Monday, April 27, 2009

'A Wild Party' Coming to Fort Frances

2009-04-27

13:40:41

JUNO Award-winning Kim Mitchell will highlight this year's entertainment at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in July.

Mitchell's presence at the Championship was announced this morning on the the Can't Miss Morning Show with Christa Pare.

Mitchell brings with him a repertoire of hit music that date's back to the 1970's

"A lot of people perhaps know me for 'Go For A Soda' and 'Patio Latterns,' says Mitchell. "I was in band called Max Webster before that and we had six records. Then my solo career, there six or seven records with my last "Ain't Life Amazing, so there's a lot of material to choose from."

Mitchell will perform on the Thursday evening of the Bass Championship Week. Also hitting the stage will be Whole Lotta Angus, an AC-DC cover-band on the Friday event with Bon-Journey closing out the week.

Tickets go on sale this weekend at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Home and Leisure Show.
 

Swine Flu Response

2009-04-27

13:38:42


The province's health minister says the SARS outbreak of 2003 makes Ontario uniquely positioned to handle any possible swine flu outbreak that may take place here.


Health Minister David Caplan says there are a dozen suspected cases in Ontario that are being investigated, but says there are no confirmed cases at this time. Doctors, hospitals and public health units across Ontario have been alerted to the signs of the illness.

Meantime, public health officials confirm there are no cases of swine flu in Minnesota so far. Samples from 12 patients with flu-like symptoms all tested negative for swine flu. Testing will continue, and health officials expect to find some swine flu cases in the state eventually.

Tower and Library Up for Discussion Again

2009-04-27

13:37:44

The fire tower and the library and technology centre come back to Fort France town council for further discussion tonight.

Councillors are expected to consider a more than 1-million dollar contract with Tom Jones and Sons to move the Hallet and the tower to the waterfront. They will also discuss the possibility of holding a joint meeting with the library board to discuss the library project. A submission to the federal government for additional funding for the project is also on the table.

Tonight's meeting gets underway at around 5:55 p.m.

Lock it or Lose it!

2009-04-27

13:36:40

Area motorists are being told to either Lock it or Lose it.

The warning from the O-P-P comes in response to a rash of vehicle break-ins in the west end of Fort Frances. About a dozen unlocked vehicles in the areas of Biddenson Avenue, River Road and Olde Shambles Road were entered.

Police say items stolen ranged from loose change, cell phones and other personal items.

 

Sudden Death Investigated

2009-04-27

13:27:19

There's been a sudden death in Fort Frances

Provincial Police say the body of 23-year-old Courtney Jack was discovered in a Sixth Street West home yesterday afternoon. The cause of death has not been released.

A post-mortem is being conducted.

Broncos' Scores

2009-04-27

07:51:21

The International Falls Bronco's boys baseball team was successful in its home opener Friday against Proctor winning 7-3.

Chris Little hit a two-run homer and Dan Eldien scattered seven hits for the host Broncos

The Bronco's girls softball team was blanked 10-0 by Virginia Saturday.

The International Falls Broncos's boys golf team finished in a tied for third in the two-day Grand Slam Invitational high school boys golf  tournament on the weekend at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Coleraine.

In individual play, Glenn Walls led all Bronco golfers, finishing tied for second, one-stroke behind the eventual winner.

Arpin 11th

2009-04-27

07:45:07

Steve Arpin managed to avoid the big crash and ended his night at Talladega Speedway on Friday with a 11th place finish in the ARCA-ReMax 250.

Arpin now sits 9th in the overall standings as the series head to Kentucky in two weeks time.

Festival Results - Friday Week 2

2009-04-27

07:41:16

There were several multiple winners on the final day of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Maxwell Williams led the way with three first-place honours in the last day of piano competitions Friday. Taylor Shouldice, Oryn Albanese,Christina Empey and Alicia Adair each won twice.

The festivals top performers in piano, drama, instrumental and vocal will participate in the highlight's concert at the Townsend Theatre on May 9.

