These are the stories that kept us reading in May, 2014:
10. A Day of Honour
The city recognized the first National Day of Honour for Afghan veterans on May 9 in Waverley Park at the Afghan memorial. The ceremony commemorated the three Thunder Bay soldiers killed in Afghanistan: Cpl. Anthony Boneca, who was killed July 9, 2006 when he was 21 years old; Pte. Robert Costall, who died March 26, 2006 a victim of friendly fire; and Pte. Josh Klukie, 23, who was killed Sept. 29, 2006.
9. Flood forces evacuation
About 600 people from Kashechewan First Nation were evacuated to the city after severe flooding in the northern community. The evacuees first arrived in the city on May 4 and didn’t return home until mid-June.
8. Unifor’s strike mandate
On May 3, Bombardier workers represented by Unifor Local 1075 voted in favour of striking if negotiations failed in contract negotiations. It was the first step toward the 900 employees going on strike in July; the labour dispute lasted two months and was at times contentious. According to Local 1075 president Dominic Pasqualino, 100 per cent of the skilled-trade workers and 99.4 per cent of the general membership gave the strike mandate the thumbs up.
7. To plebiscite or not to plebiscite
While the Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay group called for a plebiscite on the proposed event centre in late May, the Citizens for a Waterfront Event Centre also grew louder in their calls of support for the project. This included a rally on May 10, which saw about 200 people attend.
6. Event Centre sneak peek
On May 27 BBB Architects unveiled the preliminary design for the proposed $100-million Thunder Bay event centre, a 5,700-seat facility that would be able to house 7,200 for concerts and includes 50,000 square feet of dedicated convention space in the city’s downtown north core. The building would include 23 luxury boxes, a team store an 8,000-square foot banquet hall, four sport suites, two group suites and a 600-seat club area.
5. Northern Debate
May 27, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Ontario Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne attended the Northern Leaders Debate in Thunder Bay. Both party leaders stuck to their primary talking points throughout the duration of the debate. However, it was the first time the NDP leader put a dollar figure to the party’s Ring of Fire commitment - $1 billion. Then-PC leader Tim Hudak didn’t attend.
4. Bringing the government down
Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath announced May 2 her party wouldn't be supporting the minority Liberal government's budget, triggering a June election. The move led Premier Kathleen Wynne to ask Lieut.-Gov. David Onley to dissolve Provincial Parliament and drop the election writ, officially launching the election campaign.
3. Police funeral
Law enforcement and emergency response agencies from across the country and the U.S. attended the memorial service for Const. Joe Prevett on May 15 in the city.
The Thunder Bay Police Service's lone canine handler passed away May 7 during a training session with his dog Timber in Gravenhurst, Ont. Prevett died from coronary artery disease. He was 50 years old. The funeral began with a parade down Arthur Street to St. Patrick's Cathedral, where the service was held.
2. Homicide case No. 2
The city saw its second homicide case of the year on May 14. Adam Nicodemus Beaver, 46, was pronounced dead after being rushed to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre following reports of a stabbing at Andras Court, a South Cumberland Street apartment complex. Police arrested and charged Randel Wabasse, 23, with second-degree murder in connection with the incident.
1. Infant’s body discovered
On May 5, an infant’s body was discovered in a wooded area on the north side of Delaney Arena along the southern bank of the Neebing River. A passerby made the tragic discovery and police set up a special tip line to aid in their investigation. No information about the infant, including age, gender or cause of death, were released to the public.
