THUNDER BAY — Here are 10 of the top stories we covered in December 2024, as compiled by Dougall Media Director of News, Leith Dunick.
- A 58-year-old man was seriously injured after being shot by a Thunder Bay Police officer in an incident along Highway 11/17 and Pebblestone Road, near Kakbeka Falls. The province’s Special Investigations Unit says the victim was spotted walking with a rifle and, when confronted by police, discharged his weapon, hitting a police cruiser.
- City council reversed its controversial decision to extend paid parking on Thunder Bay streets in the morning and the evening. Council elected instead to remove parking fees from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Monday to Saturday.
- The Town of Emo and its mayor, Harold McQuaker, were ordered by the Ontario Human Rights Commission to pay a combined $15,000 for refusing in 2020 to declare Pride Month in June of that year. The mayor was vocal in his determination not to pay and had his bank account garnished as a result.
- A Crown Street resident was lucky to escape with his life after a suspected natural gas explosion levelled his home. The Ontario Fire Marshal was brought in to investigate, but abandoned the investigation because of the severity of the damage to the home.
- A major winter storm dumped up to 30 centimetres of snow on Thunder Bay, leading to the cancellation of rural school-bus service and the closure of one school. City crews spent more than three days cleaning up after the storm.
- Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu maintained her seat in cabinet, but for how long remains up in the air. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh vowed just before Christmas that he’ll bring down the minority Liberal government at his first chance, increasing the likelihood of a spring election.
- The Thunder Bay 50/50 jackpot broke another barrier, topping $4.8-million for the first time, almost doubling the guaranteed $2.5-million grand prize. Money benefits the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
- Two people were charged with attempted murder after a November shooting incident on Finlayson Street. There were no injuries reported in the incident and both the accused, a 23-year-old from Toronto and a 23-year-old woman from Thunder Bay, were remanded into custody.
- The council competition review committee punted its decision on what council should look like going forward until the new year, citing a lack of responses to a public survey looking for input.
- About 30 Rosslyn Village residents learned they would remain on bottled water until the spring due to high levels of arsenic in their water system.
