Derek Burney Accepts Chancellor Roll

Lakehead University's new chancellor is a star in the political and diplomatic circles in Canada and the United States.  Thunder Bay's Derek Burney is a  former ambassador and former chief of staff to the prime minister.   Burney says accepted the largely ceremonial position because he doesn't take education for granted and wants to show the important roll it has played in his storied career.

More FedNor Funds Announced

The latest Northwestern Ontario community to get funding from the Federal Government is Kakabeka Falls.  Four projects will share in FedNor funds.  Conmee will use 54 thousand dollars to upgrade their community hall and auditorium.  They'll also use 41 thousand to install a chair lift at the library and a back up generator at the municipal building.  Gillies will use 28-thosuand to rehabilitate Leeper Road.  Finally another 49 thousand dollars will go towards upgrading the O'Connor community centre.

Cash Handling Policy Up For Debate

City Council is expected to approve a common sense "cash handling policy" Monday night.  The policy requires Police Records Checks of employees handling cash, and sets out timelines of when City Cash should be deposited into the bank.

Clean, Green & Beautiful Awards

City Council is set to honour its 2012 Clean, Green and Beautiful award winners.  This year's recipients include Confederation College's Reach Building, the new District Social Services Board building, Prince Arthur's Landing and Superior North EMS Headquarters.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says its good to celebrate new buildings in the community.  The ceremony takes place Monday night. 

Cultural Spending At Council

City Council is expected to approve 2.1 million dollars in Community and Cultural funding Monday night.  City Councillor Ken Boshcoff says they provide funds to 17 organizations including, the Auditorium, Museum, Shelter House, Magnus Theatre and the Art Gallery.  Council will also make a decision on whether the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame should be moved to the list of groups that get the annual cultural funding.

Travel Policy Comes Before Council

A new travel policy before City Council tonight includes a 40 percent increase in travel expenses.  Councillors will vote on a travel policy that includes a 20 dollar increase in the per diem councilors and city employees are afforded while conducting out of town business on behalf of the municipality. Councillor Ken Boshcoff says it's not too much money.  The new policy if approved will also allow councilors to use their own budgets to decide what conferences and meetings they will attend out of town.

Police Detective Calls Down Video

Police Detective William Quarrell calls it "misinformation."  Quarrell was named in an "Anonymous" on-line video as the lone investigator in a high profile sexual assault and abduction case involving a First Nation woman. Quarrell says it's a mistake to think that only one person is looking into any high profile crime at any time.   Quarrell is the acting Staff Sargeant in his department and currently has 30 people working under him. 

Online Anonymous Video Disturbing

An online anonymous video targeting the local police force has people talking.  Lakehead University's Political Science Professor is the latest person to weigh in on the YouTube video by "Anonymous News Canada."  Laure Paquette says the video was manufactured with a clear cause to be disturbing.  "Anonymous News Canada" issued a deadline on the local police force to come forward with more information about the alleged sexual assault case from December.

NWO Credit Unions To Merge

Northwestern Ontario could have one major credit union by the Spring.  The Kenora area's Copperfin and Thunder Bay's Superior Credit Unions plan to merge on May 1st. Once the regulatory approvals are received, and both organizations' members vote in favour of the merger, the amalgamated credit union will serve over 22-thousand members at 10 branch locations.

MPAC To Speak Monday Night

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation will be speaking to City Council Monday night.  MPAC will be suggesting a change in the assessment of local property taxes.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says MPAC needs to take into account our City going from an industrial based economy to a commercial and residential community. Boshcoff says they want to ensure that everyone is paying their fare share of taxes.

Cold Weather Means More Travel

The cold weather this week has many thinking about travel plans to warmer destinations. Katie Zuber with Thomas Cook-Thunder Bay Travel says they've seen an increase in the number of inquiries to tropical destinations this week. Zuber says with three direct flights per week to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico being offered, more people are taking advantage of warm Winter holidays.

Mac's Robbery Suspects Described

City police are releasing the image of a suspect involved in a Mac's store robbery on Tuesday night. Police are looking to identify two men. One is a 20 year old native Canadian and is described as 5'9" to 6'2" with a thin build. He has a short yellow Mohawk with the sides of his head shaved. The accomplice is described as being approximately 5'9" and was wearing jeans, runners, gloves and a black hoodie under a snowboard jacket that has a red, blue and green rectangular pattern. If you know anything about the Oliver Road Mac's robbery, you're asked to contact city police.

McCarville Posts Two Wins

Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville posted a couple of wins at the Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kitchener, improving her record to 3-2. That puts her in a 3-way tie for third place behind a couple of teams who are 5-0. Marlo Dahl's Thunder Bay rink continues to struggle. They are now 0-5 after dropping a pair yesterday. Both teams are back on the ice for two games today.

Drug Sweep At High School

Students at St. Ignatius School were held in their classrooms for about 15 minutes this afternoon.  The Catholic School board says it was at the request of the police who used a dog to sniff out possible drugs.   Nothing was found.

Police Release Statement On Video

Thunder Bay Police are aware of a social activist video on YouTube that makes verbal accusations at the local force.
Police say they know about the statements posted on social media sites regarding the ongoing investigation into an abduction and sexual assault which was reported in late December in the city's north end.  Spokesperson Chris Adams says anyone who has information about the case should come forward to law officials.
Adams says police are limited in what they can comment on regarding the progress or nature of this investigation.

 

ONWA Condemns Video Threat

A video threat against the Thunder Bay Police Service by the social activist group Anonymous News Canada is being condemned by the Ontario Native Women's Association.  Spokesperson Maryanne Matthews says in spite of the seriousness of the situation,  it's not something the association condones.
The haunting video challenges the police to show they are taking action to find the people responsible for the abduction and sexual assault of a First Nations woman December 27th.  It can be viewed on our news web page.

Clydesdales Out

The Duluth Clydesdales are now gone from the Superior International Junior Hockey League schedule.   President and Commissioner Ron Whitehead says the team will not finish the season because of a lack of players suiting up for the 3 year old franchise. Earlier this season the Sioux Lookout Flyers suspended operations leaving the struggling junior-"A" league with five teams. 

FedNor Money For Terrace Bay

Another day, another FedNor announcement.  This time aroumd, Terrace Bay is on the receiving end of almost 28-thousand dollars.  The money will be used to install an air conditioning system in Michael King Hall, a multi-use facility for community events.

MTO Wants New Vehicle Inspection Stop

The Ministry of Transportation wants to build a new commercial vehicle inspection facility along Highway 11/17 in Shuniah.  Spokesperson Anne Marie Piscopo says the MTO is currently looking for public input on the project and then it will be full speed ahead.  The 30 day review period ends on February 24th.

Good Year For Operation Red Nose

Diana Sustawenko & Darren Roberts

Thunder Bay's Operation Red Nose says its increased the number of rides it provided over the 2012 holiday season.  Spokesperson Diana Sustawenko says it was a great success with more volunteers and more rides.  During the 14 night campaign, 238 volunteers provided 758 safe rides home.  Operation Red Nose raised 14-thousand dollars for St. John Ambulance.