ISSUE #84

Good morning,

The weather has been lovely the last few days! it’s too early to call it summer, but the long-range doesn’t look terrible - especially for May in Thunder Bay!

In today’s issue, we cover:

• New apartments proposed on John St Rd 🏘

• Daily Poll -Pro 90 units? 

• Crossroads Centre relocates

• Bridge rehabilitation scheduled 🚧

• Fire ban in effect 🔥

• Road safety blitz nets a lot👮‍♂️

• LU tinker trucks to hit the road

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Murillo home on 37 acres 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Housing

City Admin Recommends High Rise on John St Rd

City administration is recommending that council amend the zoning of a parcel of land on John St Rd to allow for the construction of new apartment buildings.

A developed has submitted an application to develop two, 8-story, apartment buildings at the corner of John St Rd and Chercover Drive.

Each building would consist of 45 units.

Administration is suggesting the site be approved to help the city work towards its new home construction plan as part of the government goal to increase housing availability in the country.

Of course, it isn’t without protest. Residents have written city hall expressing concern about noise and traffic congestion.

Council will review the report on May 12.

Should be interesting!

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).

Health Care

Crossroads Centre Relocates

The St. Joseph’s Care Group’s Crossroads Centre is on the move!

After undergoing renovations for more than five months, clients and staff are ready to move into the new facility located on Sibley Drive.

Crossroads Centre provides pre- and post-treatment for men and women recovering from addictions. It provides 20 beds for men and women, as well as cultural programming and connections to services.

The move frees up the remaining space needed at the Oliver Road withdrawal management program to provide the safe sobering beds expected to be ready by summer.

Infrastructure

Black Bay Bridge Set for Rehabilitation

I have driven over the Black Bay Bridge, located on the north end of Boulevard Lake, and had no idea that bridge was 113 years old.

The bridge is set for rehabilitation work. Because of its age, it’s actually considered a heritage property, and thus requires extra time and consideration.

The city aims for design work to be completed by some time in 2026, with construction slated for 2027.

The work includes repairing deteriorated concrete, replacing the railing, and doing work to the deck.

Local

Fire Ban in Effect

The municipality of Neebing has declared a fire ban.

The ban was announced by Fire Chief Mark Shruiff, who says the ban went into effect at 5pm on Thursday.

No burning is allowed in the municipality until the threat of fire has been reduced. During this time no new fire permits will be issued and all existing permits are temporarily suspended.

Crime

240 Charges Laid in Traffic Blitz

Thunder Bay Police laid over 240 charges during a recent enforcement blitz.

The two day blitz, entitled Spring Into Enforcement, resulted in seven stunt drivers caught driving more than 40km over the speed limit in roadways with speed limits of 50km per hour less.

Officers handed out 151 speeding tickets for people going 20km/h over the speed limit; 14 for motorists who did not slow down or move over for emergency vehicles, 6 distracted driving charges, and 4 for driving without insurances.

One vehicle as removed for being unfit to drive and 31 people received court summons for various offences, include one speed demon who was caught doing 90km/h on Balmoral Street prior to 8am.

Indigenous News

LU Encourages Tech Tinkering

LU will be unveiling tinker trucks this year, with the aim of getting more Indigenous youth interested and engaged with technology.

The ‘trucks’ are essentially engineering studios housed in modular shipping containers where students can experiment with a range of technology including 3D printing, drones, and other modern tech.

LU will take the mobile unit around NWO, from community to community, giving kids the opportunity to consider school and career paths that may otherwise not have been on the radar.

Indigenous populations are vastly under represented in the engineering fields, and this initiative is one step to help introduce more to the possibility.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

May 9

Young Elvis
Live Elvis cover band
Norteños Cantina - 235 Red River Rd
7:30pm-10pm
$5

Queen - It’s a Kinda Magic
Live Queen cover band - direct from Australia
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - 1 Paul Shaffer Dr
8pm
$65

Neema Naz: My Estupid Life Comedy Tour
Live comedy show by Canadian-Iranian comedian Neema Naz
Magnus Theatre - 10 Algoma St S
8pm
$30

Fundraiser in Support of Keira Rooney
Live music, prizes, 50/50
eVents - 201 South Syndicate Ave
8pm
$10-$15

Blood Red Moon
Live rock cover band
Wayland Bar & Grill - 1019 Gore St W
10pm
$5

Country Night ft Pintail
Live country music
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

• The Dragon’s Den - 1010 Dawson Rd
  10pm-2am

May 10

Zorya Ukrainian Dancer
Live dance performance
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
7pm
$30

Pat Burtscher Comedy Tour
Live comedy show
The Foundry - 24 Red River Rd
7pm

Viola Quintets: Mozart and Beethoven
Live stringed instrument performance
St. Paul’s United Church - 349 Waverley St
7:30pm
$15-$25

Rock Benefit to Help Bring Chris Home
Live rock cover bands to help raise funds to help bring Chris home from a Cambodian prison
New Newfie’s Pub - 126 Simpson St
8pm
$5 advance / $10 at the door

Karaoke:

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

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

• The Dragon’s Den - 1010 Dawson Rd
  10pm-2am

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

May 10

Dragons and Mythical Beasts - Ages 3+ (great for kids)
Spectacular full-sized puppet show, direct from London’s West End
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - 1 Paul Shaffer Dr
2pm
$36-$59

Home of the Day

92 Everett Dr

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

3 bedrooms
2 bathroom
21,12 sqft

$549,900

Country home on 37 acres, detached garage, 2 wells