Council Tackles Cell Phones & Golfing

City Council is expected to tackle some cell phone tower paper work at its meeting Monday night. Summit Telecom Services on behalf of Tbay Tel is letting council know it completed its public consultation process. Meanwhile, a group of concerned citizens plan to rally in front of City Hall Monday. They'll be holding signs asking councillors to keep control of the Municipal Golf Course. The rally starts at 5 just before the City Council meeting.

City Mining Strategy Meetings

The City's Mining Readiness Strategy will be on display for two days next week during public information sessions. The first is being held Monday night at Fort William First Nation's Community Hall.  John Mason is the City's Mining Services Manager and says they'll be taking tweets Tuesday night during their discussion panel. Monday's meeting will take place from 5:30 until 9. Tuesday's session will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre from 4 until 9.

Birla Signs Wood Deal With Pays Plat

It isn't taking The Birla Group long to settle into its role as the new owners of the Terrace Bay Mill.  The company has just signed a contract with the Pays Plat First Nation to cut wood on their territory.   Pays Plat Councillor Raymond Goodchild says it gives the community's economy a boost. The company says the deal will supply it with about 10 per cent of the wood it needs to operate

School Program Finds Funds

A First Nation in school and after school program has found new investors which has enabled them to continue to offer their program in 7 local schools.  The Biwaase'aa group has been successful in its submissions for financial support from local organizations and provincial ministries.  However the organization is worried they'll face the same financial struggles again in 2014.

August Busy Month For Airport

Thunder Bay's Airport is celebrating the busiest month in it's history.  Passenger volumes were over 72 thousand last month which is an 8.7 percent jump from the year before.

YETI Cleaning Up Boulevard Lake

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is reminding the public that local beaches and parks are supposed to be smoke free.  The Youth Engaged in Tobacco Free Initiatives group will be cleaning up  Boulevard Lake this weekend.  YETI Spokesperson Kellie Milani says they expect to find some butts despite the smoke free by law being in place.  The smoke free by-law has been in effect for just over 2 years.

Respect Campaign 7 Months Old

The City's Respect campaign is 7 months old and already making an impact according to the Crime Prevention Council.  Coordinator Amy Siciliano says they've heard anecdotal evidence.  Two people who didn't know each other on the bus saw each other's respect buttons and decided to strike up a conversation about what respect means to them.  Siciliano says they've handed out over 8 thousand RESPECT buttons.

Robbery Victim Dies & Charges Laid

A 29 year old Thunder Bay man is facing a second degree murder charge in connection with what police say was a robbery gone wrong on the city's south side Thursday.   Jeffery Tomagatick appeared in court today on the charge and will be back again on Thursday.  Police say 50 year old Murray Keesic of Thunder Bay was the victim of that assault and died of his injuries early this morning.

Terry Fox Run Celebrates 32 Years

The Terry Fox Run is celebrating 32 years Sunday.  Thunder Bay's 5 km run around Boulevard Lake starts at 2 Sunday afternoon at St. Igantius High School. Organizer Don Morrison says they try to do Terry proud since he was forced to end his journey in our city.  To take part just show up for registration and then bike, walk or rollerblade around Boulevard Lake.

Highway & Overpass Open

A major government highway project in Thunder Bay is now complete.   The new overpass and interchange at Hodder Avenue is officially open as is the six kilometre expansion of Highway 11-17 east of the city. 

LRCA Sad About Cabin

Official with the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority are expressing sadness at the loss of one of their facilities on Hazelwood Lake. A cabin was completely destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon and O.P.P. are calling it suspicious.  L.R.C.A. Spokesperson Donna Blunt says the cabin was insured and they will decide on how to proceed at their next board meeting at the end of the month.

Keynote Events Brings In Big Speakers

There's a new business in town that aims to bring fun events to the City.  Keynote Events is run by Charla Brown who says she got the idea to bring guest speakers to Thunder Bay through her many business trips.Eat Clean Guru Tosca Reno will be Brown's first speaker, followed by Top Chef Thunder Bay with David Adjey, and January's Thunder Bay’s Biggest Loser with Sione and Filipe Fa.

New Hope Dog Rescue Needs Foster Homes

The New Hope Dog Rescue needs to find some foster homes for the 32 dogs they have in their shelter.  Spokesperson Valerie Mackett says you can meet their many pooches Saturday at Marostica Motors from 11 till 3.  Mackett says they'll have have foster families on hand to field questions and forms for fostering and adoption.

PSAC Day Of Action

With word the Federal Government is slashing another 48 jobs between Kenora and Thunder Bay, the Public Service Alliance of Canada is holding a National Day of Action.  PSAC is protesting the Harper Government's austerity agenda that saw them eliminate jobs in the Employment Insurance and Human Resources fields in the two northern communities.  Thunder Bay's rally will take place at the Lakehead Labour Centre at noon Saturday. 

Fundraiser For Limbrick Fire Victims

There's going to be a fundraiser for the family members affected by the Limbrick Street town house fires. It's happening tomorrow in Sioux Lookout with the community being asked to bring in donations of cash and household items.  Two individuals who work with the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council in Sioux Lookout are organizing the fundraiser.  For more information call Barb Carpenter at 807-737-1488.

Drug Bust Napanee

OPP are reporting the seizure of a large amount of marijuana in Neebing Township.  Police executed a search warrant on a home on Monday and seized 383 pot plants as well as a large quantity of marijuana.  A 46-year old Neebing man is now facing numerous drug related charges.

SIJHL Season Starts Soon

The Superior International Junior Hockey League's new season gets underway in a weeks time.  There's some small changes this season with the Wisconsin Wilderness moving from Spooner, Wisconsin to Cloquet, Minnesota.  President Ron Whitehead says travel time will be cut down.  The season gets underway September 21st.

Kenora Fire Comes Close To School

There were four new fires in the region on September 13 including two in the Nipigon District and one each in the Districts of Sioux Lookout and Kenora.A fire of note was Kenora Fire Number 109 which started Wednesday within the city limits of Kenora. The fire was fought in a successful joint rapid response effort with the City of Kenora , the Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources FireRanger crews and CL-415 heavy waterbombers from the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program. The fire spread rapidly in a forested area with multiple spot fires adjacent to schools and residential subdivisions. The Kenora Fire Department was supported by four Ministry of Natural Resources FireRanger crews, a helicopter bucketing, and CL-415/Air Attack birddog units.

Gravelle To Open Hodder Avenue Exchange

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle will officially open the new clover-leaf exhange at Hodder Avenue during a ceremony this morning. The Highway 11-17 expansion will open ahead of schedule. The opening ceremony will take place at 10:00 O'clock this morning.