Tuesday, October 16, 2012

McGuinty Steps Down

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he's stepping down as Liberal leader and is also adjourning the legislature to try and negotiate with the opposition parties.

 Beaten down by a series of scandals involving air ambulances and hundreds of millions of dollars spent to cancel two gas plants, McGuinty decided he's had enough.

He made the surprise announcements to an emergency meeting of the Liberal caucus last night after the
government was hit with a second contempt motion over the cancelled power plants.

Meantime, the Opposition leaders are paying tribute to the Premier for his years of public service.

But P.C. leader Tim Hudak and the NDP's Andrea Horwath are urging McGuinty to reconsider his decision to prorogue the legislature.

Both leaders say there is important work to be done and there's no reason to stop the business in the house.

Candidates Debate

Candidates in four races within Koochiching County will outline their platforms to voters tonight.

Faye Whitbeck of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce says they'll face questions in a forum at Rainy River Community College being put together by the College's Student Senate and students at Falls High School.

Candidates seeking election in International Falls, Rainer, Koochiching County and School District 361 are taking part.

The event begins at 6 p.m.

New State Senator Visits

Koochiching County's new State senator says he's ready to represent the area in the Minnesota legislature.

The area fell within Tom Baak's jurisdiction following a rewrite of the legislative districts earlier this year.

He says it was something he and other Democrats would happen when the courts did its review of the boundaries.

Baak was in the area's to meet with area municipal and school board officials.

Local Government Week

This is local government week and members of Fort Frances council are out in the community promoting how residents can get involved.

C.A.O. Mark McCaig encourages residents to take an active role.

The town is also soliciting for volunteers to sit on future committees.

Area Man Faces Trafficking Charges

A man from Couchiching First Nation is facing numerous drug charges.

The 28-year-old was arrested last Thursday after officers with the OPP's Fort Frances Community Drug Action Team noticed a man retrieving a package containing 230 tablets of hydromorphone from a postal  box.

Value of the drugs is estimated at 20-thousand dollars.

The man will appear in Fort Frances court Friday.

Area Lodge Doubling As Recording Studio

Atikokan Blue Artist Sunday Wilde has started work on her new album.

She's using Branch's Seine River Lodge as a recording studio this week.

Wilde is joined by musicians from across Canada for the recording of her fourth album.

She hopes to have the new CD released by December.

New Children Centre Proceeds

Weechi-it-te-win Family Services is starting construction of a new children's centre.

The Abinoojii Akiin Centre is to be located property on McTavish Road  in LaVallee township.

The Centre will host a variety of health programs for aboriginal children and a 10-bed treatment and healing facility for teens experiencing addictions and behavioural difficulties.

Weechi-it-te-win hopes to have the centre operational by next summer.

Locum Home Fundraising Passes Halfway Mark

Fund raising for the Rainy River locum home has now surpassed the $165-thousand mark.

That's about half of what's needed for the house that will serve as a residence for doctors who provide temporary medical coverage at Rainy River Health Centre and it's emergency department.

The next fundraising event happens this Sunday - a harvest supper at Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church.

Construction of the home is now into it's sixth week with the roof of the home now complete.