Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hospital Looking At Sharing Doctors

Hospital officials in Fort Frances and International Falls are exploring the idea of sharing medical services.

Interim Chief Executive Officer with Rainy Lake Medical Centre in the Falls Bob Haley tells CFOB-News he and Riverside Health Care's CEO Alan Katz have discussed the idea of recruiting specialists who could work at both hospitals.

Haley says they now looking at what it will take to allow doctors to work on both sides of the border.

Environmenta Commissioner Questions MNR Changes

Ontario's environmental commissioner is questioning the provincial government's transformation of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Gord Miller says changes contained within last spring's budget that went unnoticed gives government the authority to hand over Crown land to private companies.

Miller says the impact of the changes could be felt the greatest in the Far North.

Fort High Students Attend We Day

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A group of high school students from Fort Frances are back from experiencing We Day in Minneapolis.

About thirty attended last Monday's event aimed at aimed at inspiring young people.

Grade 11 student Cameron Penny says it was incredible experience.

Julia Qwast, also in grade 11, says it now has her thinking about what she can do in her school, in the community and possibility for people in under developed countries.


Many of students taking part were also at We Day in Winnipeg last year.

Minnesota Looks At Reopening Possibility

A glimmer of hope to Voyageurs National Park reopening.

The Associated Press is reporting Minnesota is mulling over an offer from the Obama administration to allow States to use their own money to operate National Parks impacted by the partial shutdown of U.S. government services.

State officials says they first need to review costs and revenues.

Minnesota Man Walking Through Wilderness Areas

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A journey likely no one taken in a long time.

Jason Zabokrtsky has embarked on a walk through Quetico Provincial Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness area back home to Ely, Minnesota.

He says one of the riskier parts will be having to swimming some lakes.

Zabokrtsky says he's pre-mapped an 80 mile route he hopes to complete in two weeks.

Dayton Ready To Assist

A show of support for International Falls and those impacted by the downsizing at the Boise mill.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton sat down last Wednesday to hear from civic leaders about the challenges and some of the projects they hope to move forward on.

Dayton says he's willing to help where possible.

A review of the forest industry and its future was one of the suggestion put forward to the Governor.

PC's Call For Election

The Leader of the Ontario Conservative Part is calling for an election.

Tim Hudak's demand comes as a result of the audit for the Oakville gas plant that has costs Ontario tax payer between 675 and 815 million dollars.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the vote won't happen unless the Liberals call the vote themselves.

Meantime, Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's difficult to get accurate estimates on the cancellation of the Oakville gas plant.

It was one of two  projects cancelled in 2011 by then premier Dalton McGuinty

Common Ground Success

Provincial Liberals says they're seeing success to its Common Ground initiative.

The campaign is inviting Ontarians to submit ideas the party will consider in its next election platform.

Since the site when up more than a week ago, more than six-thousand users have submitted one thousand ideas.

Assisted Living Facility Now Open

The doors of an assisted living facility in International Falls are now open.

The Good Samaritan Society officially cut the ribbon to its new Northwinds Assisted Living facility last week.

Administrator Adam Coe says the five million dollar building offers a blend of independence and assistance to the residents.

A new nursing home is also now in use with an official opening still to be determined.

Bayfield Continues Drilling

Bayfield Ventures continues to report strong gold findings from a drill program being conducted north of Barwick.

The company has been working in an areas adjacent to Rainy River Resources, soon to be New Gold's, project and has released its latest assay results.

Chief Executive Officer Jim Pettit says the company is pleased with the progress, noting a summer exploration program helped identified several areas where they will concentrate on in the future.

Gamble Responsible

A message of gambling responsible.

Responsible gambling awareness week goes this week.

The Responsible Gambling Council's Heather Ly says there are many signs to watch for if you think someone may have a gambling problem.

Ly says their research has found 3.4 per cent of Canadians identify as problem gamblers, effecting one in 10 families.

Local Artist On Display At Museum

A local artist the latest to be highlighted at the Fort Frances Museum.

The works of Cher Pruys are now on display and will remain up until the end of the month.

Curator Sherry George says its a great opportunity for those who may never have seen her artwork.

A chance to meet the artist happens Wednesday evening.

Falls Hospital Optomistic About Future

Officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre in International Falls are assuring the public they'll be stronger than ever when a relationship with Duluth-based Essentia Health comes to an end.

The two sides broke off talks during the summer without a resolve to Essentia's desire for more control in a 5 year partnership.

Speaking to Koochiching County's board, interim Chief Executive Officer Bob Haley says the hospital is still viable on its own.

County commissioners, though, want Rainy Lake to be more open about the decisions its making.