There has been another significant donation made to the new Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre.
RBC, through its RBC foundation, is contributing $25,000 toward the creation of a new teen centre at the library.
Local branch manager Heather Johnson says it was important to contribute to the project.
"RBC is very committed to the children," says Johnson. "We firmly believe that an investment in education and youth is one of the best investments that a company can make to ensure the prosperity of our communities. We're really excited to be able to offer this and make it a reality."
As part of the donation, the new centre will be named in RBC's honour.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Support for Provincial Plan
A new poll suggests many Canadians would like to take a page from Ontario's education handbook and combine daycare and kindergarten.
The survey found more than 70 per cent of respondents liked the plan for four- and five-year-olds.
The province recently received a report recommending ``full-day learning programs'' that would allow parents to leave children at school from 7:30 a-m until 6 p-m for a fee.
The survey found more than 70 per cent of respondents liked the plan for four- and five-year-olds.
The province recently received a report recommending ``full-day learning programs'' that would allow parents to leave children at school from 7:30 a-m until 6 p-m for a fee.
Service Demands Decrease
Family and Children's Services of the District of Rainy River says the demand for some of its services declined over the past year.
Most notably in the child welfare side where the agency says its saw fewer children and did fewer investigations.
Executive Director Vik Nowak says it doesn't mean the workload for staff has decreased.
"Our kids are dropping, but we're starting to take on the responsibility looking after kids from other jurisdictions," says Nowak. "Those cases are going up, so we have more children in care but they're not our kids. Still, it's a positive sign to see our child welfare numbers are dropping."
Nowak is not certain how long that will continue, given the current economic situation and its impact on families.
The agency also ended the year with a balanced budget, one of few in the province to end the year without a deficit.
In fact, it's the third straight year Family and Children's Services has accomplished that goal.
Nowak says its partly due to their ability to maintain the children in care within the district instead sending them to expensive group homes
"We had no children, except for a very brief time, in group homes during the course of the year. When you're looking at group homes, it costs $300 to $400 per day, sometime more. That can add up very quickly and put you in a deficit position."
Nowak says the agency is not without its funding pressures. Provincial funding for mental health and developmental services program hasn't been increased for more than a decade.
Nowak says it has led to a slow but steady erosion in the programs that is now beginning to affect staff.
Each month, an estimated one hundred children across the district access mental health programs while another 100 receive developmental services programs.
Another 30 children are currently on waiting lists.
Most notably in the child welfare side where the agency says its saw fewer children and did fewer investigations.
Executive Director Vik Nowak says it doesn't mean the workload for staff has decreased.
"Our kids are dropping, but we're starting to take on the responsibility looking after kids from other jurisdictions," says Nowak. "Those cases are going up, so we have more children in care but they're not our kids. Still, it's a positive sign to see our child welfare numbers are dropping."
Nowak is not certain how long that will continue, given the current economic situation and its impact on families.
The agency also ended the year with a balanced budget, one of few in the province to end the year without a deficit.
In fact, it's the third straight year Family and Children's Services has accomplished that goal.
Nowak says its partly due to their ability to maintain the children in care within the district instead sending them to expensive group homes
"We had no children, except for a very brief time, in group homes during the course of the year. When you're looking at group homes, it costs $300 to $400 per day, sometime more. That can add up very quickly and put you in a deficit position."
Nowak says the agency is not without its funding pressures. Provincial funding for mental health and developmental services program hasn't been increased for more than a decade.
Nowak says it has led to a slow but steady erosion in the programs that is now beginning to affect staff.
Each month, an estimated one hundred children across the district access mental health programs while another 100 receive developmental services programs.
Another 30 children are currently on waiting lists.
New Fire in District
A lightning strike has been listed as the cause of the latest forest fire in the Rainy River district.
The fire, located about 65-kilometres north of Fort Frances, is only smouldering. The Ministry of Natural Resources says no problems are anticipated.
The fire hazard remains high in the western portions northwestern Ontario. Rain forecast for the weekend is expected to drop the hazard by Monday.
The fire, located about 65-kilometres north of Fort Frances, is only smouldering. The Ministry of Natural Resources says no problems are anticipated.
