Wednesday, October 20, 2010

No Expansion of Smoking Ban


The Ontario government is snuffing out a recommendation to let landlords ban smoking in rental apartments.

The Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group wants Ontario to outlaw smoking in multi-residential rental units, on all restaurant patios and in all parks and playgrounds.

But Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best says they have already banned smoking in many public areas and do not want to make the law even tougher.

Chili Cook-Off Today


About twelve teams will be putting their best chili recipes to the test at today's Great Canadian Chili Cook-off put on by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

The public is invited to attend the event that begins at 11:30 a.m at the Legion in Fort Frances to vote your favourite.

The event will also be used to collect food items as part of a Shaw Communication and Cambell's Canada campaign.

Border Incident Reported


A Rochester, Minnesota man faces charges following a bizarre incident that occurred at both area border crossings and ended with the man running naked across the bridge to Baudette.

A spokesperson with the Canada Border Services Agency says it happened last Wednesday when the 20-year-old man was about to enter the United States, first at International Falls and then later at Baudette, only to turn around and drive through Canada customs at both Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Officials say the man was arrested only after he returned to Rainy River custom office to ask for directions.

While in custody, the man reportedly removed his clothes and escaped through a window, running across the bridge to Baudette before U.S. authorities arrested him again.

The man was charged with assault and indecent exposure by Baudette city police, but no charges have yet been laid by Canadian authorities.

211 Service Now Available

(Marie Klassen, executive director of 211 North, speaking a launch of service in the Rainy River District)

211 service is now available in the Rainy River district.

It's a phone helpline that residents can call to access information on a variety of services and programs.

Trudy McCormick of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic says callers connect to a live person.

"During office hours during the daytime you'll get someone in Thunder Bay at the information and referral centre there," says McCormick. "After hours the number still works but it's forwarded to a call centre in Toronto because there isn't the need in the north yet to justify the funding for a 24-hour service."

More than 56,000 thousand agencies' data bases are connected to 211 with about 260 of them from the Rainy River district

Native Education Promoted


Teachers across the Rainy River district gathered at Fort Frances High School yesterday to learn more about the importance of using aboriginal languages in the classroom.

Anton Treuer, a professor at Bemidji University, says the ability to learn in their own language reduces the drop-out rate among native students.

"It goes to show that when kids learn their language and their culture, when they learn about themselves, that translates into positive self-esteem and academic excellence across the curriculum," says Treuer.

Treuer says it can also help bridge the gap between communities and races.

Emo Mayoral Candidates

This week, CFOB is looking at the mayoral races across the Rainy River district, and today we turn out attention to Emo.

Incumbent Ed Carlson says the need for expanded water and sewer treatment facilities is among a top priority.

"We're expecting definite growth in Emo," says Carlson, "hoping with Rainy River Resources. Even without that we still have to expand the water treatment in providing capacity and increase pressure and another cell in the lagoon as well."

Vince Sheppard is campaigning on a need for more openness at the council table.

"What I would like is to have the Ontario Ombudsman back as our investigator," says Sheppard. "We have our official plan that has to be reopened. It's been in place for fourteen years. It's supposed to redone every five years."

Carlson is seeking his second term as mayor while Sheppard is a newcomer to municipal politics.

Glow Sticks Made Available

(Grace Silander (l) of Safe Communities Rainy River and OPP Const. Anne McCoy prepare to distribute glow sticks to area schools)

Hundred of glow sticks are being made available to school children across the Rainy River district this week.

Grace Silander of Safe Communities Rainy River says it's a project spearheaded by the Family and Children Services Rainy River.

"There will be enough glow sticks for all of the students in the district," says Silander, "so that when they go out with their Halloween costumes on the glow stick will light up their costume so that people can see them and the drivers will be able to identify them."

The glow sticks will be distributed through schools, nurseries and day care centres as well as FACS offices.

Senior Achievement Award Given

An Atikokan resident is back home after received a Senior Achievement Award from the province in a ceremony last week in Toronto.

Vik Prokopchuk says he was honoured just being nominated by his community for such an award.

"Being nominated by my fellow citizens, really that's the highest honour I think can anyone can get," says Prokopchuk, "because the people know you know what you've done or didn't do."

Prokopchuk was recognized for his business and management experience that's benefited both Atikokan and northwestern Ontario.

Contact North Use Increases


Interest in distance education continues to grow in northern Ontario.

Contact North says over 23,000 people are using the network's services to access a variety of college and university courses in their own communities.

Vice-president of regional services Debby Sefton says that's a 50 per cent increase over last year.

"We're excited about the increase," says Sefton, "and we seems to have continual increases. I think a lot of it is attributed to the types of programs that are being offered by our educational partners."

The Fort Frances site has 268 registrants while Atikokan has over one hundred this year.

McGuinty in Attack Mode


Dalton McGuinty is moving into attack mode in the run up to next year's provincial election.

McGuinty told Liberals gathered in Toronto on the weekend that he'll be reminding voters about the legacy of Ontario's last Progressive Conservative government.

McGuinty said that legacy is one of closed hospitals, school strikes and fired water inspectors.

Atikokan Mayoral Candidates

This week B-93 is looking at the mayoral races in communities across the Rainy River district, beginning with Atikokan where two candidates seeking the top council seat.

Incumbent Dennis Brown, who's held the seat for the past 13 years says continuing to build Atikokan's economy remains key.

"We need jobs and we need to have the tax base," say Brown. "We're certainly emphasising working with initiatives that are already present and helping to move them forward in the days ahead."

Bob Davidson is challenging for the position and is putting a need to improve live for seniors high on his agenda.

"Seniors in Atikokan need the very best care we can provide for them," says Davidson. "If I'm elected, I'll be working pretty aggressively on things that make live a little better for them in Atikokan."

Davidson is a former two-term Reeve of the community.

Hallowe'en Costume Exchange Planned



A new Halloween costume exchange is being set up in the Rainy River district.

Organizer Sherri Putzer says the exchange allows parents to trade in old children's costumes for a different one.

"Those who can, they donate a costume," says Putzer, "and they receive a coupon to use at the costume exchange."

Used and slightly worn costumes can be dropped off at Best Start Hubs in Couchiching, Fort Frances, Rainy River, Stratton and Emo where the coupons for this Friday's and Saturday exchange at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances will be issued.