Vehicle Fire Closes Highway

OPP were forced to close Highway 102 this afternoon because of a tractor trailor fire.  They say it happened at  Alppila Road in Kaministiquia..  No one was injured.  Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge Fire Departments responded as well.

Mulcair To Visit Thunder Bay

A stop in Northwestern Ontario for the leader of the Opposition Party. Tom Mulcair will be in Thunder Bay on Tuesday to tour the Bombardier Plant, as well as meet with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and the Port Authority. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell and Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty will join Mulcair in his visits.

Robichaud Tops Local Sunshine List

Once again the head of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre tops the local Sunshine List of those publicly paid workers that made more than 100 thousand dollars last year.   Andree Robichaud was paid 389 thousand dollars in 2012 making her the highest paid public servant in the city.  Lakehead University has the highest number of employees who made over 100 thousand dollars last year. President Brian Stevenson tops that list after making 360 thousand dollars.  He is followed by about 270 more administrators, professors and associate professors who raked in more than 100 k in 2012.  The City of Thunder Bay Manager Tim Commisso tops the city list making 227 thousand dollars in 2012.   Police Chief J-P Levesque made 200 thousand dollars.  You can view the entire list by following this LINK

Bentz Wants To See Committee Costs

City Councillor Mark Bentz is looking forward to finding out the costs associated with Thunder Bay's various committees.  Bentz says he likes having special committees set up to look at specific issues but notes the City should also look at finding savings.  A report on the topic should come back before City Council this fall.

Police Service Members Honoured

It's a big night for 16 city police service members.  They are being honoured for their long service.   The Exemplary Service Awards are being handed out at the Valhalla Inn.  There are three categories. The first for 20 years of service, the second for  30 and 40 years of service and the third honour goes to civilian employees.

Long Weekend Bring Seat Belt Blitz

Buckle up.  OPP are using this Easter long weekend to watch for motorists who fail to use their seat belts.  Constable Anne McCoy says it's an ongoing problem they've identified in the Rainy River area.  OPP says there have been eight deaths on provincial highways related to a person not wearing a seat belt this year.

Fort Frances Mayor Opposed To Tolls

The mayor of Fort Frances is no fan of tolls being set up on northern Ontario highways.  Premier Kathleen Wynne suggests it might help municipalities cover the costs to replace roads and bridges.  Roy Avis doesn't see it as a viable solution.  Avis says earmarking a share of stumpage fees from the wood being hauled along area roads might be a better option.

NAPS Fights For Funding

The Nishnawbe Aski Police service is in a crisis.   Interim Police Chief Bob Herman says the problem is simple, the federal government isn't funding the service properly,  and as of next week, 11 positions will be lost.  Herman hopes the Feds will come to the table and negotiate in good faith.  Herman says he's been working to try to keep the service operational, but says the days of band aid solutions must end.

Algoma Open

 Algoma Street is now open to traffic.  It was closed yesterday to both lanes of traffic while crews worked on repairing a section of the road. A sewer backed up causing a stretch of Algoma near Camelot and River Street to be closed.

Virdiramo Envisions Waterfront Book

One city councillor wants a coffee table book produced on the new Thunder Bay waterfront.  Joe Virdiramo believes there should be something to commemorate such a huge legacy project.  He thinks it should include all the successes and failures that went into having the 58 million dollar project become a reality. Staff at City Hall will be reporting back on the idea at a future council meeting.

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LU Hockey Welcomes New Coach

Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves hockey team have a new Head Coach.  Bill McDonald replaces Mike Busniuk, who had been at the Wolves’ helm on an interim basis since taking over for Joel Scherban early this past season.