Thunder Bay MP Has Cancer

Another Thunder Bay politician has announced his has cancer.

MP Bruce Hyer says he has a tumour on his tongue and will have it removed this week in Ottawa.

Hyer says the prognosis is good and expects to be back to work as soon as possible.

Ontario's Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle announced last fall that he'd been diagnosed with a treatable form lymphoma.

Leek To Participate In Leadership Vote

The president of the Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association is excited about the upcoming leadership convention.

Anthony Leek will be among thousands of Liberals gathering in Toronto at the end of this month to select Premier Dalton McGuinty's replacement as leader of the Ontario Liberals.


Leek says the number of candidates is great for finding solutions to the problems facing Ontario.

The Association will hold a meeting Saturday in Dryden to discuss who'll represent it at the leadership convention.

Court Ruling Impacting Off-Reserve Natives Today

A federal court is expected to rule today on the federal rights and benefits for more than 600-thousand aboriginal people who live off-reserve.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and several Metis and non-status Indians took the federal government to court in 1999 alleging discrimination.

They argue they're entitled to some or all of the same rights and benefits as Ottawa gives to on-reserve First Nations members.

Native Protest At Border

A peaceful protest at the border on the weekend.

Nearly 150 native people from northern Minnesota and Canada gathered in International Falls as part of demonstrations against the Harper government.


Karla Bluebird from Red Lake, Minnesota says the environmental concerns being expressed by First Nations in Canada are also a worry to U.S. bands.

The protest was one of several at border crossings that took place.

School Back

Ontario students head back to school today amid even more uncertainty than before their holiday break.

The dispute between public school teachers and the Ontario government deepened last week when the province imposed new contracts that froze most wages and cut benefits.

Many teachers are furious, with some saying they'll ignore Premier Dalton McGuinty's request to resume extracurricular activities.

Three Charged For Failing To Stop For Police

Three Fort Frances men will be making a court appearance after attempting to avoid police on snowmachine.

It happened while OPP were conducting snowmobile patrols on New Year's Eve on Rainy Lake in the area of Northwest Bay.

Police were attempting to stop a group of seven snowmobilers when three bolted.

Officers were able to identify and locate the operators and later charge them with failing to stop for police.

Snowmobile Accidents

An Atikokan man is recovering from injuries following a snowmobile accident last week in the Atikokan area.

Provincial Police says the 22-year-old was traveling on the ice of the Atikokan river Wednesday when he lost control of his snowmachine and it rolled on top of him.

The man was treated at the scene before being eventually taken to hospital in Thunder Bay for treatment of a leg injury.

A Fort Frances man also had to be taken to hospital in Thunder Bay with a leg injury earlier last week following a snowmobile accident on Rainy Lake.

OPP says the man was operating his snowmachine in the area of Ash Bay last Saturday when he was ejected from his sled, landing on the ice.

Man Charged With Mischief

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A London, Ontario man has been charged after a Fort Frances business had its window smashed on New Year's Day.

Video surveillance showed a man breaking the window with his foot before walking away.

OPP arrested the 31-year-old for being intoxicated in a public place and mischief.

Campbell Awaiting News On New Premier

The MPP of the Kenora-Rainy River riding is looking forward to the new year for a particular reason.

Sarah Campbell wants to see who fills the spot of Ontario premier and leader of the Liberal party.

Campbell hopes whoever the person may be, they have a fresh perspective and work with all parties.

She's also expecting Queen's Park to resume sometime after the third week of February.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Visitor restrictions at Rainycrest Long Term Care in Fort Frances have been lifted.

The restrictions has been put in place two weeks ago because of increase cases of gastroenteritis.

Officials says the public should still refrain from visiting the senior home if your suffering from flu or cold-like symptoms.

Border Demonstration Planned

A native demonstration is planned for tomorrow at the border between Fort Frances and International Falls.

Idle No More websites promote the rally as being organized by First Nations on the American side of the border.

