More Ring Of Fire Concerns

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.   The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.  Spokesperson Jason Aagenes  says they are throwing it in the province's court .
Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire. Meantime Mines Minister Micheal Gravelle repeated the governments message that they are committed to the Ring of Fire.

Ambassadors Wanted

The local Canadian Cancer Society wants more women to talk about getting mammograms.  Manager Maria Cabral says the "Women to Women" movement enlists women to become breast cancer ambassadors.  To sign up click here.

Attempted Robbery @ Safeway Pharmacy

Police are investigating an attempted robbery at the Safeway Pharmacy on West Arthur Street.  A man armed with a knife approached the pharmacy counter just after 8:30 last night and demanded drugs. Officers say he appeared nervous and left the store without any prescription pills.  The suspect is described as 5'8 to 6 feet tall with a thin build, scruffy appearance and no facial hair. He was wearing a grey baseball cap and a black windbreaker jacket.

Con College New Cafeteria

Confederation College is unveiling its new Ryan Hall cafeteria.  They revamped the space in just under nine weeks.  Vice President of Student Services Bob Backstrom says the new eating area includes a custom made fire brick pizza oven from Washington State.  The new Ryan Hall also boasts recycled aluminum can chairs.

Tobacco Prevention Grant

The Northwest Tobacco Control Network is giving away a thousand dollar grant.  Schools and community groups can apply for it up until November 15th.  The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

LUSU Reacts To Probe

The head of the Lakehead University Student Union is welcoming a task force to study the university's sexual assault policies. It follows the claim from a student who says she was raped by a fellow classmate but her concerns were largely ignored.   Ian Kaufman hopes something comes from the probe.  Kaufman hopes there's a positive outcome to what is a negative story.

OLG Pays City

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is giving it's second quarter payment to the City.  This time around the City is getting just over 611-thousand dollars for hosting the OLG Casino.   The money comes from slot machine revenue.

Highway 11 Open

After a 9 hour closure, Highway 11 is now open in both lanes from Long Lac to Hearst.  OPP say a traffic accident early this morning forced the closure.

T.Bay Classic Organizers Want More $

Scott Smith

The organizers of the Thunder Bay PGA Canada Golf Classic are pleading with City Council for more cash.  Executive Director Scott Smith says they want 90 thousand dollars in cash over the next three years and another 20 thousand dollars of in kind support for each year the tournament is held.  In kind support would include free bus rides to and from the event. Smith says the July tournament is going to generate money that stays in the City. City staff are coming back to Council with a report on the funding of the event.

Smoking By-Law Changes Ratified

City Council is making it official. They ratified changes to their smoking legislation that will allow Hospital security and staff to enforce a no smoking ban on health science centre grounds. Before the vote Monday night, a concerned citizen Jon Powers spoke to Council saying smoking by-laws are a provincial matter and not municipal.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Unveiled

After a year in the making the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy is complete.  The Lakehead Social Planning Council helped create the document along side other community groups.  Poverty Free Chair Terri Carter says the number one complaint from the public was Thunder Bay's lack of affordable housing.  Staff will be coming back to Council in mid-November to report on how the strategy can be implemented.

NSWPB Out With Its Labour Market Plan

Frank Pullia

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board is out with its latest local labour market plan.  They presented their findings to City Council Monday night.  Spokesperson Frank Pullia says the recession is far from over in the district. Meanwhile, the report also shows that the unemployment rate for people age 15 to 24 is on the rise, while people age 55-64 are finding more work which lowered that age group's unemployment rate. The report was based on census data.

Letter Of Support For Ranger Program

The City is sending a letter to the Provincial Government asking for the Liberals to bring back the Ontario Ranger Program. The program saw young people from across the province work in provincial parks and other ministry of natural resource related jobs. Funding for the program was cut over a year ago and the City's letter will express support for bringing it back.

Tamaracks Being Cut

Jason Dampier Arborist

City Council isn't changing its mind and will move forward with the removal of 11 tamarack trees from Mohawk Crescent.  It comes after homeowner Fred Johnson withdrew his request after feeling pressure from the public. Councillor Mark Bentz says Johnson still wants the trees removed he just didn't like the public scrutiny. A local arborist also spoke at Monday night's meeting and told Council removing the trees could hurt the environment.

Golf Course For Sale

City Council is moving forward with the sale of the Municipal Golf Course.  They are going to ask for expression of interests in the coming weeks.  Councillor Ken Boshcoff says there's a wide array of uses for the property including a solar farm.  Boshcoff says there's already been interest shown in the property.

Ground Beef Recalled

Check the label on that beef in your fridge before you eat it...beef from an Ontario-based factory being recalled due to a risk of E. coli contamination.  Belmont Meats Ltd. distributes their products to major retailers nationwide including Superstore and Loblaws. This time they and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warning the public not to eat their uncooked lean ground beef because it could contain the bacteria. For more information about the recall click here.

Wunnumin Shooting

A 17-year-old is facing charges including attempted murder following a shooting in Wunnumin Lake First Nation.  Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police Sergeant Jackie George says the incident happened on Friday evening, and believe the suspect is involved in more than one shooting.  A 25-year-old was taken to hospital with injuries, and is listed in stable condition.  Their name has not been released.

Webcasting Delays Inquest

The coroner's inquest into the death of 27 year old Bruce Moonias in Thunder Bay is being delayed for several days.  Regional Coroner Michael Wilson says it was supposed to start today, but it's been postponed in order to allow relatives up north to view it on the Internet through a webcast being set up by the government.  Moonias died in December of 2006 at the regional hospital after his involvement with the police.

LU Responds To Letter To The Editor

Lakehead University is responding to a letter to the editor in Saturday's Chronicle Journal.  The letter talks about the experiences of a Lakehead University student who says she was raped by a classmate. President Dr. Brian Stevenson says he's appointing a Task Force to review the issues raised in the letter and the policies, procedures, training, and support Lakehead has in place and how they might be improved.  The Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Lori Chambers, Chair of LU's Department of Women Studies.

Waste Reduction Week Underway

It's waste reduction week and the city is trying to get you to think recycling.   Spokesperson Jason Sherband its also a chance to promote the city's involvement. The city will be going to the local schools to give presentations to the students and provide guided tours of the recycling plant and the landfill site.