Residential Meeting In Vatican

2009-04-15

07:22:19

After two years of pushing, a delegation of Canadian residential-school survivors has been granted a rare private audience with the Pope.

The April 29th meeting at the Vatican is fuelling hope that Pope Benedict might apologize for abuse in aboriginal institutions run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, including those in northwestern Ontario.

He's also expected to present survivors with a signed declaration of the church's will to work toward reconciliation

Music Festival Results Day 2

2009-04-15

07:19:09

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Robert Moore School's choirs walked away with four honours Tuesday during the second day of competition at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

The school's senior kindergarten, Grade 3 and 4, and both the boys and girls grades 4 to 8 choirs earned top marks in their respective categories. The second day for the vocal competitions at Donald Young School also saw Taylor Shouldice and Kennedy Latimer earn double honours.

The festival continues today with more vocal competitions at Knox United Church. The first day of instrumental events goes Wednesday at the Townsend Theatre and Donald Young School. Here is a list of all winner from Tuesday.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

 

CLASS V220

                First – Donald Young School, Grades 3 to 8, Director: Katherine Williams

CLASS V274E

                First – Nestor Falls School – Director: Ken Brown

CLASS V223E

                First – Robert Moore School, SK, Director:  Michelle Cain

CLASS V241-II

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 3 and 4, Director:  Mrs. Beckett

CLASS V249E

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 4 to 8 Girls, Director:  Nathalie von Niebelschutz

CLASS V251E

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 4 to 8 Boys, Director:  Nathalie von Niebelschutz

CLASS V248F

                First – Riverview French Choir, Grades 3 to 8, Director:  Anne Carradice

CLASS V116

                First – Kenzie Godin

CLASS V117

                First – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V161

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Maggie Gauthier

CLASS V162

                First – Kennedy Latimer

                Second – Phoebe Firth

CLASS V129

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V200

                First – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V208

                First – Scott Barker and Lauren Gurski

CLASS V180

                First – Lauren Gurski

                Second – Melissa Friesen

CLASS V181

                First – Brittany Hayes

                Second – Debbie Friesen

CLASS V205

                First – Melissa Friesen

CLASS V165

                First – Ken Brown

CLASS V222

                First – Renee Martin-Brown and Ken Brown

CLASS V173

                First – Debbie Friesen

 

 

Smoking Charge

2009-04-15

07:09:05

O-P-P have laid what may be the first charge in northwestern Ontario under the new provincial law prohibiting smoking in a vehicle with children inside.

It came in the Thunder Bay area Sunday when police spotted a male passenger smoking in a vehicle with two people under the age of 16 in the car.

The new law came into effect in January.

Forestry Funding Reaction

2009-04-15

06:55:13

There is mixed reaction to yesterday's announcement by the federal government how it will role out 170-million dollars to help the ailing forest industry.

President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Anne Krassilowsky says its a step in the right direction.

"It is good help," says Krassilowsky, "but let's see what it really means. I'm looking at $120 million to go to the development of new products. Is that value-added? That would be my first question. And how is that going to work in northwestern Ontario would be my second question."

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty isn't as welcoming. He says the federal government should be offering more loan guarantees, as well as holding a national summit to develop a more long-term strategy for the industry.

 

Portage Avenue Traffic Delays

2009-04-15

06:53:35

There will be some traffic delays on Portage Avenue at the underpass for the next couple of day.

Crews will be on site to conducts tests of the soil anchors installed last year on the east wall.

As a result, the road will be reduced to one lane from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday.

Fort Frances in Court Today

2009-04-15

06:52:41

The town of Fort Frances has a date with a court judge this morning.

Town lawyers will be asking the judge to consider a notice of motion filled in court last week that would allow the town the ability to continue operating Pither's Point Park. A lease signed by the town in 1908 expires at the end of this month.

The town is asking for the right to continue operating the park until litigation between area native bands who surrendered title to the land, and the federal, provincial and municipal governments is resolved, or for as long as an Ontario Order in Council that declared the site a park - remains.

Fundraising Chair Speak Out

2009-04-15

06:41:19

The fundraising chair for the new Fort Frances Library and technology centre wants town council to hold a special meeting to reconsider its decision to reject the project's construction contract.

Mark Kowalchuk says he was shocked by Monday's decision, but feels there is some hope to have it built this year

"The good news is that there may still be a very small window of opportunity to build the library-technology centre as designed," says Kowalchuk. "If, after council’s decision to kill the project, they realize the full financial and political implications for now and many years to come, this project could still move ahead."

"We had corporate sponsorship, and provincial and federal sponsorship on this project, along with the local fundraising efforts, and I just think that there's more to this decision to whether or not this library get built. I think the ramifications can be extreme." 

Kowalchuk says project also represents an opportunity to foster new business and attract new investment.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is confident construction of the library and technology centre can be built this year. Avis says there is council support for a new library and with a little Avis feels a little fine-tuning of the numbers will help deliver a plan council can live with.

"We have to look at the municipal portion, the ongoing maintenance costs in the years to come," says Avis. "I think with a little bit of fine tuning we can get it back on the right tracks."

Avis is also hopeful those who contributed to the project financially will continue to do so.

Meantime, one of the main contributors to the Fort Frances library project won't be withdrawing its funding just yet.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines says until there is an official announcement from the town that the project will not proceed, the Ministry remains committed to the nearly 440-thousand dollars announced in January.

But Anne-Marie Flanagan confirmed the money can not be used for anything else and would have to be forfeited if the project does not go ahead.