Year in Review: July

Here are our top 10 stories for the month of July 2016. We'll be presenting our annual Year in Review feature between now and Jan. 1.

1. The federal government struck down the city’s request for funding for an $114.6-million event centre, telling Mayor Keith Hobbs in a letter the project does not meet any existing federal infrastructure programs. The letter, from Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi, told the city that professional sports facilities are the responsibility of the private sector.
    
2. A 26-year-old was charged in the city’s fourth murder of the year, after 18-year-old Brent Donio was killed outside a Windsor Street housing complex. Chlinton Nicolas Netemegesic turned himself into police and now faces second-degree murder charges. Another 18-year-old, Cecil Todd Matinet, was also charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death.
    
3. Police embarked on a manhunt that lasted more than 24 hours after a suspect wanted in a serious assault that took place on Fort William First Nation disappeared. Anishnabek Police Service officers responded to the incident, but the suspect had fled. He was located by Thunder Bay Police the following day, after they received a tip that Mark Boucher had been spotted in the Cameron Street area.
    
4. A body was pulled from the McIntyre River and later identified as 38-year-old Clayton Chuck Mawakeesic. 
5. City manager Norm Gale had the dubious task of telling city council the municipality’s operating budget was projected to come in at a $3.2-million deficit, four times the shortfall after the fiscal year’s first quarter. Gale blamed legal and insurances costs, as well as police overtime, for the shortfall.
6. A 55-year-old man was sent to hospital with non life-threatening injuries after being shot at a Simpson Street watering hole. Jonathan David Dunston was taken into custody three days later and charged with attempted murder.
    
7. The Thunder Bay Blues Festival boasted its biggest crowds yet, thanks in part to an all-Canadian lineup featuring the likes of Colin James, Tom Cochrane and the legendary Burton Cummings. The Red, White and Blues Fest was brought about by a low Canadian dollar, which made it too expensive to bring in big-name American talent. Later in the month large crowds turned out for FortFest at Fort William Historical Park, an event that featured The Cult, Platinum Blonde and The Trews.
    
8. City council voted down a controversial backyard chicken bylaw proposal, much to the chagrin of several residents. Coun. Aldo Ruberto, one of eight to vote against the bylaw, said he had no faith in the ability to enforce the regulations.
    
9. A man died during a standoff with Thunder Bay Police in south side hotel. The investigation was turned over to the province’s special investigation unit. Police spokesperson Chris Adams said the 33-year-old man had barricaded himself inside room. After several hours police entered the room, where they found the man unconscious.
    
10. A fire broke out at Resolute Forest Products’ Thunder Bay sawmill on Darrell Avenue. Firefighters spent more than four hours battling the blaze, which began inside a sawdust bin inside the plant.