In Rearview Mirror 2024 we are going to take a look at the year's top stories, culminating in a vote by readers for the BayToday "Top Story" of 2024 and "Newsmaker" of 2024.
To simplify things, our reporters have condensed the monthly top stories starting in January and running through to December.
Today we look at April when the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority imploded after its own human resources manager accused the organization of having a toxic workplace and how the employees there are suffering. It ended when both the manager, CEO and board chair resigned and a number of employees quit after forming a union to help solve the mess. The Board of Directors remained silent on the issue, despite a letter from employees asking for help.
See: Conservation Authority changes lock on HR Director's office door
The embattled chair of the Near North School Board abruptly resigned after a months-long battle over renaming Chippewa Secondary School. Erika Lougheed gave no explanation for her sudden departure, The renaming of the school was abandoned but rebranding continues.
See: School board shocker! Erika Lougheed resigns from NNDSB
April also saw a major city business, Stradwicks, destroyed by fire. The blaze was determined to be not suspicious. Fire Chief Jason Whiteley pegged the dollar loss as "high, upward to two million dollars."
See: Stradwicks blaze 'not suspicious' says Fire Chief Whiteley
See January here.
See February here.
