Westfort Fire Station To Be Located On West Frederica

The new Westfort Fire Station will be located on City-owned land on West Frederica Street.  City Council approved the location at it's meeting Monday night.  Fire Chief John Hay says the fire station will cost around a million and a half dollars and construction will start in 2013.  A new Neebing Fire Station will be built in the New Year as well at it's current location.

Mayor Relieved Plant Didn't Malfunction

Mayor Keith Hobbs is comforted by an independent consultant's report that shows equipment at the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Plant didn't malfunction during the May 28th flood.  Hobbs says he's always held the opinion that the plant was simply overwhelmed by the huge amount of rainfall that night.  The Mayor says he's relieved to hear the plant didn't malfunction and that they are dedicated to helping those impacted by the flood.  City staff will be back in January with an overall damage assessment of the plant and provide council with its options on how to proceed with the 1.4 million dollars in upgrades that are recommended.

What Went Wrong May 28th

Flooding at the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Plant started in the area of the facility that houses screens that catch large debris in waste water before it's treated.  Consultant Troy Briggs told City Council Monday night that the amount of water exceeded the equipment's capability and there wasn't any equipment failure.  Briggs is recommending as a short term emergency measure removing one screen to allow unrestricted flow through the preliminary treatment plant.  Longer term recommendations include increasing the screen cleaning speed and designing an emergency bypass around the preliminary treatment area.  Briggs noted there was no benefit of having someone work at the plant overnight since there was no special machinery that could have prevented what went wrong.  He also mentioned the design of the plant was typical for when it was built and the recommended changes only started to be included in new water pollution plant design plans.

Commission Makes Historic Visit

A historic moment in Thunder Bay this week as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada makes a stop for two days of hearings at the Da Vinci Centre starting tomorrow. Chair Justice Murray Sinclair says it will give First Nation survivors of residential schools a chance to tell their side of the story.  The Commission is in the middle of 5 year journey to gather information and then present a report to the government.

Eat Local Pizza Robbed

Thunder Bay Police are looking for a suspect in a weekend robbery of Eat Local Pizza on May Street.  The incident occurred just before 9:30 on December 1st when employees called 911 after a man with a knife demanded money from them.  The suspect wearing a toque with two eye holes made off with the cash register tray and headed westbound on Dease Street.  The police are looking for a fair skinned man with long brown hair wearing a dark blue North Face jacket and pants.

TSB Ready To Begin Death Probe

The Tecumseh is expected to be in Windsor sometime on Tuesday. The bulk carrier was the scene of an industrial death while it was berthed at the Viterra grain elevator in the Thunder Bay harbour. John Cottreau of the Transportation Safety Board say they are ready to begin the investigation once they board the ship in Windsor. The circumstances surrounding the death have not been made public.

ONA Wants You To Value Nurses

The Ontario Nurses Association is starting an ad campaign in the city to help improve the image of nurses. Called "Value The Invaluable" asks you to look differently at nurses and value them much like the way we do our pro athletes. The ads can be seen on several bus shelters in the city.

Treatment Plant Overwhelmed By Storm: Consultant

A consultant's report into the May 28th flood concludes that the Atlantic Avenue water treatment facility was overwhelmed with the amount of rainwater that came through the facility.   It says the pumping system wasn't designed to deal with the flooding event and resulted in a systematic failure in the plant. The result was the flooding of hundreds of basements in the city most of which were in the East End where the treatment plant is located.  The report recommends almost one and a half million dollars in upgrades in order to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

City Has Its 5th Murder

Thunder Bay Police are currently investigating a homicide which occurred at just after 3:00 o'clock yesterday afternoon on the 200 block of McIntyre Street. Police responded to a 911 call about an injured man who had been attacked. The victim ,48 year old Martin Achneepineskum, died because of his injuries at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital a short time later. 32 year old Jeffrey Kakegamic has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.

