Mill Settlement Reached In Terrace Bay

The town of Terrace Bay and the AV Birla Group are now at peace. They've come to a negotiated settlement on tax payments.  Mayor Jody Davis says the deal is prefered to appealing a government tax assessment  on the company's mill property which could have cost the town much more.  Davis says under the deal the company will pay just over 15 million dollars a year in taxes from 2013 until 2016.

Pepe Disappointed In United Airlines

City tourism manager Paul Pepe says he's disappointed that United Airlines will end its daily direct flights from Thunder Bay to Chicago.   The U.S. company has announced that the service will end April 24th.   Pepe says it's not the end of the world. Pepe says the city will explore new marketing channels

Thunder Bay Above Provincial Average

The city of Thunder Bay is well above the provincial average when it comes to tissue donors with 44% of the population registered. Other communities across the region are patting themselves on the back as well with registration numbers above the provincial mark set at 24%.

Winter Roads Open

It's that time of year again the northern winter roads network is open. The provincial and federal government funded the ice road network that connects 28 First Nations.  Cold weather in December and January meant an early start to this year's winter roads season.

Veterans Protest Office Closure





Frank Fox places black
wreath in front of VA office

The Veteran's Affairs office in Thunder Bay is closing today. This morning there was extreme emotion at the office on Red River Road as veterans held a mock Remembrance Day ceremony complete with a wreath and poppies to commemorate the closure. Also on hand was local veteran Roy Lamore who went to Ottawa and pleaded in vain with the minister Julian Fantino to keep this office, another others in the country, open.

United Airlines Pulls Out

Shocking news out of the Thunder Bay Airport.  United Airlines is ceasing its service between Thunder Bay and Chicago. They'll pull out of the local airport on April 24th of this year.  Airport Manager Ed Schmidtke says the City will still be connected to the US via Winnipeg or Toronto by Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines. Meanwhile, WestJet's new Encore flights will depart from Thunder Bay four times daily to Toronto and twice to Winnipeg starting June 27th.

Uli Walthers Sworn In As 2014 Chair

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is announcing Uli Walther as the 2014 Chair of the Board. Speaking at the Chamber's Annual General Meeting Thursday evening, Walther says one of the board's goals will be to see more of an impact from Aboriginal workers. Also at the meeting was First Nations Negotiator Bob Rae. Walther says having Rae speak at the event was a significant move in pushing the boards goal forward.

Vets Speak With Rafferty Over Office Closure

A memorial service is being held today over the loss of the city's Veteran's Affairs Office. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says after speaking with local veterans it is clear that they are not impressed with Minister Julian Fanitno's handling of the situation. Vets will now have to travel over twelve hours to the North Bay office where half of their case files are being sent. The other half will be sent to Winnipeg.

Rae Says Talks Ongoing

Talks between the Province and First Nations Communities in the Northwest are continuing to move forward.  Speaking in Thunder Bay Thursday evening, First Nations Negotiator Bob Rae says both parties have been focused on the needs of communities involved.  Rae adds that talks have been mainly kept out of the public eye out of respect for all groups involved.

New Garbage Plan

The City is going to get their first look at the draft solid waste management plan Monday night.  Coordinator Jason Sherband says one of their ideas include allowing co-mingled materials in the bins at the recycling depot. Another idea in the plan includes moving to a clear garbage bag program.

Murray Keeping Eye On Roads

The provincial government says its closely monitoring winter road maintenance of the province's highways this winter. Transportation Minister Glenn Murray acknowledges some contractors have been fined for not meeting snow plowing standards, and stronger action will be taken if his Ministry don't see significant improvements. Murray also inviting resident to call contractors and the Ministry if they have complaints about the roads.