THUNDER BAY — TBNewswatch is taking a look back at the top stories, month-by-month, of 2022. Here are 10 of the stories that made headlines in February:
After deputy police chief Ryan Hughes was suspended the Thunder Bay Police Service Board appointed Supt. Dan Taddeo to be the acting deputy chief, the first of two promotions he’d receive in 2022.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto learned the city’s integrity commissioner had ruled some of his Facebook comments related to a criminal investigation into a driver allegedly running over a tent at a homeless encampment were inappropriate. It was recommended Ruberto be docked pay as a result.
Patrick O’Keese was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of Brayden Moonias, whose body was found in Marina Park. Justice Tracey Nieckarz said O’Keese’s involvement was suspicious, but she could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that he had a role or caused the death.
Walter Wayroda, a local Ukrainian man, spoke out against Russian president Vladimir Putin after the dictator launched an invasion of Ukraine, a move condemned by leaders around the world. Hundreds attended a city hall rally on Feb. 25.
Project Waffle netted investigators more than $2.3 million in crack and powdered cocaine, along with $470,000 in cash. Warrants were executed at locations around the city and three people were arrested.
Mayor Bill Mauro expressed disappointment, but not surprise, upon learning up to 300 workers at Thunder Bay’s Alstom plant were facing layoffs between four and 12 months. Mauro said city officials could see move coming.
A youth leader, who cannot be named under a publication ban, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old in the summer of 2019.
A Waverley Park rally was held calling for the end of COVID-19 restrictions, in support of protestors occupying downtown Ottawa. Protests were held later in the month at Marina Park. By month’s end, the province had lifted most vaccine passport requirements. Changes at the border were also announced for month’s end.
Coun. Brian McKinnon announced he was taking a temporary leave of absence from his council duties, for what he described as personal reasons. The absence period included the city's 2022 budget deliberations. McKinnon, who did return to the role, later announced he would not be seeking re-election in October. He was the first of several sitting councillors not to run for re-election, a group that included Rebecca Johnson, Cody Fraser, Aldo Ruberto and Mayor Bill Mauro.
An extreme cold warning was issued mid-month, with temperatures expected to drop to between -35 C and -40 C.