Crime Of The Week

Anyone with information about who may be responsible for this crime, is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Death on Grain Ship in Port

The Federal Ministry of Labour is investigating an industrial accident that happened early yesterday morning on one of the grain ships in port. Thunder Bay Police and Fire responded to a call just before 2 a.m. yesterday after a 40 year old resident of the GTA died from an injury while working on the ship. Police cannot release further information about the incident or the man until the investigation is complete.

NWHU Surveys Living Costs

Feeding a family of four per month costs over 941 dollars in Northwestern Ontario. That's according to a recent survey done by the Northwestern Health Unit at regional grocery stores. Julie Slack is a nutritionist with the NWHU and says minimum wage and social assistance rates make it impossible for people to have a healthy diet. The health unit adds that the cost of healthy food in this years survey has gone gone up 23 dollars from last years average price of 918 dollars.

CP Holiday Train Comes to Town

Giving back to the community this holiday season. That's the main focus of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, which is stopping in Thunder Bay on Tuesday night. Spokesperson Salem Woodrow says all money and food donated stays within the community and goes to the food bank. The show starts at 9:45 at the CP train depot at 440 Syndicate Ave. This year's performers include Doc Walker, Miss Emily, and the Brothers Dube.

Walk of Light

A group of students are holding an event tonight called "Walk Of Light." Social Service Worker students at the Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology are gathering to shine light on domestic violence and violence against women. The "Walk of Light" is set to take place starting at 6:00 o'clock on Lyon Boulevard. Organizers are asking to bring donations of non-perishable food items and money that will be donated to the Faye Peterson Transition House.

Country Market Collects for Shelter House

Thunder Bay's Country Market is kicking off a holiday food drive today for Shelter House. Spokesperson Michael Quibell says visitors to the Saturday market can pop by the second floor to make a donation of cash or non-perishable food items. When you make a donation you'll receive a ballot to win a gift pack full of goodies from the Farmers Market.

Fire Rescue Award Ceremony

Thunder Bay's first Fire Rescue Award Ceremony will be held today at the Protective Services Training Centre. Deputy Chief Greg Hankio says awards will be presented to six individuals who have gone above and beyond their duties. The event will be held at the Protective Services Training Centre on Hammond Avenue.

Parade of Lights

The annual Parade of Lights is taking place again this year, starting at 7pm tonight. Thunder Bay Police Association Spokesperson Julie Tilbury says there will be some charity fundraising taking place along the parade route on Memorial Avenue. Money raised will go towards Autism Ontario, George Jeffrey Children's Centre, Special Olympics and the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association.

OSSTF Upset Over Westgate Tiger Tip-Off

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation is speaking out after the Public School Board cancelled the Westgate Tiger Tip-off basketball tournament.  The board said the tournament was cancelled because they didn't feel there was enough supervision from support staff.  Union Rep Paul Caccamo says his members put over 200 hours to prepare the tournament and were willing to give more over the weekend.  Caccamo says he didn't hear from the school about their concerns about supervision.

Council Tackles Several Issues Monday

There could be a new school safety zone after Monday night's City Council meeting. Council will consider implementing a 40 km/hr speed zone on Georgina Avenue from Mary Street to Frederica Avenue. School safety zones would also be set up at Rockwood Avenue from 65 metres south of Whitney Street to 35 metres south of Windsor Street and Wishart Crescent from Windemere Avenue to Clarkson Street. Meanwhile, Council is looking at improving drainage in the areas of Oliver and Highgate Roads. City staff is recommending spending 125-thousand dollars towards drainage improvements including new ditching on the south side of Oliver Road and new culverts along half of Highgate Road. Finally, Council is considering making a bid for the next Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities conference. Council will decide tonight whether or not to officially throw the City's hat into the conference hosting ring.

B-Ball Tournament Cancelled

The Tiger Tip-off basketball tournament is cancelled and teachers' job action is being blamed.  Ian MacRae, Superintendant of Education and former Principal at Westgate says he was forced to pull the plug on the tournament last night after the first round of games were played.  MacRae says there were indeed enough coaches, but not enough support staff to ensure the students participating would be supervised appropriately on school grounds.