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.  Angele Brunelle was elected as Chair of the board.

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.

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.

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

Death confounds 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

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.

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.

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 hospital 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.

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 by Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit

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.