Council accepts new rate hike for water rates

You could be paying more on your water bill soon. City Council will look at adopting a new rate structure for our water bills that will see the average household pay an extra five percent. Homes that use a lot of water could pay as much as 30 percent more.

Candidate to run on Aboriginal ticket

There is a new name on the list of candidates running for an at-large seat in this falls municipal election. Cindy Crowe is running openly as an Aboriginal candidate with the specific purpose of bringing First Nations concerns to the council table.

Local dog Best in Breed

Two Thunder Bay dog owners have something to brag about. The Great Dane owned by Renee Russo and Lori Spicer is the Best in Breed at the Westminister Dog Show in New York. It is considered one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world.

Tidy Trays taking off

A Thunder Bay businessman is on the verge of having his product go international. Dan Cheal of Dream Big Innovations, invented a plastic sanitary tray cover for high chairs called Tidy Trays. Right now it's only available in Canada, but Cheal says that is about to change as he has found a distributor in the UK. He says there's also interest in the product in the United States.

Golf courses to stay in city hands

There is little interest on City Council to the idea of selling any of the three city run golf courses. During last nights' budget deliberations councillors turned down a proposal to study whether at least two of the three courses should be put on the selling block. Instead they voted to increase green fees, memberships and golf cart rentals. Councillors were also told the operating deficit for all three courses was 236 thousand dollars.

Bus fare increases on the horizon

It appears riding the bus will be costing you more. City councillors have given preliminary approval to a fare increase in this years budget. The rate increase would see a 20 ride pass increase four dollars to 35 dollars, while a monthly pass would go up to 69 dollars and 50 cents. The discounted monthly pass would go up fifty cents to $57.50.