City Seeks Uses For Gardens

The City is looking for a consultant to study the future use of the Fort William Gardens.  City Facilities Manager Michael Smith says they want the consultant to examine what possible uses the garden could have if and when an event center is built.  Smith says the deadline to apply is September 26th.

Fort William Street Festival This Weekend

This weekend marks the sixth annual Fort William Street festival.  Business District BIA Coordinator Tina Huk says they'll have plenty of food, entertainment and some surprises.  The roads will be closed starting at 9.  The festival starts at 11:30 and runs until 5.

School Stress

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out. The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it. Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.  MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Easter Seals Announces Roast

Easter Seals is getting ready to host it's 11th annual celebrity roast in November.  This year's guests of honour are the manager of the Best Western Norwester and the dealer of Performance Kia.  Spokesperson Rhonda Harrison says money raised goes towards sending local kids to camp.  The fundraising goal this year is 50-thousand dollars.

Thrift Shop Party September 13th

It's time to get your thrift shopping on.  Camp Quality is throwing a "Thrift Shop Party" on Friday the 13th at the CLE Heritage Building. Organizer Boris Potoyants says it's based on Ryan Lewis and Macklemore's Thrift Shop music video.  Potoyants wants to raise 5-thousand dollars for the organization through the party.

Hockey Locals Make Their Mark

A couple of Thunder Bay hockey players are gearing up for some NHL action.   The Pittsburgh Penguins have inked 19 year old  Matthew Murray to a three year entry level deal and Carter Hutton is officially the backup goalie for the Nashville Predators.

Ministry Probes Fall

The Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident in the city yesterday.   Emergency officials were called to a construction accident on Cadillac Circle  where a 24 year old worker had fallen off the roof.  They say he sustained leg injuries.

Subway Robbed

The latest robbery in the city hit a Subway Restaurant on North Cumberland Street.  Police say a man entered the location last night around 11 o'clock wearing a mask and holding what appeared to be a black barrel.  He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.  There were no injuries.

Gambee Booted From CLE Board

Linda Gambee is no longer a member of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board of directors.   The general membership voted her out at a special meeting last night.  CLE spokesperson Ralph Scharf  says it was for conduct unbecoming a member, but he did not elaborate.  Gambee believes it's because she was threatening legal action and her stand on alcohol at board meetings. She is disappointed with how the meeting was conducted and claims her supporters were not given a chance to speak.  With Gambee off the CLE board, her tenure as chair of the Christmas Cheer campaign is up in the air.  After last nights membership vote Gambee said it was too emotional for her to discuss but she will announce a decision very shortly.

Cargo Stats Down

The latest cargo stats from the Port of Thunder Bay show that grain numbers are down considerably from last year.  It says over half a million tons fewer tons of grain has moved through the harbour than at the same time last year.  Potash and coal numbers are also down.

New Law School Is Open

Lakehead University's new law school is officially opened. A ceremony was there this morning with local politicians and dignitaries. Confederation College President Jim Madder says he's been in conversation with the Law School Dean about cross programing between the two schools. The school is located on Red River Road in what used to be Port Arthur Collegiate.

 

CLE Board Member Speaks Out

The general membership of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition meets tonight to decide the future of one of the board of directors.   Board member Kathy Thompson says some members want to kick the unnamed person off.  She believes it's all about removing a director who has tried to prevent what Thompson calls "criminal acts" of driving after drinking in a boardroom bar that is free of charge to board directors,  24 hours a day seven days a week.   Tonight's meeting gets underway at 7 o'clock.

NOSM Makes Changes

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is making some changes in its management.  They've announced three senior appointments that include Dr. Janice Willett as the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Dr. David MacLean as Assistant Dean of Research and Dr. Owen Prowse as Assistant Dean of Admissions.

Gravelle Acclaimed

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is going to be back for another provincial election.  Gravelle was acclaimed at his nomination meeting last night at the Italian Cultural Centre.  He'll face the NDP's Andrew Foulds and P-C candidate Tamara Johnson in the fall of 2014.

Forest Fire Hazard Low

 Rain over the weekend, is helping fire fighting efforts in northwestern Ontario.  No new forest fires were reported over the Labor Day long weekend, and Saturday's precipitation has reduced the fire hazard to low across most of the region.  The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

Rickford Upset With Province

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has mixed feelings over the new deal to keep the Experimental Lakes Area open.  While he's pleased they've come to an agreement with Ontario, Rickford is fuming mad with the way the provincial announcement was handled.  Rickford says all three parties agreed on a joint media release and the province turned around with a complete different version and with no mention of the federal Government.

Innova Park Not Zoned For Costco

The city owned industrial park is being talked about as a possible site for a new Costco store.  With the retail giant pondering new Canadian locations city spokesperson Mark Smith says unless city council votes otherwise, Innova Park isn't zoned for such a development.  Smith says Costco has not contacted the city about locating a store here.

Power Plant Still Up In The Air

It's more of the same message from the Premier on the future of the conversion of the Mission Island power plant.  When asked about where the conversion of the local plant stands, Wynne says Thunder Bay's two MPPs have stressed to her how important the plant is.  Wynne made the comments at a news conference yesterday in Thunder Bay.  She also talked about the fate of the Ring of Fire project and money for the City's proposed event centre.

OPA Launches Energy Saving Program

Two Remote First Nations are participating in a new energy saving program through the Provincial Government.  Andrew Pride is the Vice President of Conservation with the Ontario Power Authority, and says Keewayin and Wunnimin Lake will have access to the resources they need to help save energy in their communities.  A total of 12-Aboriginal Communities will participate in the first year.

FASD Awareness Day Monday

The NorWest Community Health Centre is teaming up with the City's four LCBO stores to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  FASD Awareness Day is set for September 9th and reps from the health centre will be speaking to people shopping at the stores that day.  The group's message is that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.