The Olympic hockey competition was watched with great interest by one Fort Frances man.
Some of the players were wearing a cut-resistant skate sock made of kevlar developed by Randy Hogan.
Hogan says its helping to boast interest in the product.
"With all of the skate blade injuries in the NHL the last couple of years people are quickly learning there is protection out there," says Hogan, " so people are getting interested in the product more and more."
Hogan came up with the idea after a NHL player had his neck slashed by a skate a few years ago.
He says what started out as a small web-based business is beginning to take off through the increased usage of the product by the professionals.
Monday, March 1, 2010
USA Hockey Olympians Gather
While the men's hockey gold medal game was being played out in Vancouver, a number of former U.S. Olympic hockey players were at the Thunderbird Lodge in International Falls to meet fans and help cheer on Team USA.
Among those in attendance were Keith Christianson, Henry Boucha and Mike Curran from the 1972 silver medal winning team; Jack McCarten, who backstopped the 1960 team to a gold medal; Buzz Schneider, a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice; and Dick Dougherty, a member of 1956 team that earned silver in Italy.
Several residents from both sides of the border attended to meet former Olympians, get autographs and view memorabilia and medals from past Olympic competitions.
Christianson, who is originally from Fort Frances, says he was torn watching this year's gold medal game, but admitted he was pulling for the Americans.
Among those in attendance were Keith Christianson, Henry Boucha and Mike Curran from the 1972 silver medal winning team; Jack McCarten, who backstopped the 1960 team to a gold medal; Buzz Schneider, a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice; and Dick Dougherty, a member of 1956 team that earned silver in Italy.
Several residents from both sides of the border attended to meet former Olympians, get autographs and view memorabilia and medals from past Olympic competitions.
Christianson, who is originally from Fort Frances, says he was torn watching this year's gold medal game, but admitted he was pulling for the Americans.
Ainsworth Financial Earnings
Ainsworth Lumber is reporting financial losses for 2009, but not as significant as the year before.
The Vancouver-based company that operates the mill in Barwick, says it lost $21.6 million last year.
It's losses in 2008 were almost $322-million.
In a statement, Ainsworth says it completed a full strategic review, divested its portfolio of non-core assets, strengthened the management team and continued to find ways to cut costs and improve operational efficiency.
The Vancouver-based company that operates the mill in Barwick, says it lost $21.6 million last year.
It's losses in 2008 were almost $322-million.
In a statement, Ainsworth says it completed a full strategic review, divested its portfolio of non-core assets, strengthened the management team and continued to find ways to cut costs and improve operational efficiency.
Illegal Smokes Seized
Police in northwestern Ontario are calling it one of the biggest illegal cigarette busts they can remember.
O-P-P found nearly 700-thousand illegal smokes after stopping a pickup pulling a trailer on Highway 11 near Longlac.
A 47-year-old Alberta man was to appear in a Thunder Bay court room Friday.
O-P-P found nearly 700-thousand illegal smokes after stopping a pickup pulling a trailer on Highway 11 near Longlac.
A 47-year-old Alberta man was to appear in a Thunder Bay court room Friday.
Illegal Camp
Eight men have been fined for setting up an illegal camp north of Kenora.
The men were charged last September after M-N-R conservation officers were tipped off about the camp just off the Werner Lake Road.
Officers discovered a large metal structure and a shed that had been set up for at least 10 years.
Along with the fines, the seven men from Winnipeg and one from Calgary have been ordered to remove the campsite before June.
The men were charged last September after M-N-R conservation officers were tipped off about the camp just off the Werner Lake Road.
Officers discovered a large metal structure and a shed that had been set up for at least 10 years.
Along with the fines, the seven men from Winnipeg and one from Calgary have been ordered to remove the campsite before June.
New Security Guard Rules
New rules are on the way for training and testing security guards and private investigators.
Starting April 15, applicants must pass a test and take a training program before they get a licence.
Starting July 16, those who already have a licence will have to pass a mandatory test to renew it.
The government says the new rules will ensure everyone working in the private security industry has the proper training and skills.
Starting April 15, applicants must pass a test and take a training program before they get a licence.
Starting July 16, those who already have a licence will have to pass a mandatory test to renew it.
The government says the new rules will ensure everyone working in the private security industry has the proper training and skills.
Board Given Another Trustee
There'll be one additional trustee with the Northwest Catholic District School Board this fall.
The Ministry of Education has given approval to the election of the additional seat - bringing the number of trustees to eight.
The board requested the additional seat following an amalgamation with the Atikokan Roman Catholic Separate School Board last fall.
The Ministry of Education has given approval to the election of the additional seat - bringing the number of trustees to eight.
The board requested the additional seat following an amalgamation with the Atikokan Roman Catholic Separate School Board last fall.
Throne Speech Highlights
Ontario's Liberal government will announce plans to cash in on the growing global market for clean water technology in the March 8 throne speech.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says grabbing a piece of the $450-billion dollar-and-growing market for clean water technologies will be part of a five-year plan called Open Ontario.
