May is officially MS awareness month here in Thompson.

Mayor Dennis Fenske made it official this morning, issuing a Mayoral proclamation.

Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world, with an estimated 100,000 Canadians, including 3,500 Manitobans, living with the diagnosis.

Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease currently without a cure.

The MS society of Canada does not receive any government funding and relies entirely on donations.

Tomorrow is the 15^th annual Relay for Life here in Thompson.

The opening ceremonies will get underway at 5:00pm in the C.A. Nesbitt arena at the Vale Regional Community Centre. There will be a luminary ceremony at 9:00pm (can be purchased in advanced at the Relay), and the head shave at 11:00pm.

Donna Wilson, chair of the Relay for Life committee here in Thompson, told 102.9 CHTM that they're looking for people to help set up the C-A Nesbitt arena for the Relay.

Those wanting to help should be at the VRCC by 9:00am tomorrow morning.

Wilson also said that they're still looking for cancer survivors to honour. She said that if you have the disease, or had it in the past, you're a survivor and the Relay committee wants to honour you.

If you haven't gotten in touch with Donna before tomorrow and are a cancer survivor, you're asked to show up at the VRCC at 4:00pm, an hour before the opening ceremonies commence.

If you'd like more information or have any questions, you can call Donna Wilson at 204-939-1576

One trip has been approved, while another has been put on hold.

Tuesday night at the bi-weekly school board meeting, trustees voted in favour of approving in principal a planned trip by R.D. Parker students to Costa Rica for next spring.

The one condition to the trip is any travel advisories from the federal government.

The trustees then had discussion and voted on a second planned trip, to London, England.

This trip was not approved as trustees felt it did not comply with the school board's policies as they apply to international trips.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for May ninth.

The City of Thompson's website is getting a makeover.

One of the items included in the 2017 financial plan is just under $26,000.00 towards the redesign and hosting of the city's website.

The contract, which was awarded to All-Net Municipal Solutions, was very much music to the ears of Councillor Dennis Foley.

He said during council that All-Net is the system currently used by the city for many different purposes, and he's very happy they're the ones being recommended for the job.

Councillor Byer, the mover for the resolution, said that the city is often criticized for what the website doesn't do, and that she's looking forward to having the site totally refreshed. She added that she believes it's in good hands.

The $25,960.00 will be paid out over the course of four years.

Councillors Matechuk and Wong voted against the resolution.

Councillor Wong's opposition to the resolution was that the city should not be spending this much money on the website. 

The city of Thompson will be looking to put on more children's entertainment shows in the future.

At City Council Monday evening, Councillor Dennis Foley, chair of the Recreation and Community Services Committee, delivered a report from the committee on activity and events from the start of 2017 until the end of the month.

Foley said that the committee found children's shows to be more popular than those aimed at adults, and that the city will be actively looking to hold more shows.

He said that "Munchbusters" was the best event hosted so far this year by the city.

He added that the city is looking to hold at least one special event per month at the Norplex Pool for all of 2017.

Colleen Smook has been named as the replacement for Mayor Fenske on the grant-in-lieu committee for the upcoming negotiations with Vale.

At city council Monday night, council voted in favour of approving Councillor Smook after her name was selected out of a pool of four councilors. Councillors Smook, Kolada, Matechuk and Wong all put their names forward.  

The vote was conducted by secret ballot, voted on by council.

Councillor Duncan Wong moved a motion to amend the resolution, after Councillor Smook was selected, which would have doubled the size of the negotiating team from three to six, citing that none of the opposition were on the committee. Councillor Wong suggested that himself, along with Councillors Kolada and Matechuk should be the three others added as Councillors Ellis and Foley had shown "no interest" in the matter.

Councillor Wong called for a recorded vote on the matter. Councillors Byer, Kolada, Wong and Matechuk voted in favour while Councillors Foley, Smook, Ellis and Deputy Mayor Valentino voted against. The motion was defeated as a majority is needed to pass a resolution.

Councillor Foley spoke up after the vote, voicing his opinion of Councillor Wong's opposition comments. He said that there is no opposition within council nor should there be, as they are all there for the same reason.

After, Councillor Kolada commented saying that she has been told there is no experienced negotiators on the committee and that she has experience in negotiating for Thompson. Councillor Matechuck then spoke up with an amended resolution of his own.

Councillor Matechuk's amended resolution would have the resolution replace the existing committee with a new three-person team; the chairs of the finance and administration, public works, development review committees.  

The amended resolution went to a recorded vote, where it was defeated. Councillors Kolada, Wong and Matechuk voted in favour while Councillors Foley, Smook, Ellis, Byer and Deputy Mayor Valentino voted against.

The final vote to pass the resolution appointing Councillor Smook took place almost 15 minutes after Deputy Mayor Valentino first read the motion.

The resolution was carried after a five to three vote.

Deputy Mayor Valentino sat in the Mayor's seat during all discussion of the grant-in-lieu, as Mayor Fenske had recused himself due to conflict of interest.

Spirit Way's scheduled UK promotions are now a bit more affordable thanks to the Thompson Regional Airport Authority and Calm Air.

At a ceremony Friday afternoon, Spirit Way President Marion Morberg was presented with cheques from the TRAA and Calm Air, totaling just under $20,000.00.

Curtis Ross, the president and CEO of the Thompson Airport spoke to 102.9 CHTM about the donation.

He said that Spirit way is very deserving of the money as they work hard to promote Thompson and the north to not only the rest of the province and country, but now internationally.

He went on to say that it's important to increase tourism in the Thompson area, as we have a lot more to offer than just wolves.

Spirit Way's planned promotion involves a painted wolf statue being displayed in Wolverhampton and London (England) this summer.

