Four coal-burning power units will be shut down in Ontario next year -- two at Nanticoke and two at the Lambton station near Sarnia.
Energy Minister George Smitherman says Ontario Power Generation will complete the closures by October, 2010.
Smitherman says the closures will reduce air pollution and make more room for greener forms of energy on the grid.
Plans to covert the coal-fired plant in Atikokan remain unchanged.
OPG is hoping to begin burning biomass at the Atikokan Generating Station by 2012.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Bus Services to be Eliminated
Greyhound Canada has serviced notice it plans to halt operations in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
It's given 30 days notice in Manitoba and 90 days notice to Ontario.
The bus company says it's also reviewing operations in Alberta,Saskatchewan, B-C, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Greyhound says it's in dire financial shape because of government regulations that force it to serve remote communities.
But it says that over the next 30 and 90 days, it will continue to work with the federal and provincial governments to try to find a solution to the emergency.
It's given 30 days notice in Manitoba and 90 days notice to Ontario.
The bus company says it's also reviewing operations in Alberta,Saskatchewan, B-C, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Greyhound says it's in dire financial shape because of government regulations that force it to serve remote communities.
But it says that over the next 30 and 90 days, it will continue to work with the federal and provincial governments to try to find a solution to the emergency.
More Forest Fire Fighing Support to B.C.
Ontario will be sending another one-hundred firefighters and an agency representative to British Columbia today in an ongoing rotation of resource support to the western province which began in July.
They will join the 233 support staff, fireRangers and Incident Management Team members already in British Columbia.
They will join the 233 support staff, fireRangers and Incident Management Team members already in British Columbia.
Atikokan Cottage Lots Explored
The development of cottage lots in the Atikokan area continues to move forward.
Another open house will be held today for the public to examine a proposal by Techno Logic Timber of Thunder Bay to develop thirteen residential lots on Lerome Lake.
Mayor Dennis Brown says its the first phase of development that could see up to 40 lots at the lake and additional lots established at nearby Plateau Lake.
Another open house will be held today for the public to examine a proposal by Techno Logic Timber of Thunder Bay to develop thirteen residential lots on Lerome Lake.
Mayor Dennis Brown says its the first phase of development that could see up to 40 lots at the lake and additional lots established at nearby Plateau Lake.
Post Office Stays Open
It appears a post office in International Falls will stay open, at least for now.
The U-S Postal Service had previously targeted the office on 18th Street East, along with two dozen other branches in Minnesota for closure, but no longer includes them on its latest list.
But Postal officials says they're still examining the South International Falls branch, but no action would be taken for at least six months.
The U-S Postal Service had previously targeted the office on 18th Street East, along with two dozen other branches in Minnesota for closure, but no longer includes them on its latest list.
But Postal officials says they're still examining the South International Falls branch, but no action would be taken for at least six months.
Sabres Get Attention of Former Mayor
A local group trying to keep junior hockey alive in Fort Frances is seeking some advice from those who ran the town's junior hockey program almost forty years ago.
Glenn Witherspoon, who ran the Fort Frances Royals with his father, says he's spoken with Sabres' organizers and fully supports their efforts.
"The big thing (I've told them) is to watch your expenses and try to use as many local kids as possible because there is a lot of talent here," says Witherspoon.
Meantime organizers are holding another public meeting tonight for people interested in becoming board members to oversee the club's operations.
That meeting is at 8:00 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena conference room.
Glenn Witherspoon, who ran the Fort Frances Royals with his father, says he's spoken with Sabres' organizers and fully supports their efforts.
"The big thing (I've told them) is to watch your expenses and try to use as many local kids as possible because there is a lot of talent here," says Witherspoon.
Meantime organizers are holding another public meeting tonight for people interested in becoming board members to oversee the club's operations.
That meeting is at 8:00 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena conference room.
Dryden Visits Fort Frances
Former Liberal Cabinet Minister and NHL hall-of-famer Ken Dryden visits Fort Frances today and tomorrow.
It's part of a cross country discussion on poverty.
Dryden says he hopes to get a feel for northwestern Ontario's concerns.
"When you talk about poverty it covers a lot of ground" says Dryden. "It covers housing, it covers income support, child care, first nations, single parents. It covers a lot of ground."
Dryden will speak at a party function tonight at Little Beaver Snow Park before holding the discussion on poverty tomorrow at the La Place Rendez-Vous.
It's part of a cross country discussion on poverty.
Dryden says he hopes to get a feel for northwestern Ontario's concerns.
"When you talk about poverty it covers a lot of ground" says Dryden. "It covers housing, it covers income support, child care, first nations, single parents. It covers a lot of ground."