They're gathering in support of Attawaspikat Chief Teresa Spence and Canadian aboriginals wanting Prime Minister Harper to meet with the hunger-striking chief.

Organizers don't state if their plans include blocking or slowing motorists trying to cross.

It's expected to begin at about 1 p.m.

Council To Get Vocal

Fort Frances town councillors are growing frustrated with the lack of attention they seem to be getting from the provincial and federal governments.

It's something they intend to change.

Mayor Roy Avis says more attention is needed as the town grapples with the financial impacts of the recent downsizing at Resolute Forest Products.

Avis says he's most disappointed that MPP Sarah Campbell and MP John Rafferty have yet to meet with him to discuss the impacts.

Calls For Casino Again

A Fort Frances councillor is renewing calls for a casino in the community.

Ken Perry says it will help boast the local economy and keep travellers crossing the border in Fort Frances longer.

Perry notes Fort Frances is one of few border communities in Ontario that doesn't have a casino.

The province is currently looking at areas where new casinos could be located with Kenora identified as a possible site in northwestern Ontario.

Strategic Plan Gets Review

Fort France councillors are taking a thorough look at its strategic plan.

CAO Mark McCaig says a special meeting yesterday was intended to identify the progress made in the past two years and what initiatives they may or may not continue to pursue.

McCaig says many items have already been achieved, but some may not go ahead because of money and resources needed that could be directed elsewhere.

Tibbs On Temporary Leave

Fort Frances council will be short a member for an undetermined length of time.

Mayor Roy Avis says Sharon Tibbs, who's also deputy mayor, is taking a leave of absence for health reasons.

Avis says because he would be away for brief period of time as well, Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft will serve as deputy mayor in case of emergency situations.

Liberal Draw Criticism Over Teachers Deals

The provincial Liberals are drawing fierce criticism for imposing two-year contracts on public school teachers and other education workers.

The contracts cut benefits and freeze the wages of most teachers.

Union leaders won't say what action they'd take in the weeks ahead, but warn it won't be business as usual.

More Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Region

OPP in northwestern Ontario saw a slight increase in the number of motorists out drinking and driving during the Christmas holiday season.

Fourteen motorists, including two in the Rainy River district, were nabbed during an enforcement blitz last month, compared with eleven in 2011.

Suspensions for having a blood alcohol level in the warn range were down to 46 in 2012 from 57 in 2011.

Three of the suspensions were in the Rainy River district.

First Baby of New Year Born

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The Rainy River district has its first baby of 2013.

Kayenna Lynn Griffith was born at La Verendrye Hospital yesterday afternoon at 4:22 p.m., weighing in at 8 lbs, 15 oz.

The proud parents are Tyrell and Alyssa Griffith of Sioux Narrows.

They received a variety of gifts courtesy of Canada Safeway, Fort Floral, Pharmasave and Shoppers Drug Mart for having the region's first baby of the new year.

Contract Imposed on Teachers

 The governing Liberals are making good on their threat to impose new contracts on public school teachers.

Education Minister Laurel Broten announced the move in a news conference this morning.

She says she had "no other reasonable option'' than to use Bill 115 to impose collective agreements after the unions representing tens of thousands of teachers failed to negotiate local deals.

But Broten vows to repeal the controversial legislation by the end of the month in hopes teachers will resume extra-curricular activities.

Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation, isn't ruling out withholding extra-curricular activities during the length of new contracts.

Hammond says Broten's vow to repeal Bill 115 doesn't undo the damage caused by the contract legislation.

Ken Coran of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says extracurricular activities may return to high schools next week.

Decision On Teachers Dispute Expected Today

Ontario's Education Minister is expected announce today what the Liberals plan to do next in their ongoing labour dispute with public school teachers.

Laurel Broten has the power to impose new contracts to freeze wages and stop strikes.

Ken Coran, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, says it won't bring labour peace though.

New Democrat Peter Tabuns suggests the Liberals rescind Bill 115 and return to the bargaining table in a serious, meaningful way.

