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 to meet 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 shops and bistros could line the 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.

Health Unit 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.