Look back: April 2010

1. Absolute discharge
Jake Raynard received an absolute discharge for his role in a September 2009 assault. Police charged Raynard, 30, with two counts of assault with a weapon, which were withdrawn, and a count of assault.

The assault against Raynard was widely publicized in 2009 after speculation that the violence could have been fueled by homophobia. Raynard pleaded guilty to his role in the incident and the Crown granted him an absolute discharge.
 
2. Body found
The body of 60-year-old Kenneth Berg, who went missing Oct. 26, 2009 after leaving Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, was found on April 10 in a ditch along Goods Road.

His brother Richard Berg said the family had expected the worst for some time, and while the discovery didn’t make it easier, at least they know what happened. An extensive search for Berg was conducted in the aftermath of his disappearance, which was first noticed when he didn’t return to a halfway house where he was living at the time.

Police said there is no reason to suspect foul play.
 
3. Soldier injured
Master Cpl. Chris Drewes was injured by a remote control explosive device detonated while he and his 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia Light Infantry unit were on a routine foot patrol about eight kilometres from Kandahar City, Afghanistan. 

The 24-year-old Thunder Bay native recovered from extensive shrapnel wounds to his shoulder after multiple surgeries to repair the damage. Pte. Tyler William Tood of Kitchener was killed in the blast.

Drewes returned to Thunder Bay later in the month to a relieved family.
 
4. Fatal crash charges
Police charged a 49-year-old with careless driving in connection to a fatal vehicle collision on April 28.

Thunder Bay Police Service officials said Darren Dolph appeared to be riding to work on a motorcycle before a pickup truck crashed into him on Red River Road at the entrance to the Heart of the Habour Parkade at about 7:30 a.m.

The pickup truck appeared to be turning into the parkade when it collided with the motorcycle.
 
5. State of emergency called
Nishnawbe Aski Nation leadership declared a state of emergency for communities relying on winter roads to get essential services at their annual Winter Chiefs Assembly. Normally the ice roads are open from the beginning of January to early April, but the mild winter weather this March caused the roads to close weeks earlier.

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy called it a “real crisis” since about 30 of his First Nations communities were not able to haul in basic essentials like heating oil, fuel and building materials. The chiefs called on Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to provide emergency funds to cover air delivery of necessary goods to the communities.
 
6. Bus terminal shutdown
The Brodie Street bus terminal is shut down after decades of service; the terminal was later demolished to make way for the new courthouse in the city’s south side. April 6 was the last day the terminal was in service before city hall became the temporary site. A study will begin in the summer to find a permanent location.
 
7. River Terrace Rezoning
Already zoned as a Residential Future Zone, River Terrace Development vice-president Art Lannon asked council, in a discussion lasting almost five hours, to rezone the land so his company can make way for 71 lots.

The lots would be just south of the existing River Terrace development making it the fifth phase of the 1,000-lot project. But residents of River Terrace say the land acts as a noise and visual buffer between their homes and the hospital. Fifteen deputants opposed the development, including Lakehead University staff and students that use nearby land for environmental classes.

The project was given the green light in May.
 
8. Minimum wage hike
Ontario’s minimum wage is increased by 75 cents to $10.25 an hour.

While any increase was welcomed, the Lakehead Social Planning Council said it’s $1.75 short of what workers need to escape the poverty cycle. Minimum wage was raised from $6.85 to $9.50 after nine years without any increase. 
 
9. Not-so-smooth sailing
The first saltie of the season didn’t quite sail smoothly into the Thunder Bay harbour April 16.

As the Federal Saguenay prepared to dock at the Viterra C elevator at about 9:30 a.m., the ship made contact with one of the grain bins. Thunder Bay Port Authority CEO Tim Heney said it’s a highly unusual occurrence and he’s not sure what the cause of the incident was, noting there was a lot of fog that morning.

No major repairs were required for the ship and just a bit of concrete work was needed to patch the hole in the grain elevator; Heney said they lost a minimal amount of grain.
 
10. Care group announces closure
St. Joseph’s Care Group announced Frank Murphy Community Centre will shut its doors July 1, leaving three full-time staff and as many as 42 part-time staff to the unemployment line.

Tracy Buckler, CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group, said mounting operating costs, which led to a $500,000 deficit in 2008/09, and shrinking revenue sources made the closure of the 30-year-old facility inevitable.