By: Martha Dillman

The South Porcupine OPP arrested four people over the weekend for drinking and driving. Three drivers were caught impaired behind the wheel of a vehicle, while the fourth was operating a snowmobile. Constable Marc Depatie says this is an alarming and disappointing start to the festive 2009 RIDE season. He says they will continue to work to remove impaired drivers from the roads.

By: Natalie Geddes

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobiles is encouraging older sleds out to the trails with a new and cheaper “Classic Permit”. Gillbert Fortin and the Timmins Snowmobile Club are currently selling permits before they start work on the trail system. “We definitely want some cold weather first so that we can have some freeze and then tons of snow,” he said. “This year, Mother Nature willing, we’ll try to get some trails by Christmas and if not shortly there after.” The permit pre-sale ends Wednesday.

By: Amanda Young

Northern College is offering a post-diploma Addiction Counseling program in January 2010. Program Coordinator, Joanne Hagger-Perritt says this is one of the most innovative and rigorous addiction specific programs in the province because it looks at addictions other than alcohol and drugs. “We will also be talking about Internet addictions, sexual addictions, gambling addictions,” she said. “So really looking a broad range of additions that people experience as opposed to that narrow focus that many of the programs have.” Applications are still being accepted.

By: Martha Dillman

Northern College is experiencing record enrolment numbers. First year enrolment at the Porcupine Campus is up 49%, or 211 students, while total enrolment has risen 38%. The college credits the majority of the increase to the province’s Second Career Strategy, which funds the retraining of laid-off workers.

By: Martha Dillman

St. Mary’s Manor will be developed into seniors housing, but some residents are concerned that the construction may eliminate Fifth Avenue between Pine and Cedar Streets and the parking lot in that area. Dr. Tony Kos says parking in the north end of the city is already troublesome. “A lot of people go to the 101 Mall to shop, and they go to the banks, and they worship at the cathedrals,” he said. “You also have the court houses.” Kos says he’s in favour of the development of St. Mary’s manor, but thinks it can proceed without the closure of Fifth Avenue.

By: Natalie Geddes

Leaders from across the northeast took time to recognize a decade of work by a local not-for-profit. NEOnet has bridged many of the gaps in cell and internet coverage over the years. But according to chair Michel Desjardins there’s still a lot more to do. “There’s still many gaps in cellular coverage even on the major highways,” he said. “There are still outlying regions with no coverage for high speed internet.” The organizations wireless hotspots project will be ready to go in the many arenas hosting the U-17 championship by next month.

By: Amanda Young

If you’re thinking of giving a pup as a present this Christmas, there’s more to think about than “aww isn’t he cute”. Lynn Michaud, manager of the Timmins Humane Society says giving an animal is not necessarily a bad idea, but it has to be an informed one. “What they need to think about first is does that person truly want a pet,” she said. “And if they do, what type of pet? Then you need to think about the personality of the person so they can match it up with the personality of the pet.” She adds that it can’t just be a novelty as there are costs and responsibilities that go along with owning an animal that need to be considered.

By: Martha Dillman

New Democrat MP Charlie Angus is calling on the Conservative government to help protect the pensions of Abitibi-Bowater employees. Abitibi-Bowater is struggling through creditor protection, and Angus says the number one goal is to keep the mill open. “We have to take measures to ensure if something goes wrong with the restructuring, that the pensions of people in Iroquois Falls and all across our region are protected,” he said. Angus wants the government to adopt bill C-476, which would protect pension plans when companies go bankrupt.

By: Martha Dillman

The Timmins Police have released the name of the woman charged in connection with last weekends fatal stabbing. Michelle Sutherland has been charged with second degree murder following the death of Eric Hookimaw. Sutherland has been remanded in custody pending a bailing hearing.

By: Martha Dillman

A northern Ontario platform is being created by the Federal Liberal Party. Timmins-James Bay Liberal Candidate Marilyn Wood says they’re looking for feedback from residents in the north.  She says the people who attend the meetings often bring up the economy. “I think that there is a feeling out there that this is just a recession that we need to recover from,” she said. “I personally believe that this nothing short of a complete restructuring of our economy.” Wood adds it’s important to speak with residents from the north and the south to see what the challenges are in different parts of Ontario.