OPG Power Plant Looking Into Biomass

Thunder Bay's Mission Island Power Plant is looking into using biomass instead of natural gas.  Ontario Power Generation Spokesperson Chris Fralick says he wants to keep the local plant alive.  Fralick says they're looking into many options for keeping the plant open beyond 2014.  Fralick says the Ontario Power Authority and the Energy Minister are aware that he's looking into other options of keeping the plant up and running.

McCarville Takes A Break

Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville is putting her curling career on hold.  McCarville says she's taking some time off to focus on her teaching job and to spend time with her family.  She says she's not sure how long she'll stay away from the sport.  McCarville and her rink recently took part in the Ontario Scotties Tournament Of Hearts.

Local Businesses Encouraged To Look West

The mining and oil sands industries  in Saskatchewan and Alberta are ripe for the picking for northwestern Ontario businesses.   Speaking in Thunder Bay, Steve Matheson of the Ministry of Economic Development says those industries need the services and talents we have available in abundance. Matheson says there are a number of projects in both provinces that are up and running or are about to be.

Beardy Says Gravelle Right Man For The Job

Ontario Regional Chief is pleased to see Michael Gravelle back as Minister of Northern Development and Mines.  Stan Beardy says Gravelle is the right man for the job.  Beardy is hoping that Gravelle capitalizes on economic opportunities facing the north as well as an emerging mining sector.

Boys & Girls Club Looks Forward To Talks

The Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club is happy the City has decided to sit down with them to talk about their property taxes.  The group had asked for the City to help pay for 40 thousand dollars in property taxes but many on Council felt they needed more time before making a decision on the request.  Albert Aiello says he thinks talks will go well.  The Municipal Property Tax Assessment Corporation reassed the club's tax status after they moved to a new building.

Last Chance To Comment On Budget

City Council is approving its 2013 budget in principal.  It means property taxes will increase by 2.6 percent plus the infrastructure increase of half-a-percent.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson says she wishes the budget would have come in lower.  The final budget vote will come down on March 4th.  Meanwhile, taxpayers will have a second chance to comment on the fiscal document Wednesday night at City Hall.

Poverty Reduction Meeting Underway

City Councillor Paul Pugh is working on getting the City's first ever poverty reduction strategy off the ground.  A day of discussions is planned for today that focuses on what actions can be done to make a difference in the community.  Pugh says there are many issues that need to be addressed.  Pugh adds affordable transportation is also key in helping reduce poverty.

Horizon Wind Teams Up With Charity

Thunder Bay's Boys & Girls Club is teaming up with Horizon Wind to teach kids about renewable energy. The program will use the Big Thunder Wind Park as a live laboratory according to Executive Director Albert Aiello.  Kids will learn about wind, solar, and other forms of renewable energy.

Constable Suspended

A Treaty 3 Police officer being suspended from duty after allegedly being found drunk in a police vehicle. A Shoal Lake Constable was charged with impaired driving Saturday after Treaty 3 Police were called about a cruiser parked on an ice road on Lake of the Woods. The 49 year old Constable will now appear in Kenora court March 7th.

Kenora Man Charged In Excavator Rampage

Charges are being laid following a a bizarre incident last week in Kenora involving a mini-excavator. Police say several vehicles were damaged by a mini-excavator operated by a 64 year old man. Kenora O.P.P. have charged the man with mischief under $5,000, mischief endangering life and unauthorized posession of a weapon. He'll face a court appearance on February 27th.

Fort Frances Mill Decision Coming

The President of Resolute Forest Products is giving sort of a timetable as to when it hopes to have a potential plan for its idled kraft mill in Fort Frances. Richard Garneau is anticipating a decision within the next two to three months. Garneau says there's benefits to getting the mill going again. The mill, and a machine on the paper side, were idled in November, resulting in about 250 workers being laid off.

Campbell Fights For Children's Aid

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell has a present for Premier Kathleen Wynne. Campbell received dozens of paper valentine hearts yesterday during a rally held by the union representing the Children Aid Society in Kenora-Rainy River. Campbell says Kenora-Rainy River Child and Youth Services is severely underfunded. The province has slashed $67 million from Child Welfare agencies and Campbell will hand over the valentines to the Premier.

Thunderwolves Begin Playoffs In Waterloo

The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team begins it's playoff run tonight in Waterloo. The 3rd ranked Thunderwolves take on the 6th ranked Warriors in game 1 of a best of 3 series. Interim Coach Mike Busniuk says this series could be heated considering the two teams have played eachother 3 times in 4 games to end the season. Games 2 and, if necessary 3, will happen on Friday and Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens.

2013 Budget Approved In Principal

City Council is approving its 2013 budget in principal.  It means property taxes will increase by 2.6 percent.  The final budget vote will come down on March 4th.  Meanwhile, taxpayers will have a second chance to comment on the fiscal document Wednesday night at City Hall.

Boys & Girls No Decision Yet

City Council isn't ready to pay for the Boys and Girls Club property taxes just yet.  The charity group had asked the City to help pay for 40-thousand dollars in taxes.  Councillors discussed the good work the club does but in the end decided they couldn't make any decisions on the issue at a budget meeting.  They'll revisit the issue at a regular session in the future.

Council Tackles Police Services Budget

City Council continues to plow through it's 2013 budget.  At Tuesday night's meeting they tackled the 35 million dollar Police Services budget.  Police Chief JP Levesque calls it a lean budget.  During a round of questions, Chief Levesque told Council they may consider changing one of their costs in-car cameras to body pack cameras that are on the police officers themselves.

Council Shoots Down EMS Position

City Council continues to drop the axe on extra costs being proposed for the 2013 budget.  Council voted down an Emergency Services Coordinator position Tuesday night.  Councillor Mark Bentz says it's a great idea but they need to find away to offer it without increasing the budget.  Mayor Keith Hobbs was also on board with the project but notes if they raise taxes anymore they'll be giving taxpayers heart attacks.

Extra Week Too Pricey

City Council is turning down a request to keep heated pools open for an extra week.  The proposal was brought forward during one of the final budget meetings.  Most City Councillors felt 10 thousand dollars for one week of swimming was too pricey.  The final vote on the 2013 budget will take place in March.

Hay Reveals Role In Easing Hospital Gridlock

Thunder Bay's Fire Chief is now revealing the role he played in getting emergency room overcrowding at the regional hospital eased last month.   John Hay says he was invited by the hospital to inspect the ER and he found there needed to be changes made to meet provincial safety regulations.  He asked them to alleviate the congestion in some areas and find ways to clear the hallways to adhere to the Fire Code.  Hay's order started a chain of events which lead to the regional health authority coming up with a plan to lessen the overcrowding to make sure it didn't happen again. 

Drug Bust In Attawapiskat

Drug smuggling continues to be a concern in remote northern First Nation communities.   The Nishnawbe Aski Police say that 67 hundred dollars worth of Marijuana and oxycondone was seized recently at a residence in Attawapiskat.   Two people are charged.