Hotel project approved

There's a new hotel coming to Thunder Bay.  It didn't take a lot of arm twisting for city councillors to approve the re-zoning for a new hotel to be located on property in front of the Superstore on the Harbour Expressway. A representative of Thompson Centres told councillors Monday night it will be a Marriott Town Place Suites hotel worth about 18 million dollars.  Construction is expected to start in April. The project comes with another component which would include a Harvey's Restaurant and construction on that portion could start as early as the summer.

Thunder Bay Principal get provincial award

A big honour for a local principal.  The Learning Partnership is pegging Johnathon Kakegamic of Franklin Cramarty School as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for the year.  Kakegamic will receive an honourary Aboriginal Award for his leadership.  The award will be given to Kakegamic Tuesday in Toronto.  As part of the award the 41 principals from across Canada will take part in a week long leadership training program in Toronto.

Ski operators happy with snow

There is at least one industry that is happy with the snow.  Ward Bond of Loch Lomond Ski Hill says its great for skiing.  Bond says this amount of snow will just help keep all the area ski centres going longer.

Police investigating assault

Thunder Bay are investigating after a 27 year old woman was assaulted at the Landmark Inn.  The woman was found in the lobby yesterday morning and officers arrested a 29 year old man who is now facing charges.  The woman was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Outdoor show does well

Calling it a good sign for local businesses, Nancy Milani of the Chamber of Commerce says the weekend outdoor show attracted close to 16 thousand people and calls it a good sign for local businesses.  She hopes to keep the momentum going into next year.

More snow possible this week

Weather forecasters are saying we received up to 18 centimetres of snow in Sunday's storm.  Meteorologist Jeff Coulson says it depends on where you live. He says the airport officially recorded 12 centimetres while some of Environment Canada's volunteer observers in the outlying areas recorded  to 18 centimetres.  Coulson says another system is being tracked in the United States that could bring us more snow on Wednesday.

Big plowing job ahead

City streets are now being plowed after yesterday's snowstorm. City Road's manager Brad Adams says it's in full swing with all the main routes finished. He says they're now moving onto the side streets. Sidewalks are also being plowed.  Adams says all streets should be completed in three days with all sidewalks opened in five days.

Two people vying for Dryden seat

It's early but the Dryden Council by-election is in full swing. Former Councilor Gwen Kurz has declared her candidacy and says she's gained some useful skills during her time away from Council Chambers. Former Police Chief Shayne MacKinnon is also in the running and he is banking on his experience. One Council seat is available and the mail-in vote is May 14th.

Doctor woes in Rainy River

The Mayor of Rainy River is headed to Toronto this week looking for help in her community's search for more doctors.Mayor Deb Ewald says the meeting comes as the community's lone doctor has announced plans to end his practice this April.Ewald says she was hoping to meet directly with Health Minister Deb Matthews in Toronto, but instead has a session with her Parliamentary Assistant.

The digging out begins

It's clean up time.  The last 24 hours have brought us our first snowstorm of the winter season.   All highways in the region are open .  Highway 527 was the only roadway closed because of the storm but has since re-opened.   City Transit buses were hauled off the streets during the height of the storm last night and are running this morning, but manager Brad Loroff says expect some delays.  Police were asking people to stay off the roads so the plows could do their job.  Major roadways have been plowed overnight, but many side streets are not.   As for schools.....all school buses  are cancelled for the day.   Rural schools are closed...city schools are open for working parents who want to leave their child at school for the day.   The Thunder Bay Christian School is also closed.