Here are the 10 stories that made the biggest headlines in January 2014:
10. Polar Vortex
The term polar vortex entered into everyone’s lexicon throughout the month as the mercury plummeted to record lows that and frigid temperatures hovered over the region. The vortex, which dropped temperatures below -30 C, paid a pair of visits to Northwestern Ontario, but reached as far south as the U.S. Gulf Coast.
9. Fighting racism
Mayor Keith Hobbs and Fort William First Nation chief Georjann Morriseau held a round-table discussion on Jan. 21 aimed at eliminating racism. The move was sparked by a social media storm ignited in late 2013 when the James Street Swing Bridge caught fire. Morriseau said talking about it is the only way to eliminate racism.
8. Strike averted
Transit workers avoided a strike at the 11th hour, reaching a deal with city officials to remain on the job. The union had been without a contract since April 2012 and said they were asking to be paid on par with workers in comparable communities.
7. Animal cruelty
Police charged two people with animal cruelty charges after a dog and cat were taken from a south-side home. The dog later died during surgery to repair its injuries.
6. Veterans Affairs office closes
Veterans mourned the closure of the local Veterans Affairs office on the final day of the month, staging a march from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 5 to the Red River Road office. Vets countered they needed the services and the personal interaction with someone locally, while the federal government claimed the same services could be delivered via the telephone.
5. Viral highway crash
A dashboard video of a truck driver narrowly missing a collision with an oncoming tractor trailer attempting to pass a plow on Highway 11 went viral on YouTube. OPP said they were investigating in hopes of laying charges, including leaving the scene of an accident.
4. Chamber, City spar over taxation
Mayor Keith Hobbs and city manager Tim Commisso got in a heated public spat over taxation projections put forward by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber suggested if spending isn’t halted, homeowners can expect annual increase averaging 7.9 per cent over the next four years. The city countered the Chamber’s numbers were wrong and demanded a retraction. The initial mill rate increase was 2.1 per cent.
3. First murder of 2014
A 35-year-old man was killed on Jan. 25, the city’s first murder victim of 2014. Jeffrey Munroe was pronounced dead in hospital. Thirty-eight-year-old Priscilla Thomas was charged with second-degree murder.
2. Vacation nightmare
Two local women brought back a tale of horror involving an alleged sexual assault and gunfire from a Dominican Republic resort. The women said resort staff also broke into their room, though resort officials denied any of the incidents occurred.
1. Event Centre partners
Former NHL coach Gary Green’s Thunder Bay Live consortium, a group that included Winnipeg Jet owners True North Sports and Entertainment were chosen by the City of Thunder Bay as its preferred partner for the yet-to-be approved $106.1-million event centre. As part of the deal, should the project go ahead, the Jets said they would move their American Hockey League affiliate from St. John’s, N.L. to Thunder Bay.
Our Look Back series takes a look at the biggest headlines of each month in 2014. Join us tomorrow when we take a look back at the top stories of February.
