Friday, August 26, 2011

Drive safely this fall

The school year is almost upon us. Thunder Bay Police are reminding the public to keep an eye out for students on the road this fall. Traffic Seargent Glen Porter says drivers need to take more care this time of year. Additional ride programs will be set up and there will be an increased police presence on roads.


Monday brings road closures

Your favourite travelling routes may be impacted by a series of road closures Monday.  Strathcona Avenue from Hodder Avenue to Spruce River Road, will be closed while city crews repair a watermain.  Meanwhile, Beverly Street between Ravenwood and Balmoral Street will be closed due to construction.

Local sea cadet works on tall ship

A Thunder Bay teen turned 17 on a tall ship during her time as a sea cadet. Karleen Zimowski spent three weeks this summer on the US Coastguard Cutter Eagle. Zimowski shined brass, made up rope lines, and steered the ship.


Sir Winston Principal part of ICP

A Thunder Bay principal is now part of a world wide education body. Sir Winston Churchill Principal Vicki Shannon is now a member of the International Confederation of Principals. Shannon feels the position will give her the opportunity to share what the Lakehead Public board does best to a world stage.


Northern Tourism Plan

A consultants report on the new Northern Ontario tourism plan is out.  Members of various tourism organizations are taking time to review the document and will be meeting for two days starting Monday in Sudbury. The report deals with a multi year plan for Regional Tourism Zone 13. 



Bus pass request

Lakehead University's Humanities 101 Professor is asking City Council for over a thousand dollars in bus passes.  Dr. Christina van Barneveld wants enough passes to transport twenty students to 15 classes.  Council will hear the request Monday.

Council wants cut of HST gas tax

City Council is considering asking the province for a piece of the HST revenue pie.  The government is collecting more money off of the gas tax since they rolled out HST and council wants some of that money to be diverted to municipal infrastructure.  Council will discuss the matter further at Monday night's meeting.

Sneak peak at Monday's Council meeting

City Council will hear from administration about how they plan to implement the strategic plan.  That's just one of the items up for discussion at Monday night's city council meeting.  Meanwhile, Councillor Rebecca Johnson has been asked to sit on a province wide economic development task force.  The Association of Municipalities of Ontario group would require the councillor take part in four meetings a year in Toronto.  Council will vote on whether to support Johnson financially for those meetings. 

NAN Deputy attending Layton funeral

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be heading to Toronto for Jack Layton's funeral. Deputy Chief Mike Metatawabin will be among the dignitaries in attendance.

Ministry of Labour targetting Thunder Bay

Roofers are the target of a ministry of labour blitz in Thunder Bay.  Spokesperson Don Jewitt says ten tickets were handed out yesterday for failing to follow ministry regulations. Jewitt says hail damage earlier this summer has led to an increase in roofing jobs.

15 year old boy takes his mother's truck

A 15 year old boy is facing charges after taking his mother's truck.  OPP tried to pull of the truck, but the driver wouldn't stop and drove into the city.  Eventually he stopped and police took him into custody and charged him.

Police looking for 3 boys after a fire

Three young boys are being sought by police after they allegedly tried to start a fire at a ball diamond.  Officer say a boy playing ball at the Balsam Street Pits yesterday afternoon saw the boys trying to start a fire in one of the dugouts.  Fire crews managed to limit the damage.

Motorcycle clocked at 225 km

A motorcyclist is facing several charges after getting busted for speeding on Highway 17.  Thunder Bay OPP clocked the biker going 225 kilometres an hour yesterday in the Raith area.  Police impounded the motorcycle.