Here is the complete list of winners from Friday.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, PIANO DIVISION, Friday, April 24, 2009

 

CLASS P035

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Kayla Stang

CLASS P025

                First – Emily Loney

CLASS P021-I

                First – (TIE) Brianna Eldridge and Alina Eldridge

                Second - (TIE) Jillian Armstrong and Liam Quast

CLASS P021-II

                First – (TIE) Benjamin Mast and Marcy Anderson

                Second – Nicholas Veldhuisen

CLASS P024

                First – Yvonne McPherson

                Second – (TIE) Danielle Pearce and Paige McNally

CLASS P044

                First – Maxwell Williams

CLASS P034

                First – Moriah Carradice

CLASS P042

                First – Maxwell Williams

CLASS P031

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – (TIE) Emma Keeler and Tianna Veldhuisen

CLASS P043

                First – Maxwell Williams

CLASS P906

                First – Danyelle Kora

                Second – Lauren Davis

CLASS P609

                First – Oryn Albanese

                Second – Audrey Chojko-Bolec

CLASS P709

                First – Alexis Sharp

CLASS P809

                First – Chelsea Carlson

                Second – Cameo Harrison

CLASS P909

                First – Alicia Adair

                Second – Danyelle Kora

CLASS P1009

                First – Christina Empey

                Second – Brittany Beyak

CLASS P608

                First – Oryn Albanese

CLASS P808

                First – Ursula Chojko-Bolec

                Second – Chelsea Carlson

CLASS P908

                First – Alicia Adair

                Second – Lauren Davis

CLASS P1008

                First – Christina Empey

                Second – Brittany Beyak

CLASS P501

                First – Lorianne Dueck

                Second – (TIE) Kaitlyn Sarah Chiasson and Lucas Koomans

CLASS P301

                First – Jilayne Derksen

                Second – Raymond Polz

CLAS P302

                First – Raymond Polz

CLASS P201

                First – Jordan Bruyere

                Second – Jazmine Coral-Hope Gauthier

CLASS P101

                First – Arthur VanAel

                Second – Caitlyn Rittau

 

 

 

On the Road Again

2009-04-27

07:25:33

The Ontario Breast Screening Program mobile coach is on the road again making the rounds of Northwestern Ontario.

From April to October the coach visits 30 communities from Wawa to the Manitoba border and north to Red Lake.

Spokesperson Laurie Delave-dova says they've booked all of their Spring appointments.

"People who have been with our program know were coming back," says Delave-Dova, "and they have gotten a letter from us that says 'hey, it's time for you to have your mammogram, again,' so they've called and booked their appointment. So there's probably not any appointments available unless we have a cancellation."

Delave-Dova adds women 50 and older can book mammograms for their summer and fall visits by calling  1-800-461-7031.

Expansion of Medical Services Planned

2009-04-27

07:24:48

Premier Dalton McGuinty says legislation is on the way that will see health-care professionals able to expand the services they provide.

For example, physiotherapists would be allowed to order X-rays, and pharmacists would be permitted to write prescription refills. Nurse practitioners would also see more responsibilities, including setting broken bones.

The legislation will likely be introduced next month.

Ban of Forest Chemicals Advocated

2009-04-27

07:21:53

Northern Ontario will still be exposed to some of the chemicals banned by the provincial government.

That's according to an advocacy group in Timmins called STRONG, or Saving The Region of Ontario North Group.

Spokesperson Al Simard claims chemicals used by forestry companies to stop competing vegetation are still dangerous.

"This chemical that they're using, they're using in vast quantities," claims Simard. "It's a fact they're unhealthy. That's why they're being banned in urban areas. Pesticide exposure is linked to leukemia and neurological problems."

Simard says Ontario should follow Quebec's lead, where chemical herbicides are no longer used in the forests and people are hired to remove the plants by hand.

 

More Town Council Topics

2009-04-27

07:20:21

Town councillors will hear from Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Fire Chief  Gerry Armstrong regarding Emergency Preparedness Week

Glenn Burton, district manager of Union Gas, will also speak to council regarding the company's construction plans this summer.

Several by-laws are also on the table for council consideration, including two which impact the future road improvement project on Nelson Street.

The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 5:55 p.m.

Joint Meeting Proposed

2009-04-27

07:19:29

Fort Frances Town Council will consider holding a joint meeting with its library board.

The suggestion is to be discussed during tonight's council's meeting.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas is among councillors who feel such a meeting may help the new library and technology project forward. He advocated for such a gathering last week during separate meetings held by the library board and council on the project.

Elementary Teachers Deal Reached

2009-04-27

07:17:15

A lengthy bargaining session last week has resulted in a tentative deal for elementary school teachers in the Rainy River district.

Both the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario and the Rainy River District School Board announced the agreement late Friday. No details were announced, pending ratification by both sides, but local union president Sharon Preston is pleased with the deal, saying it will ensure four years of improved working conditions for the 130 teachers working in elementary schools between Atikokan and Rainy River.