Black Eye For Hospital

Dr. Gordon Porter, CEO Andree Robichaud

The Regional Health Sciences Centre is reporting a breach of patient confidentiality.  500 patient records including MRI images were shared with a doctor who had no authorization to look at them. Hospital President Andree Robichaud calls it a very serious issue and patients will be notified.  Robichaud says the doctor involved has been dealt with but wouldn't say exactly how.

Kasabonika In A State Of Emergency

There's another evacuation of First Nation residents from a northwestern Ontario community.   150 people have been taken from Kasabonika to Hearst and Greenstone because of flooding.  Emergency Management Ontario says the community is currently under a state of emergency because of the situation.

OPP Probe Suspicious Fire

OPP in Greenstone are looking into what they believe was an arson in Geraldton.  They say that an abandoned home in the community may have been torched on the weekend.  No one was hurt in the blaze and no arrests have been made.

No Driving On Closed Roads

City Police say people are not getting the message about driving on closed roads.  Police ticketed 50 people with driving in zones they shouldn't be.  Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter says that includes Arundel Street.  Eight drivers were also ticketed for speeding in the area of the Golf Links Road construction site.

New Drug Overdose Program

The City's Drug Strategy is launching a new overdose prevention program.  Coordinator Cynthia Olsen says they'll be offering a kit that helps people with substance abuse problems spot the signs of an overdose.  The new kit also comes with a drug that will help reverse an overdose.  Overdose training will start June 5th.

Local Bees Threatened By Parasite

There's a new threat for honey bees in Thunder Bay. A deadly parasite known as the destructor mite has caused the bees to weaken during winter months. The local beekeeper association is offering to replace for free any infected hives that are destroyed to prevent their spread.

Forest Fires Over The Weekend

The forest fire hazard is moderate to high with some areas tipping up into the extreme range.  There were 4-new fires in the northwest region over the weekend.  5-fires continue to burn but no problems are anticipated.

Hunting Draw Info

Attention hunters, you can still apply for the 2013 Big Game Draws.  Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Michelle Nowak says residents in Northwestern Ontario can hunt moose or antlerless deer.
Applications for moose can be made till May 31st and antlerless deer till July 2nd.   Paper applications are no longer being accepted, instead they are being done online or over the phone.

Internet Voting A Possibility

The city may be about to take the first step to allow Internet voting in the next election.   Councillor Rebecca Johnson says her colleagues  will be asked to support alternate voting methods for upcoming  elections...something she fully backs.  The other methods include voting by phone or by mail.

City Council Round Up

From tonight's City Hall agenda, one Councillor is questioning the wisdom of paying one million dollars so a private company can move into the Whelan Building.  Rebecca Johnson says the money would be for the second phase of renovations to the building.  Another 2 million dollars for the renovations would come from other government sources.  Meanwhile, Officials at Shelter House are planning to expand the fledgling  managed alcohol program.  Executive Director Patty Hajdu is to appear before city Councillors tonight with a plan to take the program into the vacant EMS building on George Street.

No Flood Costs Tonight

City council will not be dealing with the costs of last years flood at this evening's meeting.   They were going to get a report stating the total price tag for the May 28th disaster is about 44 million dollars.  However that report will now come up at next weeks meeting.

Two New Fires Reported

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting two new fires in the Thunder Bay area. MNR officials say one of the fires was a brush fire in Oliver-Paipoonge, but is now out. The other was located in the Gorham Township.

Local Fundraiser For Ski Ninjas Strip

A Thunder Bay based comic strip artist is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund the printing and production of  his first collection.  You can kick in some cash to Kyle Lees' Ski Ninjas campaign from now up until July 5th. Lees says the book will showcase his strips and much more.  Lees fundraising goal is 2 thousand 500 dollars.

Splash Pad Now Open

The attractions at Prince Arthur's Landing are now open for the season. The city has opened up the splash pad from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the summer months.

Slight Changes To Transit

City Transit has announced altered schedules for a few routes for the summer months. The #2 Crosstown now comes every 30 minutes rather than 15. Also, there are slight improvements to the #7 Hudson route.

Planting New Trees For Arbor Day

The city is planting new trees in support of Arbor Day. A vacant lot on the Memorial and High intersection will be filled with new trees, as a demonstration of how trees can be used to create beautiful space with meaning. The event will run from 1-3:30 today.

Fire Season Starts Slow

To the relief of  the Ministry of Natural Resources the fire season continues its slow start. There were three new fires reported in the Northwest Region as of today.   Two were in the Red Lake District and one in the Dryden District. There were two additional active fires in the Red Lake District that began yesterday.  To date, there have been almost 70 fires burning an area of  just over 60 hectares in the Northwest Region.

Flood Report Postponed

An update from city councillors on last years flood will now take place at  the June 3rd council meeting and not Monday night as scheduled.   The report states that the total price tag for the disaster is pegged at about 44 million dollars.   City Councillor Rebecca Johnson says that administration postponed the presentation.

Private School Causes Buzz

The education community is buzzing with word that a  private high school is about to open at the former Quetico Centre near Atikokan.   It's the brainchild of Toronto's Michael Heaton who says he's shooting  for a September opening.   He says a number of teachers from outside the province are expressing interest in the new facility.   Heaton says tuition for the new school will be 39 thousand 500 dollars a year.

Collision At William & Balmoral

A two vehicle accident at the intersection of William and Balmoral is causing traffic to be slowed down.   The mishap is in the area of the Golf Links road detour.  Traffic is backed up in the area.  A witness says there are injuries, police can not confirm the extent of injuries.