McFadden takes a shot at the MTO

Thunder Bay's airport manager is complaining about the road construction around the airport entrance. There will be some intensive work taking place there this week during daytime hours. However Scott McFadden says he would have preferred that the Ministry of Transport conduct the work when the airport isn't so busy. As it stands, the current construction means travellers will be facing delays getting to the terminal

Province loans local developer 1.8 million

The province is providing a 1.8 million dollar loan towards converting the old McKellar Hospital.   MPP Bill Mauro says the new 100 unit McKellar Place seniors home is designed to ease the pressure on other facilities in the city including the Regional Health Sciences Centre.  He says the demand for long term space is so great that  75 of the 100 beds at the future McKellar Place are already spoken for.Thunder Bay's Habib Enterprises is doing the work on the project.

Horizon to move quickly on wind farm

Work could start as early as 6 months from now to erect the new wind turbines on the Nor' Wester Mountains. Horizon spokesperson Nhung Nguyen says now that the city has approved the lease agreement they are confident the provincial approval process will move rapidly

Council votes in favour of lease with Horizon

City Council has decided to sign a lease option with Horizon Wind.
The final vote was seven to five in favour of the wind farm project.
Councillor Rebecca Johnson voted for the project and says it's about the City's future. Neebing Ward Councillor Linda Rydholm says it's in the Provincial Government's hands, and notes no work can occur on the mountain until the Provincial government gives its approval. Linda Rydholm, Frank Pullia, Aldo Roberto, Joe Virdiramo and Mark Bentz voted against signing the lease. Norwester Escarpment Protection Committee President Irene Bond says they're disappointed, but they're not giving up the fight.  Meanwhile MPP Bill Mauro is taking a hands off approach when it comes to the project. While he says he has never fully agreed with the site for the proposed farm, he says his hands are tied because it was a private deal made by the city with city land.  Mauro says the environmental process is the next step and has to be honoured.  He adds that the process won't be politically interfered with.

NOSM pickets back to hold up traffic

The picket lines are back up at the main entrances to Lakehead University. Striking workers from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine are there again after they rejected the school's contract offer. Local union leader Yuk-Sem Won they'll be holding up traffic for a while longer. Won adds that the workers understand the issues better now.

More $ for building renos

A financial boost for the 2.3 million dollar upgrade to the Finlandia Hall. The provincial government is providing an additional 300 thousand dollars from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it's a valuable asset to hang on to.  This installment brings the total contribution from the provincial government to 800 thousand dollars

Two arrested after overnight robbery

An 18 year old man suffered minor injuries after being attacked by two young girls.  The man was walking the Picton and Clarkson area, just after midnight, when he was attacked by the pair aged 16 and 17 years old.  The girls assaulted and robbed the man and will appear in court this morning.

NOSM strike continues

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine Strike is still on.  Support staff voted to reject NOSM contract proposal yesterday and will stay on strike for the foreseeable future.  School officials say there have been no new talks scheduled.

A deal has been reached

The City of Thunder Bay and the Amalgamated Transit Union have reached a deal.  The two sides started late hour discussions just before midnight last night and reached a tenative deal just before 6 o'clock this morning.  Union Spokesperson Charlie Brown says the deal still has to be ratified by members but the Union is recommending they accept the deal.  Brown says services will be running as normal today.