Council fosters would be NHL'ers

Councillor Rebecca Johnson is legislatively being checked against the boards. Council decided Wednesday night to add boards and lights to two neighbourhood outdoor rinks. Johnson says it's money that doesn't need to be spent. The 14 thousand dollars for Minnesota Park and John Kusznier Memorial Park will be included in the 2011 budget. Mayor Keith Hobbs calls it money well spent that will improve the quality of life for Thunder Bay's youth.

Trail lights would cost 500K

The costing report is in.  It would cost the City of Thunder Bay 500-thousand dollars to install lights and cameras to the "Black Path."  It's an extra 5-thousand dollars a year to light it.  Administration would also like to take some time to see how much it would be to install solar or LED lights.  The report comes from a petition asking for the path to be lit as a way to make it safer.

Hobbs compares waterfront to The Money Pit

Mayor Keith Hobbs says he is not pleased that the waterfront project is 8.6 million dollars overbudget. He says that it reminds him of the movie The Money Pit.  He says he's not about to start second guessing the old city council and just wants to see the project move forward.  As a result, Hobbs says he's asked City Manager Tim Commisso to micro-manage the project. The mayor says he's not about to start firing people.

Woman hurt in Westfort stabbing

City police are investigating a stabbing on the city's south side.  They say that a 58 year old woman was stabbed in the leg.  The incident took place at an apartment in Westfort at around noon Wednesday.  A 61 year old man is in custody.

Local broker gives thumbs up to merger

An investment expert in Thunder Bay says the announced merger of the Toronto and London stock exchanges is far from a done deal. ScotiaMcLeod's Blake Cameron says an official review is still possible by the federal industry department.  However Cameron says if it does go through, businesses in the region will benefit in the long run

Government provides funding for business

Thunder Bay has three more local businesses thanks to funding from the Provincial Government. They include a small scale farm, a marketing company and a cleaning service. Six full time jobs and part time jobs were created.

Commisso takes the blame

Tim Commisso says he takes full responsibility. The waterfront project has come in 8.6 million dollars over budget so far. The city manager says the 17 per cent increase is the result of a complex project and says the buck stops with him.  The city's share of the the overrun is about 4 million dollars. It will be taken from Phase 2 of the project. The rest will come from stimulus cash.  As well Commisso says he will become more involved in the project from now on.   Katherine Dugmore will retain her full responsibility as project manager.

Waterfront project 17% over budget

The city's waterfront development is 8.6 million dollars over budget.   That's a 17 per cent increase from what was originally approved by city council.    The city's share of the the overrun is about 4 million dollars.    The rest will be covered through Infrastructure Stimulus money and from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Budget talks continue

City councillors get back to some serious budget issues tonight. Included in tonight's agenda are financial decisions regarding fees at the city run golf courses, the games complex, animal services and child care.

Home safe and sound

A missing 17 year old girl is safe and sound.  Leah Ooshag had been missing since last Wednesday but returned to her home just after 9:30 this morning. Police say she was staying at a friends house for the last week.

City needs to keep low income residents in mind

Not everyone wants money from Thunder Bay City Council.  Two groups who attended the budget consultation session Tuesday night urged council to consider low income residents.  A recent widow told of how her rent is going up because of the proposed increases to water rates and property taxes.  Sandra Taggart says she's not looking for sympathy, just empathy from council.  Poverty Free Thunder Bay says the 2011 budget could have positive impacts on low income residents but the city needs to remove barriers that might hinder residents from benefiting from city initiatives and services.

Council hears requests for cash

A variety of community groups are looking for money from Thunder Bay City Council.  The Children's Aid Society is asking for 65-thousand dollars.  Thunder Bay's Community Foundation wants council to create a 100-thousand dollars endowment fund.  Councillor Iain Angus suggested the city would consider providing the money in 2012. The Community Foundation provides grants to other community groups.

Child care subject of forum

The Ontario Federation of Labour brings its lobbying efforts to Thunder Bay Wednesday evening. President Syd Ryan says the Federation's Better Child Care Coalition is trying to get Ontario's finance minister to inject 100 million dollars into such programs.  Wednesday's forum takes place at the West Thunder Community Centre from 5:30 until 8.

Airbag injury sends man to hospital

One person is feeling the bruises of an air bag injury as the result of a traffic accident. It took place at the corner of Mcdonald and Christie just before 2 on Tuesday afternoon. Police say it involved two half ton trucks. One of the drivers was hurt after the truck's airbag went off. Police say he was unconscious when they arrived. Police say the other driver has been charged with a turning infraction.

Fire in Conmee destroys home

No one is hurt following a fire in Conmee Township this afternoon.   The volunteer fire department was called just before 1 o'clock to a house fire at 468 Mokomon Road.   A Township official says the blaze completely destroyed the residence.   The cause isn't known.

A heat wave is coming our way...lol

The work week will be cold, but this weekend looks like its going to be a nice one. Our Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says by the weekend the temperatures will be hovering around the freezing point with cloudy skies and some scattered flurries. Laidlaw says unfortunately with the warmth you can expect a mess on the roads.

Firefighters finally reach deal with city

The city has finally reached a new contract with its firefighters.  After over 7 years an agreement has been reached through arbitration.  The new contract gives firefighters an average wage increase of just under 4 percent per year from 2004 to 2010.

More street addicts showing desperation

The use of mouthwash and hand sanitizing liquid by street addicts is going up in Thunder Bay. Deputy Police Chief J-P Levesque says beat officers are telling him it's becoming a major concern and they see it quite often. He says they are seeing a lot of these items being shoplifted and getting that under control is a challenge. Levesque says there needs to be a way to handle these people away from the criminal justice system.

Fraud artists captured near Marathon

Three Southern Ontario men will be appearing in court in Thunder Bay facing fraud charges after a recent routine traffic stop near Marathon.  OPP pulled over the vehicle for speeding on the Trans Canada and after a search of the vehicle credit card fraud materials were found.  A fourth man is facing drug charges.

Council approves drug study

Thunder Bay City council is committing to a substance abuse study.  Council voted unanimously to provide 30 thousand dollars for the study that will look at possible solutions to the drugs and alcohol problems plaguing the city.  The District Social Services Administration Board is also providing 30 thousand dollars.