Activity at the Fort Frances airport appears to be remaining stable.
Statistics Canada says there were 451 take-offs and landings during the month of April.
That's about the same as April of last year.
A majority were made by Bearskin Airlines, but 43 private aircraft and 32 helicopters also used the airport.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Forest Fire Under Investigation
A forest fire east of Fort Frances is being investigated by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The fire located about 20 kilometres east of the town broke out yesterday.
It's listed as being under control, having burned less than a hectare.
A ministry official says the fire was human caused.
The fire located about 20 kilometres east of the town broke out yesterday.
It's listed as being under control, having burned less than a hectare.
A ministry official says the fire was human caused.
Pither's Point on Display
There's a new exhibit focusing at the Fort Frances Museum focusing around Pither's Point Park.
Museum Curators Pam Hawley says the exhibit shows the importance of the park to the Fort Frances area and how its changed over the past one hundred years.
"It's really changed," says Hawley. "We had a dance pavilion there. We had a golf course there. There was a variety of activities that would occurred at the point with bands coming into play and dances and concerts. Lots of swimming used to happen there."
Hawley is hoping the exhibit will spur residents' memories about the park.
The exhibit will remain up until the end of August.
Museum Curators Pam Hawley says the exhibit shows the importance of the park to the Fort Frances area and how its changed over the past one hundred years.
"It's really changed," says Hawley. "We had a dance pavilion there. We had a golf course there. There was a variety of activities that would occurred at the point with bands coming into play and dances and concerts. Lots of swimming used to happen there."
Hawley is hoping the exhibit will spur residents' memories about the park.
The exhibit will remain up until the end of August.
Transit Complaints
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has filed complaints against three transit authorities in the province include Thunder Bay Transit.
The commission says systems in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Sudbury have failed to call out bus stops to their passengers, as ordered by the Human Rights Tribunal two years ago.
The commission argues calling out those stops is needed to give proper service to visually impaired passengers.
It's asking the Human Rights Tribunal to order the three transit systems to begin calling out bus stops within 30 days.
The commission says systems in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Sudbury have failed to call out bus stops to their passengers, as ordered by the Human Rights Tribunal two years ago.
The commission argues calling out those stops is needed to give proper service to visually impaired passengers.
It's asking the Human Rights Tribunal to order the three transit systems to begin calling out bus stops within 30 days.
MNR Still to Be Involved in Forestry
Bureaucrats with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines have started the work on moving the forestry portfolio away from the MNR.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the changeover last month.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there are a number of issues that still have to be worked out.
"There's obviously some things that have to be changed legislatively," says Cansfield. "That's all through the process, but we'll work very closely with Minister (Michael) Gravelle as these issues come to light."
Cansfield suggests her ministry will still have some responsibility for forest matters that pertain to such things as the Species-at-Risk Act, invasive species and water quality.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the changeover last month.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there are a number of issues that still have to be worked out.
"There's obviously some things that have to be changed legislatively," says Cansfield. "That's all through the process, but we'll work very closely with Minister (Michael) Gravelle as these issues come to light."
Cansfield suggests her ministry will still have some responsibility for forest matters that pertain to such things as the Species-at-Risk Act, invasive species and water quality.
Incentive Programs Available to Businesses
A financial assistance program to improve store fronts is being promoted to businesses in the Fort Frances area.
Regional Economic Development Officer for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation Geoff Gillon says businesses can access loans of up to ten thousand dollars.
"We're trying to make it easier for businesses trying to upgrade," says Gillon. "It's not a standard loan process. We're trying to simplify it."
Gillon says the money can be used for such things as new walkways and doorways, windows and displays or signage.
The town is also looking to improve local residential properties through four separate financial incentive programs.
Gillon says one offers tax breaks to improve homes in need of significant repair.
"If you have a block, for example, and there's fifteen houses and one of them has been dramatically reduced in value. It hasn't been kept up or vacant. This allows someone to buy that building, upgrade that building, make it habitable and bring it up to the standard of other buildings around."
Other programs help in the development of multi-residential and hotel properties and the costs of tearing down old homes.
