Gravelle calls budget responsible

The McGuinty government is getting heat from the Chamber of Commerce because it said so little about the Ring of Fire mining development in the budget.  However MPP Michael Gravelle says the development is not being put on the back burner and continues to be a priority for the McGuinty Government. Gravelle says one highlight of the budget that especially pleases him, is the continuation of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund as a stand alone organization.

Mauro answers budget criticism

Liberal MPP Bill Mauro says even though not much was said about the Ring of Fire in the budget, the government remains committed to the massive mining development. Mauro says issues surrounding the Ring of Fire are getting attention from a variety of ministries.  Mauro is answering criticism from the Chamber of Commerce over how little was mentioned about the Ring of Fire in the budget.  Meantime,  Mauro is confident public sector workers in Thunder Bay will buy into the government's request for a pay freeze to help reduce the deficit.

Chamber Prez puzzled by budget

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is surprised by the new Ontario Budget.  Harold Wilson says it was expected that the government would postpone corporate tax cuts, but the Liberals threw a curve by vowing to not make any changes until after the deficit is erased.  Wilson is also disappointed that while the Ring of Fire was mentioned, there was no action plan outlined.

Police warn public about debit card scam

You might want check your bank account as soon as possible.  Thunder Bay Police are warning the public about a debit card scam affecting the city.  Officials say a number of people are reporting unauthorized withdrawls from their accounts after using their cards. 

Local women join harassment suit

Three Thunder Bay women are among the 150 current and former female members of the RCMP who are alleging harassment and are part of a class action law suit against the force.  Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff says their stories are just as "awful and horrendous" as all the stories across Canada.  He says they include Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, broken relationships and depression

Don't expect Syrian situation to calm down

Syria appears to be accepting a UN plan to end the brutal crack down on civilians in the middle eastern country, but according to an LU Political Science Expert it likely won't change much.  Laure Paquette says Bashar Assad wants to squash his opposition and will likely try to see how much he can get away with despite the new resolutions against him.

Sister City Committee gets funding for trip

Our municipal officials are backing the Sister Cities committee.  Council approved 10 thousand dollars in funding to help send a delegation to Gifu Japan.  Chair of the committee Aldo Ruberto says for every dollar the city spends on the program, 18 dollars is returned through things like exchange students living here and private sector investments.

Police constable not guilty

City Police constable Toni Grann's courtroom saga is over. She has been found not guilty in her Breach of Trust trial. Her lawyer Clay Powell says she's relieved.  Grann was acquitted on all 11 charges in connection with falsified records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. Meantime Grann still faces Police Act proceedings connection with the incidents and remains on suspension.

City's Urban Forest Plan open house Wednesday

The City's Urban Forest Management Plan will be up for scrutiny Wednesday and Thursday at a series of public open houses.  City Forester Shelley Vescio says it's a way for the public to learn more about their plans for the trees in the City.  Vescio says the management plan also calls for more trees to be planted.  The open house Wednesday is from four until eight at the West Thunder Community Centre.

Lakehead University hosts youth conference

Lakehead University will play host to a youth conference next week.  Spokesperson Emily Lauzon says they hope to make today's generation more socially active.  The deadline to register for the April 5th event is this Friday.

First ship in our harbour this afternoon

MV Tim S. Dool is the first ship to come into the Thunder Bay Harbour.  It kicks off of the local navigation season.  The Kaministiqua and Pineglen are also arriving in the Port today.

Shelter House wants 40-thousand

Shelter House is looking to raise over 40-thousand dollars in their annual raise the rent campaign.  The organization is taking in money today from 30 people who are expected to raise one month's rent in a one bedroom apartment.  Each participant is expected to bring in at least 625 dollars.

Union gas gives cash

Union Gas is helping bring a leadership conference to Thunder Bay.  The company provided 5-thousand dollars to Leadership Thunder Bay Monday.  The two day conference will take place in April and will bring together local youth and area leaders.

Police investigate arson

Thunder Bay Police are investigating another case of arson this morning. This time a fire in the 200 block of east Francis Street broke out just before 5 am this morning. City Fire fighters were on the scene and extinguished a shed which had been totally destroyed. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Thunder Bay Police or Crime Stoppers.

OPP release info on bodies found in lake

The Ontario Provincial Police have recovered all four bodies from Selkirk Lake, north of Kenora.  OPP say the body of 53-year-old Edward Everson was located Sunday, while the bodies of 43-year-old Dianne Otto and 42-year-old Chris Mainville were found on Saturday.  All of the bodies were located in the water in the same area the body of 55-year-old Robert Kantimere was discovered on Friday.  Police confirm there was a vehicle on the shore, but at this point the OPP say they don't know why the four ended up at the lake and on the ice.

School closures and rural bus routes cancelled

The freezing rain is wreaking havoc with school buses. All rural school bus routes are cancelled. Meanwhile, the Christian Schools in the City are closed for the day as well as several Lakehead Public School board schools. School's closed for today include Crestview, Mckenzie, Five Mile, Nor'Wester View, Gorham and Ware, Valley Central, Kakabka Falls and Whitefish Valley.

Human Rights hearing set for Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay residents interested in human rights enforcement in the Province are being encouraged to attend a meeting in the city next week. A group set up to review the Province's human rights system is holding a hearing next Wednesday at the Victoria Inn. The hearing was originally set for February but was cancelled due to a lack of interest. For more information click here.