The Fort Frances Lakers return to action tonight with a game in Sioux Lookout against the Flyers.
The Lakers are 5 points back of the K-and-A Wolverines for fourth spot in the SIJHL.
The Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team open a tournament in Brandon tonight with a game against Sanford, Manitoba.
Twenty-four teams have entered with the finals set for Sunday.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Keith to Get Long-term Contract
Duncan Keith is to be a Chicago Black Hawks for a long time.
The NHL club has announced a news conference for this afternoon where its expected they'll announce new long term deals for the former Fort Frances resident, as well as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
Keith deal is reportedly 72-million dollars over 13 years.
Keith has five goals and 18 assists in 26 games this season, and is likely to part of Canada's Olympic team in Vancouver.
The NHL club has announced a news conference for this afternoon where its expected they'll announce new long term deals for the former Fort Frances resident, as well as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
Keith deal is reportedly 72-million dollars over 13 years.
Keith has five goals and 18 assists in 26 games this season, and is likely to part of Canada's Olympic team in Vancouver.
Church Attendance Declining
Northwestern Ontario churches are feeling the pinch with smaller congregations and an aging population.
Elaine Sauer is the Bishop for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and says many youth are moving away from their small communities.
"In the isolated and rural communities, young people are moving away anyway," says Sauer. "We're becoming much more urbanized people and that's being reflected in the churches as well."
Sauer notes the Fort Frances Lutheran Zion church is actually one of few churches doing well with a strong congregation of both young and old members.
Elaine Sauer is the Bishop for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and says many youth are moving away from their small communities.
"In the isolated and rural communities, young people are moving away anyway," says Sauer. "We're becoming much more urbanized people and that's being reflected in the churches as well."
Sauer notes the Fort Frances Lutheran Zion church is actually one of few churches doing well with a strong congregation of both young and old members.
No Names Yet For New School
The Rainy River District School Board says it has not received a single suggestion from the public on a name for the new elementary school in Fort Frances.
The board had put out a call for suggestions in September.
Superintendent of Education Heather Campbell says people can still submit names through the board's website.
A committee will review the submissions before selecting three preferred names for trustees to choice.
The new school is open in the fall of 2010 and will bring together students now attending classes at Robert Moore and F.H. Huffman Schools.
The board had put out a call for suggestions in September.
Superintendent of Education Heather Campbell says people can still submit names through the board's website.
A committee will review the submissions before selecting three preferred names for trustees to choice.
The new school is open in the fall of 2010 and will bring together students now attending classes at Robert Moore and F.H. Huffman Schools.
Shoal Lake Man Sentenced
A Shoal Lake First Nation man will spend at least the next 20 years in jail for the murder two years ago of an 18-year-old teenager northwest of Fort Frances.
Bronson Harvey Green was sentenced to life in prison, with no eligibility for parole for 20 years, for second-degree murder of Ashley Janelle Smith of Naitcatchewenin.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Green pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder.
A police investigation and forensic testing concluded that Smith had been sexually assaulted and "brutally'' kicked in the head and face.
Bronson Harvey Green was sentenced to life in prison, with no eligibility for parole for 20 years, for second-degree murder of Ashley Janelle Smith of Naitcatchewenin.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Green pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder.
A police investigation and forensic testing concluded that Smith had been sexually assaulted and "brutally'' kicked in the head and face.
HST Hearings
New Democrat MP's were on the attack yesterday over the Harper's government's plans to allow Ontario and B-C to move towards a harmonized sales tax.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty told the house one of the biggest impacts will be on gasoline purchases.
"For most people in northern Ontario, HST is simply a new gas tax," said Rafferty. "In Parry Sound today, gas without HST is 98.9¢ a litre, with HST, $1.07 a litre; in Sioux Lookout it is $1.05 without HST and $1.14 with HST; in New Liskeard it is $1.04 without HST and $1.13 with HST."
Rafferty was also critical of the Liberals for supporting the Conservative in what he calls a new gas tax for northerner.
Meantime, public hearings began today at the Ontario legislature into the Liberal government's plan to merge the eight per cent sales tax with the five per cent goods and services tax.
The Opposition lined up a wide range of groups to testify at the start of the committee hearings, while the government says proponents of the harmonized sales tax will appear later in the day.
Groups as diverse as condo owners, police pensioners, home care operators and the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation say the HST will drive up costs on items exempt from the provincial sales tax.
The government says it is also cutting personal and corporate taxes, and offering rebate cheques in the first year to offset the impact of the HST, which comes into effect next July.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty told the house one of the biggest impacts will be on gasoline purchases.
