Helicopter Fleet Purchased

2009-04-01

12:46:29

Canadian Helicopters has decided to sell Ontario's air ambulance service the helicopters it uses in northwestern Ontario.

Ornge President Doctor Chris Mazza says the decision to purchase the helicopters and aviation assets was a financial one.

"The aviation assets exist and they work in Kenora, but they work and we pay a private company for their use," says Mazza. "Now we own them."

"There's a number of fiscal benefits (to owning them). Basically, we can do the same service in a more cost effective manner."

Ornge paid 30 million dollars for the fleet of helicopters and aviation assets.

No Electronic Recycling Depots Yet in the District

2009-04-01

12:40:54

Communities in the Rainy River district won't be able to immediately participate in a new recycling program aimed at keeping old electronic equipment out of the landfill.

The Ontario Electronic Stewardship has set up depots across the province for people to bring their old T-Vs and computers in for recycling, but so far, none of the depots are in the Rainy River district. Executive director Carol Hochu says they're working to change that.

"An interesting thing that will happen later this year is that Sears Canada is going to do some pilot with us," says Hochu, "particularly in the north with their catalog stores where people be able to return waste electronics to those stores."

Hochu says they are also working with area municipalities in hopes of setting up other depots.

Tenders for Hallet and Fire Tower Opened

2009-04-01

12:35:26

The town of Fort Frances now has the figures for the cost of refurbishing and relocating the tugboat Hallet and fire tower from Pither's Point Park to the Fort Frances Waterfront.

Four Thunder Bay companies and one Fort Frances firm submitted bids for the project ranging from a low of $1.2 million to a high of $2.2 million.

The bids include;

Tom Jones Construction, Thunder Bay - $1,220,415.00

Manshield Construction, Thunder Bay - $1,808,606.26

Woodbridge Construction, Thunder Bay - $1,571,850.00

George Armstrong Construction, Fort Frances - $1,359,850.00

Sacchetti Construction, Thunder Bay - $2,239,020.00 

The estimated costs of moving both town landmarks was pegged at around the $1.2 million mark. The selection of a preferred contractor is expected later this month.

More Condo Details

2009-04-01

12:34:08

More details are emerging over a planned second condominium project for Fort Frances.

The town of Fort Frances confirmed that a purchase agreement for a vacant parcel of land at the corners of Front Street and Mosher Avenue is with Thunder Bay developer Robert Zanette. A release issued by the town today says the agreement is contingent upon Zanette pre-selling twenty of the units by June 1st.

Zanette is expected to begin a marketing campaign in the near future.

 

Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition a Crown Jewel

2009-04-01

07:52:13

The Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition is being hailed a crown jewel among Safe Communities in the country.

Wendy French, the provincial lead for Manitoba for Safe Communities Canada, was among those on hand Tuesday for the coalition's strategic planning session.

She says the Rainy River group is well ahead many others in developing a long range plan.

"Rainy River's always one of the leaders," says French. "We call them the crown jewel of international safe communities here in Canada."

"I've been to four of these priorities setting events in different communities across Canada, and its wonderful. You get all this perspective and knowledge, and it really does help build cohesion and vision."

French says all communities recognized by Safe Communities Canada are now required to develop a long-range strategy.

AbitibBowater to work on New Plans

2009-04-01

07:51:18

AbitibiBowater is now considering new restructuring options after missing a deadline to refinance debt for its U-S subsidiary.

Debt exchange offers meant to help refinance Bowater's 1-point-8 billion debt expired Tuesday night and have been terminated. The refinancing was to be a crucial part of an overall two-point-4 billion recapitalization effort. AbitibiBowater is hoping to avoid seeking bankruptcy protection and says it is exploring other restructuring alternatives.

Wednesday's announcement comes a day after company failed to submit its quarterly and year end financial reports and ratings service Standard & Poor's lowered several ratings for Abitibi-Consolidated, the company's Canadian subsidiary.

Schools Delay Openings

2009-04-01

06:50:00

It may be called a spring blizzard, but winter weather is still alive and kicking in northwestern Ontario.

The region is digging out today - some communities to the east of Fort Frances received as much as 30 centimetres of snow over the past twelve hours. Environment Canada forecaster Geoff Coulson says heavy snowfall amounts were  expected along Lake Superior's northwest shore.

The snow may also be very wet and heavy as temperatures will hover around the freezing mark or slightly above zero at times which could make travel hazardous.

Meantime, officials with the Littlefork-Big Falls and Indus schools have delayed openings by two hours Wednesday. There are school bus cancellations in the Rainy River district.

OMB Hearing Begins

2009-04-01

06:47:46

A proposal to convert a Fort Frances church into apartments will be the subject of a hearing at the Fort Frances Civic Centre Wednesday.

The Ontario Municipal Board is holding a hearing to investigate whether the town erred in its rezoning of property on Emo Road to permit the redevelopment of the United Pentecostal Church by Fort Frances developer Dave Petsnick.

Residents, living nearby are opposed to the development, and claim council rezoned the property without allowing them an opportunity to voice their concerns.

The meeting is scheduled to get underway at 10 am.

Another Condo Project for Fort Frances

2009-04-01

06:46:30

A Thunder Bay developer has been identified as that considering a second condominium project along the Fort Frances Waterfront.

Fort Frances town councillors accepted a purchase offer for land on Front Street from a numbered company held by Robert Zanette. It's not certain when construction might begin, but Mayor Roy Avis says it's his understanding it could a 24-unit complex.

Earlier in March, council rezoned the vacant property to permit such a development.

Pither's Point Park Meeting

2009-04-01

06:44:13

The key players in the Pither's Point Park dispute may not be participating in tonight's town hall meeting on the issue.

Organizer Andrew George says a recent email from the town of the Fort Frances suggests it would not formally participate, but it's not clear whether any members of council will show anyways. George says none of the chiefs from the four First Nations communities involved have responded to his requests to attend either.

Nonetheless, tonight's meeting will still go ahead at the East End Hall beginning at 7:30.