Poverty Reduction Funding

City council is considering giving the Lakehead Social Planning Council thirty-five thousand dollars to implement the city's Poverty Reduction Strategy. If approved the money would be put aside in the next budget. Future councils would also have to consider putting money aside from both 2015 and 2016 budgets.

Business Closure

The Finnish based company Metso is looking to save on annual costs and that will mean fifteen jobs being cut in the city. Metso is currently leasing a Thunder Bay facility, work will continue until April 30th when the lease expires.

Bridge Closure Keeps Causing Concerns

The Chief of the Fort William First Nation hopes to get answers December 5th from CN Rail about when the James Street Bridge will reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.    Georjann Morriseau says with the main bridge to the community out of service since last month's fire, there is concern about getting emergency vehicles there in a timely manner. She says they might consider having emergency vehicles stationed in the community.  Morriseau says there is also the option of having temporary traffic lights at Highway 61 and Chippewa Road because of increased traffic at that intersection as a result of the bridge closure.

Lions Club Supports Hospital

The local Lions Club is giving $104,450 to the hospital's eye care program. The money will be used to help in the purchase of a new laser camera. Lions Spokesperson Robert Michels says the camera will make treatment more comfortable and speed up the process. Total cost for the camera is $185,000.

RIDE Program Partnership

Thunder Bay police services are partnering with Mac's Milk for this holiday season's RIDE campaign, aimed at stopping impaired driving. Traffic Sergeant David Bell says responsible drivers will be rewarded at their spot checks with a coupon redeemable for a hot beverage from Mac's. The Operation Heat Program runs from November 23rd to January 2nd.

JFK 50th Anniversary

Today marks the 50th anniversary of US President John Kennedy's assassination.  We spoke to several prominent figures in the City to see what they were doing 50 years ago today and how they were impacted by JFK's death. We spoke to Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle, Confederation College President Jim Madder, Mayor Keith Hobbs as well as City Councillors Iain Angus, Joe Virdiramo and Ken Boshcoff. Kennedy was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.

Christmas Tree Lighting Tonight

The Fort William Business District and Victoriaville Centre are kicking off the Christmas season tonight with the 19th annual tree lighting at Paterson Park.  Fort William BIA Member JP Fraser says its a popular event.  Meanwhile, a Taking Back Downtown Peace Walk will also take place at City Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ending at Paterson Park.

Hernandez Trial Back December 10th

The trial of 28 year old Christian Hernandez will continue in two weeks time.  The one time Thunder Bay resident is charged with impaired driving causing death in connection with a collision in December of 2010 that resulted in the death of 45 year old Richard Carmichael. Court met today to review what evidence will be allowed in the case before Justice Joyce Pelletier will make her verdict. Hernandez's blood alcohol level test results will be allowed into evidence as will the 911 call his then girlfriend made after the collision.  The comments Hernandez made to the police officer who attended his home that night will not be allowed into evidence.  The case will start back up again on December 10th.

Law School Tweaks Curriculum

It's the best of both worlds for students at Lakehead University's new law school.   Professor Lee Stuesser says we are the first law school in Canada to offer both in-class and off site learning as part of the curriculum which Stuesser says,  will get them into the working world in three years instead of four.

Police Bravery Honoured

Thunder Bay Constable Tom Armstrong is the recipient of an Ontario Medal for Police Bravery.  He was given the award Thursday, which is recognized as the province's highest honour for officers demonstrating outstanding courage on duty.  Armstrong was joined on the honour roll along with Dryden constables Denise Szachury, Jonathan Allen, and Terry Menard

NWMO Selects Nuke Communities

The Township of Ignace has been selected to move forward in a study to establish a host site for used nuclear fuel. Schreiber and Hornepayne are also on the list.   Nuclear Waste Management Organization Michael Krizanc says the next step for them  and the  other Canadian communities selected is to get into more in depth consultations with a wider range of communities including First Nations.  The NWMO is providing 400-thousand dollars to allow each community to continue in the study.

New Method For Early Detection Of Breast Cancer

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is providing a 450-thousand dollar grant, spread over three years to help in the research of a new cancer imaging technique. Dr. Alla Reznik is a professor at Lakehead University and Senior Scientist with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute. Reznik will lead the research team in the development of the Portable Positron Emission Mammography device designed to detect tumors in younger women. The portable device would also be used for screening in remote communities.

Charges Laid In Cyclist's Death

A Texas man is facing careless driving charges from the O.P.P. Sixty-five year old Robert Booth and sixty-nine year old Irene Booth were taking part in a cross country tour with twenty-five other cyclists. While passing through Red Rock in July the two were hit by a pickup truck and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver is scheduled to appear in Nipigon Provincial Offence Court on March 24th.

Chamber Reacts To Cliffs Announcement

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is adding its voice to those who are disappointed by Cliffs Natural Resources decision to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining project.  Chamber president Charla Robinson is hoping for a continued dialogue between all those involved and adds we cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by.

NAN Wants In On Case

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is seeking to intervene in a landmark case as the Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal on the under representation of First Nation People on jury rolls.  The case R v. Kokopenace will see 9 judges consider the critical issues identified in a report on the lack of aboriginal people on Ontario juries.

T.Bay SongQuest Entry

A Thunder Bay man is entering the CBC SongQuest competition.  Jim Hamilton's entry is called "For the Love of Hockey".  Voting begins on November 23rd and the more plays a song gets the better chance it has making it to the final rounds.  To listen click here.

Red Cross Raffle Launched

The Canadian Red Cross Society is starting to sell its tickets for the Northern Raffle.  The organization hopes to sell over 4-thousand tickets.  Disaster Manager Coordinator Dave Wright says the fundraiser is vital to their operation. Tickets can be purchased at Halfway Motors and the Canadian Red Cross Office.

TSB Releases More On Keystone Crash

The Transportation Safety Board has ruled that operational pressures, adverse weather conditions, and a lack of experience factored in a fatal plane crash in northwestern Ontario.  The pilot and three passengers died when the Keystone Air Service aircraft went down in a snowstorm about 2-kilometres shy of the runway at North Spirit Lake on January 10th, 2012.  36-year-old Brian Shead was the only survivor of the crash.

College And FWFN Sign Education Deal

The Fort William First Nation and Confederation College are partners in education.  The two have signed a deal which will see First Nation students get skills training on the reserve.  Chief Georjann Morriseau says it's a first step in building a relationship between the two groups.  College President Jim Madder says it will help the students become a part of the growing First Nations economy.  The program is expected to get up and running in the new year.

Fire At Giertuga's House Suspicious

Thunder Bay Police are treating a fire at the home of Councillor Trevor Giertuga as suspicious. One vehicle in the Lydia Avenue driveway was completely destroyed by the fire and a second vehicle in the driveway also received damage as a result of the blaze. The preliminary investigation of the early Thursday morning fire shows that it looks to have been deliberately set.