  Pugh adds the new deal will take work away from Bombardier because it's a reduction from the original contract.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says he's looking into how this will impact the Bombardier plant. 

More money to drop off trash

It's no April Fools joke. It's going to cost you more to drop off your trash at the city's landfill. It will cost over 50 dollars for loads of garbage that weigh more than 140 kilograms. The gate fee for residents dropping off loads weighing less than 140 kilograms will be 7 dollars.

New job resource centre open

First Nations residents looking for job experience can look no further than the Matawa First Nations Office.  The building is now home to a job resource centre.  Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says its for both young and old.  The resource centre will provide financial assistance to those residents looking to expand their options.  Child care will be on site.  Classes will be held to teach residents how to prepare for a job interview and write a resume.

Another 50-thousand dollar winner

Thunder Bay has another lottery winner. 53 year old Joseph Veltri won 50-thousand dollars playing instant KENO scratch tickets.

OPP continue search for Wabasse

It could take several days for the OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery team to finish searching the Kam River.  Crews are examining the water below the James Street bridge for signs of Jordan Wabasse.  Thunder Bay Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says they'll decide on a day by day basis whether or not to continue the search.  The OPP are using high tech sonar devices to see what is underneath the water's surface.  The 17 year old has been missing for just under two months.

Study outlines youth homeless problem

Thunder Bay's sub-culture of homeless street kids is a serious problem according to local experts. A 3 month study for the Children's Aid Society paints a picture of youth who are addicted to substances and have no place to go according to Executive Director Rob Richardson.   The report makes 5 recommendations to help ease the problem

Electionkeeping Home Energy Evaluators in limbo

A handful of home energy evaluators are without work in Thunder Bay because of the Federal election.  The evaluators are in limbo because the Home Energy Retrofit program is set to expire Thursday and can't be reinstated until a government is formed.  EcoSuperior's Ellen Mortfield says hopefully the next government will keep the program going because it brings back 2 dollars for every one invested by the government in tax revenues and other spending.  Mortfield says EcoSuperior has handed out 3 million dollars in grants through the program since 2007.

OPP nab speeders

The Thunder Bay Expressway has become a popular place for speeders now that the snow is off the roads.  OPP nabbed three people for speeding in the 90 km zone.  Police are still finding people driving and using their cellphones.

Fire Season Starts April 1st

With spring around the corner, fire season is on it's way.  Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie Mclean says she's anticipating a quiet start to the 2011 season.  Forest fire crews are going back to work in early April and water bombers will be put into use in mid-April.  Mclean says the average number of fires in the area has dropped in the past few years.

Cancer Care reduces wait times

Regional Cancer Care Northwest plans to help reduce the waiting times for Lung cancer patients awaiting test results.  They plan to cut waiting time from 18 weeks to just 6 or 7, easing the anxiety of patients and their families.

Gliddy murder case could face delay

Another Thunder Bay murder case may be about to be thrown into disarray.   29 year old Thea Gliddy is charged with Second Degree Murder in the death of Randy Lawrence Cromarty last May. His body was discovered at the Inntowner Hotel. In court Gliddy's lawyer Chris Watkins asked to be taken off the case, as did the prosecution who says it's over a conflict of interest. That is, Watkins had at one time been Randy Cromarty's lawyer. The preliminary hearing in the case was to have started this Monday. That now could be in jeopardy. Justice Frank Valente is to make a ruling on the request on Friday.

Trial for OPP Sgt. delayed

The trial of a Thunder Bay OPP officer will now take place year later than originally scheduled. Sgt. Darryl Storey is charged with criminal negligence causing death in connection with the death of an 18 year old woman in a traffic accident in 2008. He was driving an unmarked cruiser at the time. The trial will now take place in June of next year.

LU students receive 15-thousand dollars

Six Lakehead University graduate students are getting 15-thousand dollars for field research in Northern Canada.  The money is flowing through the Federal Government's department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

NAPS offers summer jobs

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has unveiled a new summer student employment program.  Youth, aged 14 to 17, will spend 8-weeks working alongside police officers in several NAN communities.  Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and Sandy Lake First Nation are among the participating communities.  Applications can be picked up at local Band offices until April 20th.

Pat Lang comments on provincial budget

The Head of Confederation College is pleased with Tuesday's Budget.  Pat Lang says the Province is taking a step in the right direction with 44-million dollars over 3-years for literacy and basic skills programs.  Lang says the addition of 60-thousand new post-secondary spaces showcases education as an economic driver for Ontario.

Fort Frances possible UFO sighting

Hot off the silver screen release of the alien comedy "Paul"; Fort Frances residents are claiming they've seen a UFO.  Some residents are talking about a strange object that appeared in the night sky over Fort Frances Tuesday night.  Sandra Allan, who took photographs, says it hovered in the south in an area over the AbitibiBowater mill for nearly half an hour before it disappeared.  Some resident in Couchiching also reported seeing the object.

OPP divers to resume search for Wabasse

The family of missing teen Jordan Wabasse is hoping for answers from the OPP dive team.  The Underwater Search and Recovery Unit will be conducting a search of the Kam River near the James Street Bridge Thursday.  Divers did a limited search last month in the area and found no sign of the 17 year old who has been missing since February 7th.

Hillier weighs in on provincial budget

The Progressive Conservative Critic for Northern Affairs says the Provincial Budget is 300-pages of nothing for Northern Ontario.  Randy Hillier says there's no mention of anything of importance including help for the forestry sector.  Hillier points out the only announcement was one that was already made; 10-million dollars extra for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Thunder Bay MPP's defend budget

Thunder Bay's MPPs are touting the 10 million dollar increase to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.  The cash boost was included in Tuesday's provincial budget.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's good news for the region.  The money for the NOHFC was originally announced several years ago.  Mauro feels the province wide announcements for health care and education will also benefit the Northwest.  Meanwhile, Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle is standing by his government's provincial budget.  Gravelle says there wasn't specific money set aside for the region but there was projects that were mentioned such as the Ring of Fire and the expansion of Highway 11/17.