Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Low water levels

Thunder Bay's water levels are lower than normal and that's causing the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority to ask residents to cut back on their water use. Chair Bill Bartley says everyone needs to save water. The water shortage is being attributed to a lack of rainfall.

Good year for enrollment @ College

Confederation College continues to ride a 1st year enrolment wave.  Vice President of Student and Corporate Services Bob Backstrom says this year's levels have remained even with last year but they've been leading the province since the downturn in the Northern economy.  Backstrom says Confederation college is also better than the provincial average for both graduates getting hired and employers being satisfied with former students.

FedNor funding for T.Bay Metal Fabricators Association

The Federal Government is giving 195 thousand dollars to Thunder Bay's Metal Fabricators Association.  The money will be used to hire experts in oil and gas, mining and nuclear sectors and safety consultants.  It's believed the two year program will help increase export and job opportunities.

Infrastructure Open House

City administration wants to know how you would address Thunder Bay's 15 million dollar infrastructure defecit.  Manager Tim Commisso says they'll be holding an open house on the hot topic next Tuesday.  Council will deal with the infrastructure defecit at it's November 28th meeting.

Industrial Accident at Abitibi Bowater Sawmill

Thunder Bay Police say two people were involved in an industrial accident at the Abitibi Bowater Saw mill today. The Ministry of Labour has taken over the investigation and at this time police won't say what happened or the extent of the victims injuries.

Jury Rolls is back in the spotlight

Jury Rolls are once again causing trial delays in Thunder Bay.  Local Lawyer Chris Watkins says two of his trials are on hold because they will first need a trial on the make up of the Jury.  Watkins says having a jury properly represent the community is a cornerstone of the our society.

Low Flu Shot Numbers

Thunder Bay's Health Unit is reporting low flu shot numbers at 2010's influenza clinics.  Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams doesn't want a repeat of that this year and notes they've made it easier to get immunized.  Williams says they've started their clinics earlier in the year.  You can get your flu shot up until December 20th.

Teen girl escapes attempted abduction

City police are reporting a scary incident on the 200 block of Cumming Street Monday afternoon.   They say that a man came out of a vehicle and grabbed a 14 year old girl by the arm.  Police say she managed to break free and ran home.   She wasn't hurt.  Police are looking for a man in his mid 40's who may be driving a gold coloured SUV.

Thunder Bay Police are in the red

It looks like Thunder Bay Police are heading towards a budget deficit.  Chief JP Levesque says so far they are just over 1.2 million dollars over budget mainly due to overtime pay and an increase in legal fees.  Levesque says they didn't budget for overtime and because City Council asked them to cut back last year's projected budget.  He says when they make cuts overtime is the first thing they look at and it turns into a pay me now or pay me later situation once they run deficits.  Levesque says they are still waiting for some provincial and federal grant money that will bring the deficit down to around 3 percent.

Morning accident on River

There are no injuries to report, just a bit of a traffic headache for some motorists after a traffic accident around 8 this morning at River Street and Algoma.