Dryden will speak at a party function tonight at Little Beaver Snow Park before holding the discussion on poverty tomorrow at the La Place Rendez-Vous.
Literacy Test Scores Revealed
The results of provincial literacy tests show high school students with the Rainy River District School Board are doing well.
Eighty-four per cent students who wrote the test in April passed on their first writing.
The board's Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Beth Fairfield says scores from the past five years show major improvements.
"The success rate for boys has increased from 78 per cent in 2004 to 81 per cent in 2009," says Fairfield. "Similarly, the success rate for girls has increased from 82 per cent in 2004 to 87 per cent this year. These results are similar to those in the province which were 82 and 88 per cent respectively."
Fairfield says the board also seen significant improvements from students enrolled in the Academic and Applied English programs.
The success rate for students in an academic English course was 99 per cent, the seventh straight year with a rate of 90 per cent of more.
Students enrolled in an applied English course saw their scores increase 13 per cent from 56 per cent in 2004 to 69 per cent this year.
Eighty-four per cent students who wrote the test in April passed on their first writing.
The board's Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Beth Fairfield says scores from the past five years show major improvements.
"The success rate for boys has increased from 78 per cent in 2004 to 81 per cent in 2009," says Fairfield. "Similarly, the success rate for girls has increased from 82 per cent in 2004 to 87 per cent this year. These results are similar to those in the province which were 82 and 88 per cent respectively."
Fairfield says the board also seen significant improvements from students enrolled in the Academic and Applied English programs.
The success rate for students in an academic English course was 99 per cent, the seventh straight year with a rate of 90 per cent of more.
Students enrolled in an applied English course saw their scores increase 13 per cent from 56 per cent in 2004 to 69 per cent this year.
Green Energy Projects Eyed at District Schools
The Rainy River District School board is investigating the possibility generating its own power at some of its schools.
Manager of Plant Operations Raymond Roy says they're developing business cases on four projects in hopes of accessing a portion of $70-million dollars the province is setting aside for renewal energy projects.
"We're looking at J.W. School potentially partnering up with Conserval Engineering on some solar panels there," says Roy. "The second renewal energy funding that came up this summer, we're looking at building business cases for our three secondary schools. We're also looking at solar power, but we're also looking at wind turbines or solar walls."
Roy says approval of the projects by the province could lead to energy savings for the board, or the potential of selling power back to the hydro grid.
Manager of Plant Operations Raymond Roy says they're developing business cases on four projects in hopes of accessing a portion of $70-million dollars the province is setting aside for renewal energy projects.
"We're looking at J.W. School potentially partnering up with Conserval Engineering on some solar panels there," says Roy. "The second renewal energy funding that came up this summer, we're looking at building business cases for our three secondary schools. We're also looking at solar power, but we're also looking at wind turbines or solar walls."
Roy says approval of the projects by the province could lead to energy savings for the board, or the potential of selling power back to the hydro grid.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tire Recycling Program Announced
The Rainy River district won't be able to participate right way in a new recycling program being introduced in Ontario.
The "Used Tires Program", funded by the tire industry and managed by Ontario Tire Stewardship will also residents to drop off used tires, at no charge, at registered depots across the province for recycling.
Depots have been opened in Dryden and Kenora, but a spokesperson says they're still working at registering collectors in the Rainy River district.
The program also plans to eliminate some of the tires now stockpiled at dumpsites across Ontario over three years.
The "Used Tires Program", funded by the tire industry and managed by Ontario Tire Stewardship will also residents to drop off used tires, at no charge, at registered depots across the province for recycling.
Depots have been opened in Dryden and Kenora, but a spokesperson says they're still working at registering collectors in the Rainy River district.
The program also plans to eliminate some of the tires now stockpiled at dumpsites across Ontario over three years.
Bears a Problem
The Ministry of Natural Resources has some numbers to back up what people have been saying.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline, requiring a response by the MNR or police, are up by thousands of calls over last year.
In the Northwest region, the hotline has had 1,500 calls.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline, requiring a response by the MNR or police, are up by thousands of calls over last year.
In the Northwest region, the hotline has had 1,500 calls.
First Nations Residents Protest
A group of residents are staging a protest outside the band office of Naicatchewin First Nation north of Devlin.
They began their protest this morning.
A spokesperson for the group says their seeking more accountability from the chief and council and are seeking changes to the current administration whose term expires in November.
Chief Wayne Smith could not be immediately reached for comment.
They began their protest this morning.
A spokesperson for the group says their seeking more accountability from the chief and council and are seeking changes to the current administration whose term expires in November.
Chief Wayne Smith could not be immediately reached for comment.
