Monday, November 19, 2012

Hats Off To Seniors

Four area residents have been recognized as "Making a Difference."

Ruth Caldwell of Fort Frances, Brenda Wood of Atikokand and Jim and Davetta Sheppard of Rainy River are recipients of the first ever "Making a Difference" awards from the group Seniors and Law Enforcement Together.

Chair Robert Schultz says they're some of the many people who have helped seniors and SALT achieve its goals.

The group also recognized several groups, including 93.1 The Border, at its "Hats off to Seniors" Gala Friday.

OPP Commissioner Thanks SALT

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together is being recognized by one of its many partners.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis was the guest speaker at Friday's "Hats of to Seniors" Gala."

Lewis says the OPP will continue to be a strong partner with the group to ensure seniors live in a safe and healthy community.

Students Encouraged To Make A Difference

A Fort Frances High School student is spreading the message of how young people can make change in the world.

Dexter Fichuk spoke to intermediate students at catholic schools in the Dryden, Atikokan and Fort Frances areas about his involvement with the organization Free the Children and its We Day events.

Fichuk says everyone of them can make a difference.

Fichuk says he's happy how more students are taking an interest and involvement in social issues.

Developments In Teachers Dispute

File photo
There appears to be some developments in the labour dispute between the province and teachers.

High school teachers with two southern Ontario school board have tentative deals.

The deals for York Region and the Guelph area must still be approved by Education Minister Laurel Broten.

Meantime, elementary teachers at York Region are set to limit the amount of time they spend at school as their contract dispute with the Liberal government escalates.

Teachers won't arrive until 30 minutes before the start of the school day, and leaving 30 minutes after classes end.

Back in the Rainy River district, elementary and secondary school teachers could be in a legal strike position at the end of this week.

Wynne Proposes Stronger Voice For North

A candidate for the Ontario Liberal Leadership is offering the north a stronger voice at Queen's Park.

Kathleen Wynne says provincial governments do listen to our needs, but needs to do more to respond because of the perception from some that they don't.

Wynne says if elected leader, she'll create a northern Ontario cabinet committee to better represent the region.

Three Charged

Three Fort Frances area residents face charges following a drug bust in the Kenora area.

23-year-old Joel Inkster, 29-year-old Dawn Jourdain and 21-year-old Allan Mutz were arrested last week after OPP stopped a vehicle to find a pound of marijuana and 14 ocycocete pills inside.

All three have since been released and will make a court appearance in Kenora December 20.