Here are the stories that kep us reading in June, 2014:
10. Ken joins the race
The city’s mayoral race picked up, with the announcement that former mayor Ken Boshcoff was throwing his hat into the ring to challenge incumbent Keith Hobbs. The at-large councillor had served as the city’s top elected official from 1997-2003 before being elected as an MP from 2004 until 2008.
9. Creditor confidence
Despite a difficult budgetary year, the city’s finances received a vote of confidence. Standard’s and Poor reaffirmed the city’s AA- credit rating, with the city treasurer saying the projected $184 million in debt at the end of the year was manageable.
8. Nuclear protest
A few hundred people gathered to march across the Nipigon River Bridge on June 20, protesting against nuclear waste storage in Northwestern Ontario. The demonstration was organized by the Red Rock River Indian Band and resulted in Highway 17 being closed for about 20 minutes.
7. Olympic visit
Clara Hughes arrived in the city on June 19 as part of her 110-day Clara’s Big Ride nationwide tour raising awareness for mental health. The 41-year-old six-time Olympic medalist made multiple public appearances as part of the extension of her annual Bell Let’s Talk campaign.
6. Hernandez acquitted
Christian Hernandez was acquitted of impaired driving charges in connection with the December 2010 death of 45-year-old Richard Carmichael, who was struck by a vehicle driven by Hernandez. Justice Joyce Pelletier ruled there was reasonable doubt breath samples had been taken within two hours of the crash. Hernandez was convicted of fleeing the scene.
5. Deadly motorcycle crash
Marianne Guitard, 59, was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Cumberland Street and Water Street on June 14. She was a passenger on a motorcycle that collided with a car. Both the driver of the motorcycle and the car suffered non-life threatening injuries. The 19-year-old driver of the car was charged with careless driving.
4. Homicide case no. 3
Police investigated the city’s third murder of the year after 48-year-old Robert David Barbeau died on June 8 from injuries sustained in a violent assault outside his McLaughlin Street apartment building on June 5. Robert David Wilson, 48, was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
3. Controversial election ad
The city’s mayor spoke out about a controversial election ad placed by Libertarian candidate Tamara Johnson. Keith Hobbs, who was joined by Fort William First Nation chief Georjann Morriseau and NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno at a city hall media conference on June 13, said the ad made him “sick” and was clearly promoting hate towards First Nations. Johnson stood by the ad, arguing it was not racist.
2. Re-elected
Long-time area MPP’s Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro, who were both returned to office in convincing fashion, and were officially named to Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Cabinet on June 24. Gravelle retained his pre-election post as Northern Development and Mines Minister while Mauro was tabbed to head the Natural Resources portfolio.
1. Majority win
An Opposition move intended to defeat the provincial government backfired on June 12 as Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne swept the Liberals to a majority government. The Liberals were re-elected to their fourth consecutive term since taking office in 2003, claiming 58 of the legislature’s 107 seats.
