News

The City and its Trees

The city is seeking a new urban forester.

Not sure what that is? Well, you aren’t alone, because I also had no clue before now!

The urban forester is responsible for all the city’s trees and shrubs.

Now you may be asking yourself, what trees and shrubs? Because the city sure does seem to like removing them much more than fostering their growth.

Well maybe that’s why they are in this hiring situation: the previous urban forester quit, claiming that the urban forest strategy was being mismanaged.

The existing urban forestry plan was created in 2011 and the city says it’s still relevant, so the new forester will be doing more of an update, than an overhaul.

The city does have a number of other priorities, such as dealing with the emerald ash borer, maintenance and planting new trees.

I’m all for this - I feel that given we are surrounded by forest, it’s silly to have so few trees within the city.

Do you agree - let me know in the poll below!

Daily Poll

Does the city need more trees?

The results of Monday’s poll are:

• 50% of you USED TO sled but no longer do

• 37% of you said NO it’s too cold and/or dangerous

• 13% of you said YES you love freezing your butts off on your machines

Today’s question:

Tourism

Tiny Home Village Being Built

A tiny home village is set to open in the parking lot of 212 Miles Street East by August.

A tiny home is just that.

A 290-square-foot house, built here in Thunder Bay, designed to help get people out of their respective homelessness situation and back onto their feet towards larger permanent housing.

This tiny home village is not to be confused with the temporary location the city was debating setting up to help house the individuals living in tents across the city.

These homes will be permanent and include full bathrooms, kitchens, sleeping quarters, heat, hydro, and cooling systems.

The tenants of these homes will pay rent based on what their situation allows.

The tiny homes are open to people who are 18 years of age and older, chronically homeless, and will be selected through the city’s Coordinate Housing Access Table.

Police

1st Homicide of the Year

A death that occurred in a south-side apartment complex last week is being investigated as a homicide.

This marks the first homicide of 2025 in Thunder Bay.

Police had responded to an incident at MacIvor Court on Lincoln Street. Upon arrival, they found a man with life-threatening injuries.

He was transported to Thunder Bay Regional where he succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation continues and police will release more details when they become available.

2024 data isn’t yet available, but we were sadly the murder capital of Canada, again, in 2023.

Let’s hope this isn’t the start of us defending that title once more.

Environment

Flood Risk Being Assessed

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) has been awarded $651,500 to conduct a study on flooding potential along 200km of Lake Superior shoreline.

The total cost of the project is $883,000. The province is kicking in the aforementioned amount, with the LRCA providing the rest.

The study will look at the current flood risk, the 100-year flood elevation on Lake Superior, wave up rush, and assess the erosion risk.

The area of study will stretch from Neebing, through the city, out to Shunia and Dorion.

Entertainment

Hollywood North?

Thunder Bay’s own Casey Walker is back in town directing scenes for the horror movie Ithaqua.

The film is starring another Thunder Bay alum, Kevin Durand, along with Michael Pitt and Luke Hemsworth (yes, the third Hemsworth brother).

The movie is a period piece centring around the fur trade, but a supernatural force begins taking hold of people and driving them to madness. Chaos ensues.

Filming is taking place at Old Fort William until closer to the middle of February. During this time the park is closed to visitors.

However, they will be open again for their Family Day activities.

Indigenous News

Alarming Rates of Suicide

Mishkeegogamang First Nation is not hiding from the alarming rise in youth suicides. They are championing advocacy and awareness.

The community suffered a tragic loss over the holidays when a 10-year-old girl committed suicide.

Since then the community has been providing crisis support, encouraging anyone and everyone to seek support and help to deal with this tragedy and to help those who are suffering from their own traumas.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNH) serves 33 First Nations across NWO, including Mishkeegogamang, and they say that they have tracked 624 suicides across their communities.

And a high percentage of those have been youths.

SLFNH says that access to help is often limited by factors outside their control and are calling on all levels of government to make this a higher priority.

If you, or anyone you know, is looking for help, please click the button below and scroll to the bottom for a list of resources you can contact.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Live@Loch Featuring Richard Veurink
Live music & skiing
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Jan 24 @ 8pm-10pm
$ FREE

30+ Friday Nights
Night club
Armani’s Night Club
Jan 24 @ 9pm
$ FREE

Rock the Post
Live music
The Outpost
Jan 24 @ 9pm
$10

The Cover Show 31
Live music with 10 bands over 2 nights
Black Pirates Pub
Jan 24-25 @ 9pm
$15

Karaoke
Live music
Jan 24

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

• Norteños Cantina (karaoke contest)

Cambrian Players Improv Show
Live improv show
Cambrian Players
Jan 25 @ 7:30pm-9:30pm

Who Made Who: A Tribute to ACDC
Live music
eVents
Jan 25 @ 8pm
$TBA

Karaoke
Live music
Jan 25

• The Westfort Prosvita

• Norteños Taqueria

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Social

• The Bar

Home of the Day

155 Ruttan St.

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

4+1 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,280 sq ft

$379,900

Cute home near Boulevard and Centennial, nicely finished interior, 5 bedrooms!