2013 Police Report

Police Services Board

Thunder Bay's Police Service is out with its 2013 report.  Police Chief J.P. Levesque provided an update to the police board this morning echoing findings from Statistics Canada that show the City's Crime Severity Index fell by 17 percent. Levesque says more attention needs to be paid to the underlying causes of crime. Levesque attributes the decline in crime to hard work.

911 Service Goes High Tech

911 service is going high tech.  The local Police Service is working on updating its technology in order to track the location of cell phone made 911 calls.  City Police Chief JP Levesque says they're also working on bringing the ability to text 911.  The new modern 911 service will be in place starting next year.

Great Dane Causes Commotion

It was a dog day afternoon at Prince Arthur's Landing on Monday afternoon.  That's when a black and white great dane got away from his master and starting running about.    Witnesses first saw the big dog running loose on  Park Avenue and then down Water street and then to the marina.  Eventually the owner retrieved the pet by coaxing it into a vehicle.

T.Bay Golf Classic Coming Soon

Whitewater Golf Club is going to play host for the next three years to PGA Tour Canada.  Thunder Bay Golf Classic Executive Director Scott Smith says the tournament will take place July 14th next year and is expected to bring in thousands of spectators.  The tournament will draw Canada's biggest names and upcoming stars in the golf world.  There will be a qualifying event for local golfers who want to try their luck against the pros.

Big Private Donation For Law School

The Paterson Foundation is coming  through in a big way for Lakehead University.  The foundation is giving LU 1 million dollars to help pay for renovations to the new Faculty of Law building on Red River Road, formerly Port Arthur Collegiate.  In turn the main auditorium at the school will be called the John N. Paterson Faculty of Law Auditorium. 

Accountant Recognized

A Thunder Bay number cruncher is getting recognition from his peers. Camillo Lento has been given an award of distinction
from the professional accountants in Ontario.  He will be presented with the honour at a special event in Toronto on Thursday.

Dryden Pharmacist To Stand Trial

There will be a trial for Dryden pharmacist Rob Button. Button was charged in 2012 for trafficking morphine following a two month investigation. He was committed to trial after a preliminary hearing in Dryden yesterday.  Button has opted for a trial by judge and jury which will be held in Kenora.

Early Morning Accident

Emergency crews were called to the scene of a three vehicle accident north of the Thunder Bay Expressway on Wardrope Avenue near Balsam Street just after 8 o'clock this morning.  The collision involved taxi van, a car and an SUV.  One man was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Man Rescued

Some quick work by EMS Paramedics and Thunder Bay Police during an incident just after midnight.  Emergency crews managed to pull an intoxicated man from the water below the underpass near 300 Donald Street.  The 42-year old male was taken to Thunder Bay Regional and treated for hypothermia.

City Getting Report On Pets

City Council is going to get a report back looking at how they can better enforce animal by-laws.  The report however isn't going to include Councillor Roberto's request looking at putting a limit on the number of pets a person can own.  The report will come back in December.

More Food For Council

City Council is going to have several more meals at their weekly meetings.  They voted to allow food to be provided for meetings that start at 5:30 rather than the previous rule to only serve food at meetings that are held at 5.  Meals per meeting run around 200 to 300 dollars. Councillor Rebecca Johnson voted against the move and says people should be able to grab food on their way to the meeting.  Meanwhile, Councillor Ken Boshcoff voted for the move and says not offering food at later meetings might put people off from running for council.  

OLG Deal Ratified

City Council is ratifying it's new deal with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.  The new deal includes an extra 84-thousand dollars from the local Casino's table game revenue.

Gravelle Plays Defence

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is playing defence after both opposition parties attacked the Liberals over their inaction on the conversion of the local power plant.  Gravelle says PC Leader Tim Hudak doesn't know the facts.

LU Gets Research Grants

Lakehead University researchers are receiving more than 1.5 million dollars from a national research council. The money will be used for research projects looking into new media, First Nations renewable energy initiatives, economic development, and weight biases.

Report On Pet By-Laws Coming To Council

City Council is going to get a report back looking at how they can better enforce animal by-laws.  The report however isn't going to include Councillor Aldo Roberto's request looking at putting a limit on the number of pets a person can own.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says council voted down looking at the quantity of pets.  Many Councillors were not comfortable with telling people how many pets they can have. The report will come back in December.

Robbery Attempt At Tokyo House

Another robbery attempt in the city, but this time the thief got away empty handed.  Police say a man, holding a knife, entered the Tokyo House restaurant on West Arthur Street last night around 9 o'clock and demanded money. Employees attempted to subdue the man, but he escaped.  There were no injuries in the incident.  The robber, described to be around 27-years old, was last seen running northbound towards Donald Street.   

Boise Mill Bought

New owners for the mill in International Falls.  Packaging Corporation of America says its acquiring Boise Inc. in a deal valued at nearly 2-billion dollars. The announcement comes just four months after Boise had announced plans to shut down two of its paper machines and eliminate 265 jobs at its International Falls mill by October.

Charities Want Piece of Your Will

Six local charities are teaming up to promote leaving money in your will to Northwestern Ontario communities.  The Community Legacy Giving Partnership is made up of Confederation College, George Jeffrey Children's Foundation, Lakehead University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, St. Joe's Foundation and the Health Sciences Foundation.   The initiative asks local residents to pledge to set aside money for charities in their wills.  For more information visit the website.

Health Unit Searches For New MOH

A major vacancy for the Northwestern Health Unit. Dr. James Arthurs has announced his retirement as the Medical Officer of Health. He will be stepping down in March of 2014, giving the Health Unit plenty of time to find a replacement. Arthurs was appointed Medical Officer of Health back in 2009, after a lengthy search by the board of health.

Hudak Outlines Plan For The North

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak says his northern vision will give more decision making power to people in this part of the province.  Hudak visited the city today to unveil the PCs new policy for the north and natural resources. He says it's time we as northerners starting running our own show and stop having southern special interests say what is good for us. As an example Hudak says under a PC government northerners will have more of a say over wildlife and hunting management along with cottage development