Elementary teachers staged one-day strikes in protest just before their Christmas break and suggest more of the same if the government imposes contracts.

Campaign Underway to Save Ontario Rangers

A campaign to save the Ontario Ranger Camp program is underway.

The program, which operated several camps including one at Quetico Provincial Park near Atikokan, was halted by the province last fall.

Emily Kirton with the group Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program, says the program provided many benefits to youth aged 17 and over who came to northern Ontario camps from elsewhere in the province.

Former campers and workers at the camps intend to rally at Queen's Park tomorrow.

Three Sent To Hospital In Duluth

Three people have been airlifted to hospital in Duluth, one in critical condition, following an accident west of International Falls yesterday.

It happened around the noon hour on Highway 11 in Loman.

The Minnesota State Patrol says a transport hauling logs had slowed for a vehicle at the side of the road when it was rear ended by another pulp truck, causing one to cross the centreline and come into collision with an oncoming pickup.

All of the injured were in the pickup and from Indiana.

Explosion Victims Improving

Hospital officials in Duluth have upgraded the conditions of several of the five men injured in an explosion in an ice fishing camper on the south shore of Lake of the Woods.

Two remain in critical condition, one in serious and two others in fair condition from injuries sustained Sunday when a propane furnace inside their camper exploded near Williams, west of Baudette.

Festive RIDE Numbers Disappointing

Provincial police say they're disappointed that the number of motorists charged with impaired driving over the holidays is the highest it has been in eight years.

Almost 700 people across the province were charged during the OPP's month long Festive RIDE campaign with another 625 warning range suspensions.

Numbers specific to our region have not yet been released.

Rafferty Looks Back

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty sums up 2012 with just one word.

Frustrating.

He says the Harper government hasn't been very transparent and it's made it tough for opposition MPs to do their job 100 per cent.

Rafferty says the most upsetting move by the Harper government was a change to the retirement age to 67.

Heading into the new year, Rafferty intends to represent his constituents to the best of his ability as he criss-crosses the riding as much as possible.

Rafferty's also plans to further his causes through private members bills.

Flu Numbers On Rise In Minnesota

Health officials are concerned about a recent spike in the number of flu cases in Minnesota.

More than 120 Minnesotans were hospitalized with the flu in the week ending December 22.

That's nearly twice the number of cases in the previous week.

Man Charged In Accident

A man is facing charges after trying to elude police following a single vehicle accident on New Year's Day near International Falls.

Koochiching County Sheriff's office says a vehicle hit the ditch on County Road 2 South and rolled just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The 20-year-old driver, who had been wanted by Police on an unrelated matter, fled the scene but captured a short time later.

Two other people in the vehicle were taken to hospital in International Falls.

Education Directors Get Update On Teachers Dispute Tomorrow

The fate of extra-curricular activities in schools could be determined tomorrow.

Education directors will meet via conference call with Ministry of Education officials for an update on the labour dispute with public school teachers.

School sports teams have been on the bench since teachers ended their involvement in school activities in protest over legislation threatening to impose a contract on them.

Contract Deadline Passes

The deadline for Ontario teachers to reach agreements with their local school boards passed at one minute before midnight New Year's Eve.

Education Minister Laurel Broten now has the power under Bill 115 to impose contracts in cases where no deals have been reached, but the minister has not said if or when she plans to act.

Public School Board Review

Area educators are reflecting on the past year in their schools.

Heather Campbell of the Rainy River District School Board says one of their highlights was a pilot project to enhance the integration of pre-school and school services in speech language.

Campbell says a new strategic plan and the creating of an early learning liaison and an aboriginal curriculum coordinator were other key initiatives in 2012.

Campbell says improving student literacy and numeracy will continue to be a focus in 2013 as will the board's initiatives aimed at combating bullying.

Catholic School Board Review

There were several accomplishments for the Northwest Catholic District School Board in 2012.

Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says she was pleased to see students and staff take an increased interest in social justice issues.

