Lottery

50/50 Rips Past $5M

It has been an absolute banner year for the Hospital Foundation’s 50/50 draw. They’ve made a number of millionaires and come Friday, someone is going to be the richest yet off the draw.

The total for this month’s draw blew past the $5 million mark on Sunday, with ticket sales still on going.

This was a record setting year for the lottery. So far they have sold more than $43 million in tickets, up over last years total of $30 million.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking the button below, with this month’s proceeds going to help the emergency department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

I bought mine, and if I win I may not announce it in here, but there will be signs…

Daily Poll

NYE - What type of food?

94% of readers stayed in last night for NYE! So with that, I’m curious:

What did you have for dinner?

News

Extra Garbage? No Problem

If Santa was extra good to you this year, and now you’re stuck with a bunch of extra waste wrapping and packages, worry not, the city has got you covered.

For the first pick-up date after Jan. 3, the city will allow for an extra bag to be put curbside, bringing the total of untagged garbage bags to 3.

Despite the increase, the city is asking that we all do our best to recycle and reuse things as best as possible.

I don’t know about you, but I jammed the ever-living-hell out of my two sided recycling bin this week with cardboard sticking out like some sort of paper-based city skyline.

It all got picked up. So don’t be shy, if it’s in the bin but standing proud, they still seem to pick it up!

If you need a refresher on how the city waste management program works, or to remind yourself of when your first pick-up after Jan. 3 is, click the button below.

City News

Skating Rink Updates

Well, we all knew this was coming.

Mother Nature is undefeated in doing whatever the heck she wants.

The city outdoor rinks have been shut down this week.

After a steady stream of +5C days, the rinks have mostly turned into unchlorinated shallow swimming pools.

The city can usually keep the rinks open if the temperature hovers around 0C, but too many sustained days of positive temperatures becomes a safety concern.

In the mean time the city will flood the rinks and patiently wait for the next few days to take hold where we are expected to have -13C weather, which should button up the ice surfaces right quick.

Click below for updated information on ice conditions.

Port

Thunder Bay Shipyard Keeps Working

The Thunder Bay Shipyard, located at the mouth of the Kam River, has secured work to keep it mobilized for the winter.

The bulk carrier, Federal Yoshino, which flies under a Marshall Island flag, struck a submerged portion of a wharf on the Kam River after suffering complete engine failure.

It’s a welcome sign to the shipyard, which suspended work last winter due to a lack of work, and skilled labour.

The extent of the damage isn’t being discussed, but the port is optimistic this will be the start of more work for the strategically located yard.

In August of this year, the province committed $10 million to help train new workers for shipyards, of which Thunder Bay was a recipient.

Sports

Thunder Bay Skiers Picked for Team Canada

Four Thunder Bay skiers have been selected to Team Canada for the 2025 World University Games.

Brooke Ailey, Sarah Cullinan, Nicholas Randall and Alexander Randall have been named to the team.

The downhill portions of the races are taking place in Turin, Italy and the cross-country portions are happening in Pragelato, Italy.

The games are taking place Jan. 13-23.

Good luck gang!

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

New Years Day Ski By Donation
Downhill skiing
Loch Lomond
Jan. 1 @ 10am-5pm
$ (Pay what you can, all proceeds to NorWesters Alpine Club)

Open Mic Night
Live music
Lakehead Beer Co.
Jan 2 @7pm-10pm
$ FREE

Karaoke (at various locations)
Live sing-along music
Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5, Howl at the Moon, Norteños Cantina, Polish Combatants’ Association - Branch 1, The Waterhouse, The Alley
Jan. 2 (contact locations for times)
$ FREE

Karaoke (at various locations)
Live sing-along music
The Social, The Bar, The Waterhouse
Jan. 3 (contact locations for times)
$ FREE

Karaoke (at various locations)
Live sing-along music
Howl at the Moon, The Hodder, Norteños Taqueria, The Social, The Bar
Jan. 4 (contact locations for times)
$ FREE

Home of the Day

109 Bobcat Ave.

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

3+2 bedrooms
4+1 bathrooms
1,364 sq ft

$599,900

Parkdale bi-level with loads of bedrooms, attached garage, and more!