L-U class has recipe to encourage local food production

A Lakehead University social work class has some ideas on how city council can support local food production. The class presented to council at Monday's meeting  and says changes like serving local food at city-run facilities and teaching kids in school about gardening would be a boost for food production in the region. The students made the presentation as part of their coursework where they're encouraged to apply their learning to real world situations. The class invited councillors to a roundtable discussion at Lakehead on March 23rd to talk more about the subject.

CNIB to again run program for blind kids

The CNIB is expected to get it's contract renewed with the Health Unit to provide services for blind children in the city. The Health Unit's Cathy Farrell says the 3 year old program helps about a dozen kids.  She says while there number of children affected is small the impact is huge.  The 36 thousand dollar program goes before the board for it's approval Tuesday.

Hepatitis program going national

The Health Unit is joining a Canada wide Hepatitis surveillance program. Information from people with the disease is to be shared with health officials nationally. Program coordinator Maureen Twigg says we'll be one of 11 reporting centres in Canada. She says the information will be compiled to come up with a data base.  Twigg says it's just an extension of a program that is run provincially

Funding for speech program running out

A Health Unit official is hoping the provincial government will again fund a speech language program. Cathy Farrell says one time funding for the program runs out at the end of the month. She says it's proven to be successful for children under 30 months and there is a waiting list for the services.  Farrell makes a presentation to the board Tuesday on the program.

Mauro makes another announcement

Another election spending announcement is expected Tuesday.  Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the announcement is something Abitibi Bowater has been waiting for for sometime.  The press conference gets underway at the mill at 11.

Trial surprise, jury pool dismissed

The murder trial of 33 year old Andre Wareham is on hold indefinitely.   The trial came to sudden and surprising halt Monday after Justice Helen Pierce ruled that the jury pool of over 100 men and women did not properly represent the Aboriginal community in Thunder Bay and told them all they were free to go home.  Defence lawyer Steven Hinkson has no idea how long it will delay the trial.  He says it will be up to the Attorney General's Ministry as to address the issue.   Wareham is charged with second degree murder in the 2009 death of 29 year old William Atkins

OSPCA probing possible animal cruelty

Photos of what we are told are distressed animals in the Thunder Bay area are posted on Facebook.  The series of images depict horses and cows which appear to have various forms of disease.   The sames pictures have been sent to our newsroom by a concerned listener.   The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that the investigation is ongoing and it's too early to release any information at this time.

Thunder Bay Red Cross collecting donations for Japan

The Thunder Bay Red Cross so far is only collecting donations for Japanese Relief efforts. Red Cross Thunder Bay Spokesperson Ken Widdifield says for the time being no Canadian Red Cross members are headed to the Tsunami and Quake ravaged country.  Right now the Japanese Red Cross is assessing their needs and until they are determined no Canadian Red Cross members will be heading overseas.  Widdifield says you can make a donation at the Red Cross office, over the phone or by going online.

Thunder Bay woman still hasn't heard from parents in Japan

A Thunder Bay woman is still waiting to hear from her parents in Japan. Hiroko Bekki Moller hasn't been able to reach her parents since Friday's Tsunami hit the area of Japan where her parents live. She says all she can do is wait and hope.   Moller says she's trying to keep a positive outlook and hopes with some cellular coverage opening up she'll hear from her parents soon.

Bombardier Contract Extended

Bombardier will see more work come from the McGuinty Government.  125 million dollars in provincial funds will be spent to purchase 50 new bi-level coaches for the GTA's Go Transit.  Go Transit President Gary McNeil says the order expands on their current contract with the Thunder Bay plant.  Production of the coaches is scheduled to begin in June with the first coach being on the ground by the fall.

Tunderwolves win consolation

The LU Thunderwolves men's basketball finished off their season on a high note winning the consolation side of the CIS National Championships.  LU beat Dalhousie University 84-80 to finish 5th in the country.  The team the Wolves lost to in their opening game Trinity Western fell in the final against Carleton 82-59.  It is Carleton's 7th Championship in 9 years.