The fire hazard remains high in the western portions northwestern Ontario. Rain forecast for the weekend is expected to drop the hazard by Monday.
International Falls Man Charged
An International Falls man has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to possessing or using a number of Ontario resident licences and permits.
Joseph Angelo Butera plead guilty to one amended charge that combined all or portions of 12 charges against him - addressing the primary issue of his residency status.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says the charges stem from a 2006 investigation in which conservation officers determined the former Fort Frances resident, who had moved to the Falls the year before, obtained licenses and permits using addresses of his Big Sawbill Lake camp and in Fort Frances.
Joseph Angelo Butera plead guilty to one amended charge that combined all or portions of 12 charges against him - addressing the primary issue of his residency status.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says the charges stem from a 2006 investigation in which conservation officers determined the former Fort Frances resident, who had moved to the Falls the year before, obtained licenses and permits using addresses of his Big Sawbill Lake camp and in Fort Frances.
Fort Frances High School Students Graduate
The class of 2009 was celebrated last night.
180 students from Fort Frances High School received Secondary School diplomas at commencement ceremonies held at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Comparing their high school years to his favourite hockey team, principal Gord McCabe offered his congratulations to the graduates.
"Tonight when you walk across that stage and receive the diploma you worked so hard to earn, I would equate to receiving you diploma to winning the Stanley Cup," said McCabe. "Like the Montreal Canadians, don't settle for just one Stanley Cup. You and your teammates, you need to create a dynasty."
Jamie Petrin and Cody Caul were this year's valedictorians.
More than one hundred awards and scholarships were also announced to the hundreds of parents, friends and family members who attended the festivities. The students later celebrated throughout the night at the traditional all-night Chem-Free Grad party held at the 52 Canadians Arena.
This was the tenth graduating class since the high school was reconstructed in the town's west end in 1999.
180 students from Fort Frances High School received Secondary School diplomas at commencement ceremonies held at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Comparing their high school years to his favourite hockey team, principal Gord McCabe offered his congratulations to the graduates.
"Tonight when you walk across that stage and receive the diploma you worked so hard to earn, I would equate to receiving you diploma to winning the Stanley Cup," said McCabe. "Like the Montreal Canadians, don't settle for just one Stanley Cup. You and your teammates, you need to create a dynasty."
Jamie Petrin and Cody Caul were this year's valedictorians.
More than one hundred awards and scholarships were also announced to the hundreds of parents, friends and family members who attended the festivities. The students later celebrated throughout the night at the traditional all-night Chem-Free Grad party held at the 52 Canadians Arena.
This was the tenth graduating class since the high school was reconstructed in the town's west end in 1999.
Mine Centre School Construction Planned for Next Year
Construction of a new school in Mine Centre could start early next year.
Yesterday, the province announced it would provide $4.8 million dollars to the Rainy River District School Board for that project.
Education Director Jack McMaster says its good news for the students and staff.
"I think it's tremendous news," says McMaster. "We've been hoping this day would come. Having Mine Centre come into our board has been quite a benefit for us. Hopefully being tied to our board has allowed Mine Centre to reap the benefits from the prohibit-to-repair designation."
McMaster says the exact cost of construction has yet to be determined, but anticipates it will be higher than the amount provided by the Ministry of Education.
"We anticipate it will come above that but we're not entirely sure. We have some preliminary drawings. We've met with the Ministry and we're downscaling them a bit."
Yesterday, the province announced it would provide $4.8 million dollars to the Rainy River District School Board for that project.
Education Director Jack McMaster says its good news for the students and staff.
"I think it's tremendous news," says McMaster. "We've been hoping this day would come. Having Mine Centre come into our board has been quite a benefit for us. Hopefully being tied to our board has allowed Mine Centre to reap the benefits from the prohibit-to-repair designation."
McMaster says the exact cost of construction has yet to be determined, but anticipates it will be higher than the amount provided by the Ministry of Education.
"We anticipate it will come above that but we're not entirely sure. We have some preliminary drawings. We've met with the Ministry and we're downscaling them a bit."
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