Kelly says they were also able to expand smartboard technology in the classrooms, including a recent introduction of iPads to students in the intermediate grades.

Ice Fishing Camper Explodes

Five men have been injured after an explosion in an ice fishing camper near Williams, Minnesota, west of Baudette.

Lake of the Woods County Sheriff Gary Fish says a propane furnace exploded, blowing out the camper's windows, Sunday morning on the shore of Lake of the Woods at Zippel Bay.

All were taken to hospital in Duluth.

Stratton Company Gets Bridge Contract

A Stratton company has won a contract for some work on Highway 11 near Atikokan.

The Sharpe Groupe will reconstruct a bridge over McCauley Creek.

Work will begin in the spring and completed later in the year.

Alzheimer Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer Awareness month in Canada.

Lynn Moffatt of the Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River its aimed at recognizing the signs of alzheimers and dementia.

It's estimated over one thousand residents in the region now suffer from the disease.

The national body also intends to unveil a new awareness campaign later today.

Polar Plunge

The numbers were down, but the enthusiasm was still high as 21 people took part in this year's Polar Plunge into Rainy Lake yesterday.

They combined to raise $81-hundred for charities in the event promoted by the Voyageur Lion's Club.

Members of the Fort Frances Muskies were the top fundraising group collecting $1,780.

Hailey Nugent was the top individual fundraiser, raising over $700 in her jump for World Vision.

Idle No More Protests Continue

You Tube

Idle No More demonstrations continue in Northwestern Ontario.

Yesterday, a number of people stood along side Highway 11 in Couchiching, carrying signs and handing out pamphlets outlining the reasons behind the movement.

A similar action was held at Fort William William First Nation.

While in Kenora, Tania Cameron says on Wednesday First Nations people will boycott some businesses in their opposition towards federal Bill C-45

Cameron says their goal is to send a message to Ottawa to allow debate on the bill, First Nations leaders have said threatens Treaties.

The northern Ontario aboriginal chief, the demonstrations have also been in support of, made a brief appearance outside of her teepee yesterday along the Ottawa River on Day 20 of her hunger strike.

Theresa Spence says she's "deeply humbled'' by the support she's received from aboriginals and non-aboriginals in her appeal for a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Harper and the governor general.

Deadline Looms For Teachers

The deadline for Ontario's teachers to reach agreements with their local school boards is tonight at one minute before midnight.

Education Minister Laurel Broten is urging those school boards and teachers who haven't yet reached deals to do so before tonight's deadline.

Broten has not said if she will move to impose deals tomorrow if they don't.

CUPE Reaches Deal

The province has reached a tentative agreement with the union that represents school support workers.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario president Fred Hahn says the union remains opposed to Bill 115 and will continue its campaign to repeal it, which includes a legal challenge.

Lots of Accidents Last Week

Plenty of banged up vehicles in the Rainy River district.

Provincial police say they were called to sixteen motor vehicle collisions over the past week.

Police say many were the result of drivers failing to adjust their driving habits with the weather and road conditions.

Driver Charged In Accident

OPP charged a 56-year-old Atikokan man with impaired driving after a motor vehicle accident last Wednesday on Highway 11, east of Atikokan.

He'll now be making a court appearance in Atikokan in late January.

Party Safe

Many people are preparing to ring in the New Year tonight at celebrations throughout the Rainy River district.

Police are urging everyone to make sure their plans include a sober driver or a safe way to get back home.

OPP will be out in force tonight conducting RIDE spot checks.

Ontario Residents Happy With The OPP

A majority of Ontario residents feel safe in their communities.

That is one of the findings from a Community Satisfaction Survey released by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Almost 95 per cent of respondents were also either satisfied or very satisfied with the OPP response times to violent crime, especially.

Staff Sergeant Hazel O'Brien says their annual survey also found a large number of people admitted to using a cellphone or texting while driving.

O'Brien says it will be an issue police will continue to focus on in the new year.

New Zoning Regulations In Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls

Nestor Falls residents are going to have to get used to something new.

Zoning regulations.

