News

Green Bin Recycling Program Delayed

First we received the side-loading recycling bins (which plenty complained about), and up next are side-loading garbage bins (which I’m sure plenty will complain about), but side-loading food waste bins are going to be delayed by a year (which I’m sure someone will complain about).

Starting this fall, the city will hand out side-loading garbage bins that can be picked up similarly to the now old-news recycling bins.

The green bins were set to launch this year as well as part of the Ontario government’s mandated green bin program.

However, supply chain issues related to the delivery of the new trucks push the rollout back to 2026.

The city has bought eight new waste-collection trucks for about $5 million. This fall, a soft launch will occur with only certain routes using the new process.

With the new recycling, garbage, and food waste trucks, the city only requires one operator per truck instead of the current standard two.

The city expects the three standardized pickup bins to be fully in place by the spring of 2026.

Daily Poll

Are you a fan of the standardized recycling/waste bins?

Last Friday, 53% of you said you would head to Sleeping Giant Brewing to purchase their Better is Possible SMASH lager to help fight poverty. Love the giving spirit!

Today’s question is:

Lottery

You Could Be $38K Richer

The Scotties were a rousing success. But some people must have enjoyed themselves (and the local beer) too much, because there are still four prizes that remain unclaimed from the event.

The tournament wrapped just over a week ago, but there are still three $500 prizes unclaimed, and a whopping $38,375 from the 50/50 jackpot that has gone unclaimed.

So if you bought a ticket, or know someone who did, check below, because your, or their, day could be getting a whole lot better:

• $38,375 jackpot
  Drawn Feb 23
  Ticket # - D-3161774

• $500 prize
  Drawn Feb 22
  Ticket # - D-6914773

• $500 prize
  Drawn Feb 21
  Ticket # - D9121702

• $500 prize
  Drawn Feb 18
  Ticket # - C-5294232

Community

Federal Government Announced Addictions Funding

The Federal Government has announced funding for several local initiatives helping to battle addictions and mental health issues.

The City of Thunder Bay and NoWest Community Health Centres received $280,000 for their partnership program which will see outreach workers visit vulnerable populations to offer drug checking services.

This will bring the help to the people, instead of having the people need to get to NorWest for treatment.

In a similar vein, Beendigen will receive $190,000 for a new community mobile response unit in Frot William First Nation.

Also announced was that the regional chapter of the Elizabeth Fry Society received over $838,000 for a substance use and addiction support services project that will operate out of two transitional homes in Thunder Bay.

Fire

People Pulled From Burning Building

Thunder Bay Fire Service responded to a fire on the south side of town last week.

When they arrived at the 500 block of Pacific Avenue, they determined two people were still inside the burning building.

Fire crews quickly pulled the people from the building, one of whom required the use of a ladder.

All other occupants of the building were accounted for and fire crews put out the fire, which caused significant smoke damage to the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sports

USA Sweeps the Loppet

After a year hiatus due to a lack of snow, the Sleeping Giant Loppet was back this year for its 45th iteration.

And Americans swept the top spots!

After an hour-long delay at the start due to cold temperatures, Minnesota’s Matt Liebsch took the top spot in the men’s 50 kilometer skate race with a time of 2:10:05.0.

On the women’s side of the draw, Washington State’s Caitlin Gregg, who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, was the top finisher in the women’s competition (and fourth overall) in a time of 2:32:56.4

Thunder Bay’s Brook Latimer finished second, more than 21 minutes behind.

Connor McGovern of Thunder Bay was the top local finisher in the men’s race, coming in third with a time of 2:32:56.4.

The athletes applauded the conditions and the course.

For more results, click the button below.

Indigenous News

Donation to Help Build Indigenous Learning Space

BMO has donated $1 million to Lakehead University to construct a new indoor-outdoor space for indigenous education and cultural engagement.

The construction is part of the university’s Gichi Kendaasiwin project and will serve as a gathering place for Indigenous learnings.

It will also help build relationships between students, elders, knowledge keepers, and support programs such as the Indigenous Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Cultural Traditions Club.

It is anticipated the current location of the sweat lodge will be the spot for the new facility.

Currently 13% of the LU student body identifies as Indigenous.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

International Tapestry Women’s Network
International Women’s Day Pre-Registration Event
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Pre-register by Feb 28
[email protected]
$ FREE

The Great Canadian Roadtrip 2.0
Live country music
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - 1 Paul Shaffer Dr
March 3 @ 7:30pm
$42-$49

The New Canadian Curling Club
Live theatre
Magnus Theatre - 10 Algoma St
March 3-March 8 @ 7:30pm
$25 - $50

Name That Tune
Live musical trivia
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. - 712 Macdonell St
March 5 @ 7pm-9pm
$ FREE

Ira Johnson Band
Live music
Howl at the Moon - 8 Cumberland St S
March 5 @ 8pm
$ FREE

Country Line Dancing with Lady T
Country music & dancing
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. - 712 Macdonell St
March 6 @ 6:30pm
$10

Home, I’m Darling
Theatre
Cambrian Players - 818 Spring St.
March 6-9 @ 7:30pm-9:30pm
$25-$30

Open Mic Comedy
Amateur live comedy
The Foundry - 242 Red River Rd.
March 6 @ 8pm-11pm

Karaoke
Live music
March 6

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5 - 229 Van Norman St

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke) - 8 Cumberland St. S.

• Norteños Cantina - 225 Red River Rd.

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

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St. S.

• The Alley - 236 Cumming St.

TBSO Pops - A Night at the Movies
Live orchestral music
Italian Cultural Centre - 132 Algoma St. S.
March 7-8 @ 7:30pm
$25-$50

Country Night featuring Back Forty
Country music
The Outpost - 955 Oliver Rd.
March 7 @ 9pm
$15

Karaoke
Live music
March 7

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St S

Story Time with the Thunder Bay Drag Queens & Kings + Crafting with Queens
Family friendly live reading & crafting
Waverley Public Library - 285 Red River Rd
March 8 @ 2:30pm-4pm
$ FREE

Building with Beads - Mardi Gras Gala
Charity fundraising dinner event for Habitat for Humanity
Valhalla Hotel - 1 Valhalla Inn Rd
March 8 @ 5:30pm
$130

Karaoke
Live music
March 8

• Westfort Prosvita - 721 Gore St W

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke) - 8 Cumberland St S

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave

• Norteños Taqqueria - 698 Arther St W

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd

Home of the Day

134 Elm St.

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

3+2 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,028 sqft

$449,900

Birchwood Heights neighbourhood; finished basement; detached garage