By: Martha Dillman

The Olympic Torch will be going through Timmins tomorrow, Friday, January 1st. By the time it reaches Vancouver for the Winter Games, it will have travelled 45,000 km through Canada – the longest national Olympic Relay in history. A few local road closures to be mindful of for the celebration – on New Year’s Day, Brunette Road between Algonquin and Water Tower will be closed at 2pm. Algonquin between Spruce and Brunette will close around 6pm to east bound traffic.

By: Martha Dillman

Most businesses are adjusting their hours for New Year’s Day. Most grocery stores will close at 6pm tonight, and won’t reopen till January 2nd. The LCBO and The Beer Store will close at 6pm as well, and both will reopen on Saturday. Timmins Transit will operate on a regular schedule tonight, and offer no service on New Year’s Day. Garbage that is usually picked up on Friday will be collected on Monday, January 4th instead.

By: Martha Dillman

The federal Conservatives are planning to suspend the current Parliament until the beginning of March. Opposition MP Charlie Angus says he’s shocked. “Well here we are in the midst of the biggest economic crisis in Canadian memory. There are issues of pensions and the economy, and these guys are shutting up shop and leaving town,” he said. “I’m shocked that he would make such a selfish and irresponsible move at this time.” Angus says the move will essentially erase any work Parliament has been doing, and also shut down government committees such as the one examining the Afghan detainee controversy.

By: Amanda Young

Sixty-five people died in 2009 in Northeastern Ontario due to accidents involving motor vehicles. Most of those fatalities were attributed to driver error, including travelling too fast for the road conditions, driving impaired and distracted driving. Police hope that new legislation implemented in 2010, which includes higher fines for some of those behaviours, will help lower the number of fatalities in the new year.

By: Amanda Young

Timmins kids 12 and under will be ending 2009 on a fun note. The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council is inviting them and their parents to the Mountjoy Arena for their 3rd annual New Year’s Bash including fun activities, cake and hot chocolate. The free bash happens New Year’s Eve from 4 until 6pm.

By: Amanda Young

Transport Canada is advising airport travellers to arrive 3 hours before their scheduled flights, but this isn’t affecting travellers at the Timmins airport. Changes to carry-on baggage restrictions and increased security checks for passengers travelling to the U-S have resulted in major delays for passengers at major airports across the country. The heightened security measures are expected to be in place for at least the next several days.

By: Martha Dillman

In the past three weeks, no cases of H1N1 or seasonal flu have been confirmed in Timmins. Health officials still recommend you get immunized, wash your hands and stay home if you’re ill to help slow the spread of flu viruses.

By: Martha Dillman

Most businesses are adjusting their hours for the holidays. Timmins Square closes at 5pm on Thursday, December 24th, while a number of grocery stores shut down at 6pm on the same night. The LCBO and The Beer Store close at 6pm on the 24th as well, and neither will re-open until 11am on December 27th. Timmins Transit will stop operating at 6pm on Thursday, stay off the roads on Christmas and have a Sunday schedule on Boxing Day. Garbage that is usually picked up on Friday will be collected on Tuesday the 29th and waste that is collected on Monday the 28th will be picked up on December 30th instead.

By: Martha Dillman

Pending more snow and cold weather, snowmobile trails are expected to open in Timmins in the new year. Snowmobilers are in the meantime to pick up a permit, and if you are out to stay on your own property and away from waterways. President of the Timmins Snowmobile Club Gilbert Fortin says the status of trails in Timmins will be updated online at www.timminssnowmobileclub.com

By: Martha Dillman

With the holiday’s comes presents, food, and not surprisingly extra trash at the curb. Waste Management Supervisor for the City of Timmins Marcel Cardinal says his crews lift a lot more this time of year. “Definitely the volume is increased, almost two to three times more than what we’re used to seeing,” he said. “Basically it’s a combination of a lot of food waste and obviously the packaging.” Cardinal says it’s best to sort your trash and recycle everything you can to reduce the amount of garbage you put out.