Council adopts an Energy Management Strategy

Energy Management is a new focus for city council.  Council voted in favour of a new Strategy that will lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  Energy Analyst Vanessa DeGiacomo-Zwaresh says the strategy will help integrate current energy reduction policies already in place. DeGiacomo-Zwaresh says the next step will be attaching timelines to targets. 

Council adopts a Solid Waste Management Plan

A City wide compost program could be a reality in the not so distant future.  Council approved the framework for a new Solid Waste Management Plan.  Coordinator Jason Sherband says the plan will provide strategic planning that will help in future decision making to reduce how much garbage goes to the landfill. Sherband says one way to do that would be to create a city wide compost program.

Scrap Yard is looking to purchase land

The owner of a scrap metal yard is looking to purchase some waterfront land to expand the business.  Lori Dutchak of Dutchak Scrap Metal says they want to purchase some land on Hammond Avenue.  Dutchak says if they can't buy the land they will be forced to lay off staff. 

LU President speaks to Council

Lakehead University President Brian Stevenson gave City Council a state of the school address at Monday night's meeting.  It was the same presentation he released to the public Friday November 18th.  Stevenson says one of his priorities is to increase Aboriginal Numbers in the school and part of that plan is a new building that in Ojibway means Higher Learning. 

Service to commemorate Montreal Massacre

The 14 women killed in the Montreal Massacre are being remembered at Confederation College Tuesday afternoon. It's being put on by the Student Union. Spokesperson Thomas Russell says it will be a solemn service complete with a candle lighting ceremony as a sign of remembrance.  It starts at 12:30 in the Student Commons in the Shuniah Building.

Kanate sentenced to 7 years

A Round Lake First Nations man is going to jail for the manslaughter death of his cousin. 20 year old Patrick Kanate was sentenced to 7 years for the 2010 stabbing death in Thunder Bay of Keegan Williams. Kanate's lawyer Gil Labine has no complaints about the sentence saying it reflected the principles of justice set out by the Supreme Court of Canada when it comes to the sentencing of Aboriginals in such circumstances.   With time served the sentence is just over 6 years

Hyer on leaders debate

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer is weighing in on the first NDP leadership debate.  It was a polite exchange for the most part.  There are five other leadership debates planned leading up to the March 24th election.

Hyer on Canada withdrawing from Kyoto

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer isn't surprised the Harper Government has pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol.  Hyer is reacting to Environment Minister Peter Kent's announcement at a Climate Change Conference in South Africa.  Canada is withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol by the end of next year.

Police Service Customer Service Survey

Thunder Bay Police want to hear from you.  The citizen survey is out and you can rate the customer service of the local police force.  To have your say log onto http://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/

West Jet Flight no charges pending

Thunder Bay Police say no charges will be laid against the man who caused a Westjet flight to make an emergency landing on Saturday.  The Toronto-bound flight was grounded in Thunder Bay after the crew decided to land because of an agitated 27-year-old passenger.  Police say the man has a history of mental health issues and was held for a medical assessment.  Police say it's expected the man, along with his father, will be returned to Portugal once he has been cleared medically.

Apartment fire on McLauchlin

Thunder Bay Fire is investigating an apartment fire on McLauchlin today. Platoon Chief Brian Kiessig says they were able to evacuate the building.  Kiessig adds the 12 unit apartment building has some smoke damage.  The displaced residents have been moved by the Red Cross to the Victoria Inn.

Highway 17 closure lifted

A road closure on Highway 17 near Nipigon has been lifted. The OPP closed the highway early this morning after a collision involving a Tractor Trailer. Only minor injuries were reported.

Westjet flight makes impromptu landing in Thunder Bay

A 27 year old is in Police custody after a scary incident during a Westjet flight from Vancouver to Toronto.

Police say the man became agitated during the flight, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing at the Thunder Bay Airport. The other 118 passengers who were on the flight will continue their scheduled flight to Toronto today.

Hundreds enjoy Parade of Lights

The holiday spirit is certainly alive in Thunder Bay.  Hundreds of people lined Memorial Avenue Saturday evening to watch the annual Parade of Lights.  

Ambulance involved in three vehicle collision

No one is hurt after a collision involving an impaired driver and an ambulance last night. Police say a woman attempted to pass an ambulance, but hit a parked car and proceeded to hit the ambulance before coming to rest on a homes front lawn. Extensive damage was done to both vehicles, along with the ambulance and the house.

Strong November for the Port of Thunder Bay

A big milestone has been reached by the Port of Thunder Bay. The port shipped over one million tonnes of cargo in November, making that the most cargo shipped in one month since May of 2009. Nearly 900,000 tonnes of grain was shipped throughout the month.

Council to talk about selling golf courses

Council is going behind closed doors Monday to speak about the possibility of selling the municipal golf courses.  Recently Mayor Keith Hobbs said, he wants to see the course break even and if that doesn't happen selling them is an option they could look at.

Waste Management Strategy ontap at council

City Council will be getting a report on the development of a Solid Waste Management Strategy at Monday's meeting.  Councillor Andrew Foulds says its a great way to plan for the future and help divert more waste away from the landfill.

Osisko concerned about potential mine workforce

A worker shortage could be one of the obstacles facing Osisko Mining. The company has started a study to determine the impact a proposed open-pit gold mine near Atikokan might have. Senior Advisor Mark Boller says having enough well-trained employees is one area the company is looking at. The company says it might need up to 2-thousand workers for construction and 500 in the mine.

Lawyers concerned over crime bill

With the advent of the Harper Government's new crime bill, changes are coming to the criminal justice system. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he recently had a chance to sit down with concerned Kenora lawyers. He feels he was able to alleviate some of the worries they had about the new legislation.