Wednesday, June 8, 2011

City gets A Plus

Thunder Bay's Credit is being given an A plus ranking by Standard and Poors.  The credit ranking is based on the city's budget performance and moderate debt.

Former Border Cat now a Blue Jay

Thunder Bay's Eric Brown is a Toronto Blue Jay.  The former Border Cat was selected by the Blue Jay's on the final day of the MLB player draft.  The right handed pitcher played last year for the Border Cats. 

Police SUV in smash up

Details are now coming out about a weekend accident involving a city police vehicle.   Spokesperon Chris Adams says that a police SUV collided with a car and a pick up truck at the intersection of Oliver Road and Hill Street Friday evening at around 10 pm.  No one was injured.   The driver of the car is charged with failing to yield to traffic

"Doc Funnybone" dead at 59

The man known to most people in Thunder Bay as Doctor Funnybone has died.   Kevin Kennedy was 59 years old.  He died unexpectedly this week. Kennedy was also a retired firefighter and had a black belt in judo.

EQAO tests results released next week

We find out next Wednesday how area schools fared in the recent Grade 10 standardized literacy tests.  83-percent of Grade 10 students in Ontario who took the exam for the first time last March passed.The Education Quality and Accountability Office says the success rate was down one percentage point from last year and two points from the year before.

Shift holding Multi-Plex info session

Thunder Bay's young business leaders are being asked what they think about the proposed Multi-Plex.  The SHIFT network is holding a public information session Thursday night at the Avila Centre.  Mayor Keith Hobbs and City Manager Tim Commisso will taking part.

Housing starts are up

New housing construction is on the rise in Thunder Bay.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Analyst Warren Philp says single detached starts in May were 2 behind last year's levels but multi family dwellings were up by 11 compared to 2011.  Philp says that puts our year to date numbers ahead of 2010 levels. 

Forest Fires in the Northwest

Despite the wet weather seven forest fires remain active in Northwestern Ontario. 5 of the fires currently burning are in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon District and don't pose any problem. The most recent fire was sparked by lightning north of Wabakimi Provincial Park.




Confederation College expands territory

A huge milestone for Confederation College.  The College has officially opened its new campus in Red Lake.  Spokesperson Don Bernosky says they have had their eye on Red Lake for a couple of years now.  A number of programs will be offered at the School including hospitality management, pre-health sciences and early childhood education.

Gravelle introduces FedNor bill

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is making an attempt to make FedNor an independent economic agency for Northern Ontario. Gravelle is expected to table a private members bill to that effect this afternoon. Gravelle is asking for local Conservative support. The NDP member says its time for the North to have its own agency free from political interference and control.

Religious figure calls for urban deer cull in Kenora

Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources has received a strongly worded letter from a Kenora religious leader.  Anglican Archbishop David Ashdown has written a letter complaining about the deer population in the Northwest.  Ashdown says the deer have lost their fear of humans and are becoming unpredictable and aggressive.  He suggests the crown has the responsibility of protecting local residents, and suggests a cull of the urban deer population.

Brawl leaves one man with serious injuries

One man is in hospital with serious injuries after getting in a fight.  Police say the 25 year old man was involved in a brawl with several other men this morning at around 2:30.  The man was taken to hospital and the investigation continues.

Random stabbing leaves one woman in hospital

A woman is in stable condition after being stabbed in the chest.  Police say the 24 year old suffered serious injuries after an apparent unprovoked attack by another 20 year old woman yesterday afternoon on Arthur Street.  The attack happened at around 4 o'clock and police made an arrest shortly after.