Three people face drug charges following a a bust by the OPP's Community Drug Action Team last week.
Initially, OPP stopped a vehicle Wednesday in Fort Frances, resulting in one person begin charged with trafficking of Oxycocet and possession of marijuana.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant at a Third Street West home later that day where they seized a quantity of drugs including Oxycocet and arrested and charged two other individuals.
Street value of the drug seized is estimated at over one-thousand dollars.
No names have been released at this time, but all three will appear in Fort Frances Court in late January.
Monday, December 21, 2009
DriveTest Strike Ends
DriveTest facilities should be open for exams the first week of January.
Staff who've been on strike since August have reached a tentative deal with the company.
The company will also be hiring 100 people to deal with the backlog that's expected to take several months to clear.
Staff who've been on strike since August have reached a tentative deal with the company.
The company will also be hiring 100 people to deal with the backlog that's expected to take several months to clear.
Atikokan Fednor Money
Atikokan Economic Development Corporation has received from federal money to assist in business development in that community.
The Community Futures Development Corporation will use half-a-million dollars in investment capital to provide small and medium-sized businesses with repayable loans, loan guarantees and equity investments.
The Community Futures Development Corporation will use half-a-million dollars in investment capital to provide small and medium-sized businesses with repayable loans, loan guarantees and equity investments.
Tourism Region to Proceed
The provincial government is moving forward with plans to create one large tourism marketing organization for all of northwestern Ontario.
The new group will be responsible for marketing an area stretching from Sault Ste. Marie and the Manitoba border.
That job is now being done by a number of small regional groups, including Ontario Sunset Country in this area.
The Province says it will help the industry transition to the new tourism regions by providing 25-million dollars in each of the next two years, along with 40 million in ongoing annual funding announced previously.
The new group will be responsible for marketing an area stretching from Sault Ste. Marie and the Manitoba border.
That job is now being done by a number of small regional groups, including Ontario Sunset Country in this area.
The Province says it will help the industry transition to the new tourism regions by providing 25-million dollars in each of the next two years, along with 40 million in ongoing annual funding announced previously.
Local Sports for Friday December 18
A busy schedule today in local sports.
Fort Frances Lakers end a three-game home-stand tonight with a game against the Fort William North Stars - 7:30 at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team will host Red Lake in the 52 Canadians Rink at 7:30
The boys travel to Red Lake Falls.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team is in Virginia.
The grills team hosts Thief River Falls - 7:30 at Broncos Arena.
Broncos boys basketball team plays Fort Frances Muskies in the Fort while the girls team hosts Cook at Falls High School.
Rainy River Voyageur's men's and women's basketball club compete in tournaments in Central Lakes.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey club travels to a tournament in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Fort Frances Lakers end a three-game home-stand tonight with a game against the Fort William North Stars - 7:30 at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team will host Red Lake in the 52 Canadians Rink at 7:30
The boys travel to Red Lake Falls.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team is in Virginia.
The grills team hosts Thief River Falls - 7:30 at Broncos Arena.
Broncos boys basketball team plays Fort Frances Muskies in the Fort while the girls team hosts Cook at Falls High School.
Rainy River Voyageur's men's and women's basketball club compete in tournaments in Central Lakes.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey club travels to a tournament in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
WSIB Appointment
A resident of northwestern Ontario has been named to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Estelle Caines of Dryden is Director of Access Services for the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center.
Estelle Caines of Dryden is Director of Access Services for the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center.
Pension Report
A study for the Ontario government says some seniors would be seriously hurt if the Canadian pension systems stays as it is.
The study finds most people will still be able to depend on a healthy stream of retirement income in the future.
But a number of people are either not covered by a pension plan or are covered by a shaky one that does not pay solid benefits upon retirement.
The study finds most people will still be able to depend on a healthy stream of retirement income in the future.
But a number of people are either not covered by a pension plan or are covered by a shaky one that does not pay solid benefits upon retirement.
Hospital Freeze Proposed
Critics are speaking out against a reported hospital funding freeze.
Health Minister Deb Matthews has reportedly warned she may freeze hospital budgets starting next spring as the provincial government copes with a record deficit.
The most hospitals can hope for is an increase below last year's 2.1 per cent.
Critics say that level forced hospitals to close beds and cut services.
Health Minister Deb Matthews has reportedly warned she may freeze hospital budgets starting next spring as the provincial government copes with a record deficit.
