Local News

The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) says it has received a letter from the Northeast Mental Health Centre (NEMHC) medical staff, endorsing its recent decision to re-locate 31 mental health beds from North Bay to Sudbury.

The Rainbow District School Board has appointed Norm Blaseg to take over the role of director of education when Jean Hanson retires at the end of this school year. Trustees unanimously approved the appointment during their meeting May 17.

Rising nickel prices and promising development studies may see operations at First Nickel’s Lockerby Mine resume in late 2010, Gerry Bilodeau, First Nickel vice-president of operations, said.

Sudbury Regional Hospital CEO Dr. Denis Roy was among those who attended a meeting co-ordinated by the North East Local Health Integration Network earlier this month to identify solutions for problems with the health care system in the region.

UPDATED May 18 at 3 p.m. Production has re-started at the Copper Cliff smelter, after a chimney extension at the smelter complex fell over May 7.

Recommendations made in a report released by the Ontario Health Coalition May 17 about rural and northern health care should be reviewed and considered by the provincial government, according to Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas.

FNX Mining Company and Power Corporation of Canada are giving $1 million each towards Laurentian University's Next 50 Campaign.

UPDATED May 18 at 3:02 p.m. According to Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball, no new talks have been scheduled between the company and Steelworkers Local 6500 as of May 18. Check back to NorthernLife.ca for more on this story as it becomes available.

UPDATED — May 19, 12:38 p.m. Despite reports of kidnappings and murder, Gerry Lougheed Jr.

A plane flying low over the city during the past week and weekend has prompted several calls to the Ministry of Transportation. The plane is doing geophysical surveys for Vale Inco. The flights, conducted by Bell Geospace Inc.