Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Sports for Tuesday November 3

Fort Frances Lakers will look for their first home win of the season tonight as they host the Sioux Lookout Flyers in a make-up game from September 29.

Game time is 7:30 at the Ice for Kids Arena.


In atom girls hockey yesterday, Rolling Lake Lighting beat Esso 5-2.

Annalise Hayes scored a pair for the Lightning with singles from Cassidy Frier, Shannon Bird and Jenna Clendenning.

Emma Nova had both goals for Esso.

In Bantam girls hockey last night, BDO Dunwoody defeated Energy Fitness 3-1.

BDO goal scorers were Katie Sinclair with 2 and Danielle Jackson 1 and for Energy Jessica Robinson.

Sunday, the Norfab Flames beat the Energy Wild 3 - 2 on a game winning goal by Madyson Weir.


There will be area representation at a showcase hockey tournament in New Hope Minnesota this weekend.

The Bauer National Invitational Tournament usually attracts a lot of attention from NHL and college scouts.

Former Fort Frances Muskies Joe Basaraba will be playing in the tournament as member of Shattuck's St. Mary's.

International Falls Broncos defenceman Willie Corrin will suit up for Minnesota's Red team, comprised of high school hockey players from across the northern part of the state.

Green Plates Selected

Ontario residents have made their choice for a new vehicle licence plate that will encourage consumers to switch to environmentally friendly cars and trucks.

The provincial government announced the plate will have green lettering on a white background with the picture of a trillium in the middle.

It was selected from four choices in an online vote that ran from July to October, and received nearly half of the 14-thousand votes.

Hampton Seeks Severance Questions

Criticism in the legislature yesterday over the lack of severance pay given to employees with the Buchanan Group of Companies.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton told the house while the forest company received millions of dollars from the government, none of it went to lay-off workers.

"There's something strange about this," said Hampton, "because while almost 2,000 workers have been denied the severance pay and termination pay they're entitled to under Ontario's laws, the Buchanan Group of Companies has done very well under the McGuinty Liberals: more than $30 million for road building; $22.5 million for the Buchanan company in Terrace Bay; a further $4.8 million to Terrace Bay Pulp; $26 million in deferred stumpage fees; $600,000 for Long Lake Forest Products. In all, the McGuinty government has handed out $80 million to the Buchanan Group of Companies. Did anybody-did you-call the Buchanan Group of Companies and say, "Some of this money should go to the workers to ensure that they're treated fairly"?"

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle did not say if the government would force the company to comply with provincial laws, but says it is working with those impacted.

Building Permits Issued in Fort Frances

Almost $300-thousand dollars in building permits were issued by the town of Fort Frances during the months of August and September.

Three projects accounted for more than half that total.

They include the installation of a portable classroom at J.W. Walker School costing $75-thousand, the demolition and construction of a building on First Street at $65-thousand and the addition to a home on Portage Avenue coming in at $40-thousand.

New Fire Protection Offer

The city of International Falls is making another offer to provide fire protection services to rural areas surrounding the city.

It comes as news was received that the Rural Fire Protection Association announced plans to form its own fire department.

But Mayor Shawn Mason says the decision is not the right move to be making.

"At a time when our area is struggling and we need to look at creating efficiencies I think that creating or allowing the creation of another fire department contradicts collaboration," says Mason."

The city's now offered a $125-thousand deal covering up to 6 years, down from a $147-thousand 5-year deal put forward two weeks ago.

Mason says if the offer is not accepted, residents in the outlying areas should be polled on what service they would prefer

Turnback Proposal Updated

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has given International Falls a commitment that funding connected to a highway turnback proposal to Koochiching County will remain in place for at least to the end of the year.

The city has yet to make a decision regarding State plans to turn a portion of Highway 332 over to the county because of concerns it may lead to a by-pass.

MNDOT's Assistant Director of Engineering Walter Leu told council last night the 3-million dollars associated with proposal will be there until the city makes a decision.

"If you could give us an answer by the first of the year, yes," said Leu. "We'll just keep that in reserve and just add it to the bill if its favourable."

Mayor Shawn Mason says the city does not want to put the project and funding in jeopardy, but wants to find a way of resolving its concerns.

Ontario Flu Update

Health Minister Deb Matthews says things are better at swine flu clinics this week.

Matthews says she's received reports waiting times have been considerably reduced compared to last week, and in some places there's no wait at all.

She says health officials are aiming to provide swine flu shots to 2.2 million people by the end of this week.

The minister adds the number of flu shot clinics across the province has doubled from 50 to 100.

Plenty of Vaccine Available

The Northwestern Health Unit says there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for anyone who wants the shot in its area.

But the focus locally is administering the shot to those at the greatest risk at contracting the flu virus.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs says its not possible to immunize everyone over the new few weeks, and needs the public's support to ensure those who are 5 years old or under, under 65 with chronic health conditions and health care workers get the shot first.

H1N1 Deaths in Northwestern Ontario

The H1N1 flu virus has claimed its first lives in northwestern Ontario.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says two Thunder Bay residents - a man and a woman - have died of the flu, but both had underlying health conditions.

A Health unit representative wouldn't say exactly when the deaths took place, only saying they occurred over the past week.'

There have also been reports circulated of a Dryden man dieing as a result of the flu, but the Northwestern Health Unit says those reports are no true.