11. About 125 Community Care Access Centre walked off the job on Jan. 30, calling for an end to wage freezes.
10. Kimberly Fox was released with time served after spending more than two years behind bars for her role in the Dec. 29, 2012 death of 28-year-old Moses Meekis Kakekagumick. Fox was facing second-degree murder charges, but the court ruled she acted in self-defence. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in December 2014.
9. Residents learned an increase in the sewer surcharge could cost the average ratepayer about $80 a year. City officials said the hike was necessary to help cover future infrastructure costs, but several city councillors said they’d have a hard time selling the plan to their constituents.
8. A suspect in the 2013 stabbing death of Travis Cutfeet pleaded guilty to manslaughter in court, after a murder charge was withdrawn. Shawn Henderson was sentenced to nine years in prison in March. Cutfeet, 30, died in May 2013 after being stabbed three times, including twice in the back.
7. City council surprised everyone late in the month when they announced Thunder Bay was divesting itself of the much-maligned Royal Edward Arms. The once-great hotel was purchased by Habib Architects for $500,000. It had served as subsidized housing in recent years.
6. Council finally set a policy to fill vacancies should a councillor not be able to fulfill their full term. A councillor departure in the first three years after a municipal election will result in a byelection being called. In the final year before an election, a replacement
5. The city announced its annual tax levy estimate, guessing that an increase near 5.68 per cent was possible.
4. Former wrestler Vampiro, also known as Ian Hodgkinson, returned to the city with an eye on launching a Guardian Angels chapter in his hometown. Thunder Bay Police met with Hodgkinson to express concern about the plan, while Mayor Keith Hobbs welcomed the idea with open arms. Police worried about the nature of planned vigilante patrols and the background of organization members.
3. City of Thunder Bay officials revealed an offer from CN had been delivered, the railroad’s latest attempt to resolve the ongoing saga of the James Street Swing Bridge. City manager Tim Commisso also noted the federal government had offered to step in and mediate the situation.
2. Target announced it was closing all 133 of the retail giant’s Canadian locations, including their Intercity Shopping Centre store in Thunder Bay. More than 100 employees lost their jobs. The company claimed the venture led to losses of more than $1.6 billion.
1. A homeowner was attacked and nearly killed after a break-and-enter at a John Street home. A 29-year-old suspect was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault in the incident, which also drew the attention of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit after the suspect landed in hospital because of injuries sustained during his arrest.
