2009-04-09
07:48:09
If Ottawa gives the O-K, Ontario says it is prepared to take a larger role in Attawapiskat -- the northern aboriginal community that's being plagued by toxic fumes.
Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci says if community leaders ask the feds for help, it's possible Ottawa could ask Ontario to do more. The fuel fumes -- leaking into homes and the elementary school -- stem from an underground leak that took place 30 years ago.
2009-04-09
07:46:14
A northwestern Ontario pulp company that filed for bankruptcy this year is showing a tidy profit.
The accountants are now scrambling to correct the report, which had told creditors Marathon Pulp lost nearly nine-million dollars by the end of September 2007. But information released this week by the operation's trustees shows the mill had net earnings of 6-point-2 million.
Officials attribute the difference in numbers to a typo.
2009-04-09
07:42:11
The Kenora and Rainy River community legal clinics have united to enhance their services.
The Kenora, Fort Frances, and Atikokan offices are now known as the Northwest Community Legal Clinics. Kenora Clinic Spokesperson Nan Norman says it will help them better serve the area.
"It's the best scenario following the departure of our previous director," says Norman. "And as staff we're happy. For the public, there's more resources than there were previously."
Staff at the three locations will share clients and manage workloads together.
2009-04-09
07:38:28
Koochiching County commissioners had decided to proceed with their plans for a reroute of the northern section of Highway 332.
A request to end that project was rejected by a 4-1 voted at their meeting this week.
Chair Mike Hanson says they were advised to continue and let litigation through the Minnesota Court of Appeals to continue.
"We're in proverbial limbo right now," says Hanson. "As long as litigation is ongoing, the county board has been advised by its legal folks when we make our comment to make them on what we know and not to form an opinion on something that may nor may not happen."
International Falls City Council is appealing a Minnesota Department of Transportation decision that supported the county's position on the project. Several businesses have voiced their opposition.
2009-04-09
07:22:14
The Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association is bracing for a slow tourist season.
With North America experiencing a recession, the tourism group expects this summer's tourist season to be a bust. Executive Director Gerry Cariou says there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
"I think this is going to be the low of the low, "says Cariou, "in terms of the cycle of travellers to here because where the low of the recession, especially in our key market the United States. So were going to have to hang on this year, but I do expect things picking up next year."
Cariou says in 2010, the tourism industry will have to deal with the impact of the a 3 percent increase in taxes on accommodations resulting from the merger of the provincial sales tax and the federal goods and services tax.
2009-04-09
07:17:47
So-called smart boards are coming to Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.
The Northwest Catholic District School Board has received a more than $10,000 from the Rainy River First Nation for the purchase of the equipment that includes the touchscreen white-boards.
The board hopes to have the new equipment in place by the fall.
2009-04-09
07:14:52
There are more defribrillators coming to the Rainy River District.
A media conference Thursday morning will announce the placement of the life-saving units in local schools. In February, funding through the Heart and Stroke Foundation helped with twenty units being placed in several municipal facilities across the district, including three in Fort Frances.
Details will be revealed at 10:00 a.m. at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.
2009-04-09
06:52:10
It's looking a little better for residential ratepayers in Fort Frances.
While an exact tax rate has yet to be finalized, preliminary figures suggest homeowners could be paying less than one per cent more than last year - depending on which taxing option council selects. Meantime, the operating budget will see the town spend about one-hundred thousand dollars less than it did last year. Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says changes in costs has driven up this year's capital spending.
"The total budget for capital went from $13,909,000 to $14,655,000," says Witherspoon. "The long term debt has changed from $1,497,000 to $2,131,000."
Council is still waiting for some additional information from the province before it can finalize the budget.
Randy Thoms – News & Sports Director
