Here are some of the stories that generated headlines in November 2014:
10. Public consultation in waterfront development
Reaction was mixed as the public had its first chance on Nov. 6 to have a say in what they would like to see included in Phase 2 of the waterfront development project, providing feedback via an hour-long workshop at an open house hosted by the consultants in conjunction with the city. Reclaimed beaches, extended biking trails and a revamped festival area are all possibilities should the city move ahead with Phase 2 of its ambitious waterfront development plan.
9. Former councillor dies
The Source learned on Nov. 11 that longtime city councilor and entrepreneur Joe Vanderwees died at 84. Vanderwees first joined council in June 1978, replacing Taras Kozyra, who had resigned the Dawson Ward seat. Born in the Netherlands, Vanderwees emigrated to Canada and set up a successful greenhouse in Thunder Bay. He remained on council intermittently until 2006.
8. Vampiro and the Guardian Angels
Hearing about the city’s crime problem, former WCW wrestler Vampiro, known outside of professional wrestling as Ian Hodgkinson, said in mid-November he had decided to bring the non-profit crime patrol organization Guardian Angels to his hometown of Thunder Bay in the New Year. The Guardian Angels were formed in the 1970s in New York City and are recognized by their signature red berets. They has evolved to become a crime prevention outreach program in cities across the world and its safety patrols, where members of the group walk city neighbourhoods, are what they’re most known for.
7. Petition to reopen bridge
The Fort William First Nation started an online petition in hopes of re-opening the James Street Swing Bridge to vehicular traffic in late November, 13 months since a major fire closed the swing bridge to vehicular traffic. The petition website says the First Nation believes no further delays in taking action to reopen the bridge can be justified. The goal is to get 1,000 signatures.
6. Hospital designated to treat Ebola
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre announced it was officially designated to treat Ebola patients on Nov. 11. Hospital employees would be fully trained to deal with any cases of the deadly disease that originated in West Africa and has since begun to slowly spread around the world. Acting chief of staff Mark Henderson said the hospital becomes the 11th in Ontario to earn the designation, adding the delay was likely an oversight by the Ministry of Health.
5. Sandy Beach residents denied lease extension
After waiting months for any word of a possible lease extension, Sandy Beach property lease holders found out Nov. 27 at a meeting with the city they would not be receiving further extensions, but that the city would be making buyout offers in the coming weeks. The leaseholders may remain on the property for up to two years, with the final date for occupancy set for Dec. 31, 2016. The city said it wishes to return the land to park purposes.
4. Breton sentenced to nine years in prison
Marcel Breton was sentenced to more than nine years in prison on Nov. 28 on drug trafficking charges. Breton was convicted in July for possession of cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited weapon and laundering proceeds of crime. Breton was arrested in December 2009 after police searched his Mapleward Road home, which resulted in the seizure of cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana and cannabis resin as well as $1.2 million in cash, the majority of which was found buried in the ground in a Tupperware container.
3. Hernandez receives intermittent 90-day sentence
On Nov. 5, Christian Hernandez, 29, was sentenced to 90 days in jail – in addition to 48 days of credited pre-sentence custody – to be served intermittently on weekends in a detention facility in London, Ont. for leaving the scene of the collision that claimed the life of 45-year-old Richard Carmichael on Dec. 19, 2010. Hernandez had also been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams but was acquitted of those charges in June.
2. Third suspect arrested in July homicide
A third suspect was arrested in a Canada Day murder case on Nov. 14. Thunder Bay Police Service officials confirmed they had arrested 26-year-old Kyle Malcolm Stoney at a Park Avenue apartment. Stoney was charged with second degree murder in the death of 52-year-old Christopher Adams, who was violently assaulted outside city hall in the early morning hours of July 1. Adams died as a result of those injuries on July 8. Police had already arrested 31-year-old Carl Spencer Rae and 22-year-old Becky Mamakwa in connection with the case. Initial descriptions of the incident said four people appeared to be involved, with robbery being a motive.
1. Mayor bids social media farewell
Fed up with racism, bullying and threats against his family, some of which were investigated by police, Mayor Keith Hobbs deleted his social media accounts in early November. The move was a stark contrast to 2010 when Hobbs credited his use of social media as being partially responsible for his then first successful mayoral campaign. Hobbs had wanted to use social media as part of his open door policy to engage with people and get feedback, but he said he’ll still return every phone call and meet with anyone who needs to speak with him.
Our Look Back series looks at some of the top stories of 2014 one month at a time. Join us Monday when we take a look at the top stories of December.
