Demolition contract will pave the way for new courthouse

City councillors will be one step closer Monday to having a new courthouse build on the city's south side. They're being asked to approve the contract for the demolition of the Brodie Street bus terminal and the former King's Stereo Building. The contract is worth over 260 thousand dollars. The two buildings must come down to make way for the new consolidated courthouse.

Councillors ponder Research Institute request

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institutes' funding request comes before city councillors Monday.  City administration is recommending that a capital account of 1 and a half million dollars be estabished for two major projects over the next three years. Also councillors will be asked to approve a contract worth over 660 thousand dollars to fix up the Duke Street water pumping station.

Research Institute gets millions

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute is 6.4 million dollars richer. The Institute has been awarded the money from the McGuinty government and it will cover the operating costs in conducting new research. Scott Potts is the Institutes' Chief Operating Officer and says the research surrounds medical imaging devices and how to improve them. Potts adds the money will be spread over five years

Students give input on provincial curriculum

There are about 40 grade 11 students in the city who have some added academic savvy. They were part of a province wide forum looking at how to improve the high school civics program. Local organizer Donna Flasza says the students are now able to give feedback on it. The local students participated with students in London, Ottawa, Sudbury and Toronto.

Thunderwolves take on Guelph at the Gardens

The Lakehead Thunderwolves will try to close out there second round series with the Guelph Gryphons tonight at the Gardens. The Wolves hold a one nothing series lead after scoring a 4-3 overtime win Wednesday night, puck drop is at 7:30 pm. Meanwhile a couple Thunderwolves will be boosted but some recognition from the OUA today. Fifth year senior Scott Dobben is on this year's Second All-star Team, Mark Soares is the OUA's Most Sportsmanlike Player and Victor Anilane is on this year's All Rookie Squad.

HST will cause ticket prices to rise at the Community Auditorium

The coming Harmonized Sales Tax is already having an impact on a local business. The Community Auditorium has seen tickets prices increase by 8 percent for events happening beyond July 1st. General Manager says the increase isn't going to sit well with customers. Halverson says the HST will also increase rental prices and could see a lot of customers go elsewhere.

Gas Flare System begins testing at the Thunder Bay Landfill

You may notice a large flame at the City's landfill when you drive down Mapleward road this weekend. The city's half of a methane generating station is beginning final testing. Project Engineer Tom McConnell says large flames will be visible at the site, but are completely harmless to the public. McConnell says this facility will be joined with a methane generator being constructed by Thunder Bay Hydro.

Pic Mobert protests HST on the Trans Canada

The Trans-Canada Highway is back to normal now after Pic Mobert First Nation was slowed traffic to a crawl Thursday. It was because the members of the band were protesting the upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax. They're worried that the tax will be an extra burden on their community adding to costs of heat and hydro. OPP were on hand to make sure that drivers slowed down while going through the protest area.

Haley Irwin wins the Gold

Haley Irwin is bringing some Gold back to Thunder Bay. Irwin and the rest of the Canadian women's hockey team pulled off a 2-0 win over the US last night to win their 3rd straight Olympic Gold.  She was held off the scoresheet last night but Irwin finished her first games with 4 goals and an assist.  Marie-Philip Poulin scored both the Canadian goals and Shannon Szabados made 28 saves for the shutout.