3M Honoured

(Gov. Tim Pawlenty (far left) joined with representatives from 3M in declaring the company a Yellow Ribbon Corporation)

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was in International Falls yesterday to honour a Minnesota company as the state's third "Yellow Ribbon Corporation."

The distinction to 3M recognizes the firm's outreach program and support to military service members and their families.

Pawlenty says 3M has been a model company for the program.

"They have reached out and trying to, within their company, identify who the members of the military and veterans are," says Pawlenty, "and designed programs to try and support and encourage and thank them ranging from making sure that if they get deployed they won't take a step down in salary."

Pawlenty says 3-M has also assisted with their military members reintegrate into civilian life.

Target and Marvin Windows were honoured in previous events.

Pawlenty presented the award to 3-M during a summit on the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Campaign.

Members of the National Guard were in International Falls to promote the initiative aimed to increasing support for troops and ensuring they have supports mechanisms when they return.

Lt. Col. Barbara O'Reilly says they're hoping more companies, businesses and agencies get on board.

"The vast majority of the population supports the troops and want to do something," says O'Reilly. "What we're trying to do is build a network that gives them an opportunity to serve."

The campaign was first developed in 2005, but only recently has the Guard travelled across the state to promote the program.

NDP Nominations Meetings Continue

The federal New Democrats in the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River continue to holding nomination meetings to select their candidate for the next election.

The meeting began in Thunder Bay last night and will continue in Atikokan tonight.

The meetings wrap up in Fort Frances tomorrow night at the East End Community Hall.

Current MP John Rafferty is the only declared candidate.

Scott Street Closure Today

A reminder to motorists using Scott Street today.

The intersection of Scott and Portage Avenue is expected to be shutdown to permit paving operations in that area.

It's to reopen late in the day.

Catholic Board Celebrates Test Results

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is celebrating the latest results from provincial testing of its grade three, six and nine students.

Students at all of its schools who wrote the EQAO tests either met or exceeding the provincial standards in several areas.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says the results also show improved by grade six students from the time they wrote the test in grade three.

"We set very high expectations for the students," says Kelly. "We're using guided instruction to help. We've got good feedback to the students around their scores. We have excellent release time programs where the teachers get to work on their techniques and strategies to really focus instruction. So those have made really great improvements for us."

Kelly says the test scores also help the board in the development of improvement plans for students.

Ultrasound 911 Nears Goal

A committee working to bring an ultrasound unit to the health centre in Rainy River has all but achieved its goal.

Ultrasound 911, a fundraising campaign launched in May, aimed to raise $50-thousand for its purchase.

Campaign chair Larry Armstrong says the campaign generated a lot of support.

"People saw the need for it," says Armstrong, "and the people of our district are quick to respond to a need and saw it as a valuable service coming into the area."

Armstrong the new unit has already been ordered and expects it to be up and running later this year.

Power Benefits to North Expected

Ontario's northern development minister says the improvements to Hydro One's transmission lines will lead to a number of economic benefits for the northwest.

Yesterday, the province directed Hydro One to move forward on several project upgrades.

Michael Gravelle says the northwest will sure to benefit from the spending of over two-point-three billion dollars over the next three years.

"The upgrading of these transmission lines and network is going to make a real difference for new clean green energy," says Gravelle, "but also a solid baseload of power for projects that are ongoing."

Gravelle anticipates the upgrades will also lead to an expansion of new power projects in the region.

Pawlenty to Visit International Falls

A visit today to International Falls by the Governor of Minnesota.

Tim Pawlenty is to speak at the Governor’s Employer Summit being organized by the Minnesota National Guard.

He'll also help recognize 3-M for its outreach and support to military service members and their families by awarding it as Minnesota’s third "Yellow Ribbon Corporation.

The event is being held this afternoon at the Holiday Inn.

Wage Freeze Accepted

There will be no wage increase this year for police officers and fire engineers in the city of International Falls.

City council ratified a new three-year deal for the two work groups at its meeting last night.

Councillor Paul Eklund says a reduction in state aid funding restricted the city's ability to consider wage increases this year.

But he says the contract does allow for the two sides to revisit salaries in the final two years of the deal.

International Falls Seeks U.S. DOT Help

The city of International Falls and the Falls Airport Commission want the U.S. Department of Transportation to delay its decision regarding Delta Airlines' request to operate air service in the community through a federal subsidy program.

They're worried Delta's plans to reduce service under the Essential Air Service program will hurt the airport and the local economy.

Commission Secretary Susan Baratono says they would like to see a better schedule from Delta.

"We can't ask them to reject it based on the schedule because they can't," says Baratono. "We're asking them to reject it based on the fact that it will do material harm to our community and that it will do harm to our airport and that once we are in this program for two years it will be very hard to get back."

The city and commission want three to six months to study Delta's schedule which offers all four of its inbound and outbound flights during the mid-afternoon hours.