Well one good thing about all this warm weather, and melting of snow….this year’s flood forecast is lookin pretty good. Of course last year, Fargo and parts of southern Manitoba were hit by near record water levels in the spring. But this year, analysts say the ground is much drier than it was last winter, and we have had, so far, less snow….so, that’s making things look pretty good and stable for the spring.
A U of M researcher wants to see VLT’s taken out of bars, restaurants, lounges and legions. Tracie Afifi says she’s found VLT’s to be the biggest problem for Canadian women with a gambling addiction, ranking ahead of lotteries, bingo’s, instant scratch tickets or horse racing. Afifi says the biggest benefit of gambling revenue is for the government…and as a result, her idea will probably never happen.
A 38 year old doctor from Pinawa is continuing to see patients even though he’s been charged with sexually assaulting a woman during an examination. An official with the College of Physicians and Surgeons says that since he’s presumed innocent until proven otherwise, the doctor is continuing to practice, although a female attendant is required to be present at all times.
So are ya an Air Miles collector? If so, you might want to check into using your stored miles ASAP. The company that runs the program announced yesterday that big changes are coming. It’s now gonna cost you more miles to fly for free. As of the middle of February, there will be an average increase of 8 per cent. A spokesperson says the jump is a result in higher travel costs.
Here’s some good news for those flyin south. After nearly a month of super tight restrictions, Ottawa is relaxing its rules concerning what U.S. bound travelers can take on the plane with them. Passengers flying to the States will now be allowed to take one carry on bag onboard….along with a purse, or laptop, or briefcase. The changes by the way take effect today at all Canadian airports.
More rescues in Haiti…..a full week after the magnitude 7 earthquake leveled much of the country. A young woman was pulled from the rubble of collapsed building in Port Au Prince late last night. And a 69 year old woman was also pulled out alive yesterday.
In Haiti, global government and relief agencies continue to struggle to get help to the thousands of survivors. Medical groups, like Doctors Without Borders, are expressing frustration about delays keeping them from getting desperately needed supplies.
The Canadian death toll from last Tuesday’s earthquake is now believed to be 14, with 655 others still unaccounted for. It’s risen with news that 2 Quebec women working for the U.N. have been found dead. Meantime, authorities in Haiti say close to 100 survivors have been pulled from destroyed buildings by rescue teams since the quake.
Huge election with huge results in the U.S. yesterday. Ted Kennedy’s former U.S. Senate seat has gone to a Republican. In a stunning loss for the Democrats, Republican Scott Brown came away with the win. The Democratic loss leaves President Barack Obama scrambling to save his health care overhaul plan, now that Republicans have enough votes in the Senate to block it.
