Environment Commissioner Upset With Liberals

Ontario's environment watchdog has some harsh words for the Liberal government.

Environment Commissioner Gord Miller says the province is defying the will of the legislature and ignoring the public's right to be involved in policy-making.

Miller says several ministries have been ignoring the environmental Bill of Rights.

He singles out the Ministry of Natural Resources as a "chronic'' offender.

No Slowing Of Forest Fire Season Yet

Forest Fire in Quetico Park - MNR photo

The official end to the forest fire season is six weeks away, but the workload for Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters isn't diminishing.

Information Officer Debbie McLean says crews have had to deal with a rash of small blaze in recent days.

Most have been lightning caused, but a few have been the result of campfires left unattended.

One of the human caused fires was spotted in Quetico Provincial Park were four other lightning caused are burning.

Four other lightning caused blazes are also still active in the park.

Rumble Strips Requested

Minn. Dept. of Transportation photo

International Falls city council is looking for measures that reduce head-on collisions on area highways.

Councillor Paul Eklund says they're asking the Minnesota Department of Transportation to consider placing rumble strips down the centre line in parts of Highways 53, 11 and 71.

Eklund says there is legislation now in place that requires the strips to be installed in new road construction and in areas recommended by MinDOT

The request follows the death of two city residents who were killed in a head on collision two weeks ago south of the Falls.

Buy Ontario Promoted

Clover Valley Farmer Market photo

The Ontario government will put on a new push to convince people to buy more locally grown food.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says convincing people to buy local will be good for the economy and job creation.

The Liberals are introduce legislation called the Local Food Act that aims to make Ontario's farm products more available to consumers.

Underpass Open

The town of Fort Frances is ending planned closures of the Portage Avenue underpass.

It's because of quick work by the contractor to complete work related to a new sewage pumping station.

All the work needed was done by 7 p.m. last night.

Bouchard Visits

A well-known Canadian author is travelling across the Rainy River district to promote the importance of reading to both students and parents.

David Bouchard says it's a must for parents to get their children to read.

He encourages parents to turn off the television, read to their children and the books they like, and to visit the local library.

As well as visiting schools, Bouchard is hosting a number of community events with one scheduled for tonight at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances at 6:30 pm.

Driver For UR Lakers

Your test drive of a Ford vehicle next month will lend a hand to the Fort Frances Lakers junior hockey club.

Owner Nick Beyak of Sunset Country Ford says it's part of a national Ford of Canada program called Drive One 4 UR Community.

Every time someone test drives a vehicle on October 1st, Ford will donate $20 to the Lakers up to a maximum of $6,000.

It's the first time the program has been tried at the Fort Frances dealership.

New Hospital Still Possible

A new hospital may still be in the card for International Falls.

Health officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre and Essentia Health were before city council Monday night to discuss their talks to improve care.

CEO and President of Essentia Dr. Daniel Nickevich says full integration of Rainy Lake under its wing could lead to a new hospital.

Previous plans for a new facility were put on hold because of financial issues resulting from a merge of the Falls Memorial Hospital and Duluth Clinic.

Changes Proposed To Prevent Gas Pump Thefts

A Liberal MPP is working on a private member bill aimed at curbing so called gas-and-dash thefts

Liberal Mike Colle says it would force drivers to pay upfront.

He says not enough is being done to protect gas station workers whose safety is at risk whenever gas theft occurs.

His proposal stems from the death of a Toronto gas attendant in an alleged theft on the weekend.

Smile Cookies Are Back

Tim Hortons Smile Cookies are back.

This year, revenues generated go towards OPP's Respect Technology program.

It teachers students how to be safe while on the computer or cell phones.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says Tim Hortons support is greatly appreciated.

Cookie sales last year raise $4,300 for the program.

Couple Lending Hand to Campaign

Supplied photo

Rainy River couple is helping to promote the financial campaign for a home where visiting physicians can stay while providing temporary medical care in the community.

George Johnson, says he and his wife Nancy want to get the message out by simply visiting others in their home.

Construction of the home is underway with the campaign to raise over $300-thousand recently passing the half-way mark.

Health Care Discussed At Falls Council

Health officials in International Falls are clarifying where health care there and the Rainy Lake Medical Centre is headed.

Essentia Health is proposing a full integration of the hospital under its wing.

Appearing before city council, Essentia's CEO Doctor Daniel Nikcevick says its being pushed by changes in health care.

Rainy Lake Medical Centre's board member Susan Congrave says they do have some concern as its perceived as a potential take over of the hospital with only an advisory board in place.

Essential and the Centre have agreed to continue work on some short term strategies they plan to implement in the next six months.

Specialty WSIB Clinics Requested

A retired Thunder Bay based Orthopedic Surgeon wants the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to hold specialty clinics in northwestern Ontario.

Dr. Jack Remus says it would given its clients in this area access to specialists, diagnostics and treatment resulting in a quicker return to regular employment.

Remus recently discussed the idea with chair of the WSIB Elizabeth Witmer

Rafferty Supporting Seniors Pension Fight

The fight by a local seniors' group for better protection of pensions and Old Age supplements is expected to get a strong voice in Ottawa.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty met with the group Seniors-Retirees Against Pension and Elder Abuse last week.

He says they deserve government attention.

The group is most concerned with the $1.9 billion shortfall in the pension fund for retired workers at Resolute Forest Products.

Underpass Closure

The Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances will be closed for periods of time this week beginning today.

The closure, starting at 7 a,m, this morning,  is necessary to complete the removal of the old sewage pumping station which has been replaced.

The roadway will remain shut until 7 p.m. tomorrow night.

Further one day closures are also scheduled for Thursday and maybe Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.

New Fire in Quetico

MNR file photo

Another forest fire in Quetico Provincial Park.

The small lightning-caused fire was spotted yesterday at the western edge of Beaverhouse Lake.

Three others are still burning at the southern edge of the park.

All are being observed by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Tories Want Changes to Abritration Rulings

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives want to force arbitrators to consider a community's ability to pay when they rule on public sector labour disputes.

Leader Tim Hudak says the Liberal government has ignored calls from municipalities to restructure the system so arbitrators consider the financial impact of their decisions.

His party is introducing a private members bill.

Last year, firefighters in Fort Frances were awarded a 16 per cent increase in an arbitrated settlement the town said added an extra $335-thousand to its budget.

MPS BackTo Work

The Tories say they'll be focusing on job creation and economic growth as the fall session of Parliament opens today.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says seniors, employment insurance and the job loss in northern Ontario will be his focus.

The NDP is also pushing for a  gasoline ombudsman who can look into consumer complaints about high fuel prices.

Terry Fox Run Successful

A huge response to this year's Terry Fox run in Fort Frances.

More than $97-hundred was raised in Sunday's event.

A total of 118 people registered.

Top fundraisers were George Walsh, Aimee Schutte and 7-year-old Samantha McNay who raised nearly 21-hundred dollars.

Highway Relocation Proposed

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has identified potential routes for a realignment of Highway 53 around Virginia and Eveleth.

A section land were the Highway lies between the two cities is owned by Cliffs Resources.

It's given the State notice it plans to terminate a 50 year-old easement agreement.

The MinDOT has until 2017 have the new route in place.