Wednesday, October 9, 2013

More Cell Phone Violators Nabbed

City police are using a new method of trying to catch people who are using their cell phones while driving.   Officers hopped on city transit buses Wednesday and watched drivers from their elevated perches and radioed to police ahead of them to nab any violators. Officials are still working on providing the final numbers from the exercise.

KWG Not Sweating Appeal

It's business as usual for KWG Resources.  Cliffs Natural Resources filed a court appeal of a decision by the Province's Mining Commissioner that bans them from building a road on KWG mine claims.   KWG Spokesperson Moe Lavigne says they're not surprised.  Lavigne says the appeal isn't impacting them at the moment.

Plant Conversion

The conversion of Thunder Bay's generating station from coal to gas may be delayed. Yesterday's release of the auditor's estimate has costs at over 675-million dollars for cancelling the Oakville power plant. Ontario's NDP leader Andrea Horwath feels Thunder Bay may have to wait for a Liberal election platform before a decision is made.

Repairs Expected To Be Complete Tonight

Repairs to a 12 inch water main at the intersection of James and Victoria are expected to be fixed by tonight. The Health Unit is issuing a localized Boil Water Advisory for the homes and school that were affected until water is tested and can be restored. 10 homes in the area and the Edgewater School were without water for most of the today.

Warm Weather Staying For The Week

The warm weather will continue for a few more days.....we're already in the low 20s today and in the high teens tomorrow and Friday.    Environment Canada Meterologist Geoff Coulson  says that cooler temperatures will move back into the Thunder Bay area during Sunday and Monday of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Gas Plants Dominate Talks

At Question Period this afternoon...the cancellation of the Oakville Gas Plant continued to be raised by the opposition parties.  Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's difficult to get accurate estimates on the cancellation of the Oakville gas plant. Leader of the Ontario NDP Andrea Horwath disagrees and feels the auditor's estimate is accurate. Cancellation of the Oakville gas plant is expected to cost between 675-815 million dollars.

Problem Gambling Prevention Week

The Responsible Gambling Council is in Thunder Bay for problem gambling prevention week.  They'll be handing out pamphlets on how to manage your addiction at the local casino and community bingo. Spokesperson Heather Ly says gambling addiction runs rampant in the province, including Thunder Bay. Members of RGC will be at both bingo and the casino up until Saturday night.

Sawmill Deal In Place

A new contract is in place between the UNIFOR union and the owner of the Ear Falls Sawmill, EACOM. 300 mill and woodlands jobs will be created with the announced start-up of the Ear Falls Sawmill in the spring of 2014. Key terms of the deal include a 20 percent general wage increase over 8 years.

73 Year Old Charged After Collision

A 73 year old man is charged with careless driving after a rear end collision at the Walsh Street rail crossing yesterday morning. A school bus came to a stop and another vehicle stopped safely behind but was hit from behind by a third vehicle. No one was injured.

Gale Back At Paramedic Association Helm

Superior North EMS Chief Norm Gale is back at the helm of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs.  He was given a second three year term as the group's President.  The re-election was held recently at their annual conference in York Region.

Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite

Lakehead University says they've sprayed and cleared up seven cases of bed bugs in their Pretie residence. Director of Residence Service David Hare says they sprayed last week and it looks like they are pest free. Hare says the bugs are brought in from all over the province and notes students might have picked them up while they're travelling in airports and bus terminals.

Edgewater School Closed Due To Watermain Break

A water main break in the James Street area has forced Edgewater Public School to be closed for the day. The closure is due to the school being left without water while repair work is done today. The school will re-open once the water main is repaired and the water is turned on in the school.  9 homes are also impacted by the break.

Robbery Attempt At Robin's

A robber got away empty handed following a hold up at the Robin's Donuts location on South May Street. City Police say around 4 o'clock this morning a man entered the coffee shop brandishing a knife and demanding money, but fled the scene when he noticed the alarm had been activated.  No one was injured. The suspect is described as a native Canadian male, between 30-40 years old, who was wearing a black hooded sweater.