Baseball officials want a cut of concessions

The organizers of the World Junior Baseball Championships want a slice of the concession pie from this summer's event. Warren Philp says they'd like the 15 per cent cut of the gross sales at Port Arthur Stadium that would normally go into city coffers.  Philp justifies the request by pointing to the investment the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association has made to Port Arthur Stadium and Baseball Central and the huge economic impact the event will have on the city.  Organizers will make their pitch to councillors at City Hall Monday evening.   Also Monday, three local residents will ask the city to scrap it's electronic vote counting machines for the upcoming municipal election. One of them is Roy Willis, who wants to go back to hand counting.   He says with the current system too many things can go wrong.

Monday Night Council Hydro Board Report

There could be one less member of City Council sitting on the Thunder Bay Hydro board.  A report is being brought before council Monday night recommending council only have one member sit on the board.  The report also suggests the city manager should have a non-voting position on the board.  If council votes in favour of the recommendation; the changes will take effect during the next term of council.

OPP to resurrect 44 year old cold case

The OPP will be dusting off a cold case from the region Monday morning. Sgt. Shelley Garr says the unsolved 1966 murders of Doreen Hardy and Jane Bernard are being used as part of a news conference. However, Garr says police have nothing new to report about the investigation. She says the case will be used to help lauch a new investigative technique for the area. Family members of the two women will be attending the news conference as well. To learn more about the cold case itself go here

Cause of north side fire is undetermined

The cause of the overnight fire at 220 Clavet Street remains unknown. The blaze broke out in the attic of the one and a half storey home. Marty Patterson of the city Fire Service says they've completed their inspection of the fire scene. He says he examined the scene the best he could, but wasn't able to figure out exactly how the fire started and for that reason it's being listed as undetermined.  No one was hurt in the fire.

Community Foundations hands out bursaries

Several local students are getting a big boost for their post secondary education thanks to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation. Cameron McKee and Tim Rappon were the top recipients getting 4 thousand dollars each. Other winners are: Joseph Tasone, David Tom, Marissa Belcamino,  Joelle Fricot, Brittney Marshall, Jessica Rogers, Claudi Blier, Crystal Gingras, Kayla Kjellman, Victoria Mauro and Skylar Wielgosch. They were recipients of 23 hundred dollars each. Pictured: Joseph Tesone and Marissa Belcamino

High school grads get money for post secondary

It's the 10th anniversary of Justice Ronald B Lester Memorial Youth Foundation awards. This year's bursary winners were Marissa Belcamino of St. Igantius and Michelle Lauzon of Sir Winston Churchill high schools.
They'll each get 5 thousand dollars each for their post secondary education.
President Susan Lester says they're happy to provide the money to deserving students. Belcamino wants to go to school to become a pharmacist, while Lauzon will be pursuing a career as a pediatrician.

Contact North gets 3.5 million for upgrade

Thunder Bay's Contact North is upgrading it's facilities thanks to the provincial taxpayer. The distance education facility has been given 3 and a half million dollars from the McGuinty government to modernize it's video equipment.   CEO Maxim Jean-Louis calls it an upgrade and enhancement. He says in some cases the improvements will see the leading edge technology used to make the students learning experience that much better.  Jean-Louis says the government helps Contact North with upgrades on a regular basis.

Wisk Air opens new airport hanger

Thunder Bay's Wisk Air is in it's new home. The company's new hanger at the airport is officially opened. Owner Mark Wiskemann couldn't be prouder. He says it's emotional for him because getting to this stage has taken a lot of work and effort. Wiskemann credits his staff and customers and says for that he is both grateful and happy. He says his company will provide active support to the mining exploration sector including the Ring of Fire cromite deposit in Northwestern Ontario.

Wear the gear-get some milk

The district health unit's "Wear the gear" bike helmet campaign is in its seventh year.  City police and crossing guards are handing out coupons for free chocolate milk to those kids who are wearing the proper head gear.  Public Health Nurse Marita Campbell says since the start of the program they've seen an increase in helmet use with 11 to 15 year olds.  The milk tickets can be redeemed at any Mac Convenient Store locations in the city.

No one hurt in early morning house fire

Thunder Bay Fire and rescue had to deal with an early morning inferno in the North End of town. Crews responded to a report of smoke in the 200 Block of Clavet Street just after one this morning. By the time crews arrived flames had broken through the roof. Luckily no one was hurt and the blaze was put out. The cause of the fire is under investigation.