THUNDER BAY -- 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 May.
- A 21-year-old Thunder Bay man survived a plunge down Middle Falls while trying to help his girlfriend’s family’s dog, who entered the water and started to struggle against the current. Dillyan Dubray later said he was lucky to be alive.
- Thunder Bay was left off the initial list of communities who would be eligible for the provincially provided strong mayors powers. The city was told they could get the designation, which allows the mayor to cut red tape and hire and fire certain administrative positions, if they signed a housing pledge.
- City council announced cuts that, if enacted, would cancel bus routes and close the Neebing Arena, a decision that did not sit well with the hockey community and to Michele Solomon, the newly elected Fort William First Nation chief. The proposal was part of a $1.5-million service reduction target.
- A 41-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman were arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Darlene Giba. Cameron Gary-James Adomko and Johnna Sonego were remanded into custody following the arrests.
- The man behind the Finnish Labour reconstruction project confirmed the rebuild had stalled. It was later learned a lawsuit against one of the contractors hired to work on the original structure, which burned to the ground in December 2021, is the reason for the halt in construction.
- The annual Pride March drew hundreds to Waverley Park, as members of the LGBTQIATS+ community and their allies pushed back against a growing sentiment of hate toward their community.
- More than 1,000 people turned out for a celebration of National Indigenous People’s Day, for a pow wow hosted by Fort William First Nation atop Mount McKay.
- City council gave the thumbs up to a $17-million plan to demolish Victoriaville Mall and replace it with new public spaces around a reconstructed Victoria Avenue. The move could require a $15-million debenture.
- Thousands turned out to watch the return of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds aerial team perform a pair of shows in Thunder Bay.
- The provincial labour board rejected a claim by a Thunder Bay Transit operator who was sent home for 10 months for refusing to abide by the city’s COVID-19 vaccination disclosure.