Regional Economic Development Officer for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation Geoff Gillon says businesses can access loans of up to ten thousand dollars.
"We're trying to make it easier for businesses trying to upgrade," says Gillon. "It's not a standard loan process. We're trying to simplify it."
Gillon says the money can be used for such things as new walkways and doorways, windows and displays or signage.
The town is also looking to improve local residential properties through four separate financial incentive programs.
Gillon says one offers tax breaks to improve homes in need of significant repair.
"If you have a block, for example, and there's fifteen houses and one of them has been dramatically reduced in value. It hasn't been kept up or vacant. This allows someone to buy that building, upgrade that building, make it habitable and bring it up to the standard of other buildings around."
Other programs help in the development of multi-residential and hotel properties and the costs of tearing down old homes.
New Fires in Northwestern Ontario
Two new forest fires were reported in the West Fire Region yesterday, both human caused.
One was located in the Rainy River district about 20 kilometres east of Fort Frances.
It's listed as being under control and less than a hectare in size.
The fire hazard remains high in the Fort Frances and Thunder Bay Districts.
One was located in the Rainy River district about 20 kilometres east of Fort Frances.
It's listed as being under control and less than a hectare in size.
The fire hazard remains high in the Fort Frances and Thunder Bay Districts.
Driver Charged
The driver of a transport that overturned on McIrvine Road yesterday morning has been charged by the OPP.
Police says the transport was exiting from Sungro at the time of the accident.
It forced the temporary closure of McIrvine between 5th and 6th Streets for several hours while emergency crews cleaned up the accident.
The driver was not injured.
Police says the transport was exiting from Sungro at the time of the accident.
It forced the temporary closure of McIrvine between 5th and 6th Streets for several hours while emergency crews cleaned up the accident.
The driver was not injured.
Boil Water Advisory in Kenora
Bottled water has become a necessity in Kenora.
A power outage impacting the city's water treatment facility forced the Northwestern Health Unit to impose a boil water advisory.
Residents there are being told to boil their tap water being before using.
No word yet when the advisory will be lifted.
A power outage impacting the city's water treatment facility forced the Northwestern Health Unit to impose a boil water advisory.
Residents there are being told to boil their tap water being before using.
No word yet when the advisory will be lifted.
School Site Plan Completed
School board trustees with the Rainy River District School Board have agreed to a number of resolutions regarding new Robert Moore School.
The items finalize a site management plan needed before a building permit can be issued by the town.
The plan must still be signed off by the town.
The board is also awaiting Ministry approval on an official plan change before it can begin construction.
That change is to permit a school to be built on the land behind the existing facility which could be approved by the middle of the month.
The items finalize a site management plan needed before a building permit can be issued by the town.
The plan must still be signed off by the town.
The board is also awaiting Ministry approval on an official plan change before it can begin construction.
That change is to permit a school to be built on the land behind the existing facility which could be approved by the middle of the month.
Library Work Underway
It's now underway.
Work on the new library and technology centre in Fort Frances began Monday with crews setting up security fencing around the site at the corners of Reid Avenue and Scott Street.
Chief Librarian Margaret Sedgwick says there's a sense of relief among staff to final see the project get going.
"We are breathing a sigh of relief," says Sedgwick. "The staff are ecstatic. Now, we're thinking about packing up and moving even though its a few months away.
Aurora Construction was granted the contract to build the nearly 5-million dollars facility last month.
Sedgwick says they hope to track the progress of the new building by posting photographs on the library's website.
She adds the new address, 601 Reid Avenue, will be quite appropriate for the new facility.
Work on the new library and technology centre in Fort Frances began Monday with crews setting up security fencing around the site at the corners of Reid Avenue and Scott Street.
Chief Librarian Margaret Sedgwick says there's a sense of relief among staff to final see the project get going.
"We are breathing a sigh of relief," says Sedgwick. "The staff are ecstatic. Now, we're thinking about packing up and moving even though its a few months away.
Aurora Construction was granted the contract to build the nearly 5-million dollars facility last month.
Sedgwick says they hope to track the progress of the new building by posting photographs on the library's website.
She adds the new address, 601 Reid Avenue, will be quite appropriate for the new facility.
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