Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Local Doctors to Head Physicians Group

A Fort Frances physician is being named to head a provincial physicians' group.

Doctor Robert Algie is to become president of the Ontario Colleges of Family Physician for the next year.

Algie has practiced in the Fort Frances area for the more than 28 years and joined the OCFP board seven years ago and its executive in 2006.

He's to assume the presidency at a conference being held in Toronto this week.

Local Sports for Wednesday November 25

Fort Frances Lakers ended a 7-game losing streak with a 9-6 home win against the Wisconsin Mustangs last night at the Ice for Kids Arena.

Colton Kennedy led the way with three goals with singles coming from Henry Gutierrez , Dwight Lee, Tim Hennessey, Anders Wick, Jordan Carne and Tyler Stevenson.

The two teams combined for 112 shots in the game.


Fort Frances Muskies boys' Hockey team exploded for four goals in the final period to defeat the Dryden Eagles 6-3 in Dryden.

Nathan Calder, Brendan Cawston, Devin Ball, Davis Smith, Jeff Cridland and Jon Cousineau all found the back of the net for the Muskies.

Wes Brown picked up the win between the pipes.

Local Sports for Tuesday November 24

Fort Frances Lakers will look to crack a 7-game losing streak tonight when they host the Wisconsin Mustangs.

It's the first time the U-S club has visited the Fort.

The Lakers will also be holding a bake sale and toy drive, with fans asked to bring a toy to be donated to the Salvation Army and United Native Friendship Centre.

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


Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team travels to Dryden today for a NORWOSSA contest against the Eagles.

It's the first meeting of the season between those two teams.

NEXUS Centre Moving

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is moving its NEXUS Enrollment Center from International Falls to Fort Frances.

The centre is to be located at 301 Scott Street beginning Monday.

The centre serves as an interview site for people seeking applications to the Nexus Card program for crossing border.

The centre was initially set up in International Falls over a year ago.

Local Business Owners Get Update on Abitibi

AbitibiBowater's Fort Frances mill manager says the company continues to look at alternative paper production for a machine targeted for closure.

Machine number six is currently operating to deal with customer orders, but is expected to idled by the middle of December.

Speaking yesterday to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, John Harrison said that doesn't mean it won't be restarted in the future.

"We continue to search for what other grades that we could trail that we could potentially find something to make on number 6 in the years to come" said Harrison, "so we're not going to give up on number 6."

Harrison also told the gathering he felt AbitibiBowater was still on the right path in its efforts to emerge from credit protection as a stronger company.

Ultrasound in Place

The Rainy River Health Centre has now has an ultrasound machine.

Ultrasound equipment technicians were at the health centre last week to provide training for staff and physicians.

Hospital officials says having ultrasound in the emergency department will assist medical staff make accurate diagnoses and set up the required supports and transfers for patients.

Delivery of the machine was made possible through a local fundraising campaign this summer that raised over 50-thousand dollars.

Surgical Team Recognized

Some recognition for staff in the operating room of LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Riverside Health Care Facilities Surgical Services Team was named best overall performer among non-academic hospitals by McKesson Canada and OR Manager.

Director of Surgical Services Cindy Cole says its testament to the men and women working in the O.R.

"It's the entire team," says Cole. "and we have a great team of surgeons, nurses, anesthetists and housekeeping aids and it's a collaborative effort in how our day progresses through the surgical slate."

The award was given out based on Riverside's ability to meet or exceed a number of key performance areas.

Assault Police Incident

An area man remains in custody following an incident in Fort Frances on the weekend.

OPP were called to a downtown establishment Sunday where they learned an intoxicated man involved in a dispute became confrontational when asked to leave.

Police later located the man and placed him under arrest, at which time he became confrontational with police.

The 36-year-old man from Seine River now faces charges of assaulting police and trespassing.

School Bus Accident

A 76-year old man has been charged following an accident yesterday afternoon involving a school bus in Fort Frances.

O-P-P say the driver of a pick-up truck ran a stop sign at the intersection of Minnie Avenue and Second Street East and was struck by the bus that was loaded with children at the time.

None of the children on board, nor the drivers of the two vehicles were injured.

There was no damage to the bus, and only minor damage to the truck.

Young Mayors Speak Out

Young mayor hopefuls had their say at Fort Frances town council last night.

