Monday, July 5, 2010

More illegal painkillers seized

There appears to be no end to the drug busts involving Oxycodone in the city. The latest arrests were made at two rooms at the Landmark Inn recently. The street value of the pills is estimated to be 96 thousand dollars. There was 60 thousand dollars in cash that was also seized.

City playgrounds staffed for the summer

Thunder Bay playgrounds are open for the summer. 17 Playgrounds throughout the city will have activities for kids from 5 to 12 years old. Supervisor A.J. Kresack says there are structured programs involved to keep children busy. The program runs from 9:30 to 4 Monday to Friday.

Make way for SuperArts

Kids can't complain there's nothing to do this summer. The City of Thunder Bay has kicked off it's SuperArts Program at Ogden Community Centre on McKenzie Street. The program keeps the children busy each afternoon according to supervisor Kirsten Fritsch.   The program includes activities like drama, cooking and scrapbooking. Pictured:  SuperArts participants Matthew Vidis and Rachael Morgan

New hospital prez comes with top credentials

The new president of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is from New Brunswick. Andree Robichaud takes over the position from Ron Saddington as of October first. Robichaud is a seasoned health executive. She is currently the CEO of the Region Health Authority in that province. She also held the position of Associate Deputy Minister of Health in the New Brunswick government.

Road washout closes Highway 11

A large sinkhole has closed Highway 11 west of Kashabowie.   Provincial Police says the sinkhole impacts both lanes of the highway, about 10 kilometres west of Burchell Lake Road.  Heavy rain is to blame. The highway is not expected to reopen until crews complete repairs sometime today. For people  travelling to Atikokan or Fort Frances fromThunder Bay , it means having to detour through Highway 502 and Dryden.

Warm weather will continue

Northwestern Ontario can expect to see warmer than normal temperatures this week.  The normal temperature for this time of year is 24 degrees, but Environment Canada is calling for highs of 26 or more.  Spokesperson Geoff Coulson adds the region will see scattered showers on Tuesday and Thursday.

Gas station robbery leaves attendant injured

A gas bar attendant has been injured after a morning robbery.  A man entered the service station at the corner of Wardrope Avenue and Balsam Street just after 7:30 this morning and attacked the clerk from behind.  The victim sustained a minor injury from what appeared to be a straight edged weapon.  Police have yet to locate the robbery suspect.

Local MPs have side jobs

Thunder Bay's two MPs are in the spotlight along with a number of their fellow parliamentarians. John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer are among the 150 MPs who have outside business interests that could suppliment their regular salary of 151 thousand a year. The information has been taken from the Office of the Ethics Commissioner. It shows that Rafferty owns a communications and media recording company while Bruce Hyer still owns Wild Waters Wilderness shop and Nature Tours.