By: Martha Dillman

Premier McGuinty is agreeing to meet with members of the Met Site Coalition. President of CAW 599 Dennis Couvrette says he’s glad the Premier will meet with the Coalition since he’s already spoken with Xstrata reps. Details are being worked out as to when the meeting will happen.

By: Martha Dillman

The Ministry of Transportation is giving the city of Timmins $360,000 to repair Highway 101 between Timmins and South Porcupine. The MTO has a surplus from 2009 in their Provincial Connecting Link Budget.

By: Jessica Horne

The Timmins Chamber wants to remind everyone that the deadline to get your nominations in for the Nova Awards is tomorrow, March 31st. The Nova Awards, for which anyone can nominate a business, celebrate the the best of business in the city. Nominations can be handed in at the Camber of Commerce office. You can get an application at the Timmins Chamber of Commerce website.

By: Amanda Young

Bats in Kirkland Lake are being affected by a disease that has killed hundreds-of-thousands of bats across the Eastern United States. John Dungavell with the MNR says white-nose syndrome isn’t known to affect humans or other animals, but he does say if you come across a dead bat to call the Canadian Co-Operative Wildlife Health Center to have it tested. You can contact them at 1-866-673-4781.

By: Martha Dillman

The Ontario government is starting a new, $150 million dollar-a-year program to create a northern industrial electricity rate. MPP Gilles Bisson says not much is changing, as a similar program is already in place. Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle says the existing program is only open to the forestry sector, whereas the new program will include mining. Mayor Laughren says the program only has a three year commitment, adding he’s still pleased with the initiative as it’s not often the north is singled out in a budget.

By: Amanda Young

The Met Site Coalition is having a public information session to answer your questions about the fight to save the Met Site on Saturday. Gilles Bisson, Charlie Angus, Mayor Tom Laughren, and representatives from the CAW will be there to take questions. The discussions start at 11am, 1 and 3 in the ballroom of the McIntyre Arena.

By: Amanda Young

A hurricane is headed to Kashechewan…but it’s not a bad thing. Carolina Hurricane Brandon Nolan will be taking part in a hockey camp started in the community by high school teacher, Robin Cassidy. Cassidy says 200 kids will participate in the camp.

By: Martha Dillman

MPP Gilles Bisson is asking Premier McGuinty to address industrial hydro costs in tomorrows budget. Bisson says Xstrata is one of the largest users of hydro in the province, and adds the Premier can’t make anyone believe that high hydro rates aren’t contributing to the shutdown of the Met Site. Premier McGuinty has already hinted that help is coming for northern Ontario in the upcoming budget.

By: Amanda Young

Saving caribou could mean losing jobs. An assessment by the Ontario Forest Industries Association shows that if the Ontario government okays plans to set Crown land aside for the forest-dwelling woodland caribou, up to 33% of Northern Ontario’s industrial fibre, and up to 3200 direct jobs could be lost. Mayor Tom Laughren says the impact of the caribou habitat regulation will be felt in areas of economic development from mining to cottage lot development.

By: Martha Dillman

The Canadian dollar is continuing to rise, almost reaching parity with the U-S dollar. President of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce Fred Gibbons says the rising loonie will give consumers an incentive to purchase abroad. He adds the impact may not be desirable for businesses as exports will become more expensive.