By: Martha Dillman

The NDP say the HST will cost average Ontario families about $800 more a year. MPP Gilles Bisson says the public should continue to contact the Premier with their complaints about the new tax. He says it’s not fair that Ontarians will pay more for gas and home heating costs.

By: Amanda Young

Students in China will soon be benefiting from the partnership between a college there and our Northern College. One Northern professor just returned from meetings in China to discuss the layout of the program, and Yangzhou College now has the authority to market the program to students.

By: Jessica Horne

The Early Learning Program at St Paul School in Timmins will see some changes come September. Principal John D’Alessandri says the new curriculum is more play-centered, and an early childhood educator will be joining the teachers in each classroom. Full day classes will be offered for both junior and senior kindergarten, and each class can accommodate 26 children.

By: Martha Dillman

Fireworks will be going off over Pearl Lake on Canada Day and Highway 101 will be closed as a result. The highway will be closed between McIntyre Road and the Schumacher Flag park between 9 and 11pm. A detour will be put in place via Father Costello Drive in Schumacher.

By: Martha Dillman

Gas for your vehicle, energy rates and taxi fares – these are just some of the items going up in price on Thursday due to the HST. However, Minister of Revenue John Wilkinson says only 17% of items you purchase will be affected by the new tax. The remaining are either exempt or are already being charged 13% under the GST and PST. For more information, visit the Ministry of Revenue website.

By: Martha Dillman

Enrolment numbers continue to rise at Northern College. President of the college Fred Gibbons says last year there was a 47% increase – this year the school is poised to surpass that number. Gibbons credits the new Trades and Technology Centre as one of the reasons why the school is attracting more students.

By: Jessica Horne

The Timmins Food Bank is once again stocked for the summer, thanks to the community. A food drive held on June 20th was able to collect 12,000 pounds of food and over $2000. Chairman Rick Young says that is a 25% increase from previous years, and the items are needed: 12 new families register every week.

By: Amanda Young

There’s lots to do around Timmins in celebration of Canada’s birthday. Karl Habla will be doing his annual Canada Day walk, there are lots of free activities to to take part in at the Shania Twain Center, and of course that’s the first day of Ribfest at the Mac.

By: Martha Dillman

Changes could be coming to the downtown in regards to parking. A parking study is being reviewed by city staff, with a variety of suggestions including Value Cards to eliminate the need to pay with coins and more signage. City staff will review the report and make their recommendations to council in coming months.

By: Martha Dillman

You can’t blame the HST on this one – user fees are going up in Timmins. Mayor Laughren says the raised fees will help with the budget challenge and rising electricity rates. Some affected services include marriage licenses, and arena and pool rentals. The new prices will be put in to place later this year.