EMS Staffing Levels Discussed

City Council is spending just over 44 thousand dollars to return EMS service levels for North Shore Communities back to 2008 staffing levels.  Chief Norm Gale told council at it's meeting last night that the City's share could be halved if the provincial government kicks in some money.  The area communities are responsible for kicking in just over 11 thousand dollars.

Peace Poll Up For Discussion

The Fort William Rotary Club wants to place a peace pole in Marina Park's Spirit Garden.  If Council decides to go through with receiving the gift from the organization, staff will need to create a policy dealing with the City accepting tokens.  Rotary would like to see an annual peace gathering held around the pole.

Park Renamed After Suzan Labine

Gil Labine

City Council is renaming the new children's playground at Junot Park after the late Suzan Labine.  Her family spoke to council in September asking for the name change.  Council approved the memorial naming at it's meeting Monday night.  Suzan Labine was a member of the Lakehead School Board and St. Joseph's Care Group.

SIU Investigate Balmertown Standoff

Provincial Police in Balmertown say an weekend standoff is now over and the end result is tragic. Police were notified about a man who had barricaded himself inside a home at 8:00 o'clock yesterday morning. Despite numerous attempts to contact the man, police were unsuccessful and a tactical unit had to enter the premises just before 5:00 o'clock this morning, only to find a man already dead.  Constable Dave Lamme says police are still looking into the matter. O.P.P. say no foul play is suspected.  The province’s Special Investigations Unit has been notified and has invoked its mandate.

Winter Rinks Up For Discussion

The City is considering offering it's winter rinks longer.  Staff are asking members of council to increase supervision at all outdoor rinks from 5 to 7 days a week.  15 of 26 board free pond rinks could be eliminated as away to redeploy the staff to other rinks for increased supervision.  Sites that could be cut include Victoria Parkette, Thornloe Park, Humber, Lambton, Kingway Lillie, Holly, Fraserdale and Chaplain. The move will allow more use of the rink as well as the washroom and change facilities.

Bravery Award Given Out At Council

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs presented Jeffrey Neekan Sr. with the Medal of Bravery from the Governor General of Canada.  Neekan received the award for his actions in rescuing a 13 year old boy from a burning house, in Mishkeegogamang, Ontario.

Crime Prevention Awards

The second annual Crime Prevention Awards were held Monday night.  Several local residents were honored for their involvement in community programs that help curb crime.  Crime Prevention Coordinator Amy Siciliano says it's nice to promote some of the good things that are happening in the community.  Sharon Johnson won the Community Hero Award for her work with the Full Moon Memory Walk.   The Northern Woman’s Bookstore won the business award.

Two Vehicle Accident At Central & Fort William

Thunder Bay Police are on the scene of an accident involving two cars at the intersection of Fort William Road and Central Avenue.  Police say the call came in just after 5:40 Monday evening.  A man was trapped inside one of the vehicles and had to be removed by the Fire Department.  The investigation is continuing.

Chamber Wants Conversion To Continue

The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce agrees that the Mission Island generating station not be allowed to shut down. Harold Wilson says the decision to put the plant's conversion to natural gas on hold is a huge letdown.  He says they were looking forward to the conversion taking place, not just for current energy needs in the region, but the future needs as well. Wilson hopes there's a chance for the Chamber to give its side on the issue.

DSSAB Ideas In Report

The District Social Services Board is excited some of their ideas are being used in a provincial review of the social assistance system.  The local board suggested Ontario works be replaced by an integrated program that provides individual services and that the Province give First Nations and Municipalities responsibility of the social assistance program.

Gravelle On Power Plant

The Minister of Natural Resources is pledging his efforts to help change the mind of the Ontario Power Authority. Michael Gravelle says he was shocked to hear the news about the possible mothballing of the Mission Island Power Plant. The plant was set to be converted to natural gas but that move has been suspended.

More Course Sharing

Confederation College is continuing to partner with other colleges in the province to share courses. Three more colleges were added to the list Monday in Timmins, Sudbury and Peterborough. President Jim Madder says it will give more students a chance to take programs and not leave their home communties. Madder says Confederation College is bringing its mining program to the table for this agreement.

Woman Missing

Thunder Bay Police are requesting assistance from the public to locate a missing person.42 year old Pauline Jean Kireto was last seen at 9:00 a.m. on October 15th.  Pauline is described as 5-foot-1 and has a medium build.   She was last seen in the vicinity of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center wearing a blue jacket. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Pauline Kireto is asked to call Thunder Bay Police or Crime Stoppers.

Minister Won't Commit To A Deadline

Chris Bentley says he would like to see an answer on the conversion of the Mission Island generating station to natural gas sooner rather that later. When pressed our newsroom the Energy Minister would not say if the Ontario Power Authority has been given a deadline to give him the answers he wants.     The Authority says it can save the province 400 million dollars by mothballing the coal fired plant and getting our region's energy from other sources.

Man Arrested In Cat Killing

Police responded to a south May Street address just before 5:00 a.m. on Saturday to investigate a report of a cat being killed.  When officers arrived they observed a male covered in blood and a small black cat that had it's throat cut.  Witnesses to the killing had immediately called police and cooperated with the investigation.  Police say alcohol was a factor in this incident. A 35 year old man was arrested and charged with Killing an Animal.