McGuinty told a Liberal fundraising dinner that Open Ontario will also emphasize post-secondary education and the need to attract more foreign students.
It will also promise to develop a huge chromite deposit in northwestern Ontario, and call on industry and government to make Toronto one of the world's elite financial centres.
The premier calls Open Ontario an ambitious plan to build a new foundation for economic growth and jobs
Not surprisingly, McGuinty didn't mention the record $24.7 billion dollar deficit during the speech.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says grabbing a piece of the $450-billion dollar-and-growing market for clean water technologies will be part of a five-year plan called Open Ontario.
McGuinty told a Liberal fundraising dinner that Open Ontario will also emphasize post-secondary education and the need to attract more foreign students.
It will also promise to develop a huge chromite deposit in northwestern Ontario, and call on industry and government to make Toronto one of the world's elite financial centres.
The premier calls Open Ontario an ambitious plan to build a new foundation for economic growth and jobs
Not surprisingly, McGuinty didn't mention the record $24.7 billion dollar deficit during the speech.
Native Diabetes Program Funding Up in Air
An Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative that helps over 600 communities across Canada could run out of funding by the end of next month.
Dina Bruyere, executive director of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association, says they've been trying to find out if the federal government is going to continue to provide funding for the program.
"It's pretty quiet," says Bruyere. "Considering how big of an issue this is in our communities, it's pretty quiet."
Bruyere says they;re hoping the federal government will include money in this week's budget so they can continue the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
Dina Bruyere, executive director of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association, says they've been trying to find out if the federal government is going to continue to provide funding for the program.
"It's pretty quiet," says Bruyere. "Considering how big of an issue this is in our communities, it's pretty quiet."
Bruyere says they;re hoping the federal government will include money in this week's budget so they can continue the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Construction Firm Receives Funding
A Fort Frances business is getting a helping hand from the provincial government.
Ty-Gr Construction is getting $25-thousand from the government's Young Entrepreneur program.
The program helps young people with the start-up of new businesses in northern Ontario.
Ty-Gr Construction is getting $25-thousand from the government's Young Entrepreneur program.
The program helps young people with the start-up of new businesses in northern Ontario.
Fonteece Sentencing Delayed
It will now be May before a 47-year-old Peter Fonteece will know his fate.
The Waterloo man was in a Thunder Bay courtroom on yesterday to face a possible jail term in connection with the death of his wife in a city motel room a year ago.
However the judge postponed sentencing.
Fonteece was convicted of criminal negligence causing death.
The crown says his failure to call for help after his wife Yanisa took 40 sleeping pills warrants jail.
The Waterloo man was in a Thunder Bay courtroom on yesterday to face a possible jail term in connection with the death of his wife in a city motel room a year ago.
However the judge postponed sentencing.
Fonteece was convicted of criminal negligence causing death.
The crown says his failure to call for help after his wife Yanisa took 40 sleeping pills warrants jail.
Explosion, Fire Destroys I. Falls Home
Fire officials continue to investigate an explosion and fire that destroyed a home in International Falls earlier this week.
Officials have blamed Tuesday's explosion to the home on County Road 127 on a gas leak, but the cause of the leak is not known.
The state's Fire Marshall and Koochiching County Sheriff's Department are investigating.
No one was in the home at the time of the incident and there were no injuries.
It took city firefighters more than six hours to contain the fire.
Officials have blamed Tuesday's explosion to the home on County Road 127 on a gas leak, but the cause of the leak is not known.
The state's Fire Marshall and Koochiching County Sheriff's Department are investigating.
No one was in the home at the time of the incident and there were no injuries.
It took city firefighters more than six hours to contain the fire.
Boy Injured in Falls
International Falls City Police, along with Minnesota State Patrol, continue to investigate an accident that led to a six-year-old boy being airlifted to hospital in Duluth after being struck by a school bus.
The accident happened Tuesday afternoon as the bus was dropping off students in the 700 block of Eighth Avenue.
The condition of the boy is not immediately known.
The accident happened Tuesday afternoon as the bus was dropping off students in the 700 block of Eighth Avenue.
The condition of the boy is not immediately known.
Alzheimer's Society Loses Executive Director
The Alzheimer's Society for Kenora-Rainy River is losing its executive director.
Margaret Schonewille is stepping down to take on a position at Providence College and Seminary near Steinbach, Manitoba next month.
Schonewille has been with the Alzheimer's Society for the past fifteen years, the last eleven as the district's executive director.
Margaret Schonewille is stepping down to take on a position at Providence College and Seminary near Steinbach, Manitoba next month.
Schonewille has been with the Alzheimer's Society for the past fifteen years, the last eleven as the district's executive director.
Nursing Program Plans Continue
Confederation College and Lakehead University are giving prospective students until March 19 to register for a community-based nursing program that's planned for this fall.
The program allows students to earn LU's Bachelor of Nursing Degree through studies at the college's regional campuses, including here in Fort Frances.
