Thursday, November 29, 2012

Second Sudden Death Investigated By OPP

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a sudden death in Fort Frances.

The body of an unidentified man was discovered Tuesday morning at a residence at the Elizabeth Street Manor.

The OPP Forensic Identification Unit is assisting in identifying the man and cause of death.

The incident comes a little more than two weeks after the body of 45-year-old Leo Whitecrow was discovered inside a room at a Fort Frances motel.

The investigation into that death, ruled a homicide, continues.

Area Politicians To Meet With Resolute President

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell get a chance to learn more about Resolute Forest Products plans for its operations in Fort Frances.

They have a meeting tonight with president Richard Garneau in Toronto tonight.

Among issues Rafferty intends to bring forward is the talk of possible offers for the plant.

Rafferty also wants to learn about the company's long term future in northwestern Ontario.

FEDNOR Minister Critical of Rafferty Comments

A federal cabinet minister is critical of the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River for comments he's made about the idling of operations at the Fort Frances mill.

In an open letter, FEDNOR Minister Tony Clement accuses John Rafferty of manipulating the announcement for crass political opportunism by claiming Resolute's problems are the result of a “high dollar policy.”

Rafferty says that statement comes directly from the company itself.

High School Teacher Talks Suspended

Negotiations between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and all school boards have been suspended.

Their action comes after the Ministry of Education refused to give approval to a number of locally bargained agreements.

OSSTF's bargaining unit leaders have been summoned to a meeting next Monday to discuss their next steps.

Elementary Teachers Ramp Up Strike Action

The union representing elementary school teachers says there will be major disruptions in schools across the province next month.

The teachers plan to ramp up strike action to protest the governing Liberals' controversial Bill 115.

Parents will get 72-hour notices of planned strikes.

Here in the Rainy River district, elementary teachers have been going through a number of work-to-rules actions since last Thursday.

Chamber Elections Underway

Seven people are seeking four positions open on the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce board of  directors.

They are Rick Smith, owner/manager of Canadian Tire; Paul Noonan, owner of  La Place  RendezVous; Marie Allan, a partner with BDO; Mike Vanderwater, manager of Acklands-Grainger;  Stephanie Wrolstad, CIBC Branch Manager; Steve MacNeil, operations manager with Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting; and Jennifer Greenhalgh, executive director with NCDS.

Voting by Chamber members is now under way until December 7.