Monday, July 26, 2010

More wind farm debate at City Hall

A new consultant hired by opponents of the Horizon Wind Farm, is critical of a draft environmental document by developers of the wind turbines. In a sometimes rambling presentation to councillors, Michael McLeod said there are gaps in the draft report and the documents are incomplete on a number of issues. Councillor Rebecca Johnson says what she heard from McLeod and his assistant was nothing new

Councillors struggle with street name

A short stretch of road at Prince Arthur's Landing is getting a new name. Five hundred metres of it will be called Sleeping Giant Parkway. After two hours of debate, city councillors turned down administration's recommendation that a large section of roadway in Marina Park be changed to Sleeping Giant Parkway. It also recommended that as much roadway as possible on the Thunder Bay waterfront be given that name. Meantime local Navy representatives are hoping for some recognition for navy veterans. HMCS Griffon Lieutenant-Commander John Bell says if a street can't be named, then there should be some way to honour navy vets at the new look waterfront.

Eye in the Street program could see future expansion

There could be some expansion of the Eye in the Street program, but just not now.   Charles Campbell runs the program for the city and says that the latest report to councillors did not recommend any changes.  He says that's because the current construction taking place on the city's south side is putting any possible expansion on hold until work is complete.  Campbell says he will be back before councillors in the near future with another report with recommendations on that issue.

Councillors hear the latest $ update

City councillors are now up to date on the latest financial figures.   The Treasurers report was present Monday evening.  The biggest question on the minds of some councillors was why the District Social Services Board and the District Health Unit were subjected to a new accounting policy and weren't included in the statements.   The statements also indicate that the total value of everything the city owns, including TBayTel and the Public Library, is 865 million dollars

City recognizes young man

Michael Robinson is the latest recipient of the city's Exceptional Achievement Award.   Robinson was selected as the youth representative for Ontario at the G/8G/20 summit.

Fire at Memorial McDonald's

Fire firefighters were called to a blaze at the Memorial Avenue McDonald's at around 3:15 Monday afternoon. A fire official says the blaze started in the rear garbage bin and spread to the building itself causing some damage to the roof area. There is no cause or injuries to report

Baseball ticket sales soar

The World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay is a hit. Organizer Jeff Halverson says the first 3 days generated 15 thousand in ticket sales and, depending on how well team Canada does, it could reach 40 to 60 thousand. Halverson credits Media Sponsors like Northwoods Broadcasting for the success.

Korea bounces back to blank Czech's

The Korean team at the World Baseball Championship is back in the win column. They bounced back from yesterdays loss to Canada at Port Arthur Stadium with a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

Top Japanese diplomat visits Thunder Bay

The Deputy Consul-General for Japan is in Thunder Bay for a short visit this week.   Nobuaki Yamamoto says as part of his stay he's visiting with Lakehead University President Fred Gilbert to strenghten his country's ties with the institution. He says he'd like to promote contacts and cultural promotions between LU and universities in Japan.  He started his visit by watching a young baseball team from Gifu Japan play a local team

Superior Youth Fest set to entertain

Just call it Summer in the Parks for teens. The city is putting on it's 4th Superior Youth Festival at Marina Park this week. Organizer Jean Paul DeRoover says the free outdoor concerts feature young contemporary artists.   He says it's designed to create something strictly for youth that relates to them.  The concerts take place Thursday night starting at 6.  Pictured:   Webster Death and Grimmace the Butler are just one of the acts taking part in the Youth Festival.

Program to train aboriginal railway conductors

The federal government will cover the tuition and living expenses of aboriginal students who are training to become railway conductors. The announcement was made in Winnipeg by the Assembly of First Nations and the Railway Association of Canada. The funding is part of a two-year, 75 (m) million-dollar program to train First Nations people at centres in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Seven project participants will be recruited as signals and communications maintainers, and up to 30 participants will be recruited for track workforce positions.

OPP probing arson in Neebing Township

A 45 year old Thunder Bay woman is facing Arson and Assault charges after a fire in Neebing Township on the weekend.   OPP say they were called to a building blaze on Jarvis Bay Road.  The woman has been released from custody as the investigation continues.   Police also say there were two collisions on the highway involving moose but no serious injuries.

Morning Sports Recap

Team Canada beat the best at the World Junior Baseball Championships. The Juniors beat two time defending champion Korea 5-4 Sunday. Philip Diedrick smashed a Grand Slam in the top of the first to put Canada ahead and says it was his biggest hit of his career. Canada scored the winning run in the top of the fifth off a wild pitch from Korean Pitcher Yoo Chang Sik. Next Up for Canada is Panama Tuesday at 7:00 at Port Arthur Stadium. In other World Junior Baseball action. The US hammered Italy 10-0 in 7 innings, Chinese Taipei beat Australia 13-11, Cuba crushed the Czech Republic 16-1, Venzuala downed France 8-2 and the Netherlands got past Panama 5-2.

In the Northwoods League the Border Cats came up just short of the Duluth Huskies 4-3. The Cats are right back at it tonight in St Cloud as they kick off a three game series with the River Bats.