Friday, September 11, 2009

Donor Numbers Close to Target

A two day blood clinic in Fort Frances by Canadian Blood Services was a few donors short of its goal.

A total of 350 donors gave almost 300 units of blood.

The C.B.S. was hoping for 357 donors, but is still pleased with the numbers.

The total number units of blood collected with help nearly 900 patients.

MNR Support Diminishing

The number of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources fire personnel in British Columbia has dwindled down to just under 200.

The easing of the forest fire hazard in B.C. is allowing Ontario personnel to return home.

Meantime, the MNR is closely monitoring two active fires on islands on Lake of the Woods.

One of the fires is being studied for its behaviour as part of a fire response strategy on the lake.

College Enrollment Up Again

For the third year in a row, enrolment at Ontario's 24 community colleges has seen an increase in first-year full-time students.

Colleges Ontario says enrolment rose seven per cent this year, with more than 113-thousand students in first-year full-time programs.

This increase follows growth of 5.6 per cent last year and a six per cent increase in 2007.

ER Report Released

Hospitals across northwestern Ontario are being urged to work closer together in resolving staffing shortages at their emergency rooms.

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network released a report on Emergency Departments across the region yesterday.

Spokesperson Laura Kokochinski says the network wanted to find a way of staffing the ER's.

"There's heavy reliance on locums or out of town physicians to try to fill those gaps on a temporary basis," says Kokochinski, "and the LHIN was concerned about the sustainability of emergency services in the northwest. The purpose of this study was to identify some possible future models and options."

Kokochinski says the report recommends increased co-operation between hospitals in the region to find some solutions.

The report was issued follow a visit to hospitals, including Riverside Health Care Facilities, by a consultant.

Border Sites Identified

U-S officials have narrowed the search for a new border crossing at International Falls to five potential sites.

Yesterday, members of the Falls business community learned more details about those sites and the process the U-S General Services Administration is following toward potential construction in 2014.

Project Manager Don Melcher says an expansion of duties by U-S Customs over the past fifteen years is driving the need for a new facility.

"At that time it was US Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service," says Melcher, "now they're all part of the Department of Homeland Security under the umbrella of US Customs and Border Protection Services."

Melcher says the new facility would be about 17-thousand square feet in size and address many of the deficiencies at existing site and improve traveller safety.

Nomination Meeting Set

It's expected to be a formality for John Rafferty.

But the Thunder Bay-Rainy River NDP Riding Association has announced it will hold a series of nomination meetings across the riding later this month to select its candidate for the next federal election.

They include meetings in Atikokan on September 22nd and at the East End Community Hall in Fort Frances the next night.

Rafferty, the current M-P, has already declared his intention to run again and is not expected to face any opposition.

ALS Approved

Emergency Services personnel in International Falls have received state approval for part-time advance life support.

Its allows qualified personnel to carry out advanced medical procedures on a patients such cardiac defibrillation and I-V's.

Approval came following a seven-hour inspection of the Falls Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services last week.

Chief Jerry Jenson expects the department will be able to offer ALS once documentation is received.

Homeless Shelter to Open

A new homeless shelter in International Falls is expected to open its doors in November.

Servants of Shelter will use three different sites on a rotating basis each week.

LeeAnn Meer, executive director of Friends Against Abuse, says it's something they're trying as a pilot project.

"Currently we're putting them up in hotel," says Meer, "so we're trying everything to cut down on the cost involved. All of the meal will be provided by volunteers and its all organized by volunteers."

Meer says the shelter will take in about ten people each week.

Manitoba Minister Visits

A visit to the Fort Frances area Thursday by Manitoba's Minister of Family Services.

Gord MacIntosh will visit with officials from Weechi-it-te-win Family Services to learn about its model for working with Aboriginal children, families and communities.

Friday, he will visit one of the communities Weechi-it-te-win services to see how programs are delivered on the ground.

Flu Planning Underway

The Northwestern Health Unit is preparing for the second wave of H1N1 flu.

A series of pandemic planning sessions are being held with the region's hospitals, communities, emergency workers and other medical stakeholders.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Arthurs says residents can expect to get their flu shot in the late fall.

"It looks like probably not early November or late October," says Arthurs. "It seems to be some behind the U.S. or other nations. I think its related to the studies being done to make sure its both effective and safe."

The health unit is currently holding a series of pandemic planning sessions across its region.

Tourism Numbers Down

Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is reflecting on the summer tourism season and gearing up for the fall season.

Executive Director Gerry Cariou says this summer wasn't the best for tourism.

"The American travel is down this year," says Cariou, "but not an unexpected so of scenario with the economic situation over the past year. We had expected some pressure on that segment of that market. The weather is also impacted on Canadian traveller, especially those who are very close to us."

Cariou anticipates dedicated hunters from the United States and Canada to still lodge at local tourist outfitters this fall, but the number might also drop because of the economy.