TBNewswatch is looking back at the top 10 stories of each month in 2023, as chosen by Dougall Media's director of news, Leith Dunick. Here are the picks from August.
- The province assigned the city an ambitious 2,200 new homes target by 2031, the key to Thunder Bay being able to access new housing funds through Ontario’s $1.2-billion Building Faster Fund – and to be awarded strong mayor powers.
- Thunder Bay MPP Kevin Holland, a Conservative, denied charges he ‘ghosted’ requests for meetings from a local LGBTQ+ organizations and his absence from this year’s Pride Month events, saying he was never invited while adding he had four other commitments the day of the annual Pride parade.
- The Thunder Bay tennis community was disappointed to learn a planned six-court indoor facility would not open in 2023, though the organization announced it was hopeful it would be able to secure approvals and complete substantial work this year, which did not happen.
- The work continued to revitalize a section of the downtown north core, with construction on Court Street closing the intersection at Red River Road for several months. IN additional to new sidewalks and public spaces, the work also included renewal of underground infrastructure.
- A transitional housing facility, slated for Junot Avenue got the go-ahead with an $8.7-million spending announcement from the province. The three-story building will provide programming for Indigenous youth.
- A former boxing coach was charged with sexual assault. Tony Pimental was also charged with sexual exploitation for incidents involving two people, though police at the time said there could potentially be more victims.
- Queen of the Hurricanes, Elsie MacGill, was honoured with her image appearing on a $1 coin. MacGill, who has an elementary school named after her in Thunder Bay, was a pioneer, breaking barriers as an engineer and for advocating for women’s rights.
- The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition weathered a little rain on Day 3 of the five-day event, but came close to meeting it’s average 55,000 to 60,000 attendance goal, crowds coming out to enjoy the rides, food and entertainment.
- NDP MPP Lise Vaugeios issued concerns for highway safety and pushed for more driver training and for inspection stations to carry more regular hours. Her request came in the shadows of a pair of fatalities on Northwestern Ontario highways.
- RibFest was once again a huge hit, with thousands hitting up the CLE grounds to sample the wares of some of the country’s finest ribbers, along with plenty of music and other entertainment.
