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 September:
1. Local community leaders reacted with sadness to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned over the Commonwealth for more than 70 years. The city opened a condolence book in her memory and a public memorial service was held at the Waverley Park cenotaph.
2. Courtney LaBelle was found guilty of stabbing her 11-year-old son to death on New Year’s Day in 2019. LaBelle had pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder, arguing she didn’t remember doing it because of drug-induced psychosis.
3. After months of being submerged under water, heavy equipment was brought in and the historic James Whalen tug was raised out of the Kaministiquia River. The salvage operation cost in the neighbourhood of $750,000.
4. An expert panel recommended sweeping changes that, if implemented, would drastically reshape how the board was governed. More civilian oversight and more Indigenous representation on an expanded board were among the recommendations. Earlier in the moth administrator Malcolm Mercer expressed doubt on the board’s governance structure.
5. Police investigated a homicide that took place at Andras Court, the 11th confirmed murder of the year. Shawn Marcus Newsome, 28, was later identified as the victim. Two people were arrested, one charge with second-degree murder, the other with accessory after the fact.
6. The third installment of the Wake the Giant Music Festival was another huge success, drawing thousands to the waterfront to hear the likes of Aqua, Steve Aoki and Our Lady Peace. The event helps welcome Indigenous students from remote communities to the city.
7. The city marked National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 with a number of events, including a reconciliation run, a survivor’s flag-raising ceremony and a pow wow hosted by Fort William First Nation.
8. Centennial Park’s re-imagined playground reopened to plenty of applause, as families flocked to the park to try out the new zip-line and other play structures.
9. NorWest Community Health Centre launched a safer supply program, an effort to reduce the scourge of overdosed plaguing the city. The 15-month pilot program was funded through $1.5 million provided by Health Canada.
10. The Thunder Bay Airport was temporarily closed after a suspicious package was found, delaying arrivals and departures. It later reopened without incident.