"For most people in northern Ontario, HST is simply a new gas tax," said Rafferty. "In Parry Sound today, gas without HST is 98.9¢ a litre, with HST, $1.07 a litre; in Sioux Lookout it is $1.05 without HST and $1.14 with HST; in New Liskeard it is $1.04 without HST and $1.13 with HST."
Rafferty was also critical of the Liberals for supporting the Conservative in what he calls a new gas tax for northerner.
Meantime, public hearings began today at the Ontario legislature into the Liberal government's plan to merge the eight per cent sales tax with the five per cent goods and services tax.
The Opposition lined up a wide range of groups to testify at the start of the committee hearings, while the government says proponents of the harmonized sales tax will appear later in the day.
Groups as diverse as condo owners, police pensioners, home care operators and the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation say the HST will drive up costs on items exempt from the provincial sales tax.
The government says it is also cutting personal and corporate taxes, and offering rebate cheques in the first year to offset the impact of the HST, which comes into effect next July.
CN Engineers End Walk-out
CN Rail, the country's biggest railway, is getting back to normal, five days after its 17-hundred locomotive engineers went on strike.
Teamsters Canada says the engineers will be back at work as fast as they can after both sides reached a tentative agreement.
About a dozen members are from the Fort Frances area.
Under the deal, C-N says it will drop some of its proposed changes, including increasing the distance engineers have to drive each month.
Teamsters Canada says the engineers will be back at work as fast as they can after both sides reached a tentative agreement.
About a dozen members are from the Fort Frances area.
Under the deal, C-N says it will drop some of its proposed changes, including increasing the distance engineers have to drive each month.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Radio Stations Sale Approved
Two Thunder Bay radio stations are about to become part of the Northwoods Broadcasting family.
The CRTC gave approval today to the sale of Newcap-owned Magic 99.9 and the Giant to Acadia Broadcasting, Northwoods parent company and owners of CFOB.
The stations will join the company's existing stations in Kenora, Dryden as well Fort Frances and those in the Maritimes.
The deal, worth about $4.5-million, is expected to close within the next thirty days.
Greyhound Update
Greyhound Canada is announcing a series of service reductions to its passenger bus service in Ontario.
It says service along the Trans Canada highway will be preserved for now, but there will be frequency reductions.
The changes go into effect as of January 17.
In a release, Greyhound senior vice-president Stuart Kendrick says the company has indicated for months it could no longer sustain current financial losses without making adjustments to its existing operations.
He says the cuts are designed to relieve some of that financial pressure pending the outcome of the federal-provincial-territorial working group which is due to report in September 2010.
Some routes, including those in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury andToronto will see one of their daily trips cut while the Sunday service will be cut from some routes.
Service between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg routes will remains as scheduled.
It says service along the Trans Canada highway will be preserved for now, but there will be frequency reductions.
The changes go into effect as of January 17.
In a release, Greyhound senior vice-president Stuart Kendrick says the company has indicated for months it could no longer sustain current financial losses without making adjustments to its existing operations.
He says the cuts are designed to relieve some of that financial pressure pending the outcome of the federal-provincial-territorial working group which is due to report in September 2010.
Some routes, including those in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury andToronto will see one of their daily trips cut while the Sunday service will be cut from some routes.
Service between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg routes will remains as scheduled.
J.W. Walker Profiled
A recognition of activities at J.W. Walker School at last night meeting of the Rainy River District School Board.
The school's music program and its environmental film festival were both showcased before trustees.
Principal Bill Daley says the music program is just in its third year and has plenty of support.
"The parents are very supportive of the program," says Daley. "The parent council has fundraised every year to provide money for the band. It's an expensive program to run when you consider a bass drum runs about $3,000."
The schools intermediate band now numbers 42 under the direction of Nicole Thompson.
Trustees were entertained with a few musical numbers before watching a film from last May's environmental film festival and later at a similar event in Toronto.
The school is planning to host another festival in the near future.
Board Elections Held
The current chair and vice-chair for the Rainy River District School board will remain in their positions heading into an election year for all trustees.
Annual elections last night saw Dan Belluz return as chair.
Judy Eliuk will continue as vice-chair.
Eliuk will also continue to serve as the board's representative to the Ontario Public School Board Association.
Elections all three positions are held annual.
A Fort Frances trustee will remain as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Anne-Marie Fitzgerald was re-elected to the position in elections held by the board last night.
Cathy Bowen, a trustee from Sioux Lookout, was elected vice-chair.
Annual elections last night saw Dan Belluz return as chair.
Judy Eliuk will continue as vice-chair.
Eliuk will also continue to serve as the board's representative to the Ontario Public School Board Association.
Elections all three positions are held annual.
A Fort Frances trustee will remain as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Anne-Marie Fitzgerald was re-elected to the position in elections held by the board last night.
