Here are the most read stories from the week leading to July 10
5 Wacky Wing development delayed
A proposed Wacky Wings in Thunder Bay is being held up by an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
City council approved the rezoning of the former Port Arthur Prosvita on South High Street in March for the 50,000 square-foot restaurant and arcade, which has seven franchises in the province.
Some neighbours had opposed the development due to concerns about parking and noise. On May 25, two opponent filed an appeal to the OMB, which has the power to overturn decisions by city councils.
Wacky Wings co-owner Gary Walters said they're disappointed, and any renovations on the building will be delayed until at least the fall.
The Sault Ste. Marie companycurrently has been trying to expand into the Thunder Bay market for more than four years.
The OMB hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 at city hall.
4 New construction on union hall, apartment and nightclub
The city is seeing some new construction this summer including a $5 million union hall for local carpenters.
The 6,000 square foot two-storey building in Innova Park will feature training space, classrooms and offices. Local 1669 president Wayne Sohlman said the building, which will see work start this week with an expected 2016 opening, is a long time coming.
"We're really anxious to see this building completed," he said.
An old football field across from the former Hillcrest High School is being converted into two nine-unit apartment buildings as foundation permits were issued by the city.
"That's just the beginning I think of future development on that site that we expect," city building division manager Des Stolz said.
And work is going ahead to convert the former Club Nautilus into a nightclub on Red River Road after it was originally announced in 2013.
3 Police charge 65 drivers for speeding along Harbour construction zone
Thunder Bay drivers who chose not to obey road closed and construction zone fines paid a heavy price on Tuesday along the Harbour Expressway.
Thunder Bay Police ticketed 65 drivers for infractions on the usually busy thoroughfare, whose eastbound lane is presently closed and being repaved.
One unlucky driver had his vehicle impounded and his licence suspended for seven days after police clocked him going 101 kilometres-an-hour in a 50-kilometre zone.
Another man was ticketed for driving on the closed portion of the road, traveling down a strip of asphalt that had just been laid down with surface temperatures hovering in excess of 300 C.
Several other drivers were caught doing 80 to 90 kilometres-an-hour in the construction zone.
“Police would like to remind the public that enforcement will be continuing, that watching your speed in all construction zones is very important for the safety of the workers and the motorists, and the best way to avoid any costly tickets and impoundment fees is to simply allow yourself extra time to compensate for any delays,” said Thunder Bay Police Service traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter in an email release.
2 Highway 61 intersection site of another crash
The Highway, at Chippewa Road, was the scene of another crash this week. The story garnered a lot of attention, as activity in this area is linked to the controversy surrounding the James Street Swing Bridge. Here is the response TBT News received when they covered the story.
1 High risk offender
Thunder Bay Police have taken the unusual, but not unheard of, step of informing the public about a dangerous offender moving to the city.
Police spokesman Chris Adams said on Wednesday that Tamara Lynn Papin has a long history of violence in her criminal past and was released from the Edmonton Institute for Women after serving 27 months for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.
Under a long-term supervision order, Adams said it’s the police service’s belief that Papin poses a serious risk for violence against adult males and females.
“She has a violent crime history dating back into the ‘80s, with several serious offences. It is a concern to us if she is coming to this community,” Adams said.
“It’s pretty rare that we come forward and actually release someone’s personal information like this, especially when they’ve been released from custody. But when there is a perceived risk to the public, risk that this person may reoffend, then we exercise our authority which exists under the Police Act to do so.”
Papin will be under supervision through the federal parole board, but police said the public should still exercise caution should they run into her on the street.
Papin, 48, is described as a heavy-built Aboriginal female standing 4-foot-10 and weighing 171 pounds. She has long brown hair and is scheduled for release from prison on Thursday.
Adams said he’s not sure why Papin chose Thunder Bay.
