Some Work Still Needs To Be Done On Hotel

Construction on Thunder Bay's newest hotel is expected to start this summer.  Thompson Centres Development is meeting today with Marriott Town Place Suites to nail down some of the finer details of the new hotel that will be located on the property in front of Superstore.  Developer Lou Meandro says they'll be discussing an Ontario Municipal Board complaint from Loblaws over the size of the hotel.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels Talks Future

Atikokan Renewable Fuels is looking for some buyers before it can complete its wood pellet plant.  President Ed Fukushima says Ontario Power Generation and some European Businesses are interested in their product.  Fukushima says they should know more in 30 days.

Bear Wise Cut Backs Upset OPSEU

A union leader is warning Northern residents that they face greater danger from bears this year because of Provincial government cutbacks. Smokey Thomas of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the number of staff trained to deal with bears has been cut by more than 50 percent. The M.N.R. has said that relocating nuissance bears was simply not working.

More Sex Charges Laid Against Rowe

O.P.P. have laid further sex related charges against a man who once worked in four area First Nations communities. 72 year old Ralph Rowe, who now lives in Surrey, B.C. has been charged with 2 new counts of indecent assault and five counts of sexual assault. The charges stem from incidents which are alleged to have occurred between 1973 and 1986. Rowe is now scheduled to appear in a Kenora court on May 31st.

Arson Caused Picton Fire

Arson is the cause of a Picton Avenue fire which occurred on Sunday night. That's according to city police who are saying the blaze was deliberately set. No one was injured in the fire which is believed to have started on the second floor of a semi-detached home in the 100 block of Picton Avenue. Police are seeking the public's assistance for further information.

Gang Activity Not Part Of A.M. Stabbing

City police are saying a morning stabbing incident is not related to gang activity. A 21 year old man was stabbed just before 5 o'clock this morning in the area of May and Cumming St. . The man was stabbed in the leg but the injury isn't considered serious. He was found on the 600 block of McKenzie St. and taken to the hospital. Police continue to investigate.

Housing Starts are Up For April

It continues to be a good year for new housing construction in Thunder Bay. According to Warren Philp of Canada Mortgage and Housing, we are up 60 per cent from this time last year and says it's all because of demand. There were twenty new houses which started in the city last month which is up from seven in April of last year. Philp credits the increase to it being a "sellers" market in the city.

Transit Vision 2040 Approved

City transit is on board with a nationwide vision to improve service. Transit Manager Brad Loroff feels the long term plan, as outlined in Transit Vision 2040, is designed to put transit at the heart of the community. The plan coincides with current suggestions and ideas being implemented by transit. Council will hear back from transit officials on June 4th about their master plan recommendations.

RegenMed Gets A Loan

City Council is loaning a Thunder Bay bone and tissue bank a quarter of a million dollars and is putting RegenMed on a short leash because of it.    Under terms of the loan the Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine,  will get the money in installments and have to provide regular financial statements

Labour Council Opposes Trade Deal

The labour movement in Thunder Bay wants the city to oppose a proposed free trade deal between Canada and the European Union. Labour Council president Elaine Kerr says Canadian content could be in danger if the deal goes through, which could have a negative impact on the local Bombardier plant

Kitchen Fire In Current River

No one is hurt following a fire in Current River home last night. Officials says that no one was home when a pot of oil left unattended on a stove caused a kitchen fire.   The incident happened at around 8 o'clock.  They say damage is extensive.

Missing Woman Found

Police say that a 57 year old woman who was reported missing has now been found. They say that Margaret Scott-Beatty was found safe in Kakabeka Falls yesterday. Prior to that she hadn't been seen since last week.

Stabbing Sends Man To Hospital

City police are looking for four people in connection with a stabbing on the city's south side this morning. They say that a 21 year old man was stabbed in the leg in the vicinity of May and Cumming. They say the victim was located by a passerby just before 5 o'clock this morning on the 600 block of McKenzie bleeding heavily. He is now recovering in hospital.

Marathon Organizers Ask For Help

Organizers of the Thunder Bay Marathon are asking the city for some help. Barry Strieb asked councillors last night to allow city staff to help set up and remove wooden barricades before and after the event.  He says he witnessed it happening in Winnipeg, where municipal workers there had a hand in helping out with such chores. Councillors are expected to deal with the issue next week.

CEDC Pegs Mining

Mining, mining, mining. That's the focus of the city's Economic Development Corporation as it makes its way forward. CEO Steve Demmings' report to city councillors indicates that the organization is hoping to attract more mining related industries here through a three year strategy. Demmings cited examples of the mining labs that are now located in the city which the CEDC had a hand in bringing here

Health Unit Recognized Provincially

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has been recognized provincially. As part of its celebration of National Nursing Week, the Health Unit announced that it has achieved the Best Practice Spotlight Organization designation from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. The award was given out during the RNAO’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto on Thursday. The Health Unit is 1 of 3 health units in Ontario to have received the recognition.

Wet Weather Continues Warmer Weather On The Way

Cool, wet weather for the Thunder Bay area will last at least another 24 hours according to Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw. A slow moving, low pressure system is making its way across the region. Laidlaw says residents can expect conditions to improve by the middle of the week and we may anticipate higher than average temperatures for the weekend ahead. Laidlaw says we could see temperatures in the mid teens for Friday and Saturday.

On-Line Crime Reporting Numbers A Success

Thunder Bay's newest on-line crime reporting tool is working well. According to Inspector Alan McKenzie they've received 50 reports from the public since the tool became operational two and a half weeks ago. McKenzie says people have been telling police that they are reporting more crimes such as vehicle break-ins that they would otherwise not have reported. Users can visit the on-line crime reporting page by going to www.ThunderBayPolice.ca

Marina Report Heads To Council In Fall

The future of Phase two of the Prince Arthur's Landing marina development project appears to be in City Council's hands. The City's Greg Alexander, says provincial and federal funding needs to still be identified and council will have to decide on how to proceed after finding sunken treasures following the completed Environmental Assessment. Council will receive the report and discuss the various options contained within it in the Fall.

Police Search For Missing Woman

City police are looking for a missing 57 year old woman.   They say that Margaret Scott-Beatty was last seen at her Lincoln Street apartment by health care workers last Tuesday.   Police say she lives alone and is known to frequent the casino.