A seven year old boy from Split Lake has died following an incident at the Norplex Pool.

Thompson RCMP were called to the pool Sunday afternoon where officers found EMS workers performing CPR on the unresponsive boy.

The RCMP believe the boy was with a group of friends and may have wandered off when he entered the water in a deeper part of the pool and was not able to keep himself afloat.

The boy was later rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead as resuscitation efforts were not successful.

Foul play is not suspected and the investigation is ongoing.

Mayor Dennis Fenske's replacement on the grant-in-lieu negotiation committee for upcoming negotiations with Vale will be decided Monday at city council.

Mayor Fenske addressed the issue yesterday on City Beat on 102.9 CHTM.

He said that it is already on the agenda for the meeting, where a resolution will be put forward by council to choose his replacement.

Deputy Mayor Kathy Valentino and Councillor Penny Byer are the other two city representatives on the negotiating team.

The current grant-in-lieu with Vale is set to expire at the end of 2017.

The city's financial plan for 2017 is also on the agenda for Monday. Council hopes to be able to pass the second and third readings during the meeting.

City Council meets every second Monday at 7:00pm in council chambers at City Hall, located at 226 Mystery Lake Road.

The City of Thompson will be holding a public hearing this evening at City Hall.

The hearing will give Thompsonites a chance to ask council questions and raise any concerns they may have about the 2017 financial plan.

City Manager Gary Ceppatelli spoke to 102.9 C.H.T.M. and encouraged anyone who wants to come to the meeting to pick up a copy of the city's financial plan in advance.

He said that they're available at the front desk of City Hall.

All of council will be in attendance to answer questions.

The meeting will start at 7:00 upstairs in council chambers.

The city of Thompson will be adding a new transit bus and a new Handi-Van next year.

Almost $80,000.00 in provincial funding for transit projects in the city was announced at last week's city council meeting.

The city will be receiving $2,500.00 for transit signage, $5,000.00 for two bus shelters, $39,810.00 towards the purchase of a new bus and $31,250.00 towards the purchase of a new Handi-Van.

This provincial investment I sin addition to a $157,121.00 investment in the same projects by the federal government.  The city will be contributing almost $320,000.00 towards the projects.

Speaking on City Beat late last week, Councilor Colleen Smook said it's an important investment by the province.

She said that with our harsh winters, bus shelters in the city could use some much needed improvement.

She also added that the Handi-Van has been out of service for quite some time, so being able to purchase a new one will go a long way towards making the city more accessible.

Smook added that there will be a public meeting coming up on tomorrow for Thompsonites to get a look at the city's 2017 budget.

Tomorrow, senior music groups from R.D. Parker head to Banff, Alberta for their annual senior music tour.

The concert band and jazz ensemble will both be taking part in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival, which as Kevin Lewis from R.D.P.C. explained, is exciting.

The festival, according to Lewis, is one of the most prestigious festivals in Canada and takes place at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts.

To get into the festival, both the concert band and jazz ensemble had to make recordings and send them in to festival adjudicators.

Lewis told 102.9 CHTM that it's a festival that the school has been attending every few years for the past few decades.

He said that the festival brings together the top ensembles from western Canada, the western U.S.A., and occasionally around the world.

The tour will end next Tuesday.

The post-tour concert will take place at the Letkemann Theatre on May 3^rd.

A 27-year-old is in RCM-P custody and is facing six charges, including assault causing bodily harm and robbery.

The charges stem from an incident back on March 31^st, where Thompson RCM-P responded to a report of an assault.

A 22-year-old male sustained injuries from the incident as a result of being punched and bitten after the accused demanded money from him while threatening him with a knife. The 22-year-old was held against his will in an elevator while the assault took place.

Shamus Jackson appeared in provincial court Monday, and is being held in custody.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is not being shown at the library today.

The Thompson Public Library had originally planned on showing the movie this evening, but had to change the date to accommodate new flooring being put in the basement.

The movie will now be shown next Wednesday, April 19^th, at 5:00pm.

It's absolutely free to attend.

Mayor Dennis Fenske has removed himself from grant-in-lieu negotiations with Vale.

Mayor Fenske addressed the issue early in Monday's council meeting as he was asked yet again about conflict of interest.

He didn't answer the question, but rather gave this statement: "I'll save you the quesiton. In regards to the conflict of interest and in regards to the grant-in-lieu, I've advised council that I will be recusing myself from any further discussions".

This decisions comes after months of the topic being brought up and debated at almost every city council meeting since the committee was announced.

Thompson R-C-M-P responded to a report of a fight at the Regal Beagle bar, located at the Burntwood Hotel, early Saturday morning.

The bar was emptying as the Mounties arrived, and police were advised that the bar would be shut down for the night.

At this time no victims have come forward to the police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the R-C-M-P detachment at 677-6909

The Flin Flon School Division is hosting the Northern Manitoba Regional Science Fair this weekend. 

It takes place at Ruth Betts Community School. 

Thompson will be sending around 30 projects to the science fair, where students from grades four through eight will compete.   Students and their projects will be judged from nine until noon and then public viewing will run from 1:30 to 2:30 with awards following immediately after.

Three projects will be chosen to represent the Northern Manitoba region at the Canada Wide Science Fair.  This year’s national competition will run May 14^th to 20^th in Regina.

The city of Thompson has started pothole repairs on roads throughout the city.

City officials say the major thaw has slowed down, allowing crews to fix the holes.

Repairs will begin with priority areas, including Thompson Drive, Cree Road, Princeton Drive and Westwood Drive as well as access points for the RCMP, fire hall, schools and the hospital.

There is no timeline for completion of the work.

If you spot a road hazard, the city asks you to report it by calling 677-7970.