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.
- Ten-year-old Riker Mckelvey was killed on his way to school in a collision with a school bus at the intersection of Clarkson Street and Red River Road. A memorial quickly grew at the intersection to honour the youngster.
- A brazen daytime shooting incident rocked a section of Westfort. Police, who later released jarring video of the shootout, called it a targeted incident and resulted in the arrest of four suspects, all charged with attempted murder.
- Nishnawbe Aski Nation removed Derek Fox as grand chief, following a vote by chiefs-in-assembly. Fox is alleged to have breached NAN’s code of conduct. Fox had earlier said he believed the suspension was the result of him being accused of being a woman abuser, a claim he staunchly denied.
- Courtney Labelle was sentenced to life in prison, with no parole eligibility for 15 years, after being convicted of second-degree murder in the 2020 stabbing of her 11-year-old son.
- Michelle Solomon was elected as the new chief of Fort William First Nation, edging her opponent, former chief Georjann Morriseau by 12 votes. Solomon said her priority was to formulate a long-term plan for the community.
- A coroner’s inquest jury handed down 63 recommendations after looking into the death of Indigenous artist Moses Beaver. The recommendations were related to health care, corrections and policing. Beaver died in hospital in 2017 after being found unresponsive in his Thunder Bay District Jail cell.
- About 300 evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation arrived in Thunder Bay after fears of flooding in their community continued to grow. The city was one of several host communities across Ontario.
- A rally and counter-protest were held outside of Movati on Arthur Street, both for and against the gym’s inclusive changeroom policy. The organizer claimed the policy allowed men into the women’s change room.
- Library officials sought public feedback on their draft facilities plan that included a new central branch at the Intercity Shopping Centre. The plan also includes the possible closure of both the Brodie Street and County Fair branches.
- The always popular Folklore Festival returned as an in-person event for the first time since 2019 and drew thousands of people to Fort William Gardens to celebrate cultures from around the world.
