ISSUE #74

Good morning,

It’s Wednesday, but really feels like Thursday!

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Lithium mine on its way ⛏️

• Daily Poll -Will it happen?

• No funding for extra family docs 🩺

• Overdose spike in Kenora 💊

• Drug trafficking arrest👮

• New digital library service 💻

• Nursing station closure causes evacuation 

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - John St Rd bungalow with attached garage 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Mining

Robust Lithium Mine Could be Coming

An Australian company, Green Technology Metals, has re-examined its development plans for its Root Project, located northeast of Sioux Lookout.

Lithium prices have been volatile as of late, however, GTM is still saying the economics are favourable for developing the mine.

The new estimate shows that the resource is 20.1 million tonnes at 1.24% lithium oxide.

GTM anticipates that the mine will produce 213,000 tonnes per year of lithium-enriched spodumene rock.

The mine is expected to have a 10-year life.

The plan is for the mine to help feed the proposed lithium refinery in Thunder Bay.

Let us know below what you think about all this.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Wednesday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

Healthcare

Regional Not Getting Family Doc Funding

In what will be disappointing news to many, hospitals in the Thunder Bay district are not part of the plan to increase access to doctors and nurses.

The Ontario Ministry of Health announced earlier this week that $213 million will be spent to support the first call for proposals that will create or expand up to 80 primary care teams.

The move will result, according to the ministry, in 300,000 people having access to a doctor or primary care team in their areas.

Unfortunately, the Thunder Bay district was not included in the list. The bright spot for the region is that Rainy River and Algoma districts were included.

The Thunder Bay district is being encouraged to apply for the second round of funding that will occur later this year.

Healthcare

Overdose Spike

Last week saw an overdose spike occur in Kenora.

While the rates have come back down, OPP are urging vigilance.

The drug in question has not yet been identified, but it is suspected to be an opioid as naloxone has been successfully administered in several cases.

Sadly there is an investigation ongoing surrounding a suspected overdose death.

Police urge anyone who suspects they, or someone around them, might be experiencing an overdose to call 911. There is a Good Samaritan Drug Overdoes Act that provides legal protection against simple drug possession charges for individuals seeking emergency help.

Crime

Drug Trafficking Charges Laid

Thunder Bay Police Service were busy earlier this week.

The intelligence unit executed an arrest warrant in the 400 block of Cumberland St N.

Found were suspected quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and more than $15,000 in cash.

Arrested were three people from Thunder Bay, and one from my hometown-ish of Hamilton.

Library

Single Digital Service Comes to the Library

The Thunder Bay Public Library is upgrading its digital platform.

All eBooks, audiobooks, eNews, eMagazines, eComics, and streaming video/music will now all be available via one platform.

This now offers all the digital collections in a single spot and integrates with the library’s catalogue.

The name of the new service is Hoopla and will save the library money, allowing them to invest in more digital licenses for content.

Anyone with a library card in good standing can access Hoopla Digital for free.

Indigenous News

Nursing Station Closures Causes Concern

The closing of a nursing station in the remote community of Neskantaga is causing concern for residents.

The nursing station is the community’s only health care facility. It functions as an emergency department, multiple exam room space, dental care, public health, radiography, pharmacy, and other services.

The reason for the closure was the encroachment of water into the basement of the facility, after melting snow overflowed the sump pits, leading to a strong smell of fuel in the building.

In the interim the community is using a small room in a local lodging centre for basic healthcare needs.

Fixes have been made to the sump pumps and additional remediation has taken place to deal with the smell, but the cause is as of yet unknown.

The community is asking for additional resources and help so their residents don’t go without critical medical care.

Evacuations have started for approximately 30 community members.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

April 18

Jazz and Old Fashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo
Live jazz, great views, delicious drinks
Anchor & Ore - 2240 Sleeping Giant Pkwy
6pm-9pm
$ FREE

Mark Potvin and Mike Carson Live at Monty’s Joint
Live blues & jazz music
Monty’s Joint - 513 Victoria Ave E
6pm-9pm
$ FREE

Drum Social ft Young Thunder
Live music
Howl at the Moon - 8 Cumberland St S
6pm-9pm
$ FREE

Women of the Fur Trade
Live theatre
Magnus Theatre - 10 Algoma St S
7:30pm
$25-$50

Off the Cuff Comedy: 420 Edition
Campfire Comedy presents the 420 Edition of the improvised stand up comedy show using topics randomly taken from crowd suggestions
The Foundry - 242 Red River Rd
7:30pm-9:30pm
$20-$25

The Selfies live at Norteños Cantina
Live pop/rock with local band The Selfies
Norteños Cantina - 235 Red River Rd
10pm
$5 at the door

Good Friday Party
DJ dance party featuring 4 DJs
The Foundry - 242 Red River Rd
10pm
$5 at the door

Karaoke

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9:30pm

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St S
  10pm

April 19

Women of the Fur Trade
Live theatre
Magnus Theatre - 10 Algoma St S
7:30pm
$25-$50

Wilson-Sabaz live at The Industry
Live music
The Industry - 782 Macdonell St
6:30pm
$3 at the door

A Public Reading of an Unpublished Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney
Live theatre
Cambrian Players - 818 Spring St
7:30pm
$15

3rd Annual Bato’o Fashion Show
Live fashion show
Da Vinci Centre - 340 Waterloo St S
6pm
$ FREE

Karaoke

• Westfort Prosvita - 721 Gore St W
  8pm-12am

• Howl at the Moon Sober Karaoke - 8 Cumberland St S
  9pm
  $5

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm
  

Home of the Day

1351 John St. Rd.

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

3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,823 sqft

$719,900

One-owner bungalow with attached garage.