Year in Review: : February 2022

THUNDER BAY – TBNewswatch takes a month-by-month look back at the top stories of 2022. Here are 10 of the stories that made headlines in February:

1. After Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes was suspended, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board appointed Supt. Dan Taddeo as acting deputy chief, the first of two promotions he would receive in 2022.
   
2. count. Aldo Ruberto learned that the city’s integrity officer had ruled that some of his Facebook comments related to a criminal investigation into a driver who allegedly ran over a tent at a homeless camp were inappropriate. As a result, Ruber was recommended to be docked.
   
3. Patrick O’Keese was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the 2017 murder of Brayden Moonias, whose body was found in Marina Park. Judge Tracey Nieckarz said O’Keese’s involvement was suspicious but she could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that he played a role or caused the death.
   
4. Walter Wayroda, a local Ukrainian, spoke out against Russian President Vladimir Putin after the dictator launched an invasion of Ukraine, a move condemned by world leaders. Hundreds took part in a rally at City Hall on February 25.
   
5. Project Waffle netted investigators more than $2.3 million in crack and cocaine powder and $470,000 in cash. Arrest warrants were executed at locations around the city and three people were arrested.
   
6. Mayor Bill Mauro expressed disappointment but no surprise when he learned that up to 300 workers at Alstom’s Thunder Bay plant face layoffs ranging from four to 12 months. Mauro said city officials could see a move coming.
   
7. A youth leader, who cannot be named under a publication ban, was found guilty of molesting a 12-year-old in the summer of 2019.
   
8. A rally was held in Waverley Park in support of protesters occupying downtown Ottawa, calling for the end of COVID-19 restrictions. Protests took place in Marina Park later in the month. By the end of the month, the province had lifted most vaccination pass requirements. Changes to the border were also announced at the end of the month.
   
9. count. Brian McKinnon announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence from Council duties for personal reasons. The period of absence included the city’s 2022 budget deliberations. McKinnon, returning to the role, later announced he would not seek re-election in October. He was the first of several incumbent council members not to run for re-election, a group that included Rebecca Johnson, Cody Fraser, Aldo Ruberto and Mayor Bill Mauro.
   
10. An extreme cold warning was issued in the middle of the month, with temperatures expected to drop to -35C to -40C.