Court Approves TBP Takeover

Good news for the community of Terrace Bay.  A court has given permission to a company from India to take over Terrace Bay Pulp and convert it to make rayon.  Mayor Mike King says it's a relief for the entire community and is elated over the decision.

Whelan Repairs Could Cost Much More

City Council is being asked to up the amount of money it's willing to spend on renovations to the historical Whalen Building.  City lawmakers already awarded a contract to repair the buildng but now city staff are asking for an increase in the original purchase agreement.  Staff are asking for an additional 300-thousand dollars.

Theatre Company Hit With Flooding

Officials with a local theatre company are adding up the losses after their basement facility at Court and Park was hit by flooding this afternoon.    Jessica Bouvier of Frankly Scarlet Productions says a watermain break has resulted in some extensive damage.  She says carpeting and costumes are soaked as a result.

Disaster Relief Could Reach 15 Million

The cost of disaster relief from the May28th flood is estimated to be about 15 million dollars. The city's relief committee chair Wayne Fletcher says that means they'll have to raise 5 million dollars in a community he hopes is not losing it's fundraising spirit. Fletcher says he hopes to start alleviating misconceptions in the community on various disaster relief issues.

Atikokan Generating Station To Begin Conversion

The Atikokan Generating Station has a power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority. It was the last step needed before the plant could be converted to using biomass. Thunder Bay Atikokan M.P.P. Bill Mauro made the announcement today alongside Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown. The conversion of the plant from coal to biomass will start later this year and will be completed by 2014.

Grand Chief Bows Out In Second Round

Former Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly has failed in her bid to become National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Kelly dropped out of the race after finishing third with 39 votes in the second round of ballots. Shawn Atleo has returned for a second term and he says First Nations are increasingly demanding to be treated as equal partners in governance and in control over natural resources. Atleo adds his mandate will reflect the will of the regional chiefs who advise him.

Federal Cuts Hurt Local Police

Thunder Bay Police are upset the Federal Government has decided to end it's five year Police Officer Recruitment program. The local force is losing just over $140,000 a year that was used to hire two beat cops. Chief J.P. Levesque says when the funding gets cut in March next year he'll put it into the 2013 budget. Levesque says Police Forces across Canada have lobbied the Federal Government to keep this program going but to no avail.

Highway Sink Hole Causes Delays

The Ministry of Transportation is warning travellers about delays on highway 61. There's a large sink hole in the south bound lane of the highway near Little Trout Bay road. OPP say one lane is open but there are delays as M.T.O. staff work on patching the highway. It could take two hours or more.

Taddeo Case Closed

The city's police chief is closing the book on the case of a suspended inspector.    Dan Taddeo is now back on the job after being suspended for  nearly a year and a half and being charged under the Police Services Act over his supervision of Constable Toni Grann.   Police Chief J-P Levesque says the matter has been handled internally through and informal process, and that Inspector Taddeo's suspension has now been lifted.   Levesque would not give further details.

Kakabeka Falls Needs Your Vote

You have a 24 hour window starting at 12:00 p.m. today to vote for Kakabeka Falls and earn them a live "Sportscentre" show from T.S.N. and a $25,000 cheque to help upgrade the town's curling club. Kakabeka Falls is up against New Liskeard in an on-line vote for the right to host the show and win the money for a community upgrade. Winning communities so far have averaged more than 300000 votes. You can vote on-line at www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca

Border Cats Losing Ground

The Thunder Bay Border Cats were doubled-up 8-4 by the first place Duluth Huskies last night. The Border Cats are now 4 1/2 games back of first place in the North division. Their 5 game series with Duluth concludes tonight on the road.