OPP – Operation Impact Results
October 10th, 2012 by rebeccafryer
Over the weekend, the OPP took part in Operation Impact, a national initiative aimed to improve road safety, save lives and reduce serious injuries through increased awareness and compliance with traffic safety laws.
The OPP targeted speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving and occupant restraint during the campaign, with officers laying more than 11,700 charges relating to these four main causal factors in road fatalities.
These latest statistics bring the total number of deaths on our roads in 2012 to 269, compared to 225 by the same time last year -almost a 20 per cent increase.
Sadly 9 people died this weekend on roads and trail ways over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Local Beef Suffering after Red Alert on Red Meat
October 10th, 2012 by rebeccafryer
Its hard to say how exactly how the recall of thousands of Canadian beef products will impact the production and sale of local beef in Northern Ontario.
Northern Director of the Ontario Cattle Association, Matt Bowman says its only a matter of time before local beef market will see the negative, long term effects of consumers avoiding beef products.
He knows that “with a beef and e-coli worries in the back of peoples minds, they will automatically second guess a beef purchase and go for the chicken or pork instead”.
Bowman reminds consumers that local beef is processed in Southern Ontario and is safe to eat.
You can check the label for a picture of a small cow, with a corn cob on it, and the Ontario emblem to ensure you are buying locally farmed and processed beef.
Bowman adds that beef safety doesn’t stop at the butchers… and wants to remind all consumers to be diligent with storing and cooking your beef to keep you family safe, happy, and healthy.
Meeting being held by Fonom about provincial park closure; community encouraged to attend
October 10th, 2012 by chajjar
Have your voice heard!
FONOM and Mayor Tom Laughren are hosting a meeting so the public can voice their opinion on the Ontario Government closing 10 provincial parks in Ontario North.
Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson is joining with Fonom.
Bisson said this is about working together as northerners.
“I already had a meeting slated for Wednesday in my office with representatives of the Ivanhoe Parks Association. I feel we can better advance our cause, to save these parks, by joining forces and push everything to just one meeting.”
Bisson added, the north has been hit hard recently in all ridings and the best way to reverse this troubling tide is by everyone speaking as a unit.
The meeting is slated for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Mountjoy Centennial Hall in Timmins.
A meeting is also planned for Kapuskasing the following day, Thursday October 11th at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
Winds of change coming to Northern College
October 9th, 2012 by thomas.parisi
Not leaving home to pursue a University degree can be very enticing for high school graduates.
It may be a reality sooner than later as Northern College is looking to offer 3-year university degrees, among other changes.
The college and other colleges from Ontario was asked to submit a list of changes they like and through public consultation, school President Fred Gibbons says it was apparent, they needed university courses.
“The college system has basically been unchanged since 1967 ans as part our strategic plan, we need to give the people what they want.”
Accommodating students who don’t long for the brights lights of bigger cities is high on their list as well.
“Some kids can’t afford to leave home or don’t like the big city setting,” said Gibbons, “Geographically it makes sense to have university classes. There is only one university up north but no English speaking ones.”
City council has recently championed a a proposal to bring an English speaking university to the city.
Some of the changes include:
• Increase the availability of online college courses offered through OntarioLearn by 50 per cent.
• Allow colleges to offer stand-alone nursing degree programs.
• Make Ontario’s colleges responsible for most of the administration of the in-school portion of apprenticeship programs.
• Require colleges and universities to publicly report on their strategies to help students transfer among post-secondary institutions.
• Increase support for applied research in the college system.
Northern College Open House – October 10th
October 9th, 2012 by rebeccafryer
Hundreds of students from across northeastern Ontario will head to Northern College’s Porcupine Campus on Wednesday, October 10th for the college’s annual Open House and College Information Program tour.
The Open House will feature a number of Northern College info booths and has a number of student lead tours of campus where senior high school students can meet faculty, learn about programs and services, and experience a slice of college life.
Also on hand are representatives from 20 Ontario colleges will be on-site at the campus gymnasium from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
As part of the Open House celebrations, Northern College will be awarding six bursaries valued at $500 each and other prizes to secondary school attendees.
“We’ve had an incredible response from high schools throughout northern Ontario,” says Rosa Lavoie, Manager of Admissions, Student Recruitment and International Office. “We are looking forward to meeting all attendees and offering them a taste of the Northern College experience.”
The public is invited to visit the program displays, college information booths and participate in a tour.
Zoning Changes In Town
October 9th, 2012 by rebeccafryer
Two apartment buildings and a chiropractor practice are looking for new life in Timmins.
Properties on Maclean Drive , Sixth Ave, and Middelton Ave are all up for zone bylaw changes this month.
You can check out the details at the City of Timmins website here or attend the meetings in person at the end of the month.
Timmins Lawyer thankful to be alive after plane crashes, kills pilot
October 9th, 2012 by chajjar
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of a small plane west of Ottawa that killed the pilot.
The owner of the aircraft is Timmins lawyer Lorenzo Girones. He was taking flying lessons in a newly purchased Socata T-B-M-700.
The instructor and pilot dropped Girones off at the Carp Airport before setting off on his own and encountering trouble.
The plane went down Monday in a heavily wooded area near Calabogie, Ontario and was destroyed on impact, killing the instructor.
Media reports identify the pilot as Bob Reany of Port Elgin, Ontario.
Goldcorp to hold open house
October 9th, 2012 by chajjar
The more Timmins learns about the Hollinger Pit Project, the more the city seems to be warming up to the idea.
Paul Miller with Goldcorp said noise and vibration levels are creating the most uneasiness.
“The first part is we’re doing construction, it will be noticeable, they will hear our activities, but we’ll keep them below limit. It’ll depend on wind direction, it’ll depend on the proximity of our equipment to where people live.” He said.
He added once people hear the explanation, they are satisfied that Goldcorp has a plan to deal with those issues.
An open house will be held on Monday, October 15.
The meeting will be held at City Hall’s Council Chambers, where City staff will present the draft plan, which includes a number of environmental and noise pollution studies, legal counsel input, public feedback, City Council direction and establishes conditions of best practice.
Local legend John Larche dies
October 9th, 2012 by chajjar
Timmins is mourning the loss of a local mining legend.
One of Canada’s most recognized prospectors and known most for his generosity to the community, John Larche died Monday morning.
Surrounded by family and friends at the Timmins and District Hospital, Larche died peacefully of natural causes at the age of 84.
Visitation is set for Wednesday 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Miron-Wilson Funeral Home.
The funeral is set for Friday at 1 p.m. at Notre Dame de la Paix.
T&DH gets with the times; now completely smoke free
October 5th, 2012 by chajjar
The Timmins and District Hospital has gone completely smoke free.
The Smoke Free Property Policy bylaw has been revised and implemented. This means smoking within hospital property, including parking lots and personal vehicles is prohibited.
Anyone caught smoking on hospital property could face a fine of $225.
“We truly hope that we will be able to transform unhealthy behavior and provide better protection for our patients, visitors and staff through this change,” said Carlo DeLorenzi, Chief of Clinical Support Services at the hospital.
To help patients during their admission, smoking cessation treatment options will be made available.