Tory MP Defends Government Agenda

Northwestern Ontario's lone Conservative member is defending the federal government's agenda outlined in Wednesday's Throne Speech.

The Minister Responsible for Fednor Greg Rickford says there were many perks identified for our region.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty notes may of the promises made will be done if government returns to a balance budget, something he doubts will take place.

NDP Want Wynne To Testify Again

The NDP wants Premier Wynne back before a committee examining the decision to cancel two gas plants in southern Ontario.

Critic Gilles Bisson says the recall of the Premier is needed to answer some of the questions arising out of the Auditor General's latest report that now puts the cost of the cancellation at over $1.1 billion.

Since the recall is not binding, it's up to the Premier to decide if she want to appear.

Drug Bust Details To Be Announced

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Details of a lengthy drug investigation in northwestern Ontario are being reveal today.

It involved Dryden Police, OPP, Treaty Three Police and the Anishinabek Police Service.

A media conference is planned for this morning in Kenora police say will address the results of a lengthy undercover operation that led to large amounts of cash, drugs and property being seized.

Charge Laid In Fort Severn Death

A 19-year-old man from Fort Severn First Nation is facing a charge of second-degree-murder in connection with the death of a woman in that remote community earlier this week..

Nishnawbe-Aski Police say 24-year-old Georgina Beck Stoney died at the community's nurse station Monday.

Charged is Tommy Raymond Miles Junior.

Community Television Station On Fundraising Drive

Officials with a community television station in International Falls are now focused on funding.

A community drive is underway to raise funds for equipment.

Board member and city councillor Cynthia Jaksa says it includes purchasing gear to stream programming on-line throughout Koochiching County.

Jaksa says they also want to purchase cameras to be placed in communities outside International Falls where resident can use to record their own programming for the station.

Long Time Kenora Councillor Died

A former Kenora councillor has died.

Helene Dubenski, often known as the hat lady, died earlier this week at the age of 96.

Dubenski served as a councillor for 27 years under 6 different mayors during the 1970's, 80's and 90's.

Motorists Paying For Road Improvements

A new study says Ontario drivers are paying most of road infrastructure costs, to the tune of more than $7.5-billion a year.

The Conference Board of Canada says drivers of cars, minivans, SUVs and light pickup trucks now pay 70 to 90 per cent of the costs through fuel taxes, fees and tolls.

The report notes that municipalities that own and maintain a large part of the infrastructure collect a relatively small portion of that revenues.

E-Waste Day In International Falls

Residents of Koochiching will get an opportunity next month to rid themselves of their old televisions, computers and stereos.

Rainy River Community College, along with Wisconsin-based 5R Processors, will hold a collection day November 2.

Most consumer electronics and home office equipment will be accepted.

New Deal For Medical School Dean

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has the only dean its known, for a little longer.

Dr. Roger Strasser has been reappointed Dean in a deal that will keep him around until the end of June 2019.

Strasser was first hired in 2002 as the school's Founding Dean to aid in its development and subsequent opening in 2005.

Let's Talk

Confederation College student union is talking.

It's launched a new monthly live talk show series titled "Let's Talk About...."

The Student Union says it intended to engage students and the community in dialogue on a wide variety of what can be difficult, challenging or taboo subjects.

Each show will be broadcast via video conference to the college's regional campuses and recorded for the web.

The first show, about sex, took place yesterday
.

Throne Speech Delivered

The federal government's Throne Speech is making a lot of promises.

It includes working to improve the skilled trades sector.

The Throne Speech also mentions the federal government's vow to improve First Nation's education on reserve.

The Harper government will also continue pare down the size and cost of Government, reduce cell phone roaming costs and to make cable providers offer pick and pay TV services.

Community Living Unveils Plans For Former School

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We'll get a look later today at what the future plans are for the former Sixth Street School in Fort Frances.

Community Living Fort Frances and District intends to take the wraps off its plans for the property at an event at the site at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

The invite says the agency proposes to build a fully accessible, mufti-purpose building that will include areas for training, activities and office space.

Community Living purchased the former school for a dollar almost four years ago from the Rainy River District School Board.

Ontario Education Minister Looking At Education System

Education Minister Liz Sandals is talking about the future of the province's education system.

She's on an Ontario wide tour and visited Thunder Bay yesterday.

Sandals says some of the concerns are around meeting the needs of students with disabilities.

Sandals says students are also interested in learning about personal finance and entrepreneurship in high school.

Loans Considered For New Animal Shelter

Koochiching County and the city of International Falls are being asked to float the Borderland Humane Society loans to help build a new animal shelter.

City Solicitor Steve Shermoen says the loans will help get construction going and will be repaid over time.

Shermoen says he's aware of financial support the Society may get in the future that could help pay off the loans.

Both the City and County have previously agreed to provide $50-thousand each toward the project.

Branding Workshop Tonight

The Northwest Business Centre is helping area entrepreneurs put a fresh twist on marketing their products.

Centre Manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says The Creating and Communicating Your Brand Story workshop will be held tonight in Fort Frances.

The event costing 30 dollars goes from 5 to 9 tonight at the La Place Rendez Vous.

"Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams" Showing Today

An inspirational documentary is being show today in Fort Frances.

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario's Darren Lillington says "Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams", about Maggie Sofea, a young aboriginal woman from Summer Beaver First Nation, who had an accident at very young age and how she's overcome her disability to achieve several life goals including returned to her home  community.

The viewing take place at 2 p.m. at the Fort Frances Library.

Rainy River Resources Is Now New Gold

A friendly takeover of Rainy River Resources is now complete.

New Gold says it now controls all of the company's shares, completing a deal announced in June.

Executive chair Randall Oliphant is pleased the acquisition is now complete and says they can focus attention on advancing Rainy River's gold project north of Barwick.

New Gold is in the process of completing a detailed review and update of the feasibility study as well as advancing the permitting efforts.

NOMA President On Hand For Throne Speech

An interesting spectator from northwestern Ontario in Ottawa for the Throne Speech.

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Dave Canfield was invited to attend.

Canfield says he also got a chance to meet face to face with the federal cabinet.

Canfield says Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford helped arrange for the invite which came directly from the Prime Minister's office.

Public Budget Requests Taken To Next Level

Fort Frances council is moving some of the public's budget requests on for further discussion.

Among them a new sidewalk along Keating Avenue requested by the Fort Frances Traffic Safety Committee.

Council agreed Monday night that it might be in a position to fund half the cost if proponents for the sidewalk agree to covering the other half.

Total cost is estimated at about 65-thousand dollars.

Normal Winter Forecast

Don't expect a lot of whitestuff in northwestern Ontario this winter.

Accu-Weather is out with its annual forecast and it shows below normal snowfall for the Rainy River district.

The long range winter forecast also suggests temperatures should be about normal.