The winners of a Local Government Week essay contest sponsored by the town spoke on what they would do if they were mayor.

St. Francis School Grade 5 student Emma Noga said the town's finances would be focus of her attention.

"When we talk about money, I would make wise choices and spent it on things we need like schools and orphanages, " said Emma. "Also sometimes on parks and playgrounds."

Emma said she'd also promote more environmental-friendly buildings and transportation.

Robert Moore School Grade 5 student Maddison Krikke said one of her goals would be to restore Pither's Point Park.

"I would bring the lifeguards back to work at the beach in the summer," said Maddison. "I clean it up and get people to help because I think they would like it. There's a hotel there now. All that's needed is a beautiful beach like it was before."

Maddison also proposed developing a small zoo and making the community more environmentally friendly.

HST Protest Continues

The premier says he looks forward to seeing the Tories in the legislature today so they can continue their debate over the controversial HST.

Monday, the Progressive Conservatives stormed out of the legislature in a protest over the merged tax after their Leader Tim Hudak tried to unsuccessfully get the premier to hold public hearings on the legislation.

The New Democrats say the Tories should do more than walk out of question period to protest the harmonized sales tax.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Conservatives should convince their federal cousins in Ottawa to abandon the plan to harmonize sales taxes.

Student Drug and Alcohol Use Studied

Northern Ontario students use cannabis and alcohol more than their provincial counterparts.
That according to the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey.

Dr. Robert Mann says students in the region are binge drinking more than the rest of Ontario as well.

"In the north about 32-per cent of students in the grades 7 to 12 reported at least one binge drinking in the past month compared to about 25-per cent in the province." says Dr. Mann.

The study also found 64-per cent of northern students to drink alcohol while 32-per cent used marijuana.

Human Remains Investigated

A post-mortem is to be conducted in Toronto today as an investigation continues into the discovery of human remains in northwestern Ontario.

A hunter came across the remains near Pickle Lake and investigators are trying to determine the person's identity and the cause of death.

Police say there is no evidence at the scene to suggest there was foul play.

Off-Road Vehicle Warnings

Recent complaints about the use of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes within the town of Fort Frances has prompted a warning to users from the OPP.

Constable Anne McCoy says the vehicles are considered for recreational use and not licenced for operation on municipal streets.

"It's a municipal by-law, but there are also provincial regulations under the off-road motor vehicle act," says McCoy, "that regulate where you can ride. The fact that you need to be licensed if your off your personal property. People need to be aware of these legalities."

McCoy says most of the complaints received were about young people riding dirt bikes in the prohibited areas around Fourth Street and near the C-N tracks.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Visitor restrictions at all of Riverside Health Care Facilities have been lifted.

The restrictions were put in place at the end of October at hospitals in Emo, Rainy River and Fort Frances as well as Rainycrest in response to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu.

They included children under the age of 18 being prohibited from visiting.

Officials say the number of people with the virus seeking care has eased, allowed them to remove the restrictions.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Visitor restrictions at all of Riverside Health Care Facilities have been lifted.

The restrictions were put in place at the end of October at hospitals in Emo, Rainy River and Fort Frances as well as Rainycrest in response to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu.

They included children under the age of 18 being prohibited from visiting.

Officials say the number of people with the virus seeking care has eased and allowed them to remove the restrictions.

Waterfront Projects Nears End

Work on the Fort Frances waterfront landmarks is expected to come to an end this week.

Community Services Manager George Bell says a final site meeting Friday with the contractor responsible for relocating the tugboat Hallet and former fire tower from Pither's Point Park will bring the project to a close.

Bell says costs fell within the budget of almost $1.1 million.

Councillor's Request Denied

Fort Frances councillor Ken Perry was denied by his fellow councillors last night a request for more time in moving a construction trailer from his property.

Perry had sought permission to keep the trailer until next May.

But Chief Building Official Rick Hallam told council that the councillor had been given plenty of opportunity to comply with municipal by-laws in removing the trailer.

"We've had many verbal discussions with respect to this issue," said Hallam. "It finally got to the point that we had to act through the proper challenges being the official the letter to remove the trailer."

Perry had cited work and personal reasons for being unable to meet a most recent removal date of September 15.