The most hospitals can hope for is an increase below last year's 2.1 per cent.
Critics say that level forced hospitals to close beds and cut services.
Mining Act Consultations Planned
The provincial Mining Act is going through another round of public consultations.
The legislation was passed in the fall, but Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says they want to get feedback on the actual regulations contained in the act.
"A lot of the work is involved in putting the regulations together," says Gravelle, "relating to issues such as the historic dispute resolution process assisted by which we can appropriately withdraw aboriginal cultural sites. Certainly the permitting and planning processes that will be required of a mining company. The move towards map staking for instance. All of these things we are committed to making sure they work."
The consultation period will take place starting in January and run until June.
The legislation was passed in the fall, but Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says they want to get feedback on the actual regulations contained in the act.
"A lot of the work is involved in putting the regulations together," says Gravelle, "relating to issues such as the historic dispute resolution process assisted by which we can appropriately withdraw aboriginal cultural sites. Certainly the permitting and planning processes that will be required of a mining company. The move towards map staking for instance. All of these things we are committed to making sure they work."
The consultation period will take place starting in January and run until June.
Auxiliary Recognized
Some members of the Fort Frances OPP Auxiliary were recognized yesterday by the Fort Frances Police Services Board.
Among them, Murray Alexander, who became an auxiliary officer nine years ago and now serves as an Auxiliary Sergeant Major with the OPP's Northwest Unit.
"I've always like the policing side of it," says Alexander. "It just gave me an opportunity to get on with the police and give back to the community. It's a great job and a lot of fun."
There are approximately 35 auxiliary members throughout northwestern Ontario.
Among them, Murray Alexander, who became an auxiliary officer nine years ago and now serves as an Auxiliary Sergeant Major with the OPP's Northwest Unit.
"I've always like the policing side of it," says Alexander. "It just gave me an opportunity to get on with the police and give back to the community. It's a great job and a lot of fun."
There are approximately 35 auxiliary members throughout northwestern Ontario.
Police Services Board Elections
John McTaggart will continue to serve as chair of the Fort Frances Police Services Board.
McTaggart was reappointed to the position for another year in board elections held yesterday.
Glenn Witherspoon will serve as vice-chair.
McTaggart was reappointed to the position for another year in board elections held yesterday.
Glenn Witherspoon will serve as vice-chair.
Crimestoppers Awards
Some honours for Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.
Executive director Doug Anderson says the organization earned several awards at the International Conference and Awards in Australia.
"It was pretty slick for us," says Anderson. "A lot of Ontario programs did really well, but Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota did exceptionally well. We picked up four awards. One for video. One for print and two for some of the radio stuff we've done."
One of those radio awards went to B-93's sister station in Kenora Mix-FM for special reporting.
Executive director Doug Anderson says the organization earned several awards at the International Conference and Awards in Australia.
"It was pretty slick for us," says Anderson. "A lot of Ontario programs did really well, but Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota did exceptionally well. We picked up four awards. One for video. One for print and two for some of the radio stuff we've done."
One of those radio awards went to B-93's sister station in Kenora Mix-FM for special reporting.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Aprin
Steve Arpin's break from the race track comes to an end this weekend.
Arpin will be one of more than 50 drivers who will participated in testing at Daytona Speedway.
The testing is in preparation for next February's ARCA-ReMax Series opener.
Arpin will be one of more than 50 drivers who will participated in testing at Daytona Speedway.
The testing is in preparation for next February's ARCA-ReMax Series opener.
Tory North Plan
Progressive Conservatives have come out with a plan it says will create jobs and bolster the economy of northern Ontario.
Leader Tim Hudak says the P.C. Northern Ontario Jobs Plan is a practical and straightforward solution to helping the north grow.
"We want to see private sector job creation," says Hudak. "We'd invest in northern infrastructure from roads, bridges, cellular service and broadband, and develop partnerships between post-secondary institutions and the private sector to innovate and keep young people in the north."
Hudak says he doesn't put much credence in Liberal Growth plan for Northern Ontario, suggesting there's little detail in the plan.
Leader Tim Hudak says the P.C. Northern Ontario Jobs Plan is a practical and straightforward solution to helping the north grow.
"We want to see private sector job creation," says Hudak. "We'd invest in northern infrastructure from roads, bridges, cellular service and broadband, and develop partnerships between post-secondary institutions and the private sector to innovate and keep young people in the north."