Bill Thompson, mayor of the township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls says one of the measures outlines close one can build to the lake.

Thompson says they considered a 30 metre buffer from the lake, but reduced it to 10 metres.

The previous setback in Sioux Narrows was 7.5 metres while there had been no restriction at all in Nestor Falls.

Snapshots

A series of "snapshots" are hoping to reveal strengths and weaknesses in children and families in the area.

CEO of Firefly Karen Ingebrigtson says they are intended to be a resource for service providers to address needs and issues within surrounding communities.

A link to the snapshots is available on both Firefly's and the Northwest Health Unit's websites.

Nolan Get Seat On U.S. Transportation Committee

The man who'll represent Koochiching County in Washington has been appointed to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Rick Nolan says the seat is vital to economic development in the Eighth District, which includes northeastern Minnesota.

Governor Recovering

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is recovering from spinal surgery.

A spokesperson for the Governor says yesterday's procedure went as planned without any complications, but it will keep him sidelined at least through New Year's.

Dayton had the operation to relieve a constriction in his lower back.

Polar Plunge To Go New Year's Day

No time better than now to think about jumping in the lake to start the new year.

The Voyageur Lion's Club stages its annual Polar Plunge Tuesday.

Participants have been jumping into the ice waters of Rainy Lake for the past decade every New Year's Day. 

Member Gabi Hanzuk says its never too late to sign-up.

Registration will take place at the La Place Rendez-Vous in Fort Frances at 11 a.m. with the event getting underway at 1 p.m.

The minimum cost is $50 dollars

Many of the jumpers will also be raising money for charities of their choice.

Sewer And Water Project Eyed

The town of Fort Frances has identified a section of Second Street as a high priority upgrade in an application for funding from the province.

The town wants to replace aging and severely deteriorating water and sewer lines in area of Central and Mowatt Avenues.

The town's seeking a third of the estimated one-point-three million dollars total cost.

Bayfield Continues Work

Bayfield photo

Drills at Bayfield Ventures' exploration project are expected to continue into the next year.

Bayfield is working adjacent to the Rainy River Resources project, north of Barwick.

Company president Jim Petitt says they believe there's still plenty of gold to be found.

Petitt says while there's nothing written in stone, their finds might be attractive to Rainy River Resources to acquire in the future.

Canadian Company Interested in Minnesota Peat

Hanson

A Canadian company is expressing interest in extracting a high quality type of peat from northeastern Minnesota.

Koochiching County has one of the largest deposits of sphagnum peat in the U.S.

Outgoing Commissioner Mike Hanson says the problem is that in lies in protected science and nature areas

Hanson says it may take some legislative changes for the unnamed company to access the areas, the County will pursue in the new year.

More Native Demonstrations in Rainy River Area

A number of aboriginal people danced and carried placards in front of the Walmart Store in Fort Frances on Monday to draw attention to the Idle No More Movement in this area.

It follows a walk staged Friday in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence's hunger strike and the opposition to the federal government's omnibus budget bill C-45.

A similar event happened yesterday inside a mall in Bemidji.

Helicopters and Pilots Wanted

MNCIS photo

Minnesota is seeking a few good helicopters and pilots.

The Department of Natural Resources is hunting for helicopter services for its fire control bases in Cloquet, Princeton and Roseau.

The agency hopes to hear from potential vendors by early January.

Alzheimer Society Fundraiser Set

The Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River is preparing for a major fundraiser next month.

The Forget Me Not Charitable Dinner will take place January 12 at the La Place Rendez-Vous in Fort Frances.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt says tickets are now on sale.

Call the Society's office in Kenora for ticket details, or click this link to the Alzheimer Society's website.

Community Christmas Dinner Celebrates 25th

Many area residents took advantage of a free dinner in Fort Frances on Christmas Day.

The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau hosted its 25th annual event at Knox United Church.

Volunteer June Caul says its been an important one to the community.

Organizers says support from several businesses and volunteers help make the event possible year after year.