Memorial to be held for former Mayor Dusty Miller

Its a chance for residents and politicians alike to pay tribute to former Mayor Dusty Miller.  A memorial will be held Friday afternoon at the Community Auditorium and Councillor Ken Boshcoff says when he was a rookie on council he was really impressed by Millers leadership.  Councillor Iain Angus says Miller is the reason why he got involved in politics and Mayor Keith Hobbs says she was a tough leader who fought hard for what she believed in.  The service will start at 2 o'clock.

Missing man found

It's a happy ending to a missing person's case.   Police Constable Julie Tilbury says 84 year old Norman Johnson was found on a road in the Dog Lake-Monday Lake area this afternoon by a passing motorist.  It turns out he became lost when he drove there in his truck and spent three nights in his vehicle before walking out today.  He'll be back with his family once he gets checked over by a doctor.

Rainy River doc to leave sooner

The town of Rainy River is losing its only full-time doctor sooner than expected.In an open letter to the community, Doctor David Singleton says he'll be ending his practice in the middle of April instead of June of next year. He cites a need for more control over his work and its conditions as reasons for his departure.

Outage affecting Current River

Thunder Bay Hydro crews are working hard to restore power to 500 customers in Current River.  Spokesperson Eileen Dias says an equipment problem is affecting the area of Current River and Norther Cumberland and at this time there is no timeline when power will be restored.

Chamber not happy with city's budget

The Chamber of Commerce wants the city to be a little more efficient.  President Harold Wilson says he isn't happy with the 2.67 percent tax increase in this year's budget.  Wilson says administration should be able to find enough savings through the Core Services Review to take some of the pressure off the tax payer.

French day care now open

The French speaking community in Thunder Bay now has its own day care centre. It's a 20 year dream come true says President Chantal Bohemier along with a big step for Fracophones,  as their pre-school children now have access to the French language all day.  The day care centre is located in Ecole catholique Franco-Superieur on Elgin Street.

Officials hold "urgent" Oxy meeting

The end of the Oxycontin era is causing concern among city police. They held an urgent meeting of local health and drug agencies to discuss the ramifications when the drug is taken off the market at the end of the month. Deputy Chief Andy Hay says they wanted to come up with a strategy to deal with the potential problems that could arise among addicts when their supply gets cut off suddenly. Hay says it's possible different drugs may come into the city which will replace the Oxycontin.

8 local athletes competing in Winter Games

Thunder Bay has eight Special Olympic athletes competing in the 2012 Canada Winter Games next week. Thomas Boyes is competing in Snowshoeing and says he's excited to travel to St. Albert, Alberta.  The Police department and Children's Aid Society helped raise 20-thousand dollars towards the trip.  8-thousand will be used towards travel expenses and the rest will go towards local sports programs.

OPP wrap up distracted driving campaign

OPP are still pulling people over for distracted driving.  Provincial Police recently cracked down on the illegal driving habit and Sergeant Shelley Garr says they charged 21 people in the Northwest.  The distracted driving campaign ran from February 13th until the 19th.

Torch relay coming

A cross-province campaign to increase the number of organ donors in Ontario will begin in Northwestern Ontario next week. The Step by Step Torch of Life relay kicks off in Kenora and will be in Dryden on March 5th and Thunder Bay on March 9th.  In total the relay will travel through 75 communities in four months.