After a dozen years of decline in teen birth rates, evidence shows a recent rise in that rate across the country and in Minnesota.
Results of a new study indicate that the rise is not necessarily because of increased levels of sexual activity, but rather, a reduced use of contraceptives – specifically condoms.
Brigid Riley, executive director of the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting says a decade of faith-inspired curricula and an increased focus on abstinence are sending conflicting messages to teens.
"Adolescents need a lot of information; they need good-quality education about preventing, not just pregnancy," says Riley, "but HIV and other STIs, because those rates are going up as well."
Riley says Minnesota had a six percent increase in teen pregnancies in 2006, followed by another two percent jump in 2007.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Find a Doc On-Line
The province is turning to cyberspace to make it easier for Ontario residents to hook up with a family doctor.
Health Care Connect -- which had been a telephone tool to help people find a doctor -- is now available as an online service.
Health Minister David Caplan says the service has fielded about 14-thousand phone calls since February.
Caplan estimates there are still about 800-thousand people in Ontario without access to primary health care.
Health Care Connect -- which had been a telephone tool to help people find a doctor -- is now available as an online service.
Health Minister David Caplan says the service has fielded about 14-thousand phone calls since February.
Caplan estimates there are still about 800-thousand people in Ontario without access to primary health care.
Flouride Debate
Fluoridation of Thunder Bay's drinking water won't be taking place any time soon.
City council voted against further study of the issue and against having the option on the next election ballot.
The issue consumed hours of presentations and debate last night with the meeting not ending until 3:00 a.m.
However, city administration says the matter could still be put to a plebiscite if a petition can be signed by 10 per cent of the city’s voters – about 86-hundred signatures.
City council voted against further study of the issue and against having the option on the next election ballot.
The issue consumed hours of presentations and debate last night with the meeting not ending until 3:00 a.m.
However, city administration says the matter could still be put to a plebiscite if a petition can be signed by 10 per cent of the city’s voters – about 86-hundred signatures.
Y.A.A. Fights for its Existance.
The Northwestern Health Unit is fighting to keep the Youth Action Alliance running.
The local tobacco free advocacy group is being disbanded by the provincial government at the end of the August.
Health Officials have sent a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty strongly urging him to maintain funding for the program.
The local tobacco free advocacy group is being disbanded by the provincial government at the end of the August.
Health Officials have sent a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty strongly urging him to maintain funding for the program.
On-Line Survey for Minnesota Hunters
Hunters in Minnesota are being given an opportunity to comment on upcoming waterfowl hunting regulations through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Web site.
DNR Wildlife section chief Dennis Simon says the online survey is not meant as a substitute for the department’s periodic formal survey, but rather another option for hunters to provide their input.
The survey helps the DNR make decisions regarding hunting seasons as they relate to the federal hunting framework to be released in August.
DNR Wildlife section chief Dennis Simon says the online survey is not meant as a substitute for the department’s periodic formal survey, but rather another option for hunters to provide their input.
The survey helps the DNR make decisions regarding hunting seasons as they relate to the federal hunting framework to be released in August.
Anglers Test the Waters
Pre-fishing for anglers completing in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship continues today.
Joe Thrun of Annandale, Minnesota won last year's title with teammate Jim Moynagh, and says its a chance to find out what will work when the tournament kicks into high gear Thursday.
"That's what practise if for," says Thrun, "come out here three, four, five days ahead of time and try to figure out what type of baits they're on, what kind of water there in and try to figure it out."
About 125 teams are entered.
Organizers says they will accept new teams up until Wednesday's rules meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Joe Thrun of Annandale, Minnesota won last year's title with teammate Jim Moynagh, and says its a chance to find out what will work when the tournament kicks into high gear Thursday.
"That's what practise if for," says Thrun, "come out here three, four, five days ahead of time and try to figure out what type of baits they're on, what kind of water there in and try to figure it out."
About 125 teams are entered.
Organizers says they will accept new teams up until Wednesday's rules meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Teen Party Tonight
The first entertainment event at the 2009 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship takes place tonight.
The Much Music Video Dance Teen Party goes under the tent beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Entertainment director Adam Armit says they'll be taking measures to restrict what teens can bring to the site.