Hudak says he doesn't put much credence in Liberal Growth plan for Northern Ontario, suggesting there's little detail in the plan.
Legal Aid Boycott Criticized
Criticism of Ontario's legal aid boycott is coming from a prominent lawyer.
Clay Powell saying those accused of serious crimes shouldn't have to bear the brunt of the dispute.
Powell is still taking legal aid cases despite a months-long boycott by the Criminal Lawyers' Association.
The association is upset with the gap between what lawyers are paid through legal aid and what provincial prosecutors earn.
Kenora Lawyer Appointed
A member of the Kenora bar association is moving on up the legal ladder.
John Fregeau has been appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Thunder Bay.
He replaces Justice Terry Platana as of November 27.
John Fregeau has been appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Thunder Bay.
He replaces Justice Terry Platana as of November 27.
Walleye Lakes Open
The Ministry of Natural Resources is re-opening the walleye seasons in three lakes near Atikokan.
The reopening of fishing in North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake and Moose Lake comes following a review of walleye populations which the MNR says have recovered.
The lake's had been closed to walleye fishing since 1998.
The reopening of fishing in North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake and Moose Lake comes following a review of walleye populations which the MNR says have recovered.
The lake's had been closed to walleye fishing since 1998.
Health Unit Levies Frozen
Levies paid to the Northwestern Health Unit by municipalities across the Kenora and Rainy River districts are been held at current levels once again.
Board Chair John Albanese says the annual per capita levy will remain at $54.33.
Albanese says its the sixth straight year that municipal levies to the Health Unit have been frozen.
Board Chair John Albanese says the annual per capita levy will remain at $54.33.
Albanese says its the sixth straight year that municipal levies to the Health Unit have been frozen.
Humanitarian Trip Planned
A Fort Frances man has been accepted on to the Volunteer Eco Students Abroad Program and will be travelling to Fiji in the summer of 2010.
Aaron Petrin is seeking sponsorship to enable him to participate in the program and complete essential volunteer work in a Fijian village.
Petrin will work with about 30 other individuals also accepted by VESA to work in conjunction with the villagers and the village chief in addressing the major issues the village faces.
These include a lack of fresh running water, dilapidated schools and generally poor infrastructure.
By sponsoring Petrin, your funds will help to cover the costs involved in participating in the program.
These costs include hiring local skilled tradespeople to supervise and assist in the building projects, building materials and donations to local organizations.
Every volunteer will complete a minimum of 40 hours of hands on community based volunteer work.
If you are able to help, please contact Aaron directly by phone (807) 274-5297 or (204) 293-9345 or email him at petrin_21@hotmail.com to learn more about making a donation.
Please contact Aaron by email or by phone at (204) 293-9345 if you are calling before December 22 and after January 2, 2010.
Aaron Petrin is seeking sponsorship to enable him to participate in the program and complete essential volunteer work in a Fijian village.
Petrin will work with about 30 other individuals also accepted by VESA to work in conjunction with the villagers and the village chief in addressing the major issues the village faces.
These include a lack of fresh running water, dilapidated schools and generally poor infrastructure.
By sponsoring Petrin, your funds will help to cover the costs involved in participating in the program.
These costs include hiring local skilled tradespeople to supervise and assist in the building projects, building materials and donations to local organizations.
Every volunteer will complete a minimum of 40 hours of hands on community based volunteer work.
If you are able to help, please contact Aaron directly by phone (807) 274-5297 or (204) 293-9345 or email him at petrin_21@hotmail.com to learn more about making a donation.
Please contact Aaron by email or by phone at (204) 293-9345 if you are calling before December 22 and after January 2, 2010.
Big Bang
Reports of a loud explosion yesterday sent OPP in Fort Frances scrambling to seek out its source.
OPP began receiving calls from residents and business owners between the Nickle Lake area and Stanjikoming First Nation just before 2 p.m. who either heard the explosion or felt their homes shake.
Police were eventually led to a quarry along Highway 502 where a mining company had conducted a blast around that time.
OPP began receiving calls from residents and business owners between the Nickle Lake area and Stanjikoming First Nation just before 2 p.m. who either heard the explosion or felt their homes shake.
Police were eventually led to a quarry along Highway 502 where a mining company had conducted a blast around that time.
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