MPP Calls For Hike In Minimum Wage

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says people can't survive on minimum wage. Demonstrations were held across the province earlier this week, calling on the government to bump it up from $10.25 to 14-dollars per hour.  She says people are finding increasingly challenging to put food on the  table and adds, raising the minimum wage is the best way to combat poverty.

Visitor Safety Not An Issue At FWHP

The head of Fort William Historical Park says there's no danger to visitors even though they haven't found what predator could be responsible for the summertime death of some fort animals. Sergio Buonocore is confident the safety of tourists is not being compromised.  He says the animal deaths took place overnight and are not likely to be repeated during the day.  Over the last two months several sheep and chickens were killed.

Gas Line Leak Stopped Quickly

A gas line leak on the 300 block of Lark Street caused a bit of commotion this afternoon.   It appears that someone hit a gas line while doing some work just before 2 o'clock.  A Fire and Rescue official says there was no real danger but homes in the immediate area of the leak were evacuated as a precaution.

Funding Benefits Six Businesses

The province's northern development fund is granting money to local six businesses.   The six are sharing in over 200 thousand dollars of funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.   Dental Hygiene Smiles of Thunder Bay is receiving 125 thousand dollars of that to help it open a dental clinic.   The rest will be split up among Kuhl  Lighting, The Dog Classroom, Confederation College, Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and a Chiropractic Clinic.

George Jeffrey Gets Added $

The George Jeffrey Children's Centre is once again on the receiving end of a government cheque.   This time it's almost 140 thousand provincial tax
dollars.    MPP Bill Mauro says the money is going to be used to provide children and youth with improved access to treatment services.

Movie Nights Are Back

It's movie night again at Marina Park.  The city is presenting a series of outdoor movies starting tonight at dusk with "Back To The Future 2".   There will be four more weeks of movies shown including a Bay Street Film Festival night where a local flick will be screened.

City Delegation Heads To China

A delegation from Thunder Bay is heading to China as part of the sister cities program.   Councillor Aldo Ruberto says the trip is designed to cement a friendship pact with the city of Jiaozuo  which started when the Chinese delegation came here.   The group includes Ruberto along with City Clerk John Hannam , Development Services Manager Mark Smith and city mining guru John Mason.  They left today and are due back home August 26th.  

Fire Hazard Increases

As anticipated the forest fire hazard is on the rise across northwestern Ontario. Warmer and dryer conditions sparked 4 new fires yesterday. One fire, 25-kilometres northeast of Dryden, was set by forest industry equipment according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The other fires were reported in the Hudson, Sioux Lookout and Kenora districts. Two of the fires aren't under control but pose no threats.

Car Lands In Churchyard After Mishap

No one is hurt following a two vehicle collision at Van Norman Street and Rockwood Avenue this morning.   The two cars collided just after 9 o'clock sending one of them careening through a metal fence and it narrowly missed striking the New Apostolic Church.  There's no word on any charges.

A Suspicious Blaze

There were no injuries following a fire in the 500 block of Pacific Avenue late Thursday evening.  Crews responded to a report of furniture on fire outside of a building and when they arrived the flames had spread to the siding of the structure.  The fire was contained to the exterior wall of the building, although some heat and smoke damage was caused inside.  The fire is considered suspicious.

News NAPS Chief

There's a new chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service.  Terry Armstrong takes over the position as of September third.   Former Thunder Bay Police Chief Bob Herman had been holding down the fort on a temporary basis until the board could find someone permanent.

City Reverses Child Cancer Decision

A change of heart.  City Hall will be proclaiming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month after all.   City Clerk John Hannam says officials decided to review the original decision after a public outcry and not necessarily because of the mayor's complaint.
Hannam says the request does meet the criteria for being in the public interest.

More Traffic Changes In Store

Golf Links Road and the Harbour Expressway is open again as a three-way  controlled intersection.  The city says temporary traffic signals will remain in place until the double left turn lanes at this intersection are ready.   The traffic headaches will continue on Monday when the Central Avenue and Golf Links Road intersection will be closed to traffic as the construction continues.

Four More Years For St. Joe's

More bragging rights for St. Joseph's Care Group.   Accreditation Canada, the independent organization that oversees health care standards, has given St. Joe's a 4 year stamp of approval. President and CEO Tracy  Buckler calls it an amazing accomplishment.   St. Joseph's Care Group  runs a number of health care facilities in the city ranging from acute care to addiction treatment .

Campbell Slams MNR Layoffs

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is slamming the Minister of Natural Resources over the recent announcement of layoffs across northwestern Ontario and the province.Campbell says there's nothing but confusion on how many jobs will be lost. The NDP member says the public has the right to know how these cuts will impact them.

New Bike Lanes Being Painted

The city is finally getting around to painting the new bikes lanes.    Spokesperson Adam Krupper admits it's a bit late in the season but he blames City Hall red tape. Krupper says when the new lanes are complete in the next couple of days, there will be 9 new streets painted which will complete  a continuous biking route from Current River to Bay Street.

A City Hall Mix Up

Mayor Keith Hobbs is under fire after the City's denial to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Local groups were disappointed that the proclamation was denied by the Office of the City Clerk.  Hobbs says he and city council were not made aware of the request adding that current policies will be reviewed.  

Bear Hunters Asked To Be Cautious

The Ministry of Natural Resources is urging caution as the black bear hunting season begins this week. Spokesperson Debbie MacLean is reminding hunters to be on the lookout for firefighters.  While they have Blaze orange clothing, at times they might be hidden from view.  Maclean says the forest fire season doesn't  run out until October 31st.

School Survivors Remember

A new beginning for survivors from residential schools in Treaty Three territory. Grand Council Treaty 3 held a ceremony to commemorate survivors of the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora. Mayor Dave Canfield spoke about how everyone needs to work together to continue moving forward. Peter Bush with the Presbyterian Church apologized for the acts of abuse that were performed at the school.

Feds Want To Get ROF Right: Rickford

The Harper government plans to wait out a First Nations court challenge to the federal environmental process for the Ring of Fire mining development.  Greg Rickford, the minister responsible for the giant mining project, denies the government is slowing down the process saying they want to get it right.  Meantime Rickford won't say if the federal government will join First Nations and the province at the Ring of Fire bargaining table.