Free Roses Offered
A Fort Frances florist is hoping to spread a little goodwill and friendship through the borderland.
Fort Floral will be giving away a dozen roses to every person that visits the store next Wednesday.
Owner Brad Hogan says part of FTD's Good Neighbour Day.
"It's something FTD, one of the wire services, first promoted about fifteen years ago," says Hogan, "and its just to promote friendliness in the community."
Hogan says patrons will be encouraged to spread the roses around as a mean of meeting new people or renewing old friendships.
Fort Floral will be giving away a dozen roses to every person that visits the store next Wednesday.
Owner Brad Hogan says part of FTD's Good Neighbour Day.
"It's something FTD, one of the wire services, first promoted about fifteen years ago," says Hogan, "and its just to promote friendliness in the community."
Hogan says patrons will be encouraged to spread the roses around as a mean of meeting new people or renewing old friendships.
Air Service Reduced
There's been a reduction of air service at the International Falls Airport
Delta Airlines, which services the airport through its Northwest Airlines affiliate, eliminated its early morning run to Minneapolis and a late evening return flight yesterday as part of a 10 per cent reduction in air service state wide.
It leaves the airport with two afternoon departures and two mid-day arrivals.
City officials are currently lobbying for a reinstatement of the lost routes.
Delta Airlines, which services the airport through its Northwest Airlines affiliate, eliminated its early morning run to Minneapolis and a late evening return flight yesterday as part of a 10 per cent reduction in air service state wide.
It leaves the airport with two afternoon departures and two mid-day arrivals.
City officials are currently lobbying for a reinstatement of the lost routes.
Underpass Opens Today
Good news for motorists who travel to and from Fort Frances' north end today.
The Portage Avenue underpass is expected to open to traffic at 8:00 a.m.
The completion of paving yesterday and the contractor working on the weekend helped move Friday's anticipated opening to today.
The Portage Avenue underpass is expected to open to traffic at 8:00 a.m.
The completion of paving yesterday and the contractor working on the weekend helped move Friday's anticipated opening to today.
Speeders Face Drug Charges
Two Quebec men face drug charges following a routine traffic stop in Fort Frances by the O-P-P yesterday.
Police say about 75 grams of marijuana, valued at about 12-hundred dollars were seized from a vehicle they had pulled over for speeding on the King's Highway.
Both men will now make a court appearance later this month.
Police say about 75 grams of marijuana, valued at about 12-hundred dollars were seized from a vehicle they had pulled over for speeding on the King's Highway.
Both men will now make a court appearance later this month.
Upgrades Planned at AbitibiBowater Mill
AbitibiBowater is planning a major upgrade of one of its paper machines at its Fort Frances mill.
The company is looking to spend more than $4.5 million dollars installing new framing of the press section at machine number five.
The original framing was installed more than 30 years ago.
Work is expected to take place sometime next spring.
The company is looking to spend more than $4.5 million dollars installing new framing of the press section at machine number five.
The original framing was installed more than 30 years ago.
Work is expected to take place sometime next spring.
Free Use of Atikokan School Offered
Not-for-profit groups using North Star Community School in Atikokan will do so for free this year.
It's part of the government's "Community Use of Schools" program to help school boards make school space more affordable for use after hours.
Funding from the province is expected to cover costs of groups using the school.
It's part of the government's "Community Use of Schools" program to help school boards make school space more affordable for use after hours.
Funding from the province is expected to cover costs of groups using the school.
New Student Trustee Appointed
A Grade 12 student from Fort Frances High School is the newest face on the Rainy River District School Board.
Jillian Kellar was officially sworn-in as the student trustee at the board's meeting last night.
"I was just looking for different leadership opportunities through the school," says Kellar, "and this is one of the opportunities I had an opportunity to pursue and I did,"
Kellar's role is to provide student input into the board's decision-making.
Jillian Kellar was officially sworn-in as the student trustee at the board's meeting last night.
"I was just looking for different leadership opportunities through the school," says Kellar, "and this is one of the opportunities I had an opportunity to pursue and I did,"
Kellar's role is to provide student input into the board's decision-making.
New Portable at Fort Frances School
A second portable classroom is being set up at J-W Walker School in Fort Frances to handle an increase in students at that school.
Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board approved a contract with a southern Ontario firm to have the classroom in place by the middle of the month.
Education Director Jack McMaster says the extra space is seen as only temporary, but addresses the need to bring class sizes down to the required limit.
Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board approved a contract with a southern Ontario firm to have the classroom in place by the middle of the month.
Education Director Jack McMaster says the extra space is seen as only temporary, but addresses the need to bring class sizes down to the required limit.
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