Officials are hoping for at least 32 students and were encouraged by the interest at a information session held last week.
The program allows students to earn LU's Bachelor of Nursing Degree through studies at the college's regional campuses, including here in Fort Frances.
Officials are hoping for at least 32 students and were encouraged by the interest at a information session held last week.
Native Housing Conference
Leaders from 11 northern tribal councils and more than 80 aboriginal communities are in Thunder Bay this week to share expertise and ideas on northern housing.
Organizer Richard Habinski says the gathering is designed to address issue related to housing in those communities.
"The First Nations that attend have an opportunity to network," says Habinski, "They have an opportunity to discuss issues with each other. More importantly we have a lot of information that's provided here. We have a trade show. We have workshops. It's all about training and capacity building in the north."
The conference wraps up today.
Organizer Richard Habinski says the gathering is designed to address issue related to housing in those communities.
"The First Nations that attend have an opportunity to network," says Habinski, "They have an opportunity to discuss issues with each other. More importantly we have a lot of information that's provided here. We have a trade show. We have workshops. It's all about training and capacity building in the north."
The conference wraps up today.
Sustainability Conference
The sustainability of northern Ontario communities will be the subject of a two-day conference that gets underway today in Thunder Bay.
Conference co-chair Alexander Boulet says representative from across the region will talk about the challenges and opportunities of meeting the area's basic needs.
"This year we're focusing on covering the basic concept of community resilience," says Boulet. "So, how are we going to meet our basic needs given the current economic climate?"
Boulet says it's hoped the conference will become an annual one as the solutions won't likely be determined by just one meeting.
Conference co-chair Alexander Boulet says representative from across the region will talk about the challenges and opportunities of meeting the area's basic needs.
"This year we're focusing on covering the basic concept of community resilience," says Boulet. "So, how are we going to meet our basic needs given the current economic climate?"
Boulet says it's hoped the conference will become an annual one as the solutions won't likely be determined by just one meeting.
College Strike Avoided
The union representing faculty at Ontario's 24 colleges says it's disappointed -- but not surprised -- members have accepted the colleges' contract offer.
The Ontario Labour Relations Board confirms that a slim majority accepted the offer in a vote held across the province earlier this month after reviewing the ballots.
OPSEU negotiator Ted Montgomery says the vote should not be seen as an endorsement of the offer.
He says very few of their members thought the contract was a good offer but they just don't want to go on strike.
Montgomery says issues such as workload and wages will "fester now for two and a-half years.''
Confederation College president Pat Lang says she's pleased with the deal and the fact that student can continue to concentrate on their studies without having to worry over a potential strike impacting their year.
The Ontario Labour Relations Board confirms that a slim majority accepted the offer in a vote held across the province earlier this month after reviewing the ballots.
OPSEU negotiator Ted Montgomery says the vote should not be seen as an endorsement of the offer.
He says very few of their members thought the contract was a good offer but they just don't want to go on strike.
Montgomery says issues such as workload and wages will "fester now for two and a-half years.''
Confederation College president Pat Lang says she's pleased with the deal and the fact that student can continue to concentrate on their studies without having to worry over a potential strike impacting their year.
Province Accused of Ignoring Northern Ontario
New Democrats are accusing the McGunity Liberals of ignoring northern Ontario.
Leader Andrea Horvath told the legislature yesterday that a group of municipal leaders from the northwest she recently met with are looking for help in dealing with high unemployment rates and increase usage of social services.
"I met with a group of mayors from the Northern Ontario Municipal Association, and they expressed real concern about Queen's Park ignoring northerners," said Horvath. "High unemployment is wreaking havoc on their families and communities. In Thunder Bay, for example, food bank use has soared by 40%. People are leaving the north in droves to find jobs. Why is northern Ontario being abandoned by their government?"
Acting Premier Dwight Duncan admits there are unique challenges in the north, but noted the province has responded through a number of recent investments to mining, forestry and infrastructure.
Four-Laning Continues
The planned four-laning of Highway 53 between International Falls to Duluth is expected to resume next year with work on a nine-mile section between Cook and Virginia.
Bob Anderson, the head of a task force that's lobbied for the improvements, says they're also hoping for additional work elsewhere.
"Between Cook and International Falls we're hoping to do two additional passing lanes," says Anderson. "If the dollars come in right on the nine-mile section were going to do, we'll be able to do those passing lanes."
Anderson says convincing both federal and state governments of the economic importance of the highway to the Falls and northwestern Ontario has helped secure funding for the project.
Bob Anderson, the head of a task force that's lobbied for the improvements, says they're also hoping for additional work elsewhere.
"Between Cook and International Falls we're hoping to do two additional passing lanes," says Anderson. "If the dollars come in right on the nine-mile section were going to do, we'll be able to do those passing lanes."
Anderson says convincing both federal and state governments of the economic importance of the highway to the Falls and northwestern Ontario has helped secure funding for the project.
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