Collins Relieved Hunger Strike Over

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins is glad that Teresa Spence has ended her hunger strike against the government.  Collins says he and other chiefs across the country have been worried about her health for some time now.   Collins believes the the Harper conservatives  have received the message that the Attawapiskat Chief was trying to relay on First Nation treaty rights.

Derek Burney Accepts Chancellor Roll

Lakehead University's new chancellor is a star in the political and diplomatic circles in Canada and the United States.  Thunder Bay's Derek Burney is a  former ambassador and former chief of staff to the prime minister.   Burney says accepted the largely ceremonial position because he doesn't take education for granted and wants to show the important roll it has played in his storied career.

More FedNor Funds Announced

The latest Northwestern Ontario community to get funding from the Federal Government is Kakabeka Falls.  Four projects will share in FedNor funds.  Conmee will use 54 thousand dollars to upgrade their community hall and auditorium.  They'll also use 41 thousand to install a chair lift at the library and a back up generator at the municipal building.  Gillies will use 28-thosuand to rehabilitate Leeper Road.  Finally another 49 thousand dollars will go towards upgrading the O'Connor community centre.

Cash Handling Policy Up For Debate

City Council is expected to approve a common sense "cash handling policy" Monday night.  The policy requires Police Records Checks of employees handling cash, and sets out timelines of when City Cash should be deposited into the bank.

Clean, Green & Beautiful Awards

City Council is set to honour its 2012 Clean, Green and Beautiful award winners.  This year's recipients include Confederation College's Reach Building, the new District Social Services Board building, Prince Arthur's Landing and Superior North EMS Headquarters.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says its good to celebrate new buildings in the community.  The ceremony takes place Monday night. 

Cultural Spending At Council

City Council is expected to approve 2.1 million dollars in Community and Cultural funding Monday night.  City Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they provide funds to 17 organizations including, the Auditorium, Museum, Shelter House, Magnus Theatre and the Art Gallery.  Council will also make a decision on whether the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame should be moved to the list of groups that get the annual cultural funding.

Travel Policy Comes Before Council

A new travel policy before City Council tonight includes a 40 percent increase in travel expenses.  Councillors will vote on a travel policy that includes a 20 dollar increase in the per diem councilors and city employees are afforded while conducting out of town business on behalf of the municipality. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says it's not too much money.  The new policy if approved will also allow councilors to use their own budgets to decide what conferences and meetings they will attend out of town.

Police Detective Calls Down Video

Police Detective William Quarrell calls it "misinformation."  Quarrell was named in an "Anonymous" on-line video as the lone investigator in a high profile sexual assault and abduction case involving a First Nation woman. Quarrell says it's a mistake to think that only one person is looking into any high profile crime at any time.   Quarrell is the acting Staff Sargeant in his department and currently has 30 people working under him. 

Online Anonymous Video Disturbing

An online anonymous video targeting the local police force has people talking.  Lakehead University's Political Science Professor is the latest person to weigh in on the YouTube video by "Anonymous News Canada."  Laure Paquette says the video was manufactured with a clear cause to be disturbing.  "Anonymous News Canada" issued a deadline on the local police force to come forward with more information about the alleged sexual assault case from December.

NWO Credit Unions To Merge

Northwestern Ontario could have one major credit union by the Spring.  The Kenora area's Copperfin and Thunder Bay's Superior Credit Unions plan to merge on May 1st. Once the regulatory approvals are received, and both organizations' members vote in favour of the merger, the amalgamated credit union will serve over 22-thousand members at 10 branch locations.

MPAC To Speak Monday Night

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation will be speaking to City Council Monday night.  MPAC will be suggesting a change in the assessment of local property taxes.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says MPAC needs to take into account our City going from an industrial based economy to a commercial and residential community. Boshcoff says they want to ensure that everyone is paying their fare share of taxes.

Cold Weather Means More Travel

The cold weather this week has many thinking about travel plans to warmer destinations. Katie Zuber with Thomas Cook-Thunder Bay Travel says they've seen an increase in the number of inquiries to tropical destinations this week. Zuber says with three direct flights per week to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico being offered, more people are taking advantage of warm Winter holidays.

Mac's Robbery Suspects Described

City police are releasing the image of a suspect involved in a Mac's store robbery on Tuesday night. Police are looking to identify two men. One is a 20 year old native Canadian and is described as 5'9" to 6'2" with a thin build. He has a short yellow Mohawk with the sides of his head shaved. The accomplice is described as being approximately 5'9" and was wearing jeans, runners, gloves and a black hoodie under a snowboard jacket that has a red, blue and green rectangular pattern. If you know anything about the Oliver Road Mac's robbery, you're asked to contact city police.

McCarville Posts Two Wins

Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville posted a couple of wins at the Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kitchener, improving her record to 3-2. That puts her in a 3-way tie for third place behind a couple of teams who are 5-0. Marlo Dahl's Thunder Bay rink continues to struggle. They are now 0-5 after dropping a pair yesterday. Both teams are back on the ice for two games today.