City Eliminates 1 General Manager Position

The City continues to streamline its corporate structure.  Council recently approved the restructuring that will see the City downsize from 5 to 4 departments. Greg Alexander the General Manager of Community and Emergency Services is retiring at the end of June and his position will not be filled.  The new combined departments will be called Community Services, Development & Emergency Services, Infrastructure & Operations and Corporate Services and Long Term Care.  The changes will save the City 80-thousand dollars in 2014.

Folklore Festival A Success

Organizers with the Folklore Festival are deeming the recent go-round a resounding success. 14-thousand people took in the cultural 3 day event this past weekend.

HWY 61 Lane Closure

The Ministry of Transportation is advising motorists that Highway 61 at the Kaministiqua Bridge will temporarily be reduced to one lane of traffic. Temporary lane restrictions will occur from 6:30pm Tuesday to 6:30 am Wednesday while routine bridge inspection is completed.  Drivers are asked to obey traffic signage and flag persons through the duration of work.

Tbaytel Employees Back In Office

TBayTel employees are back in their office after an electrical problem this morning.  Emergency crews were on the scene and evacuated the building as a precaution. Media Spokesperson Katie Crowe says there is no truth to an on-line rumour that said the incident involved a disgruntled worker. Crowe says a smoke alarm went off because of an electrical problem in their corporate offices.  Crowe says any of their services that were affected should now be back to normal.

Chamber Gets Their Ideas Out

The local Chamber of Commerce is pleased their provincial counterpart is adopting three of their ideas. Over the weekend the local members pitched several ideas that will now form the Ontario Chamber's policy. One of those ideas is asking the Province to lower energy prices and developing an energy strategy that supports economic development.

Dead Baby Discovered

Police are keeping a wooded area between the Legion Track and Tarbutt Street closed.  It will be secured by police while investigators continue to piece together what happened to a deceased infant found Monday afternoon in the area.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says more details will become available after the investigation is completed. A post mortem exam is scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Police at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS.

LHIN Offers French Active Program

Health care services for Franco-phones in the city are becoming easier.  That's thanks to a program called Active Offer, from the Northwest Local Health Integration Network and a french health care organization. Executive Director Diane Quintas says the new program will benefit french speaking people in northern Ontario.  Quintas adds that there is still more work to be done.

Free WiFi At Airport

No more paying for WiFi at the Thunder Bay International Airport. The Airport is joining tbaytel's WiFi hotspots, providing free internet to travellers. President and CEO Scott McFadden says positive customer experience remains a high priority for the airport.

Nipigon Drug Bust

A Nipigon man will appear in court for drug charges. This comes after a month long investigation by Nipigon OPP. Officials say the 37-year-old man is charged with three counts of trafficking a controlled substance.

Police Monitoring Dump

It's free dump week in the city, and police are giving dump users a chance to avoid costly fines.  Police say avoiding a fine is simple, as long as you cover and tie your loads, and drive street legal vehicles.  Officials add that all loads will be under inspection.

Feast With Friends

Fort William First Nation is hosting Feast With Friends today.  Communications Officer Kristy King says students and staff from St. Ann's school will be in attendance, among many other community members. King adds that the students will also be making a presentation at the event.

Accessibility Open House

The City's Accessibility Advisory Committee is holding two open houses this week to promote barrier-free recreation and leisure. Municipal Accessibility Specialist Scott Garner says they're trying to make recreation more accessible for everyone.  One open house is being held today at the Italian Cultural Centre at 1:30, the other is on Thursday at 6:30 at the Victoria Inn.

No One Asks For It

Two local groups are partnering to promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  The Centr'elles and the Thunder Bay Sexual Assault Centre are holding informational sessions around the city throughout the month of May to raise awareness about sexual assault. The "No one asks for it" campaign kicks off today.

McCormack New Chair Of Ontario Chamber

Thunder Bay’s Ian McCormack is the new Chair of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.  He was elected at the organization's AGM this past weekend in Sault Ste. Marie.  McCormack is Registered Professional Forester and Director for Tetra Tech.

Oster Trial On This Week

City Police Constable Steven Oster is pleading not guilty in his assault trial. Sudbury Police charged Oster after a young boy alleged he was shoved by the off duty police officer at the Neebing Arena in January of 2013. On Monday, the Crown showed a video of the young man being interviewed by an investigator. In it he says he was pushed by Oster three times and he was warned to watch out. He said he wasn't hurt and didn't have any bruises from the incident but it made him sad. Testimony also revealed the young man and Oster's son went to the same school the year before and played hockey against each other.  Six witnesses are expected to be called this week.  

Overnight Fire

No one was injured following an overnight fire on the north side. City Firefighters were called to a fire in the basement of a home on Blucher Avenue around 2 o'clock this morning.  Crews were able to extinguish the blaze quickly, but not before half of the duplex structure suffered extensive fire and smoke damage.  All residents were able to escape thanks to smoke alarms in the home.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

Musselwhite Donates To College

Musselwhite Mines is making a donation to Confederation College. Students in the Motive Power Techniques - Heavy Equipment program are receiving equipment from the mine. The equipment will allow students to receive enhanced training in their field of study.

Highway 527 Open

The Ministry of Transportation says Highway 527 is now open to both lanes of traffic.  The highway was closed on Thursday to replace a culvert on the roadway.  One man was killed after an accident last week that was caused when a portion of the highway washed out about one kilometre south of the Kab River Bridge.  Gull Bay First Nation Chief Wilfred King Chief had declared a state of emergency in that community due to the highway closure.

Tbaytel Going Green

Tbaytel is going green and they need your help.  They are looking for ideas on how to improve the environment and the winning one will receive 15-thousand dollars to help create a healthier planet. Spokesperson Laura Foulds says you can vote for your favourite idea.  People can vote on the tbaytel for good website.

By-Law Officer Retires

The city is now without a full time by-law enforcement manager.   Ron Bourret retired on Friday and says it's possible that with the financial worries at city hall, his position may not be filled.  For the timing being, however, Parking Authority Manager James Coady will take over Bourret's job.