Cyclotron building may be in jeopardy

Officials with the Regional Research Institute hope they don't have to scale back their plans for a new building on the hospital grounds. The proposed 25 million dollar facility would house a new cyclotron that would produce medical isotopes. Institute chair, Keith Jobbitt says federal funding for the project may not come through.  He says they may instead have to use an existing building like the Health Sciences Centre or the Munro Street facility.  Jobbitt says they will continue to pursue the funding from the feds.

Slain constable to receive another honour

The Current River Bridge on Highway 11-17 is going to be named after a police officer who died in the line of duty. Saturday officials will dedicate the bridge to the memory of City Police Constable John Kusznier. He died in a shooting in the parking lot of a north side hotel 30 years ago. The ceremony will take place at the Terry Fox Lookout at 11 am.

New study says school food program works

The Lakehead Public School Board is touting the success of a program aimed at helping Aboriginal students. The Neighbourhood Capacity Building Project helps make sure the students are fed and are exposed to native culture. Organizer Tammy Bobyk says a new study shows it's working and has an influence on student success which can be directly linked to academic success.

Fatal accident leads to charge

A Thunder Bay man is now facing a charge in connection to Wednesday's fatal traffic accident on Red River Road. Spokesperson Chris Adams says that's were a pick up and a motorbike collided resulting in the death of the motorcycle driver, 37 year old Darren Dolph.  Police have charged the 49 year old pick up truck driver with careless driving. Adams says no further charges are expected.

Cheques on the way for some northern residents

Some residents of Northern Ontario will soon qualify for a cheque to take the sting out of higher energy costs. Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the money will start coming after the law is passed.  The cheques will range from 130 dollars for individuals to 200 dollars for families. The credit is designed for low and middle income people and families.

Walk to help Easter Seals

On the charity beat, the Dawson Road Safeway store is hosting an Easter Seals fundraising walk Saturday morning. Rhonda Harrison of Easter Seals says there is no financial goal set because it's only the first year of the event. The walk starts at 11:30 until 12:30.  The cost to enter is 10 dollars

Fourth mayoralty candidate emerges

A city truck driver wants to be the next mayor of Thunder Bay. 53 year old Brian Kwasny is a life long resident of the city and understands he has a low profile, but he believes that can be an advantage because it will keep him open minded. Kwasny says the current city council has been doing things backwards. He becomes the 4th candidate in this mayors race. The other three are Lynn Peterson, Keith Hobbs and Jeff Irwin.

Rydholm seeking another council term

Linda Rydholm doesn't believe her work on city council is finished. The Neebing Ward councillor says she will be seeking another term in the October municipal election. She sites the Big Thunder Wind Farm as one of the issues she wants to tackle, saying the complexities of the project have to be resolved.  She is the second registered candidate in that ward, the other is former councillor Gary Shchepanik.

Lack of waterfall causes tourism concern

There's concern tourism will suffer in Kakabeka if the main attraction isn't there. The famous falls have been reduced to a trickle because of the lack of precipitation over the winter. The Past President of the Kakabeka Business Association, Marlis Dudzinski, says there will be a big impact. She says businesses may have to advertise more and feature other outdoor attractions like ATV and motorcycle trails.

Greenstone turns to online voting

In the same week Thunder Bay said no to online voting another local municipality is setting a precedent. Greenstone council voted to implement telephone and internet voting for the upcoming municipal elections. Mayor Michael Power says it will cost 40 thousand dollars which is cheaper than the old mail in ballot system.