Councillors take aim and staff hirings

The hiring of city staff is taking heat from our elected officials.  At Tuesday night's budget meeting came to an end a couple of councillors made the case that with 80 percent of the budget coming from wages, maybe it's time to stop the hiring of new staff.  Councillor Aldo Ruberto says we keep hiring staff and putting it on the shoulders of the taxpayers, maybe it's time for a wage freeze.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff also spoke up about staff numbers.

Council puts off budget increase

A potential 84 thousand dollar budget increase won't be decided until March 5th. Council voted to defer the increase so they can find out more information about where the money will be going. Councillor Larry Hebert asked for the increase to be given to a number of not for profit organizations. Mayor Hobbs didn't want to make a decision until he learned which organizations were asking for the funds.

Off duty cop helps capture suspect

Police now have a suspect in custody in connection with Monday night's Mac's Convenience Store robbery on Beverly Street     They say that at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon an off duty OPP officer helped nab a shoplifting suspect who ran out from a city electronics store.  Police say it turns out he was the person they were looking for in connection with the Mac's robbery.  He is now charged.

Do you recognize this man?

Thunder Bay Police are hoping you can help lead them to the arrest of the person responsible for Sunday nights Mac's Convenience Store robbery on Syndicate Avenue.  They have released this surveillance camera photo. 

OPSEU sounds warning bells

You can add the Ontario Public Service Employees Union to the growing list of organizations panning Don Drummond's report.  OPSEU Spokesperson Brenda Clapp says they're worried the Government might take the report's suggestion to privatize parts of Service Ontario.  Clapp says if that happens confidentiality will go out the window as well as good jobs in communities across the Province.

DSSAB funding program

The District Social Services Board wants to provide money to local organizations working on improving child poverty.  CAO Melissa Harrison says the money is available from their Community Social Reinvestment Fund.  It will go towards food security programs, school readiness initiatives and homelessness prevention.  The deadline to apply is March 2nd.

Mac's Mart robbed with filet knife

Police are looking for a 20 year old man who they say robbed a Mac's Mart Monday night.  The lone man entered the Beverly Street Mac's armed with a knife and demanded cash from the clerk.  A police dog tracked the suspect to a nearby home but he had fled before they arrived.

Shocking robbery in front of Gardens

Thunder Bay Police call a robbery in front of the Fort William Gardens last night "shocking".  A mother dropping her kids off at the Hedley Concert was approached by two teens who asked for a cigarette.  Staff Sgt. Ryan Gibson says they then started to punch her and stole her purse. The suspects were last seen heading west towards Bethune Street.

Police release store name

Police say it was the Mac's Mart on Syndicate and Arthur Street that was robbed on Sunday.  In that situation, a man entered the store with a knife and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.