Cathy Bowen, a trustee from Sioux Lookout, was elected vice-chair.
More Gold Found
Rainy River Resources says its found another potentially large gold deposit in the Rainy River District.
The company says the discovery in the so-called Beaver Pond mineralization area of its property northwest of Emo create a new high priority for a future drilling program.
Rainy River Resources currently has five drill rigs working in the Richardson township properties with one now dedicated to the new find.
The company says the discovery in the so-called Beaver Pond mineralization area of its property northwest of Emo create a new high priority for a future drilling program.
Rainy River Resources currently has five drill rigs working in the Richardson township properties with one now dedicated to the new find.
CN Rail Offer Arbitration
CN Rail is offering to send just the issue of wages and benefits to binding arbitration in an effort to settle a strike by the railway's locomotive engineers.
The railway had previously insisted that all matters in dispute be sent to arbitration, but the company says it now would be willing to roll back a controversial mileage cap if the union withdraws its work-rule demands.
The 1,700 members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have been off the job since Friday.
The railway had previously insisted that all matters in dispute be sent to arbitration, but the company says it now would be willing to roll back a controversial mileage cap if the union withdraws its work-rule demands.
The 1,700 members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have been off the job since Friday.
Food Bank Usage Up
The Ontario Association of Food Banks says there's been a record increase in the number of people turning to food banks in the province since last fall.
The group says the economic downturn has made this its most difficult year, with the number of people served reaching historic highs.
There's been a 19 per cent spike in the number of people turning to food banks since last year _ compared with an increase of 11 percent in 2008 and 10 per cent during the 90s recession.
In all, the association says 375,000 Ontario residents use food banks each month, even though one third of people in those households are employed.
Many food banks have not been able to meet the increased demand,with one in four reducing the amount of food distributed in their hampers.
The group is calling on the province to review its social assistance rules and create a farm donation tax credit for producers who support local food banks.
The group says the economic downturn has made this its most difficult year, with the number of people served reaching historic highs.
There's been a 19 per cent spike in the number of people turning to food banks since last year _ compared with an increase of 11 percent in 2008 and 10 per cent during the 90s recession.
In all, the association says 375,000 Ontario residents use food banks each month, even though one third of people in those households are employed.
Many food banks have not been able to meet the increased demand,with one in four reducing the amount of food distributed in their hampers.
The group is calling on the province to review its social assistance rules and create a farm donation tax credit for producers who support local food banks.
More Donations Sought
A call for donations for the remote community of Pikangikum First Nation continues in the Rainy River district.
Family and Children's Services Rainy River says support for the campaign has been strong, but many more items are needed.
In particular, the local agency is seeking Enfamil formula with iron, diapers (size 4-6), baby and toddler clothes, children's boots, mitts, hats and snowsuits, and non-perishable food items.
Items can be dropped off at depots set up at grocery stores in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances or at FACS offices.
Family and Children's Services Rainy River says support for the campaign has been strong, but many more items are needed.
In particular, the local agency is seeking Enfamil formula with iron, diapers (size 4-6), baby and toddler clothes, children's boots, mitts, hats and snowsuits, and non-perishable food items.
Items can be dropped off at depots set up at grocery stores in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances or at FACS offices.
HST Protest Ends
A two-politician sit-in at the Ontario legislature has ended.
Two Progressive Conservatives who'd been refusing to leave the chamber to protest the lack of public hearings over the HST have given up after less than two days.
Bill Murdoch and Randy Hillier admit they can't force the Liberal government to hold public hearings on the merging of the provincial sales tax with the GST next July.
But the two insist their protest wasn't in vain because they've helped people realize the provincial Conservatives oppose the HST.
Murdoch and Hillier have both been suspended until the next session of the legislature, which may not come until after the 2011 election.
Opposition Leader Tim Hudak admitted the protest was approved by the Conservative caucus to try to force the Liberals into allowing public hearings across the province on the new tax.
However, the New Democrats say the Tory protest was aimed at helping the Conservatives distract voters from the fact they once supported harmonization.
Two Progressive Conservatives who'd been refusing to leave the chamber to protest the lack of public hearings over the HST have given up after less than two days.
Bill Murdoch and Randy Hillier admit they can't force the Liberal government to hold public hearings on the merging of the provincial sales tax with the GST next July.
But the two insist their protest wasn't in vain because they've helped people realize the provincial Conservatives oppose the HST.
Murdoch and Hillier have both been suspended until the next session of the legislature, which may not come until after the 2011 election.
Opposition Leader Tim Hudak admitted the protest was approved by the Conservative caucus to try to force the Liberals into allowing public hearings across the province on the new tax.
However, the New Democrats say the Tory protest was aimed at helping the Conservatives distract voters from the fact they once supported harmonization.
