Here’s a look at the stories that had readers chatting in April:
1. Residents of an Oliver Road apartment building were shocked to learn about the murder of a 61-year-old-woman.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers charged a 63-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection to the death of his wife.
The man surrendered to police at the Balmoral Street police station.
2. City council dodged a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by voting for a compromise with the wind developer Horizon Wind Inc.
The company threatened a lawsuit over a breach of contract after the city voted to approve 14 out of the 18 preferred wind turbine locations on the Nor’Wester Mountain range.
3. Two federal party leaders paid a visit to the city a month before the election.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper arrived in Thunder Bay and spoke about the benefits of having a majority, while NDP leader Jack Layton talked about key issues in the riding, such as the long gun registry.
4. Lakehead University’s student run newspaper made headlines when the paper pulled a controversial story from the front page.
The Lakehead University Student Union pulled a front-page story from the Argus, leaving a blank spot where the story had been.
The controversial article focused on allegations of fraud in the LUSU executive elections. Argus editor-in-chief Ian Kaufman said he had sent the student union a copy of the article before going to press but was warned if they ran it that they would be shut down.
5. The municipally owned TBayTel gave back to the city in a big way.
Having a revenue topping $131 million, the telecommunication company announced two dividends, the first of which was the annual $17 million stipend it pays the city and the second a $3.5 million special contribution that was directed to the Renew Thunder Bay Fund.
The company’s $131 million in revenue represented a $4-million increase over 2009.
6. The former Hillcrest High School started its transformation into the Centre of Change.
The plan was to transform the former school into a place for businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Sandi Boucher, president of the Thunder Bay Centre of Change, said they wanted to give new and upcoming businesses or non-profits in the city a chance to get ahead by paying less in rent and being able to work together.
7. Shuniah residents were frustrated to learn that they would have to make some changes to their home addresses.
Canada Post held an information session in the municipality to talk about the upcoming change in mailing addresses that came into effect later in the fall.
But many residents in attendance weren’t happy about the changes. Shuniah’s community centre was full of people up in arms over the upcoming changes. Residents of the municipality saw their mailing addresses changed, from Thunder Bay or Pass Lake, to Shuniah.
8. When golf-ball sized hail rained down on the city, many residents went to protect their vehicles from the icy chunks. The northeast region of the city experienced hail up to 2.5 centimetres wide.
