By: Martha Dillman

Vaccination clinics have started, but the flu is still spreading throughout our community. The Timmins Majors have cancelled their games this weekend, as many players on the opposing teams are sick. Paul Gagne, Coach and Manager of the Abitibi Eskimo’s says the H1N1 flu seems to hitting players harder this season that previous years. “You know I would have to say yeah, it’s kinda weird this year,” he said. “The reason I say that is it’s affecting players differently. From diarrhea, to bad headaches, back pains to stomach pains.” Gagne says they’re taking steps to prevent the spread of the flu, such as players not sharing water bottles.

By: Martha Dillman

Back in March we sprung ahead, now it’s time to fall back. Daylight savings time happens this weekend, which means your clocks will go back one hour. The change happens this Sunday, November 1st at 2am. Fire officials say it’s also a good idea to change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks.

By: Amanda Young

Halloween is a sweet time of year, but eating all that candy at once isn’t so sweet. Public health dietitian with the Porcupine Health Unit, Shannon Labre, says has some tips to make sure the candy lasts beyond the one night. “Usually afterwards the kids are a little bit more excited so letting them have a little bit more after they come back from trick-or-treating might be helpful,” she said. “Then parents should really just set a limit on how much candy their kids can actually have per day.” She says it also helps to have the candy somewhere out of sight so it’s less of a temptation. And, of course, when you do indulge don’t forget to brush after.

By: Martha Dillman

Over $20,000 was raised Wednesday night at the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation’s ‘Bidding…for the Health of It’ auction. The money will go towards purchasing a new lighting system for the obstetrics department at the TDH. A number of businesses donated thousands of dollars of merchandise to be bid on, including a generator, NHL tickets, tools, artwork and jewellery. The foundation is looking to raise $5 million dollars by the end of the year.  The money will go towards the O-R suites, the dialysis expansion and the purchase of new medical equipment.

By: Martha Dillman

The Timmins Police are continuing to investigate a murder that happened in South Porcupine last weekend. A post mortem examination has determined Jonah Trapper, 18, died as a result of a single gun shot wound. The accused, Byron Spence has been charged with second degree murder and is being held in custody at the Monteith Correctional facility. Spence is scheduled to appear in court next month.

By: Martha Dillman

Our local MP says he understands why the public may be confused on his stance regarding the gun registry. New Democrat MP Charlie Angus says a vote is coming up next week in the house, but it’s not the final vote. “This is the second reading. So, this isn’t the vote that kills the gun registry,” he said. “This is the vote that sends it to committee, which is the next stage in moving this bill forward.” Angus says NDP leader Jack Layton has not told MP’s to vote one way or another in the final vote. He adds he’s been speaking with his constituents, and the majority of them say they’re frustrated with how the registry was implemented.

By: Amanda Young

Halloween can be scary, yet safe at the same time. Timmins Police Constable Rick Lemieux says when it comes to costumes, makeup is better than a mask. “With a mask, your peripheral vision is obstructed,” he explained. “So with make-up, you can see a lot better. If you’re going to wear a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough for you to be able to see out your peripheral vision.” Make sure any robes or capes are the right length for your child so they aren’t tripping. Costumes should also include reflective tape on the front and back so kids can be seen in the dark. For more safety tips visit pumpkinpatrol.com.

By: Natalie Geddes

They had hoped to be done by now, but the new Cochrane District Social Services building still has a month left of construction. The new building across from the Hollinger park will be home to the city’s ambulances, Ontario Works, social assistance, housing and child services. CEO David Landers says they’ll be moving in at the end of November. “It’s running about a month behind, which I guess on a $9 million dollar project isn’t that bad,” he said. “There was a couple of delays. The weather just wasn’t great for summer construction this year and there was some delays on getting the glass because there’s a lot of glass in this building.” This is the first time all these services have been under one roof. Landers says it will lead to better and quicker service.

By: Martha Dillman

H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are now being offered in Timmins. The clinics kicked off today, and people started waiting at least 3 hours before the doors opened. Manager of Infectious Diseases with the Porcupine Health Unit Lynn Leggett says she’s confident that Health Canada approved a safe vaccine. “It’s a vigorous process when a vaccine gets approved,” she explained. “I feel that we’re in a good situation. Health Canada has approved a vaccine that’s as safe as the seasonal vaccine.” Clinics will be held until November 17th at the Timcor Building at the corner of Spruce and 3rd.
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H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule for Timmins

- Wednesday, October 28th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Thursday, October 29th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Friday, October 30th – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Sunday, November 1st – 10am-4pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Monday, November 2nd – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Tuesday, November 3rd – 12:30pm-7pm: Northern College, South Porcupine
- Wednesday, November 4th – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Thursday, November 5th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Friday, November 6th – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Saturday, November 7th – 10am-3pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Monday, November 9th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Tuesday, November 10th – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Thursday, November 12th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Friday, November 13th – 9am-3:30pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Monday, November 16th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
- Tuesday, November 17th – 12:30pm-7pm: Timcor Building, 237 Third Ave.
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Residents started lining up 3 hours before the clinic was scheduled to open.  The line-up was at least a block long.

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A nurse with the Porcupine Health Unit gets ready to start vaccinating the public.

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Local resident Len Gillis receives his H1N1 flu vaccination.

By: Natalie Geddes

MPP Gilles Bisson says changes to the provinces Mining Act are a step sideways rather than forward. The upgrades have been passed by Queens Park. Bisson says the government didn’t listen to northeners. “A lot of the people that presented to us not only from Timmins, but across the north did not want to see map staking and were opposed to it and the government has gone forward with that,” he said. “In a five year period, we will eliminate prospecting as far as staking a claim to move to map-staking which I think is a mistake.” He says map staking will favor big mining companies. The new rules call for more training of prospectors and miners, with the overall goal of modernizing mining in Ontario.