Monday, August 24, 2009

H1N1 Slows

The H1N1 flu virus hasn't completely disappeared yet in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Health reports three cases of the virus this past week, one of which was in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.

The province says it is a sign the spread of the virus is slowing down.

Rainy River Community College Resumes

Today marks the start of the fall session at Rainy River Community College in International Falls.

College officials are very excited about the year with about full-time equivalent registrations at about 280.

Provost Mike Johnson says they also start the year with a new program and the reopening of a remodelled Rainy Hall.

"We were hoping to have 50 students in the remodeled dorm," says Johnson. "and as of Wednesday we had 55. So we probably have another 7 or 8 beds left, and the dorm looks absolutely beautiful. About 350 thousand dollars (was spent) on remodeling."

Also new this year is a two-year Green and Sustainable Construction Technology program which has attracted 14 students.

Baseball has been added to the list of college's sports teams offered.

Metis Meet in Sudbury

Listening closely to the needs of Ontario's Metis population is top of mind at the Annual General Assembly underway in Sudbury.

Metis Nation of Ontario president Gary Lipinski says his leadership has been actively working on a strategic plan which reflects concerns brought forward over the past year.

"This plan kind of outlines a number of key areas and key priorities that Metis people who told us what we should be working on," says Lipinski. "So we're putting that plan in front of them seeking their approval and ratification. That will us some areas to focus on as we go forward in the next few years."

Yesterday, the Nation signed an agreement of understanding with the province's Ministry of Education.

The assembly runs till tomorrow.

Invasive Species Monitored

Boaters appear to be getting the message about the impact invasive species can have on area waters.

An initiative between the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources helped monitor invasive species across northern Ontario this summer.

Rylee Nixon, an outreach liaison in this area, says boaters seem well aware of the measures to prevent the species spread

"It was pretty good," says Nixon. "Some American who come fishing here all new about it because they have lot of information in Minnesota. They were really aware of washing their boat, making sure everything is clean, checking for weeds."

Nixon says during her work this summer, she did find presence of rusty crayfish in Lake of the Woods and spiny water fleas in Rainy Lake with reports of sea lamprey in Quetico Provincial Park.

Fort Frances Council Tonight

Fort Frances town council will be getting ready to deal with its 2010 budget.

A timetable to bring down that budget will come before council at its meeting tonight.

Councillors will also receive another update on work projects in the community.

Mayor Roy Avis is expected to report on talks with provincial cabinet ministers held during last week's Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting in Ottawa.

The public portion of tonight's meeting gets underway at about 6:20 p.m.

DriveTest Centre Closed

There are no pickets up, but the province's DriveTest centre in Fort Frances is closed.

Ontario's driving examiners are on strike after talks aimed at forging a new contract collapsed Friday.

The strike affects people who need to be tested before getting a licence -- not drivers who need a simple renewal.

The province says it is granting automatic extensions for drivers' licences that normally require a test before they are renewed.

About 500 workers represented by the United Steelworkers union are off the job at 55 test centres.

Friends of Animals Restructure

Fort Frances Friends of Animals is selling off its property in Watten township.

The one-point-four acre site includes a home used to house and care for abused or abandoned animals.

The local organization cites financial reasons behind a restructuring of its animal care services.

Difficulties for members to maintain the animals at the homes on a regular basis is also identified.

The Friends have enlisted a Windsor firm in hopes of attracting interest from another group in taking over the site.