Armstrong Jersey Still A Symbol Of Hope

The patients are having their say.  The jersey of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is going to remain on display at the Regional Cancer Centre.  Dawn Powell speaks for the patients and says they were very understanding of Lance Armstrong and the doping scandal.  Most patients felt the jersey was still a symbol of hope and inspiration. The Regional Cancer Centre spoke with cancer patients, community members and staff and based their decision on the feedback they received.

TBRRI Gets Million Dollars For MRI

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute is getting a million dollars from the Provincial Government.  CEO Dr. Michael Wood says the money from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will go towards a new state of the art MRI which will be used to research brain diseases.  The MRI will replace an older model and will cost 5 million dollars in total.

Plowing To Resume Overnight

The city's road crews are going to be back at it overnight clearing up our unexpected dump of snow.   Roads manager Brad Adams says they'll be out in full force while you are sleeping. He says at 2 a.m. snowplowing will begin with the big graters hitting the main streets. Adams says they will also continue plowing the sidewalks at around 3 a.m.   At 7 o'clock they will make a decision on whether the side streets need to be plowed as well.

Habitat Looking For Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers for their demolition projects in April.  They'll be tearing down three cabins.  Spokesperson Keith MacMillan says they need six to eight volunteers per day.  Recovered material from the projects will then be sold in the Habitat For Humanity ReStore.

City Mourns Elder

The City is mourning the loss of Elder Agnes Hardy.  Hardy was a member of the City's Elders Advisory Council.  A funeral will be held on Thursday at 1pm at the Harbourview Funeral Centre.

White-Out Conditions On Area Highways

Today's snowfall is creating hazardous road conditions in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas. Traffic Staff Sergeant Ken Mantey says blowing snow has created white out conditions on area highways. The Ministry of Transportation is sending snow removal crews but it may take some time to improve driving conditions on area highways.

Foul Play Ruled Out

OPP are ruling out foul play on a person found in the water at the Norman Dam in Kenora.  The post-mortem exam shows the body may have been in the water for a number of months.  Last Thursday workers found a body floating at the intake to the dam.  Police continue to work with the Coroner to confirm the identity of the deceased; they do not believe he is from the Kenora area.

Request For More Mediation

No agreement yet.  A spokesperson for the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal is reporting the dispute between City Police and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation hasn't been resolved.  The two parties have requested another mediation date, and the tribunal is considering it.  The dispute stems from NAN's complaint a spoof Thunder Bay Police e-mail entitled "Fresh Breath Killer Captured" was made public.  The matter will either be resolved through mediation or a human rights hearing.

Manpower Releases Optimistic Quarterly Report

Thunder Bay area employers expect a healthy hiring climate for the second quarter of 2013, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.  Survey data reveals more than a quarter of employers plan to hire in the next three months while very few anticipate cutbacks. About 70 percent of employers plan to maintain their current staffing levels.

Summer In The Parks Stays On Wednesday

Not a big surprise.  City Council is not going to move Summer In The Parks.  Councillor Aldo Roberto says he asked for comments on the issue on Facebook and not many were in favour of the move.  Councillor Larry Hebert suggested moving the night from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday nights but he just couldn't get enough support from his fellow Councillors  

City Council Round Up

City Council is going to spend 1.2 million dollars on a new Aerial Ladder Fire Truck.  The Fire Department will be getting the vehicle from Fort Garry Fire Trucks.  Meanwhile, City Hall is also approving the Superior North Emergency Medical Services Strategic Plan.  The 5 year plan sets out goals and key recommendations for local paramedics.

Domestic Violence Groups Want Awareness Day

Domestic Violence groups would like the City to keep violence against women on their agenda on a regular basis.  Faye Peterson House Spokesperson Debbie Zweep says they would also like June 17th to be deemed "Nobody gets hurt" day in Thunder Bay as a way to raise awareness about the issue.  City Councillor Rebecca Johnson recommended they speak with the Crime Prevention Council.  Zweep doesn't believe the C.P.C is talking about domestic violence enough and they should be.

MNR Looking Into Lampricide

Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti says they continue to work with a variety of organizations when it comes to restoring fish populations on the Black Sturgeon River.  Orazietti says he's heard the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters concerns that removing a dam in the area would allow sea lamprey into the body of water.  Orazietti says they're also considering a lampricide that would target the invasive species larva.

SOS Coast Guard Radio Continues To Fight

Local Union representatives continue to fight to save Thunder Bay's Coast Guard Radio service.  The service is slated to close in March of next year and will be offered out of Sarnia.  Local CAW Spokesperson Marcie Lavoie says they continue to pressure the Federal Government to reverse their decision.  Last spring, the Federal Government announced the closure and plans to direct calls to the Sarnia Coast Guard.