ISSUE #80

Good morning,

Another four years of the Liberals. If that’s what you wanted, congratulations.

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Shelter images released 🏕️

• Daily Poll -Agree with the shelter?

• Flood warning ended 💦

• More NWO doctors 🩺

• Library denied again📚

• There’s a new robot in town 🤖 

• Fire leads to arson & mischief charges 

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Redone Thornloe Rd home 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Municipal

Images Released of Proposed Shelter

The City of Thunder Bay has released conceptual drawings of what the temporary village at Kam River Heritage Park might look like.

City council approved the project on Monday night, but must still ratify it at their meeting on May 5.

The plan is to create 80 private units. They’ll be powered and heated, have increased lighting, fencing, and will be supervised 24/7.

Despite varying opinions on several locations, the Kam River Park was selected primarily because of its proximity to 14 social support services.

The shelter is part of the city’s enhanced encampment response plan and is projected to be in place for five years.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Monday’s Results:

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

Weather

Flood Warning Ended

Wow, did it ever rain on Monday!

The Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority issued a flood warning in anticipation of the rain.

And given that almost 70mm of rain fell in some parts of the region, it was well warranted.

Thankfully, at this point, they have removed the warning. However, water levels are still incredibly high in all waterways and caution is still recommended.

The city has said that once water levels recede, they will send crews out to assess damage and begin repairs.

If you get your drinking water from a private well, the LRCA is advising you to please get your water tested.

Healthcare

Help Coming for Kenora & Sioux Lookout

Kenora and Sioux Lookout are in a staffing crisis, with the Kenora emergency department on the brink of collapse.

But help is on the way.

Last week, the Ministry of Health and the Ontario Medical Association highlighted an agreement between the two that will include targeted programs to ensure physician access in Kenora and Sioux Lookout.

The province has also stated that a new compensation model will be implemented to improve physician recruitment and retention.

Both locations are hopeful this is the foundation for long-term recruitment and retention, along with income stabilization for early-career doctors.

Local

Library Revisiting New Location Proposal

Despite having run into roadblocks previously, the Thunder Bay Public Library was not giving up on its plan for a new central branch.

A motion went to the council on Monday and proposed a branch in the Intercity Shopping Centre, specifically in the spot currently occupied by SportChek.

But don’t worry, the sports store is just moving to a new location in the mall.

The new spot, at 24,000 square feet, would be roughly the same size as the Waverley branch.

Previously, the library proposed going into the Lowe’s spot, but at $17 million in cost, the city voted down the idea. This proposal would come in much cheaper at only $5 million to prep the new location.

The mall was proposing to cover 25% of the cost, with the rest coming in the form of $1.3 million from the city and $700,000 from the Renew Thunder Bay Fund. Intercity is also allegedly offering a very competitive lease rate.

Unfortunately city council voted down the proposal citing users not wanting the County Fair branch to close, and the always popular cost concerns.

Healthcare

THRHSC Welcomes a Robot

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has unveiled its latest toy:

The da Vinci Surgical System. The system allows surgeons to conduct complex operations through small incisions with greater control and precision.

The surgeon sits in the surgeon console and controls the instruments via a three dimensional HD view of the patients anatomy. The instruments, which are located in the patient cart, next to the surgeon console, move in real-time response to the surgeon’s hand movements in the console.

Procedures that can be performed include:

• Prostatectomy (prostate surgery)

• Partial and Total Nephrectomy (kidney surgery)

• Pyeloplasty (surgery to relieve kidney blockage)

• Cyst Removal (surgery to remove cyst from kidney)

• Cystectomy (bladder surgery)

• Ureteral Implantation (fix the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys)

Indigenous News

Mischief Charges After Fire

Two teens in Webequie First Nation were charged with arson and mischief over the weekend.

A fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damages at the community’s airport terminal.

Both of the accused are 13 years old.

Although the terminal is not usable, the airport can still accept aircraft.

Webequie First Nation is located 500km north of Thunder Bay.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

April 30

Name That Tune - Halfway to Halloween
Musical trivia - murder ballads, true crime, all things macabre themed!
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co - 712 Macdonell St
7pm-9pm
$ Free

Be the Change Fundraiser
Lakehead Choral Group Spring Concert
St. Agnes Church - 1019 Brown St
7pm-9pm
$10-$20

Pub Trivia at Red Lion
Live trivia night
Red Lion Smokehouse - 16 Cumberland St S
7:30pm
$2

May 1

Black Pirates Pub 17 Year Anniversary Bash Night 1 (All Ages)
15 bands over 3 nights!
Black Pirates Pub - 215 Red River Rd Suite 101
7:30pm
$10 at the door

Karaoke:

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5 - 229 Van Norman St
  7pm-10pm

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

• Norteños Cantina - 235 Red River Rd
  9pm

• Polish Combatants’ Association - Branch 1 - 209 Cumberland St N
  9pm

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St S
  10pm

• The Alley - 236 Cumming St
  10pm

May 2

Tech Kids PD Day Camp
An interactive half-day camp that teaches kids how to program robots!
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre - 2400 Nipigon Rd
9am-12pm
$28.25

Teenage Mechanisms Book Launch and Exhibition Opening
Photograph exhibit on youth mental health in Thunder Bay
Goods & Co - 251 Red River Rd
6pm-10pm
$ Free

Steel Panther & Buckcherry - The Northern Exposure Tour
Live musical performance (19+)
NV Music Hall - 228 Red River Rd
6:30pm
$70-$260

TBSO masterworks - Resurrection
Live performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - 1 Paul Shaffer Dr
7:30pm
$25-$50

Black Pirates Pub 17 Year Anniversary Bash Night 2
15 bands over 3 nights!
Black Pirates Pub - 215 Red River Rd Suite 101
7:30pm
$10 at the door

Cinco De May Pary ft DJ Pura
Cinco party with dance music!
Norteños Cantina - 235 Red River Rd
10pm
$5-$10

Freeground Live at The Foundry
Live reggae & rock performance
The Foundry - 242 Red River Rd
10pm
$5

Karaoke

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9:30pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St S
  10pm

May 3

Cinco De Mayo at the Brewery
Traditional Cinco music, margarita on tap, Limberjack Beer Launch!
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co - 712 Macdonell St
6pm-10:30pm
$12

Storytime with Mz Milly and Friendz
Crafting and stories for the kids!
Mary J.L. Black Community Hub - 901 Edward St S
2:30pm-4pm
$ Free

Chaban Ukrainian Dance Group
45th Anniversary show, “Dancing Back to the Future!”
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
7pm
$34

RCBB presents Boogie - Music of the 70s
Roy Coran Big Band bring to life the sound and vibe of the big hair era.
The Superior Inn - 555 West Arthur Street
7:30pm
$20-$35

Black Pirates Pub 17 Year Anniversary Bash Night 3
15 bands over 3 nights!
Black Pirates Pub - 215 Red River Rd Suite 101
7:30pm
$10 at the door

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Cinco party!
Norteños Taqueria - 698 Arthur St W
10pm
$10-$15

Karaoke:

• Howl at the Moon - 8 Cumberland St S
  9pm

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

May 4

Mother’s Day Tea
Enjoy Mother’s Day with your mum over a cup of tea!
North McIntyre Rec Centre - 2051 Government Rd
1pm-3pm
$7

Spring 2025 Craft Revival
Craft & boutique vendors
Downtown Waterfront District
10am-4pm
$ Free

Home of the Day

683 Thornloe Dr.

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

3 bedrooms
4 bathroom
1,797 sqft

$589,000

Corner lot with updated kitchen, finished basement and more.