2009-05-19
12:36:45
Officials in Minnesota will be checking boats at three popular lakes this weekend in an effort to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
The Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with law enforcement agencies to check boats at Lake Mille Lacs, Prior Lake in Scott County and Rice Lake near Brainerd.
The DNR wants boaters to "Pull the Plug" on aquatic hitchhikers such as zebra mussels.
2009-05-19
12:35:35
The fire danger in northern Minnesota has reached the high level.
Seven new fires were reported yesterday, including a one south of Ely at Mud Lake.
Here in the Rainy River district, two near fire starts were identified.
Both posing no problems for Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews.
2009-05-19
12:34:58
New banners promoting northwestern Ontario are now up at the Canada-US border in Fort Frances.
Images showing boating, a native encampment and the Great Canadian Main Street in Fort Frances replace those destroyed by severe winds in January.
2009-05-19
12:34:09
Homeowners in Fort Frances may learn later today exactly how much property taxes will be rising this year.
Town councillors are holding a special meeting this afternoon to go over the budget, which includes the projected 2009 tax Rates and levies.
Councillors are also expected to discuss potential financing options of local capital projects.
The meeting at the Civic Centre at begins at 4 p.m.
2009-05-19
12:33:18
Local residents will get an opportunity this week to meet the developer of the new condominium project in Fort Frances.
Robert Zanetti will be hosting on open house as part efforts to attract potential buyers.
The project is planned for property on Nelson Street.
Thursday's open house will be held at the Fort Frances Civic Centre beginning at 4 p.m.
2009-05-19
11:55:08
Ontario's Tory's have launched a website to show residents what the impact will be from the planned merger of the provincial sales tax and the federal G-S-T - something Conservatives are calling D-S-T or the Dalton Sales Tax.
Interim Leader Bob Runciman says they felt it was their duty to provide a forum for residents to learn what the tax means to them.
They're also asking visitors to sign a petition against the merger.
2009-05-19
08:44:18
The National Weather Service says International Falls set a late season snowfall record over the weekend.
On Saturday, the weather service says 0.3 inches of snow fell.
That broke the old May 16 record of 0.1 inches of snow set in 1962.
The snowfall brings the total since last July to 125.6 inches, with almost 33 inches falling since March 1.
In northwestern Ontario, Pickle Lake residents were forced to bring out the snowblowers and shovels Saturday after being buried by almost 45 centimetres of snow.
2009-05-19
08:27:08
The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is continuing its efforts to promote local foods and help the district's agricultural industry.
The corporation hired a rural ag coordinator three years ago.
Jeannette Cawston says her work is helping people better understand the value of the local farms.
"That's what we're hoping to do," says Cawston, "is bring more awareness to local foods and buy local products. Then it brings more of the economic value to our communities."
Cawston says local farmers are also doing more to increase their visibility in the district and elsewhere.
2009-05-19
08:13:46
A coalition of environment, labour and industry group is confident Ontario residents will embrace the new Green Energy Act.
The act became law last week.
Mike Layton with Environmental Defence says a recent survey found strong support for the act, especially in northern Ontario.
"We new that elements of the Green Energy Act really focus on getting jobs to where people need them," says Layton, "and northern Ontario is one area that is struggling in keeping manufacturing jobs and the forest industry. These are things that will stand to benefit under the Green Energy Act."
93-per cent of those surveyed in northern Ontario supported the act, the highest anywhere in the province.
2009-05-19
07:50:36
The town of Fort Frances is going making it easier for people to get married in a civil ceremony.
A proposed change to current by-laws will see staff authorized to perform civil marriages allowed to do so after hours at the Civic Centre and on weekends at other locations.
Town clerk Glenn Treftlin says demand led to the change in policy.
"There has been a number of requests over the years since we started performing marriages," says Treflin. "I understand there have been fourteen requests for marriages other than what we were able to perform before under the current bylaw."
The cost of an after-hours civil marriage is $300 while a weekend ceremony will be $350.
2009-05-19
07:49:35
Police are reporting fewer crashes related to alcohol on provincial roads this holiday long weekend.
But they say it's too early to determine whether Ontario's new drinking and driving penalties are playing a role in the downturn.
Since May 1 there's been at least 6-hundred people given three-day suspensions for driving while in the warn range.
Previously, motorists only received a 12-hour licence suspension for driving with a blood alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08.
2009-05-19
07:40:28
Another fundraiser for medical equipment in the Rainy River district is underway.
A area group is hoping to raise $50,000 for an Ultrasound unit for the emergency department of Riverside's Health Care Facilities' hospital in Rainy River.
Co-chair Larry Armstrong says it will help hospital patients who need a quick diagnosis.
"It's an ultrasound for the emergency room which allows for immediate diagnosis," says Armstrong."If somebody comes in with a stomach pain or they're bleeding, the doctors can then immediately do an ultrasound on it rather than try to determine and send them out for an ultrasound. We think it's a big step in the right direction."
"It allows for better patient management,” explained Dr Singleton. “As a physician, it is important to know what I am dealing with before deciding to send a patient to a larger centre or treating them within our hospital.”
An Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool. In most cases, x-ray technologists administer ultrasounds, however, it is becoming increasingly more common to see doctors utilizing this device in Emergency rooms.
Dr. Beller concurred with Dr. Singleton about the need for an ultrasound in the ER department and and the potential for life-saving care. “This is a quick way to assist in diagnosing a patient.” “It has the potential to reduce unnecessary travel for the patient and will mean better patient care," said Beller. Tammy McNally, who is the Nurse Manager at Rainy River Health Centre, is pleased to have the community support of this project. “Our community has shown time and time again how much they value and support health care,” she enthused."The Auxiliary and Riverside Foundation partner to ensure our health care needs are met”, she said.
The public is being asked to support this project by making a pledge over 3 – 5 years or a one-time donation. Armstrong is optimistic about reaching the target early this fall. “The sooner we reach our goal the sooner we get this equipment” stated Armstrong. “We have a committed group of individuals who will be working very hard over the next couple of months to solicit support."The first public push for funds will happen Wednesday at the hospital Auxiliary's strawberry social.
