Prescription Drug Abuse Problems

2009-06-04

08:59:52

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service says its doing everything it can to control the problem of prescription drugs.

But Sergeant Bob Baxter says the aboriginal police service could use more resources.

He says abuse of prescription drugs is a problem in most northern communities.

Baxter also says it is not just a police problem but one for the entire community.

Underserviced Area Program Reviewed

2009-06-04

08:59:05

Ontario is looking at a new way of attracting physicians to northern and rural communities.

The province will hold a series of consultation meetings on a plan to renew and improve physician recruitment and retention components of the province’s Underserviced Area Program.

As part of the changes, the government is proposing that all communities in Ontario, with the exceptions of Ottawa and the GTA, be able to recruit physicians with Return of Service commitments.

Miss Fun in the Sun Returns

2009-06-04

08:44:36

The "Miss Fun in the Sun" pageant is coming back.

After a year's absence, organizers are currently seeking contestants to participate.

Jackie Lampi Hughes says there will be some changes to the event.

"I find there's a huge time commitment for it," says Lampi-Hughes, "so we've tried to cut down on some of the events. So they will have four events they will be actually judged on. One is an interview. One is a fitness competition. One is entertainment night and the other being the parade."

"With the parade, instead of every girl doing their own float, we're going to put them in groups, so there could be two or three girls per float."

Lampi-Hughes says they are hoping to attract at least a dozen contestants by next week.

Legal Clinic Merger Official

Trudy McCormick, Executive Director of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic, opens Fort Frances office with Bob Ward, CEO of Legal Aid Ontario looking on

2009-06-04

07:55:35

The amalgamation of legal clinics in the Kenora and Rainy River district was made official during a ceremony in Fort Frances yesterday.

The Northwest Community Legal Clinic came in effect April first.

Executive Director Trudy McCormick says the merger will mean better service to clients.

"The case load is larger, but that's part of the idea of what we're doing," says McCormick. "was try and shift things around so there are more case workers available to deal with the caseloads. Rather than having two managers, an executive director in Kenora and one here, we have one manager and more available time for case work."

Along with the office in Fort Frances, there are offices in Atikokan and Kenora while staff will make monthly visits to assist clients in Red Lake and Ear Falls.