Golf report sets course debate on fire

The debate on if the city should sell the city run golf courses is raging.  A report is coming to council Monday that shows the courses will never make money.  Councillor Andrew Foulds says while no decisions will be made for months, he thinks this is just another attack on public services.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff on the other hand says if there is a time to sell it is now. 

Murder trial winds down

The closing arguments are complete in the Michael Kelly murder trial.   In his final address to the jury Defense Lawyer Gil Labine said it would be up to them to decide whether Kelly would lie to an undercover police officer,  to get his hands on half a million dollars being offered to him to confess to the killing of Judie Thibault.  Labine also showed them that the so called hold back evidence that Kelly told undercover officers about, was information that was known in the community through various means including police news releases.   Kelly is charged with First Degree Murder in Thibaults death.

Lakeshore collision turns tragic

A 9 year old girl has succumbed to her injuries after Monday's collision on Lakeshore Drive.  OPP say Paige Matte-Gurney died yesterday in hospital.  The other injured child is still in hospital.

NDP's Peggy Nash coming to T.Bay

You can have a pub night with the latest NDP Leadership candidate to come to Thunder Bay.  Peggy Nash will be in the City on Monday and is hosting a "pub night" at Tony and Adams for NDP supporters.  The event runs from 7 until 9.

Feds can do more for First Nation drug problem

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer wants the Federal Government to subsidize a new drug treatment for people addicted to prescription drugs.  Hyer says more needs to be done to help area First Nations that are experiencing a prescription drug abuse epidemic.  Hyer says the Federal Government needs to scrap the Methadone treatment in favour of a new drug that is more effective.

Hyer on PM meeting with First Nations

Tuesday's meeting between the Prime Minister and Canada's First Nations people is being panned.  This time the bad review is coming from MP Bruce Hyer.  The local MP thinks the PM should have made more of an effort towards scrapping the Indian Act.

Hudak at Confederation College Thursday

The leader of the Progressive Conservatives is coming to Thunder Bay today to talk about modernizing the province's apprenticeship system.  Tim Hudak will be speaking to Confederation College students about what he would like to see happen with the system.

Rafferty says McGuinty passing the buck

MP John Rafferty says Premier Dalton McGuinty is passing the buck when he claims First Nations are a Federal responsibility.  Rafferty says that's not the case since the Province of Ontario signed both the Treaty three and nine treaties.  The local MP says the McGuinty Government has failed to provide equal funding for first nation education.

OPP still searching Highway 17

Highway 17 between Marathon and Ney's Provincial Park is closed due to a police investigation.  It stems from an early morning incident involving OPP trying to stop a vehicle near Terrace Bay.  During the chase the car hit the ditch.  The two suspects in the car fled; one man has been caught the other remains at large.  OPP are requesting motorists NOT to pick up hitchhikers and to report any pedestrians observed on Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and Marathon.

Softwood Lumber deal for 2 more years

Canada has quietly extended the Softwood Lumber Agreement for another two years.  The deal will now expire in 2015.  Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says while softwood lumber exports have been declining in recent years, the deal does provide market certainty for producers.

ORNGE lay offs

There are no cuts being made to ORNGE posts in Northwestern Ontario.  18 jobs were cut at the Province's air ambulance headquarters in Mississauga.  The cuts are being made as a way to reduce costs.  The restructuring only affects office positions and not pilots or paramedics.

Highway closed near Marathon

Highway 17 between Marathon and Neys Provincial Park is closed due to a police investigation. OPP Constable Dave Shaw says the Trans Canada has been closed in both directions, west from Marathon and east from Terrace Bay. OPP are requesting motorists not to pick up hitchhikers and to report any pedestrians observed on Highway 17 between Terrace Bay and Marathon.  Police say they are looking for two suspects as part of the probe.

Roadway subject of open house

The public is having its say on proposals for the Junot Avenue and Golf Links Road area.  Residents came out to an open house Tuesday to get an idea of what might happen on that stretch of city roadway.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith promises all ideas will be taken seriously.  A consultant's ideas for the corridor were the centrepiece of the open house.

Leaders walk away unsatisfied.

The Chief of the Fort William First Nation isn't too thrilled about today's meeting with the Prime Minister. Peter Collins says that he and other Aboriginal leaders didn't get the commitment they were looking for on a number of issues.  He also wasn't satisfied that Stephen Harper did not make a move to scrapping the Indian Act, a demand from many of the Aboriginal leaders in attendance at today's conference. Meantime, Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy says he was hoping for an update on treaty relationships, but that didn't happen.  The Grand Chief says a hundred years later and they're still waiting for the Government to do their part on the treaties.

Ruberto wants more say in location of cell towers

Bell Mobility Towers garnered some more discussion at council.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto took issue with the fact that Bell wants to build 3 very tall towers instead using existing ones.  Development Services Manager Mark Smith said he thinks people understand that these towers are needed to support technology that we want to use.  In the end council voted to send a letter to the Federal Government confirming that Bell held public consultations.

Grand Chief attracts national media

Nishanawbe Aski Grand Chief Stan Beardy is one of many First Nations leaders who are in Ottawa today meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  Prior to the gathering the Grand Chief was interviewed by the national media on his concerns heading into the conference.

Hobbs has high praise for Noront

Mayor Hobbs is excited about prospects for the "other" player in the Ring of Fire mining zone. In a speech to the Thunder Bay Rotary Club, Hobbs praised Noront Resources for its plans for the mineral rich area.  He says we are finding out quickly that Cliff's Natural Resources isn't the only player there. Noront is making a presentation in the near future to council on it's Eagle's Nest project.

OPP look for missing man

Schreiber OPP are looking for a missing 31 year old Terrace Bay man.  Greg Muckaday was last seen during the early morning hours of January 23 at his home.  He's described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs 160 pounds.   Muckaday was last seen wearing a brown sweater jacket, blue jeans, and snow pants.  A variety of law enforcement organizations are currently searching the Terrace Bay area for the missing man.

Waterloo Mac's Mart Robbery

Police are releasing pictures and video of the man who robbed a Mac's Convenience Store over the weekend.  The suspect is described as being slim and standing six feet tall.  He was wearing a black toque, black jacket, grey shirt and pants.  On Saturday, someone robbed the Waterloo Street Mac's with a large knife.

Lakehead continues Dean search

Lakehead University is starting to whittle down it's list of potential Law School Deans.  Spokesperson Rodney Hanley says they should have a short list of candidates in February.  Hanley says they've received applications from people in Canada and around the world.