Board Responding To Teachers Protests

The Rainy River District School Board say it will do what it can to keep schools functioning safely as teachers ramp up their protest against Bill 115 and in efforts to seek a new contract.

Chair Mike Lewis says those sanctions began with elementary and secondary school teachers being placed in legal strike positions last week.

Lewis expects the public will place blame on both teachers and the board when it should be directed toward the government for circumventing the collective bargaining process in the passing of Bill 115.

Board Elections Held

There's no change in the leadership of the Rainy River District School Board.

Mike Lewis, trustee from Atikokan, was acclaimed a chair while Dianne McCormack of Rainy River returns as vice-chair in elections held at the board meeting last night.

Atikokan Playground Group In Running For Funding

An Atikokan group is making a push for votes in an effort to win money in an on-line contest.

People For Playgrounds is in the finals of the Aviva Community Fund.

Committee member Anita Lyon says many existing parks aren't suitable anymore and they're proposing to create one large park.

Lyon is asking the public to vote for their project daily on Aviva's website until December 12th.

Here is the link: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf13929.

Top ten finishers in earn $5,000 for their project with the top vote getters in line for full funding.

Commission Hears About Residential School Experiences

Residents across northwestern Ontario are sharing their stories about how the residential school system impacted their lives.

The Truth & Reconciliation Commission is holding hearings in Thunder Bay.

Sharon Wolf says the upbringings of her parents and other family members who went to residential schools led to some unhealthy behaviour.

David Achneepineskum told the commission about beatings he would receive for not responding to a name he was registered under at a school.

The hearing wraps today.

First Nations Cancer Patients To Get Help

The regional cancer centre in Thunder Bay is hiring two new people to handle how aboriginals are receiving cancer treatment.

Cancer Care Northwest Vice President Mark Henderson says one position will help guide First Nations patients through the system.

Union Denounces PC Privatization Plans

The president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the Tory plan to privatize the LCBO  could destroy as many as 10-thousand jobs across the province.

Warren "Smokey" Thomas says women -- who make up the majority of employees at the LCBO -- could be hit hardest by the job losses.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said yesterday he would consider selling part or all of the LCBO, and allow beer, wine and spirits to be sold in corner stores and grocery aisles.

Credit Union Launches Drive

A Fort Frances financial institution is throwing its support behind the Salvation Army.

The Northern Lights Credit Union is conducting a food and gift drive.

Residents are being asked to donate non-perishable food items and small unwrapped children's gifts into a shopping cart being donated by Canada Safeway.

Smiles For OPP

Plenty of Smiles for the OPP today from Tim Hortons in Fort Frances.

Store Owner Gord McQuarrie says the store raised $4,900 through the sale of its Smile Cookies back in September for OPP's Respect Technology Program.

OPP Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says the funding will help create multi-media presentations of the programs now being delivered in area schools.

Accidental Shooting In International Falls

An International Falls man has been airlifted to hospital in Duluth after being shot accidentally.

International Falls Police says it happened Monday afternoon inside a home on 7th Street.

The 19-year-old suffered a wound to his abdomen.

Police says no charges have been laid, but don't consider the incident to be suspicious or a suicide attempt.

Elementary Teachers Casting Votes

Elementary Teachers are currently voting on whether to stage a full-day political protest should the Liberal government impose a collective agreement or end planned strike action using Bill 115.

Nearly 45-thousand of the 76-thousand members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario had cast ballots Monday, forcing the Federation to extend voting by another day.

The EFTO says it will announce further details regarding previously announced one-day rotating strikes later this week.

Hudak Proposed Beer and Wine Sales In Corner Stores

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is floating the idea of giving corner stores the ability to sell beer and wine.

He says he wouldn't get the government out of the booze business completely, but would consider selling part of the LCBO or some of its stores.

It's the latest proposal from the Tory Leader he says will help the province concentrate on core services like health care and education.

Honorary Council Position Created

International Falls City council is looking at adding some new faces to the table.

Council has given approval to adding an honorary council member.

Mayor Tim McBride says members could provide input, but would not receive voting privileges.

McBride says it may help groom potential candidates in future elections.

The city's now in the process of soliciting interest.

Open Houses Planned

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is getting into the Christmas spirit.

She's holding a series of open houses beginning this Friday across the riding as a way of hearing from  constituents or just wishing them holiday greetings.

In the Rainy River district, they'll be held next Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Super 8 Motel in Fort Frances and at the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River the next night.

Your encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for Campbell's Support Our Local Economy food drive.

High School Teachers Ramp Up Bill 115 Protest

High School teachers across the province intend to step up their protest against Bill 115 by withdrawing from extra curricular and sports activities starting next Monday.

President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation Ken Coran says teachers have always been willing to accept a pay freeze, but want Bill 115 repealed because it infringes on their right to collective bargaining.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario is planning rotating one-day walk outs at public schools, giving 72 hours notice before its members take action.

Meantime, Education Minister Laurel Broten says she will use the powers under the legislation to stop any strike actions once the threats turn into reality.

Residential School Commission Holds Hearings In Thunder Bay

The survivors of the residential school system in northwestern Ontario get to tell their stories today.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins two days of hearing in Thunder Bay.

Chair Justice Murray Sinclair expects a number of the victims will be there to tell their moving stories.

As many as eight residential schools operated in northwestern Ontario, including the former St. Margaret's School in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances Trustee Returns As Chair

A Fort Frances trustee is back as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Anne-Marie Fitzgerald was acclaimed for a fifth straight year at the Board's annual meeting held on the weekend.

She been with on the board for the past 19 years.

Cathy Bowen from Sioux Lookout was acclaimed as the vice chair for a four consecutive term.

Highway Open

A large section of the Trans-Canada Highway is back open this morning.

OPP were forced to close the highway between Vemilion Bay to the Manitoba border overnight due to poor weather and icy road conditions.

RIDE Stats

Just a little over a week into the OPP's Festive RIDE campaign and police have been busy taking impaired drivers off our roads.

Nine drivers in northwestern Ontario are now facing impaired driving charges while another three had their licenses immediately suspended for having a blood alcohol level of between 0.05 and 0.08.

Across the province, 151 drivers have been charged while another 152 were handed suspensions.

Travel Numbers Encouraging

A bit of good news for the region's tourism sector this year.

Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association says American visits to northwestern Ontario were up slightly over last year.

Executive Director Gerry Cariou says it's still far off some of the peak years.

Cariou says a rebound in the U.S. economy will aid in future travel numbers.

Rainy River Closes Public Offering

Rainy River Resources has closed a public offering aimed at bringing some capital dollars to its gold project north of Barwick.

The deal involving a syndicate of underwriters is expected to raise over $57-million for exploration and development work.

President Raymond Threlkeld says the financing ensures the company's well positioned to move its project forward.