No talks yet in NOSM dispute

Efforts to start up contract talks in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine strike remain in limbo. Union spokesperson Tyler England says they're still waiting for word from school administration to get back to the table. Reports indicated the school is ready to return to bargaining and officials are simply trying to reach the mediator.

Art Gallery to ship out Beam painting

A little bit of Thunder Bay is heading to Ottawa next week. One of the Art Gallery's permanent works of art is being sent to the National Gallery on Monday. Alastair MacKay says its a painting by Carl Beam which will be part of a travelling exhibit. He says the National Gallery is collecting works by the Aboriginal artist and have requested that the local gallery send them one from their collection called Exorcism. MacKay says the national tour will be stopping in Thunder Bay in about two years or so.

Transit talks last all of 5 minutes

A transit strike in Thunder Bay is one step closer. It comes with the breakdown of contract talks between the Amalgamated Transit Union and the city. Union boss Charlie Brown says the meeting lasted all of 5 minutes today.  He says when the city came in and refused to change it's position both sides agreed there was no use in continuing the talks.  The union members will be in a legal strike position 17 days after the conciliator hands down her report.

One stop for job hunters

There's a new program in place to help job seekers. The Employment Services Program brings together three other job services into one according to Jim Adams, the Regional Director for Colleges Training and Universities. Lakehead Employment Services, Northwest Employment Works and YES Employment Services come under the new program.  The main office is located at Confederation College.

Charges laid in connection with fatal collision

Thunder Bay OPP have laid a charge in connection to a fatal collision on the expressway. A transport truck collided with a jogger March 1st killing a woman who was crossing the intersection. Police have charged a 45 year old Red Rock man who will appear in court in September.

Cabinett Shuffle has no effect on Michael Gravelle

Michael Gravelle is happy to keep his post inside the provincial government. Premier Dalton McGuinty made a few minor changes to his cabinet yesterday but Gravelle is keeping his portfolio. He says happy to continue with his work in forestry and mines in the Northwest. Gravelle says he's also happy to be chosen to sit on the the priorities and planning committee.