Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Donald Young School Vote


There's not expected to be a decision tonight on a committee report's regarding the future of Donald Young School in Emo.

The issue comes before the Rainy River District School Board, but trustees will be asked to defer a decision until school reviews of Sturgeon Creek and Crossroads are complete.

A committee's report, released two months ago, supported a rebuild of Donald Young, but also suggested construction be delayed until other school reviews were complete.

School Budget Up For Discussion


The Rainy River District School Board is poised to spend over $47-million in the coming year.

Trustees are expected to discuss how those dollars will be spent at their meeting tonight.

The budget is balanced and reflects a projected enrolment decrease of about 3.3 per cent in the next school year.

It also includes drawing almost $1.5 million from reserves.

Anti Legislation Vote Today


The Ontario legislature votes today on final reading of the Liberal government's anti-bullying bill.

Much of the focus, though, has been on a provision that allows the word "gay" to be used by school clubs which is drawing the ire of the Tories and Catholics.

Education Minister Laurel Broten insists its not about re-opening the funding debate for Catholic education.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says her party will support the bill, saying its the right thing to do.

Accident Victims Names Released



The Ministry of Labour has been called in to help investigate a fatal boating accident on Lake of the Woods.

71-year old Robert Foster of Michigan and 71 year old James Saney of Ohio died after the boat they were in crashed into a rock face in Ash Bay Saturday night.

The anglers were guests of an area fishing lodge and fishing with a guide at the time.

A 62-year-old Kenora man remains in stable condition in a Winnipeg hospital.

Power Outages


A couple of power outages today.

This morning, starting at around 8 o'clock, Hydro One will cut the power for about 3 hours to several residents living in the Crozier, Miscampbell, Burris, Devlin, Lake Depair and Dance township areas.

And later this afternoon, Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls will go on back-up power at it's hospital from 2 pm to 8 pm as the city does some work nearby.

Deadline Today for Election Filings


The window for candidates to get on Minnesota's 2012 election ballot closes today.

In Koochiching County, incumbent Brian McBride is the only candidate to file for November's election in the District 3 race.

District 5 has five candidates declared their intentions so far.

Transit of Venus Tonight


A rare moment in the sky tonight.

It's known as the transit of Venus.

The planet will appears as a small, dark disk moving across the face of the Sun, shortly after 5 tonight.

It's recommended you not stare directly into the sun.

Voyageur National Park will be offering a safe way to view the transit of Venus at their Rainy Lake Visitor Centre.

Protect Yourself


The season for summer fun is here, and that also means it's time for sunscreen.

Paul Kamman, president of Minnesota-based Melanoma Awareness, says protecting your skin means protecting yourself from melanoma, the deadliest of all skin cancers.

He recommends a sunscreen of SPF of 30 or better and staying aware from tanning beds.

Incidences of melanoma has nearly doubled in Minnesota while its the eighth most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Ontario.