Open House Next Week For Proposed Bridge

The city is giving you a chance to have a say on the new bridge for Trowbridge Falls Park. There's an open house taking place Monday at the club house at Chapples Golf Course starting at 5 o'clock with a presentation at 7. The city's Werner Schwar says the consultant will present a recommendation on the type of bridge they have designed along with a series of possible locations in the park. 

Curtain Falls On Forest Fire Season

The Forest Fire Season is over in northwestern Ontario.  Deb Maclean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it was fairly busy, but not as busy as last year.  She says there were about 660 fires this year compared to over 900 last year.  The amount of hectares burned hit 97 thousand this year , much lower than the more than 600 thousand in 2011. 

Operation Red Nose Needs Volunteers

The holiday season is coming up and Operation Red Nose is back. Spokesperson Stephanie Bateman is hopeful for a solid turn out for volunteers. The Operation Red Nose season did well last year but can always use a few more hands. Everyone is encouraged to contact St. John Ambulance if you are willing to participate.

Gold Project Into Public Meetings Stage

Lots of public feedback at this week's meetings regarding the Goliath Gold Project near Wabigoon. One of the biggest concerns was the number of jobs the mine would create when it expects to open in early 2015. Vice President Norm Bush says they are expecting to see a big jump creating a thousand direct and indirect jobs. Bush says right now they are in the development stage of the mine, but they are already looking into finding qualified people for a number of positions that will open up.

Woman Sentenced In Theft Case

A Thunder Bay woman is going to jail for 90 days after being convicted in a theft case that involved money taken from the Port Arthur Polish Alliance Hall. Her lawyer Chris Watkins says that 49 year old Krystyna Dolasinski will get to go to work and serve her sentence at the same time.  Watkins calls it fair and balanced.

Police Launch New Survey

Thunder Bay Police want to hear from you. Spokesperson Chris Adams says they've just released their latest online citizen survey. Adams says the survey helps them understand what safety and policing issues are important to the community. To link to the survey click on the link provided and click on the survey button. www.thunderbaypolice.ca

Missing Boy Found

The search is over for a missing 14 year old boy. City police had been looking for Keenan Mattinas after he was last seen at his Limbrick Street home on October 12th. Police and family members were able to find the boy just after 6:00 o'clock last night.

Union Gas Milestone Red Lake

A milestone for Red Lake. Union Gas, along with government officials, are celebrating the completion of a pipeline that will deliver natural gas to the municipality. District Manager of the Northwest Region David Sword says it's going to bring nothing but good things to residents. Sword adds they have provided natural gas to about 400 homes so far, and plan to add 400 more next year.

Domtar In Talks With Northern Iron

In the region, Ears are open at Domtar in Dryden. They have been approached by Northern Iron group to gain access to a railroad right of way on a stretch in northwestern Ontario that's been lifted for the past few years.

Trick Or Treating Safety Tips

Concerned parents of trick or treaters should know the route their children are taking. Constable Julie Tillbury says young children should be accompanied by older youth or parents. Children should also stick to the area they are familiar with.

Halloween & Diabetes

A different kind of trick or treat. Richard Boon of the Northwestern Ontario chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association says having diabetes should not prevent a child from having fun on Halloween. Boon has a safe-tip for those giving out this year. Boon also suggests for parents to emphasize the fun parts of Halloween such as decorating and costumes, instead of focusing on candy.

NOSTA AGM This Week

The North Of Superior Travel Association will be discussing changes to Ontario's Tourism Markets at it's annual general meeting this week.  President Tim Lukinuk expects the changes in funding will dominate discussion.  The two day event is taking place at the Airlane Hotel.

Missing 14 Year Old Boy

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a missing 14 year old boy. Keenan Mattinas was last seen on October 12th at his home on Limbrick Street. He's described as 5 feet tall and under a 100 pounds with short brown hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

Gas Soaked Cat Found In Westfort

Officials with the Thunder Bay Humane Society are calling it disturbing. They say a cat that was soaked in gasoline was found wandering on the 14 hundred block of West Mary Street yesterday. They want anyone who knows anything about this will call them or the police. Director Maryann Kleynendorst is hoping the publicity will help to flush out whoever may be responsible. In addition, Kleynendorst says police have information that there may be more than one cat that was doused.

Pellet Fire At Canada Malting

Thunder Bay Firefighters will be at Canada Malting, the old Sask Pool 7 elevator on the waterfront as they continue to monitor a pellet fire. Fire crews say a pellet bin was seen smouldering causing smoke. Crews at the scene were having a difficult time getting water on the pellets according to Platoon Chief Les Newman. Newman says the cause of the fire is still being determined.

Council Passes EMS Plan

City Council is maintaining the status quo when it comes to the operation of Superior North EMS and it's stations across the district.  Council approved a report last night saying none of the 14 stations across the district will be closed in the foreseeable future.  However, Chief Norm Gale no longer has to consult with communities before closing a station.

Greenlight to Sir John A Office Building

City Council is giving the green light to Nordmin Engineering to set up a technical office in the old Sir John A MacDonald School.  Council ratified the decision at it's meeting last night.  The project will be allowed to go ahead if the project undergoes a traffic study and the property keeps an open green space.

Council Talks City Lean

Talk about how the City is doing financially turned into a blame game around the council table last night.  Council received a report showing several departments combined were over a million dollars over budget.
Councillor Trevor Giertuga says it's not fair to ask City Manager Tim Commisso to find savings and then not follow through on his recommendations. Councillor Iain Angus defended council's decision to go against the City Manager's suggestions in regards to the Botanical Conservatory and Municipal Golf Course.

Council Goes Behind Closed Doors

Thunder Bay City Council is spending some time behind closed doors.  Council met behind closed doors before it's regular meeting and started the main meeting late.  After debating several topics council decided to reconvene their private discussion.  They spent two hours behind closed doors Monday night.  Items discussed included property, and an update on the Horizon Wind lawsuit.

Council Hears Low Income Housing Request

Habib Enterprises wants to create an affordable housing unit on Victoria Avenue.  Ahsanul Habib asked City Council last night to either reduce the property tax on the property or provide a grant towards the project.  The vacant building has room for 21 units.  Habib says the project has Social Services Board approval and can only receive funding from the Provincial Government's Affordable Housing Program if the City helps.