Julius Remembers Norman LaVoie

Norman LaVoie is being remembered this week as the person who brought sports at Lakehead University to the forefront.   LaVoie, who used to head up the Kinesiology Department at LU, died on the weekend, he was 71.  Former women's basketball coach Stu Julius says LaVoie's death is affecting a lot of people having touched the lives of everyone from students to athletes.   Julius called LaVoie, a big man on a small campus.

Crews Digging Out Fire Hydrants

City crews are out on area streets trying to uncover buried fire hydrants after the recent heavy snowfall. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says access to hydrants are vital for fire fighting operations. For those residents or businesses that have hydrants on their property they are asked to help out by removing the snow from them.

Parade Of Lights Doles Out The Cash

On the charity beat, four local organizations are reaping the benefits from the annual Parade of Lights.  The Therapeutic Riding Association, the George Jeffery Children's Centre and the Thunder Bay branches of Autism Ontario and Special Olympics Ontario are splitting the nearly 20 thousand dollars raised in last years parade.  

Counterfeit Items Concern RCMP

The RCMP are warning residents to be careful when buying what they believe to be legally registered products but then turn out to be counterfeit.  Thunder Bay Sgt. Normand Roy says the situation has already come to light here in the city where some counterfeit hockey and football jerseys were seized.     Roy says the bogus items range from T-shirts to extension cords which could post a risk to safety.

More Snow Clearing Improvements Coming

Transportation Minister Glen Murray continues to fight off criticism that snow clearing on northern highways is below standard.  In the legislature Murray said northern municipal leaders he has spoken to are happy with the 50 snowplows that have been added to the fleet and that more changes will be coming next season to improve highway snow clearing.  Murray says municipal leaders tell him winter road maintenance in the north is now "remarkable".

Snow On Roofs A "Concern"

It's a winter to remember for some homeowners.  Many have huge amounts of snow on the roofs of their houses which is cause for concern according to Ron Rost of Triad Roofing.   His advice is to use common sense and examine how much snow has accumulated and to act before a possible collapse.   Rost says the problem is more serious in some parts of the city.  He says his company has been answering up to 20 calls a day for snow removal services.  

Police Investigate Break Ins

Thunder Bay police are investigating two break ins to local businesses. Officers responded to an alarm call from The Wellness Centre in the 400 block of South Vickers at 1 am Tuesday morning, and then responded to a second alarm call shortly after 3 am at a dry cleaning business in the 400 block of South Syndicate. No suspects were present when officers arrived to both scenes, and nothing was taken.

Missing Man Found Safe

The Thunder Bay Police Service is pleased to report that Paul Groulx has been safely located.  The 28-year old man had been reported missing over the weekend.  Police would like to thank the media and public who helped assist in their investigation.  

Bingo Hall Approved

City Council is giving the go ahead to a proposed bingo hall, lounge and gaming centre on Memorial Avenue. Planning Consultant Don Manahan told council that the hall will need less parking spaces than the former Roxy's Bar that once operated on the site. There were some concerns from neighbouring businesses about parking and a meeting will be held to resolve them.

City Council Round Up

City Council is giving by-law officers the right to give a ticket to people found breaking the rules smoking in public places.  Officers will now be able to provide a ticket up to 250 dollars if someone is caught smoking on hospital grounds, or too close to a place of employment.  Developmental Services Manager Mark Smith says they will put signs up in areas where people could be fined.  Meanwhile,  Thunder Bay's animal services are similar to those of other comparable cities.  Staff delivered a report to Council about what other communities are doing about the number of animals a person is allowed to own. The report states that in several cases they found pet limit laws are not that effective since it discourages people from licensing their pets and makes enforcement difficult.