Relay for Life a huge success

Friday night marked the annual Relay for Life Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser. Almost one thousand people participated this year, with over 160 walking the Survivors Victory Lap. Fundraising Coordinator Dana Levanto says that by closing ceremonies, over 143-thousand dollars had been raised. The money goes towards cancer research, as well as treatment and support for those affected.

May Street Mac's Robbed Again

Thunder Bay Police are investigating another robbery at the Mac's Mart on north May Street. Early yesterday morning, a man armed with a knife entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. An undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes were taken. The man is described as approximately 30 years of age, Native with a scruffy face, and wearing a black hoodie and black pants with a white stripe. The male left the store on foot. Police have been unable to locate the suspect.

New hospital chair to stay the course

The new chair of the Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors wants to build friendships in the community. Angele Brunelle says she doesn't want the board to stray from what it's doing best and that is,  patient and family centred care. She stresses that the facility is a teaching hospital and should continue it's focus on research. Brunelle says one of her first jobs will be to find a person to succeed Ron Saddington as hospital CEO. She says there should be news on that front "pretty soon."

Council at Chippewa Park

Thunder Bay City Council will be starting a little earlier Monday night.  The meeting is being moved to five o'clock at Chippewa Park pavillion.  Aboriginal Liason officer Anna Gibbon says the meeting will be special because council intends to sign a declaration of committment with area first nations.  Gibbon adds it's a great first step and will better the City's relationship with first nations.  The second half of the council meeting will take place in council chambers.

Quaint businesses and bistros could line Kam River

Thunder Bay City Council is expected to approve a draft report on the redevelopment of the Kam River area. Project Lead Victoria Kofny says they want to find new uses for the property. Kofny says they want to encourage small businesses and restaurants along the waterfront and on the islands. After the report is brought before council, a series of public consultation sessions will be held.

TBHU and Dilico team up for early learning education

A new early learning program is being launched in three area first nation communities.  The Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care have teamed up for the Nitam Giigadowin program. Health Unit Spokesperson Cathy Ferrel says they want to reach out to first nation communities and hopes they'll walk away with a better understanding of first nation culture. The program will teach speech and language skills to young children. The project will be available in Ginoogaming, Fort William, and Long Lake First Nations.

Red Rock paramedics "homeless"

Paramedics in Red Rock are away from their home base for a week at least. The EMS station there has been temporarily closed after mould was found. Deputy Chief Ernie Kadikoff says they have moved to a new location  in the Red Rock Fire Hall without any problems. Until the station is declared mould free, the paramedics will stay away .

Virdiramo didn't know about methadone clinic

City Councillor Joe Virdiramo says he too was caught off guard about a proposed methadone clinic in the Westfort business area. Area merchants are raising concerns about it. Virdiramo says it was a surprise to him as well.   He says the owner of the business across the street from the future clinic made him aware of the issue.   Virdiramo says he sympathizes with the merchants but says the clinic will not be operating illegally.

Mutiny on the Bounty

The Bounty will be paying a visit to Thunder Bay and it's not the chocolate bar or the paper towel.  HMS Bounty is one of the most famous tall ships and has been featured in the movies "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Pirates of the Caribbean".  Spokesperson John Ongaro says boating enthusiasts are encouraged to join the Bounty as it makes its way into port on Tuesday, August 3rd.  Public tours of the ship will be staged the following day on August 4th.

Gravelle unaware of funding cuts

Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle is scrambling to get answers about funding cuts. Gravelle says he was not aware that the province reduced funds to the District Social Services Board for an addictions program.  He's hoping to discuss the issue with Board Chair Iain Angus and then lobby the minister responsible to get the funding maintained.

Herman named President of Ontario Police Chiefs

It looks like it will be a good working relationship between the Ontario Government and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. Thunder Bay's police chief Robert Herman was appointed as President. Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci says he looks forward to sitting down with Herman. Bartolucci feels Herman will do a great job as President and has a wealth of experience. Herman joined the Thunder Bay police service in 1980 and was made chief in 2000.

Province finds funds for Duel Credit program

The provincial government is putting almost 1.3 million dollars into a college and high school program. The Duel Credit program allows high school students to get college credits in a course while still in at the grade level. Confederation College President Pat Lang says it helps students find the right course. The provincial money will fund the local program for the upcoming school year.

Tory candidate steps down

The Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Superior North are looking for a Federal Candidate. Mike Auld says he is stepping down for health reasons. Auld was nominated last year after a coin toss was used to break a tie vote between him and challenger Richard Harvey. Riding Association officials say that it will be up to the Party in Ottawa to decide what direction to take next

Health Sciences Centre goes into the black

There are no worries about deficits at the Regional Health Sciences Centre. The Annual General Meeting was told the surplus is a modest 139 thousand dollars. Hospital CEO Ron Saddington says it was an effort by all departments to get into the black. He says it took all of them looking over the organization with a microscope and making sure the hospital was efficient as possible.

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.