"It's kind of like a coat check," says Armit, "but it's for purse and bags and water bottles and stuff so nobody can bring anything in. Cameras will be allowed, but no purses or water bottle."
The event had originally been scrapped to keep this year's events to a minimum, but later reinstated.
The Much Music Video Dance Teen Party goes under the tent beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Entertainment director Adam Armit says they'll be taking measures to restrict what teens can bring to the site.
"It's kind of like a coat check," says Armit, "but it's for purse and bags and water bottles and stuff so nobody can bring anything in. Cameras will be allowed, but no purses or water bottle."
The event had originally been scrapped to keep this year's events to a minimum, but later reinstated.
Suspicious Person Noticed
Provincial police were called to the 400 block of First Street East in Fort Frances Friday after a resident noticed a man outside his home peering into vehicles parked in the area..
The man was described as Caucasian, approximately 25-years old and was wearing a dark ball cap and dark shirt at the time.
The man was described as Caucasian, approximately 25-years old and was wearing a dark ball cap and dark shirt at the time.
Break-In Probed
OPP are looking into a break-in at a Fort Frances area camp.
Sometime between July 2nd and July 16, thieves entered the camp and stole an assortment of Canadian coins, a tackle bag with tackle, rods and reels and alcohol.
Total value of the items taken is estimated at over one-thousand dollars.
Police say it was the second time in the past two months that the cabin had been broken into.
Sometime between July 2nd and July 16, thieves entered the camp and stole an assortment of Canadian coins, a tackle bag with tackle, rods and reels and alcohol.
Total value of the items taken is estimated at over one-thousand dollars.
Police say it was the second time in the past two months that the cabin had been broken into.
AbitibiBowater Looks for Extension
AbitibiBowater is asking a bankruptcy court in Delaware for more time to present a reorganization plan for the company.
The newsprint giant is seeking a 120-day extension of the so-called exclusivity period which would protect it from creditors’ submitting plans to reorganize the company.
In court papers filed last week, the company says the initial exclusive periods provide an unrealistic time frame to file” a viable recovery plan due to “the sheer size and complexity” of the case.
A hearing has been set for August.
The newsprint giant is seeking a 120-day extension of the so-called exclusivity period which would protect it from creditors’ submitting plans to reorganize the company.
In court papers filed last week, the company says the initial exclusive periods provide an unrealistic time frame to file” a viable recovery plan due to “the sheer size and complexity” of the case.
A hearing has been set for August.
Exploration Busy in Rainy River District
Mineral exploration in northwestern Ontario is booming despite the recession.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry says more than 65 companies are involved in activities in the Kenora and Rainy River district.
District Geologist Craig Ravenous says high commodity prices are helping these companies remain active.
"As long as commodity prices remain elevated and fairly high such as gold flirting with the $1,000 range," says Ravenous, "this increase and high commodity prices will attract investors to invest in the exploration programs."
Ravenous says the activity is at its highest level since the mid 1980's.
In the Rainy River district, companies have focused their attention on properties in the Emo and Mine Centre areas in particular.
Ravenous says a variety of minerals are being sought.
"If you go to the west of Fort Frances, northwest of Emo, there's gold exploration going on. If you go east of Fort Frances, they're looking at gold historically in the Mine Centre area. South and west of Mine Centre they're looking at the the iron, titanium and palladium potential."
Ravenous says some companies are also looking at the potential of base metals and diamonds.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry says more than 65 companies are involved in activities in the Kenora and Rainy River district.
District Geologist Craig Ravenous says high commodity prices are helping these companies remain active.
"As long as commodity prices remain elevated and fairly high such as gold flirting with the $1,000 range," says Ravenous, "this increase and high commodity prices will attract investors to invest in the exploration programs."
Ravenous says the activity is at its highest level since the mid 1980's.
In the Rainy River district, companies have focused their attention on properties in the Emo and Mine Centre areas in particular.
Ravenous says a variety of minerals are being sought.
"If you go to the west of Fort Frances, northwest of Emo, there's gold exploration going on. If you go east of Fort Frances, they're looking at gold historically in the Mine Centre area. South and west of Mine Centre they're looking at the the iron, titanium and palladium potential."
Ravenous says some companies are also looking at the potential of base metals and diamonds.
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