Methadone clinic raises concerns

There's concern among Westfort businesses. They have discovered that a methadone clinic is about to open in their area. Spokesperson Jack Moro says it took all of the area merchants by surprise.   He says they had no idea it was coming in and says it appears to be have been done in a "hush hush" manner.  Moro says the merchants hope if the clinic goes through, it's not a detriment to buiness

T-Wolves release hockey sked

The Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey schedule is out. This year there are 20 home games starting on October 1st against the Ottawa Gee Gees. The last regular season home game will be February 5th and the playoffs beginning February 16th. Spokesperson John Payetta says they'll follow the same league format that was used last year. They'll mainly play the 9 teams in the OUA West Division and two teams from the East division. This year those East opponents will be Concordia and Nippissing

The Link helps kids testify in court

Thunder Bay's counselling centre has launched a new initiative under it's child and youth victims program.  Co-ordinator Tara Gauld says they created a child friendly room called "the link".  Up to 120 children take part in the child victim witness program a year.  They named the room the "link" because the centre is the link between local court services and youth victims.

Isotope shortage not hugely impacting hospital

The medical isotope shortage isn't having a big impact on the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.  Vice President of Regional Cancer & Diagnostic Services Micahel Power says they've got another option for cancer patients. Patients in need of a bone scan are being directed towards the hospital's PET CT scanner. The PET CT Scanner uses a different type of isotope, one that isn't produced at the Chalk River facility.  The chalk river facility is expected to be back up in the fall.

Death confounds the OPP

The OPP in Kenora are stumped.  For one year they have been trying to indentify the remains of a woman one year ago.   They say her body was found in a small tent located in a wooded area near Miller Rapids Road.  They believe that she was at the site for no longer than one week before her body was discovered.   They don't believe the death was deliberate or suspicious.   Pictured:   Tent the dead woman was found in

Cancer fundraiser ready to roll

The 9th annual Relay for Life takes place this weekend at Fort William Historical Park. The event raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Organizer Dana Levanto says there are 850 participants this year and the fundraising goal is 145 thousand dollars. About 160 cancer survivors will be walking the first lap of the relay starting at 7 o'clock Friday evening.

Thunder Bay hospital now has Breast MRI

Northwestern Ontario breast cancer patients now have access to a world class Breast MRI.  Thunder Bay's Regional Health Science Centre is teaming up with Sentinelle Medical to offer the initiative.  Dr. Neety Panu is the lead radiologist with the hospital and says they'll be offering world class MRI service.  The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation donated 185-thousand dollars towards the project.  The breast MRI is expected to be up and running some time in  September.

Hospital AGM tonight

The Annual General Manager of the Regional Health Sciences Centre board takes place tonight. There will be a new chair elected as Ingrid Parkes has completed her third, three-year term and is not returning. Hers is one of three board positions that will be filled at this evening's meeting. It takes place at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma Street starting at 7 o'clock.

Thunder Bay's Addiction Services Initiative gets funding cut

Thunder Bay's Addiction Services Initiative is being hailed as a success but is suffering a major blow. The province has decided to implement the pilot project across Ontario but to do so Thunder Bay funding is being cut by almost 40 percent. Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Chair Ian Angus says the cuts will save the government just over 350 thousand dollars but will cost the District 3.42 million in added treatment costs.

Another Drug bust in Thunder Bay

Over 31 hundred dollars worth of illegal drugs have been taken off the street thanks to the combined forces organized crime unit. Officers searched a house on Windsor Street yesterday and found the drugs along with over 60 thousand dollars in cash. A 24 year old woman and a 30 year old man have been arrested and are facing a number of charges.

Adult Ed grads pumped for ceremony

Thursday is a special day for over 100 students in the Public Schools Adult Education course. They are graduating with their grade 12 diplomas. Spokesperson Barb Kucherka says it's a diverse group this year. She says the valedictorian is a grandmother of 3. The ceremony takes place at the Da Vinci Centre at Thursday evening at 7.

Algonquin students march for a cause

Students at Algonquin School have a better understanding of the way of life in Malawi. On Wednesday they walked the walk, marching the many kilometres some people in that country walk to see a doctor. The students also raised 1 thousand dollars towards a new clinic in a community that student Jaako Polkki and his mother Sue have visited.

New youth facility named for Justice Lester

The province's new youth detention building on Highway 61 now has a name. It's called the Justice Ronald B. Lester Youth Centre. His widow Susan Lester says it's a most appropriate honour since he worked with youth all the time as a criminal lawyer and judge. He was also very active with Harbour Youth Services, the organization that takes care of disadvantaged young people. Lester says naming the centre after her late husband is significant for the community. Pictured: MPP Bill Mauro and Councillor Joe Virdiramo help Susan Lester and family cut the ribbon.

NAN Chief happy with HST exemption

Reports indicating continued point of sale HST exemption for Ontario's first nations are being welcomed from the Grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Stan Beardy says treaty rights give his people PST exemption and having that continued with the provincial portion of the HST is great for his people. Beardy says the official announcement is expected to come by Friday.

Border Cats add infielder

The Border Cats have added some offensive pop. The Cats have signed infielder Ryan Court from Illinios State. Court led his team with 10 homers and 49 RBI's this spring. He's expected to be in uniform tonight when the Cats welcome the Mankato Moondogs to Port Arthur Stadium.

Mountain Climber rescued on the Nor'Westers

Thunder Bay OPP rescued a mountain climber in the Nor'Westers last night. OPP spokesperson Diana Cole says the Emergency Response team responded to a 911 call just after 10 o'clock last night. Cole says a 21 year old Thunder Bay man was climbing with three friends when he became nervous when it started to get dark. Cole says the man was successfully rescued and no one was injured.

City celebrates culture

The city presented it's Arts and Heritage awards Tuesday evening at Magnus Theatre. 10 awards were presented. The winners are:
• Keith Ailey for visual art.
• Lee Chambers in performing and media art.
• Thunder Mountain Singers are the heritage winners .
• Willow Springs Creative Centre is the top cultural organization.
• Brandi Fiala for emerging youth artist.
• Christie Parry for cultural educator.
• Fran Loney wins as a cultural supporter.
• Ahnisnabae Art Gallery is the cultural business winner.
• The Chronicle-Journal for large business.
• The Painted Turtle Art Shop for small business.

Wind farm D-Day....June 29th

It's crunch time for city council and the Big Thunder Wind Park. There'll be a special council meeting June 29th to deal with the issue.  City Clerk John Hannam says councillors will be asked to decide on the location of the 18 wind turbines. He says council will get a staff report and get administration's recommendation on where they should be located. Councillors are being pressured by residents in the area to turn down the proposed site.

OPP looking for missing Nova Scotian Man

Marathon OPP are looking to the public for help in locating a missing man. Charlie MacPherson from Nova Scotia was reported missing by his family and his vehicle was located near the Prairie River west of Marathon. The 62 year old is described as 6'5'', around 210 pounds with grey shoulder length hair and walks with a limp.

Pedestrian injured by car

One man is in hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car this morning. Police responded to the collision just after midnight. The man was walking across North May street when he was hit by a North Bound vehicle. The 28 year old was transported to the Health Science Centre.