Friday, February 24, 2012

Another leadership hopeful visits

The latest candidate for the NDP Leadership says he thinks our local MP's shouldn't have been punished for voting in favour of abolishing the gun Registry.  Martin Singh says its all about democracy.  He thinks both Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty have clearly been representing their constituents and shouldn't be punished for that.   Singh hosted a meet and greet Friday.

Quiet Council Meeting on tap

Don't expect much in the way of fireworks at Monday night's council meeting.  With 5 Councillors and Mayor Keith Hobbs in Southern Ontario for the annual Good Roads Conference, debate could be pretty light Monday night.  Its a thin agenda with only a couple of items on tap. Councillors will be asked to send a letter to the Governments of Canada and the U.S. in opposition of proposed ballast water regulation on ocean liners.  The letter will state the regulations are unenforceable because there isn't technology that meets the standards.  There will also be a presentation from Roxy's Lounge who is looking to purchase a portion of the Court and Lisgar Street road allowance.

Toy gun causes scene on south side

Two 15 year old boys now know it's not wise to play in public with toy guns. Police say they pointed an air pistol at a school bus driver at May and Leith Streets this afternoon.  Both of them were arrested at gun point by police and have been returned to their parents.  Charges may be laid.

Grann verdict in March

Toni Grann will find out her fate next month.  The judge in her breach of trust trial has set March 11th as the day she will hand down a verdict in the case. It follows the final submissions of both the prosecution and the defense Friday.   The 43 year old city police constable is charged with 11 counts involving falsified local records in the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. 

"Courageous" woman's life celebrated

It's a day to remember for those who knew Dusty Miller. The former Mayor, who died last week at the age of 82, was memorialized at a public service at the Community Auditorium. Councillor Ken Boshcoff represented the city and gave a heartfelt eulogy, saying she will be remembered as a "gutsy, courageous, creative, intelligent and social person who fought for what she believed in." On hand for the service were politicians and former politicians along with friends and family
                                                   

                               Councillor Ken Boshcoff remembers Dusty Miller

Multi-Plex open house coming next week

The Public will have a chance to learn a lot more about the feasibility study being done on the proposed Multi-Plex.  The city will be hosting an open house next Wednesday and will have 3 initial designs to show case.  Lead Consultant Conrad Boychuk says residents will get an overview of where the project is at this point and also will learn more about what a facility like this will look like and what its business plan would be.  Boychuk says they will come back to the public in April with the best design configuration for each of the proposed sites complete with costing. 

Roberto taking in ROMA OGRA

City Councillor Aldo Roberto will be just one of Thunder Bay's representatives at this week's Ontario Municipalities conference. Roberto says they are meeting with seven ministers to talk about a variety of issues. The City has meetings set up with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Minister of Health and Long Term Care as well as others.

Canada Games Display at Archives

It's been over 30 years since Thunder Bay held the 1981 Canada Games.  The City wants you to relive it again by paying the City Archives a visit.  Spokesperson Matt Szybalski says they've dug up photos and documents from the event.  The display can be seen at the archive building from now until well into the summer.

NAPS nabs drugs

The Nishnawbe Aski Police teamed up with the Webequie First Nation Peacekeepers to get drugs off their streets.  NAN searched the Webequie airport and seized nine thousand dollars of Oxycodone.  A 25 year old woman is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and breach of probation.

Treaty Three Police get medals

Canada's Governor General will be handing out two medals of bravery to members of the Treaty Three Police Service. Constables George McNeil and Kris Miclash will be in Ottawa today to receive their commendations. The two officers were involved with an armed gunman on the Grassy Narrows First Nation in May of 2007. They were credited with risking their lives to subdue the intoxicated man, who had been firing shots from a pump action rifle.

Sandy Lake School Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall is investigating the Sandy Lake First Nation school fire as an arson.  The fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School caused extensive damage but no cost estimate is available yet.  The investigation is continuing.

Red Lake death investigation closed

Red Lake OPP have closed the book on a death investigation.  46-year-old Bertha Quill of Pikangikum was found outside near Howey Street last July unconscious and unresponsive.  She was transported to Hospital in Thunder Bay where she succumbed to her injuries.  Detective Inspector David Hillman says Quill died of natural causes and no further criminal investigation is needed.