New Changes to the Christmas Parade

This years Christmas parade will have a few new changes. Volker Kromm is co-chair of the event and says that one of the new additions will be a giant Christmas card that will show up at the parades sponsor stores. Kids are encouraged to sign the card with a message for Santa. The parade route is also new, being reversed from years past now beginning at the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot. The parade is November 16th at 10am.

Engineer Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

A Thunder Bay engineer and director of Norall Group Contracting is paying the price for tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency says Carl Gustafson was sentenced recently in the Ontario Court of Justice to a fine of over 84-thousand dollars and given a 9 month conditional sentence. He plead guilty to one count of income tax evasion and has two years to the pay the fine.

Elevator Company Hopes For Short Bridge Closure

A major grain elevator company is hoping the James Street bridge can open soon.   Darin D'Aleo  of Superior Grain Elevators says Tuesday night's bridge fire could have a severe effect if there is a prolonged closure.  He says it's a busy time of year for them with heavy rail movement until the end of December.   D'Aleo says officials at the company's corporate headquarters in Winnipeg say down time could only be a couple of days.

A Unique Milestone for the Casino

The Thunder Bay OLG Casino is celebrating a recycling milestone. Partnered with TerraCycle Canada over one-million cigarette butts have been collected and sent from the casino this past year. Tim O'Doherty is the casino's General Manager and says he is proud of their growing environmental reputation. For every pound of filters collected the casino receives a one-dollar donation for a charity of their choice.

A New Way of Voting

The Municipality of Shuniah is taking a new approach to voting for their next municipal election. More than half of the population lives elsewhere for most of the year. The new electronic voting system being put in place will allow these residents to vote without having to be there in person. Reeve Maria Harding says she prefers the traditional voting method but added that she supports the change. As it stands, between twenty and thirty percent of those eligible vote.

Swing Bridge Treated As Crime Scene

CN Rail Police, City Police and Fire Officials are treating last night's blaze at the James Street Swing Bridge as a crime scene.  The fire was called in just after 7 o'clock last night and Charlene Squire lives on the street that runs beside the bridge and says it was an emotional evening.  Meanwhile, City Fire Prevention Office Paul Abernethy says the bridge is badly damaged.  An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office is expected to arrive in Thunder Bay tonight and will start investigating the cause tomorrow.

FWFN Chief Calls For A New Bridge

The chief of the Fort William First Nation thinks it's time to replace the James Street bridge .   It follows last night's fire on the bridge which has forced its closure for an indefinite amount of time.   Georjann Morriseau says there has to be a way to make sure there is a reliable access to her community. Chief Morriseau says that the community is in shock as a result of the blaze and she plans to contact both CN Rail and the city to find out where to go from here. 

Minor Injuries In Crash

City Police are investigating a three-car accident at Memorial Avenue and the Harbour Expressway.  The crash took place at the intersection around 8 o'clock last night.  Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge last night.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

League Meeting To Tackle Area Issues

The staff cutbacks at the local daily newspaper will be on the agenda of this weekend's Thunder Bay Municipal League meeting in the city.   League president Larry Hebert says there's concern about a lack of full time reporters in the city.    Hebert says recently the league supported the continued operation of the radio station in Marathon.   As well the League will be asked to support a bid by MPP Bill Mauro to bring back the spring bear hunt and Hebert promises a hot topic at the meeting will the transportation of dangerous goods through area communities.

James Street Bridge Catches Fire

Officials are assessing the damage following a fire on the James Street Swing Bridge tonight.   Chief John Hay says firefighters were called to the scene around 7 o'clock and found smoke and flames coming from the structure.  He says it proved to be a very stubborn blaze because of the creosote on the train tracks.  Hay adds it's too early to say what caused the blaze and says the bridge will be closed to vehicle and train traffic until it's deemed safe.

Hydro Out For 24 Tbay Hydro Customers

24 customers are without electricity in the James Street and Thistle Crescent area.  Thunder Bay Hydro crews are en route and will be working to find out what happened and restore power.

Search On For Hit And Run Driver

City police are looking for a hit and run driver after a muli-vehicle accident on the city's south side Tuesday afternoon.  They say three vehicles collided at Simpson Street and Southern Avenue.  Witnesses tell police that the driver of the offending vehicle took off after the accident.  There are no injuries to report.

Open Roads Program

The City is teaming up with EcoSuperior and 8-80 Cities to begin planning an Open Streets Program.  Open Streets programs are events where streets are open to people and closed to cars as the roadway becomes a paved park where people can access safe, fun and free recreation. An open house on the idea is going to be held on Tuesday, November 5th at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Fire Service Lays Charges

The City Fire Service is charging the owners of a Balsam Street residence with failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.  The occupants were alerted to the October 5th fire by a passerby. An order has also been served requiring owner Beendigen Incorporated to provide a written plan to address a systemic lack of smoke alarm maintenance procedures.

Hyer & May Team Up Over Motions

Independent MP Bruce Hyer is hopping mad with the Conservative Government's recent motions dealing with independent and small party MPs.  Hyer says the motion is to have those MPs submit their amendments directly to committees.  Hyer held a press conference with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May who both feel the move will take away MPs rights to move, vote on or even speak to their amendments.

Immigration Portal Upgraded

The Multicultural Association's Immigration Portal is getting an upgrade.  Executive Director Cathy Woodbeck says new features on the site include a career directory, businesses for sale directory and an interactive map. Woodbeck says since the portal's inception in 2010 they've seen several newcomers relocate in the North.

College Boasts Experts

Confederation College is taking part in a new online tool produced by the Province's 24 public colleges. It's called The College Book of Experts and it lists staff with various expertise that can speak as experts on specific topics. Our College has nine faculty listed in the data base.

Canada Games Flag Raised

The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame is raising the Canada Games Flag to celebrate the achievements of local wrestlers Ron Bingham and Marco Palermo.  They earned gold medals in the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Quebec.

Ward Councillor Issue Coming Up

City Councillor Ken Boshcoff is asking Council to consider putting a question to the voting public in the next municipal election. Boshcoff is requesting a question be crafted that asks the public if they would support all Councillors being elected at large. The issue will come up at next week's Council meeting.