2009-06-02
07:51:01
Ontario's Lieutenant Governor is launching an aboriginal summer reading book drive today.
David Onley will be joined by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy for the announcement this afternoon.
The drive collects books for remote First Nation communities and runs until June 21.
Brand new books for children up to age 14 can be dropped off at OPP detachments across the province.
2009-06-02
07:45:22
Young people looking for a job this summer can now visit the youth employment centre in Fort Frances.
The Service Canada Centre for Youth is located at 301 Scott Street.
Youth services officer Dayna DeBenedet says there are a few jobs already posted.
"We've also started to contact a lot of businesses and camps," says DeBenedet. "So jobs are starting to pick up in the northwestern region. We're just hoping that throughout this next week, it's our Hire-a-Youth week nationally, a lot more job posts will come as businesses become more aware of our services."
Debenendt says staff will also be visiting area businesses this week with potted plants as part of their "Hire-a-Youth - Help the Economy Grow" campaign.
2009-06-02
07:44:42
A 21-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged following a boating accident on Lake of the Woods on the weekend.
OPP say two of four people on board were treated for minor injuries after the boat they were riding was destroyed when it struck a reef.
The operator was charged with operating a vessel in a careless manner.
2009-06-02
07:41:03
The United States Deputy Consul General does not anticipate any problems with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Mark Bysfield was in Fort Frances yesterday discuss with Fort Frances town council the new travel rules, and other border issues.
Bysfield says there appears to be strong compliance in the borderland.
"Guys at the border are telling us that a vast majority of people already had their documents weeks ago," says Bysfield. "They only saw a few people who still don't have them and their giving out little slips of paper saying your non-compliant, next time throught why don't you get one of the compliant documents."
Those documents include a passport, enhanced driver's license or approved identification card. Bysfield says the new rules will make it easier and more secure for travellers in the long run.
No problems were reported at either International Falls or Baudette crossings yesterday.
2009-06-02
07:39:52
The Northwestern Health Unit has reported its first case of H1N1 influenza in the region.
The exact location has not been disclosed, but the Health Unit says the individual has recovered from mild symptoms of the acute illness and is reportedly doing well.
As of yesterday, Ontario had 715 confirmed cases, up 89 from Friday.
2009-06-02
07:29:33
At least half of Ontario's Far North will be permanently protected under legislation to be introduced at the legislature today.
The bill would protect at least 225-thousand square kilometres in a network of conservation areas.
There will also be a community-based land use planning process to identify areas where development can take place to would benefit First Nations communities north of the 51st parallel.
The province has already reached 13 memorandums of understanding on land use planning with First Nations in the region.
2009-06-02
07:28:44
Mill workers are planning to block the Trans-Canada Highway in Dryden today.
This afternoon's protest is to coincide with a rally taking placing in Ottawa.
Thousands of paper mill workers are heading to the nation's capital to draw attention to the crisis in forestry, pulp and paper.
The rally will begins this morning outside the office of the federal natural resources minister.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union says the situation is bleak at mills across Canada, with 55,000 layoffs over the past two years.
It's asking the Harper government for better protection of wages and pensions during bankruptcy cases and a national forestry summit.
2009-06-02
07:23:28
Proponents of a abattoir in Emo say construction will begin at the end of this month.
The Rainy River District Regional Abattoir group says all of the funding for the 2-million dollar project is place and a contract has been awarded. The organization will cover the the remaining 360-thousand dollars
President Steve Loshaw says it's been a long time coming.
"We're obviously very happy to get going," says Loshaw. "We're starting into the fourth year of this membership. It's been a very long road and we're really glad to get started on this and hope to have the abattoir open by the end of the year."
When it opens, the facility will employ two or three part-time employees and handle beef, pork, bison and elk.
Randy Thoms – News & Sports Director
