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 November:
1. The year’s deadly trend continued in November, with the 13th and 14th confirmed homicides of 2022. Corey Glen Ashley Belesky died after an incident in the 100 block of Brent Street on Nov. 1, and Rusty James Rousseau was killed in the 200 block of Pearl Street on Nov. 17.
2. Local education workers walked off the job in protest of the province legislating them back-to-work from a legal strike position and imposing a contract. School services were interrupted by the job action, but a deal between CUPE workers and the province was eventually reached.
3. The jury examining the in-police-custody deaths of Indigenous men Roland McKay and Donald Mamakwa handed down 35 recommendations as a coroner’s inquest wrapped up in early November. One of the key recommendations was the establishment of a sobering centre in the city.
4. The province announced its contractor had broken ground on the city’s new correctional facility, a $1.2-billion project off Highway 61 that’s expected to be completed by fall 2026. When completed, it will be a 345-bed facility.
5. Soccer Northwest put forward a proposal it hopes will revive the indoor turf facility debate, a scaled back facility they’d like to see built near the Canada Games Complex and say could be built for $20 million.
6. Remembrance Day ceremonies were held in person at Waverly Park, Mount McKay, and for the first time since 2019, at Fort William Gardens.
7. Like hospitals across Canada, Thunder Bay Regional began to experience a surge in respiratory illness admissions, which officials warned could impact surgical scheduling and wait times. COVID-19, RSV and a higher-than-usual flu season were behind the surge.
8. It was the end of an era at city council, as long-time councillors Rebecca Johnson, Brian McKinnon and Aldo Ruberto gathered for their final meeting. All three decided not to re-offer in the 2022 municipal election.
9. Shane Muir was named Superior North EMS’s new chief, following the retirement of long-time chief Wayne Gates. Muir, who first joined the service in 2007, took over the role in December.
10. The Santa Claus parade was back after taking 2020 and 2021 off due to pandemic restrictions. Not even chilly temperatures could keep thousands from lining the parade route.