Greyhound Bus Service Up in the Air
The fate of Greyhound service in Northwestern Ontario remains up in the air.
The Ontario Highway Transport Board's 90 day deadline ended at midnight, allowing Greyhound to withdraw from the region if it desires.
But Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton feels confident bus service will be available to some communities along Highway 17.
However, Hampton says the McGuinty Government hasn't stated if they are in talks with the provider to continue service elsewhere in the northwest.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Local Sports for Tuesday December 1
Fort Frances Muskie Girls hockey team grabbed another victory last night with a 4-2 win over the Lake of the Woods Bears in Baudette.
Jillian Langtry had a pair of goals for the Muskies with singles off the sticks of Shae-lynn Smith and Courtney Bethune.
Dana Cridland earn the win in net.
The Pharmasave Midget Wildcats played the Junior Varsity Bears in Baudette, winning 6-nothing.
Tressa Galusha with a pair, Alison Brown, Bridget Jorgenson, Paige Ward and Katrina Wreggit scored for the Wildcats.
Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team resumes NORWOSSA action tonight with a game against Dryden at the Ice for Kids Arena.
The 4-and-oh Muskies beat Dryden in their first match-up last Tuesday in Dryden 6-3.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Fort Frances Bantam Girls under-14 Leafs opened their season last night with a win.
The Leafs beat the International Falls Broncos junior varsity team 4-3.
Shelby Tymkin, Shilo Beck, Hailey Clendenning and Katie Sinclair scored for the Leafs.
They will head to Superior, Wisconsin for a tournament this coming weekend.
Boys hockey and girls basketball gets underway in International Falls tonight.
The Broncos boys hockey team hosts Hibbing in its season opener beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The varsity girls basketball team begins its season with a home game with Ely at Falls High School also beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Jillian Langtry had a pair of goals for the Muskies with singles off the sticks of Shae-lynn Smith and Courtney Bethune.
Dana Cridland earn the win in net.
The Pharmasave Midget Wildcats played the Junior Varsity Bears in Baudette, winning 6-nothing.
Tressa Galusha with a pair, Alison Brown, Bridget Jorgenson, Paige Ward and Katrina Wreggit scored for the Wildcats.
Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team resumes NORWOSSA action tonight with a game against Dryden at the Ice for Kids Arena.
The 4-and-oh Muskies beat Dryden in their first match-up last Tuesday in Dryden 6-3.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Fort Frances Bantam Girls under-14 Leafs opened their season last night with a win.
The Leafs beat the International Falls Broncos junior varsity team 4-3.
Shelby Tymkin, Shilo Beck, Hailey Clendenning and Katie Sinclair scored for the Leafs.
They will head to Superior, Wisconsin for a tournament this coming weekend.
Boys hockey and girls basketball gets underway in International Falls tonight.
The Broncos boys hockey team hosts Hibbing in its season opener beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The varsity girls basketball team begins its season with a home game with Ely at Falls High School also beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Kettle Campaign Starts Today
The Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign is underway.
Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis kicked off the campaign by manning kettle at Walmart this morning.
Captain Angel Sandoval says they're hoping to raise 15-thousand dollars this year.
"Don't hesitate to donate," says Sandoval. "Every donation you do to the Salvation Army is used locally in Fort Frances and the district."
Kettles have also been set up at Canadian Tire, Safeway, the Place and LCBO throughout the month of December.
The Salvation Army is also still looking for volunteers to man the kettles, even for just an hour or two.
To help, you can call the Salvation Army at 274-3871.
Green Party Eyes Next Election
The new leader of the Green Party in Ontario says northwestern Ontario will get attention from the Party.
Mike Schreiner says he intends to bring the Green's platform to the region as he travels the province in the near future in anticipation of the 2011 provincial election.
Schreiner says part of the plan for the north is helping to build a diversified economy.
"I don't want the people of the north to simply be the suppliers of raw material then have the value-added and most of profits in the south and other parts of the world," says Schreiner. "I think we can be investing in more value-added, more diversified production in the north to keep most of the dollars in the north."
Schreiner is making his role as leader a full-time job with a continued presence at Queen's Park and intends to run Green Party candidates in every riding in the 2011 election.
Mike Schreiner says he intends to bring the Green's platform to the region as he travels the province in the near future in anticipation of the 2011 provincial election.
Schreiner says part of the plan for the north is helping to build a diversified economy.
"I don't want the people of the north to simply be the suppliers of raw material then have the value-added and most of profits in the south and other parts of the world," says Schreiner. "I think we can be investing in more value-added, more diversified production in the north to keep most of the dollars in the north."
Schreiner is making his role as leader a full-time job with a continued presence at Queen's Park and intends to run Green Party candidates in every riding in the 2011 election.
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