Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Ministry Issues Orders

The Ministry of Labour has issued two orders against a southern Ontario company following Tuesday's industrial accident on the Noden Causeway, east of Fort Frances.

A 33-year-old man was taken to hospital with leg injuries after the 65 tonne crane tumbled over.

The Ministry has halted work in the area until investigators can complete their work.

Con-create of Bolton, Ontario, has also been instructed not to move the crane, but ensure it's stable.

Emo Man Heads to Court

A 39-year-old resident of Emo will appear in court next week following an investigation by the OPP on a breach of a court order.

John Paul Muzyka is also charged with possession of child pornography and careless storage of a firearm.

Police laid the charges after searching his home Monday, seizing computers, gaming equipment, a hard drive, memory cards and data and voice recording devices.

Memorial Walk Planned

A group of Summer Beaver residents are embarking on a memorial walk from Pickle Lake to Thunder Bay.

The walk is in memory of seven residents who died in a plane crash on September 11, 2003.

The walk will take about 14 days.

OPP Charging for Parade Control

Ontario Provincial Police say it could cost the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship $1,200 dollar if police are to help control its parade of boats this year.

It's the first time OPP have ever asked for such a payment.

Mayor Roy Avis is disappointed.

"This is a significant community event," says Avis, "and we have to pay extra for policing to police this situation. It's a concern that we as council should have because how often is this going to happen?"

Tournament organizers have asked the town to cover the cost, but council wants them to consider asking Treaty 3 Police for assistance or changing the route that requires no police involvement.

Crane Operator Injured

A 33-year-old man suffered leg injuries after a crane toppled over on the Noden Causeway.

The accident happened just after the noon hour Tuesday where construction crews are making repairs to the bridge.

OPP says the crane was being used to lift a heavy object when it became unstable and fell over.

The man was taken to hospital in Fort Frances for treatment.

The Ministry of Labour is investigating.

Former Library Building Deal Discussed

The town of Fort Frances is moving ahead with handing over its former library to the Fort Frances Community Clinic.

CAO Mark McCaig says the building would be used for health care purposes.

McCaig says they're working on the details that would allow for the Clinic to take over the building on a conditional basis.

Strategic Plan Not yet Finished

A new strategic plan for the town of Fort Frances is still a few weeks from being complete.

CAO Mark McCaig says the final touches are being done.

"We still have some sections to develop," says McCaig, "messages from myself and the mayor. Some demographic information has to be changed. I anticipate in one of the August meetings having a final and formal approval of the strategic plan."

Council drafted the plan during a day-long meeting at Sunny Cove Camp last month.

MNR Getting Help

The Ministry of Natural Resources is bringing in firefighters from outside of the province to help with the forest fire fight in northwestern Ontario's far north.

One hundred fighters from British Columbia are expected to arrive today (Tuesday).

Two more waterbombers and light aircraft are coming from Quebec, joining air support received last week from that province.

Bass Tournament Get Exemption

The International Falls Bass Championship has been granted a one-time exemption to Minnesota's new rules regarding evasive species.

But it's being told to follow the rules next year.

Chair Gary Potter says they won't give up lobby efforts for a more permanent exemption.

"They want us to come out of the river or the lake. Take the fish out of the live-well. Drain the live-well. Fill it up with well water or spring water. Put the fish back in. Come down to the park. Take the fish out and drain the live-well again," says Potter. "All we're asking for is a little common sense to these new rules and let us just come down to the park to take the fish out and then drain the live-well."

Potter says it could be costly to the tournament to adhere to the new rules.