There has been some changes to the Crimestoppers program in northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.
An executive director has been hired to work along side the OPP coordinator of the program.
Doug Anderson says he'll focus on forging new partnerships in the region.
"Looking at things a little differently than they have done in the past," says Anderson. "It's more about partnerships and we're trying to define Crimestoppers as more than a charity and hopefully delivering more to our partners."
Joel Stoliker is the new OPP coordinator of Crimestoppers replacing Garry Potter.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Voyageur Park Changes
There's been some staff changes at Voyageur's National Park.
Mary Graves is the park’s new Chief of Resources Management while Tawnya Schoewe becomes Chief of Interpretation.
Both women began their new responsibilities October 1st.
Mary Graves is the park’s new Chief of Resources Management while Tawnya Schoewe becomes Chief of Interpretation.
Both women began their new responsibilities October 1st.
Hampton Sees Little Benefits with Hydro Upgrades
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says a major redevelopment of transmission lines will hurt the economy of northern Ontario in the long-run.
Hydro One plans more than $6-billion in upgrades over the next threes, including to lines in northern Ontario.
But Hampton says it only takes away an economic advantage now enjoyed in the north.
"We can create some of the lowest cost energy on the planet," says Hampton. "I'd like to see that electricity used here to generate jobs and economic activity, not shipped to Toronto where most of it will be used to generate air conditioning."
Hampton says the only benefits the north will see from the development are some short-term construction jobs.
Hydro One plans more than $6-billion in upgrades over the next threes, including to lines in northern Ontario.
But Hampton says it only takes away an economic advantage now enjoyed in the north.
"We can create some of the lowest cost energy on the planet," says Hampton. "I'd like to see that electricity used here to generate jobs and economic activity, not shipped to Toronto where most of it will be used to generate air conditioning."
Hampton says the only benefits the north will see from the development are some short-term construction jobs.
Food Bank Appeal
The Salvation Army in Fort Frances is appealing to area residents to help stock its food bank.
Captain Angel Sandoval says while the economy is leading more people to see assistance, it's also having an impact on donations.
"There is a lot of hard situations in many families in our community," says Sandoval, "and there are more families coming to the food bank with kids. We're appealing to the community to support us and continue help those in need."
Meantime, the Salvation Army will hold a thanksgiving lunch today at its Victoria Avenue Citadel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
There's no cost to attend, but donations are welcome.
Captain Angel Sandoval says while the economy is leading more people to see assistance, it's also having an impact on donations.
"There is a lot of hard situations in many families in our community," says Sandoval, "and there are more families coming to the food bank with kids. We're appealing to the community to support us and continue help those in need."
Meantime, the Salvation Army will hold a thanksgiving lunch today at its Victoria Avenue Citadel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
There's no cost to attend, but donations are welcome.
Bass Tournament in Jeopardy
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is in jeopardy of not happening next year.
At a meeting last night, the current board of directors indicated a willingness to remain, but only if four vacancies are filled first.
Chair of the event Tom Fry says they're looking for a co-chair as well as individuals to be responsible for the events computer systems, daytime activities and site and facilities.
"We've set a date of October 20th," says Fry, "at which time we will have another meeting in hopes of filling the four vacant spots."
Fry says if next year's event does go ahead, it won't be held at the Fort Frances waterfront.
Fry says moving the event indoors to the Memorial Sportsplex will help save money and deal with the weather.
At a meeting last night, the current board of directors indicated a willingness to remain, but only if four vacancies are filled first.
Chair of the event Tom Fry says they're looking for a co-chair as well as individuals to be responsible for the events computer systems, daytime activities and site and facilities.
"We've set a date of October 20th," says Fry, "at which time we will have another meeting in hopes of filling the four vacant spots."
Fry says if next year's event does go ahead, it won't be held at the Fort Frances waterfront.
Fry says moving the event indoors to the Memorial Sportsplex will help save money and deal with the weather.
OPP Traffic Initiative this Weekend
Thanksgiving long weekend will mark 'Operation Impact' for OPP.
Police will be hitting the road in full force starting at noon today and will be on the lookout for unsafe, aggressive and impaired drivers.
OPP will also be looking for people who are not buckled up.
The initiative concludes Monday just before midnight.
Police will be hitting the road in full force starting at noon today and will be on the lookout for unsafe, aggressive and impaired drivers.
OPP will also be looking for people who are not buckled up.
The initiative concludes Monday just before midnight.
More Energy Retrofits Planned
The Rainy River District School Board is moving ahead to complete more than $2.5-million in improvements over the next two years to make its schools more energy efficient.
The work is part of the second phase of the board's energy and renewal project.
Manager of plant operations Raymond Roy says this phase involves a variety of initiatives.
"A lot of lighting upgrades," says Roy, "energy efficient lighting, light sensors, some small items like that. Large items (include) roof top units at different schools, H-Vac systems. We also putting two energy efficient lead boilers at different schools."
Roy says the work will save the board $33-thousand annual in energy costs on top of the $162-thousand realized from the first phase of work done two years ago.
The funding comes through the provincial government from a variety of programs.
The work is part of the second phase of the board's energy and renewal project.
Manager of plant operations Raymond Roy says this phase involves a variety of initiatives.
"A lot of lighting upgrades," says Roy, "energy efficient lighting, light sensors, some small items like that. Large items (include) roof top units at different schools, H-Vac systems. We also putting two energy efficient lead boilers at different schools."
Roy says the work will save the board $33-thousand annual in energy costs on top of the $162-thousand realized from the first phase of work done two years ago.
The funding comes through the provincial government from a variety of programs.
Cancer Care Ontario Panned
A new audit of Cancer Care Ontario shows the agency suffered from many of the same problems that plagued troubled eHealth Ontario.
Newly released documents show that Cancer Care spent nearly $75million on consultants over the last two years but didn't always follow the rules on competitive tendering.
The audit says one consulting firm received single-sourced contracts worth $18.7 million over a three-year period.
It also found that none of the expenses billed by consultants were pre-approved by the agency and almost all weren't back up by receipts.
Other documents show that Cancer Care paid several executives hundreds of thousands of dollars each to leave the agency this year.
Newly released documents show that Cancer Care spent nearly $75million on consultants over the last two years but didn't always follow the rules on competitive tendering.
The audit says one consulting firm received single-sourced contracts worth $18.7 million over a three-year period.
It also found that none of the expenses billed by consultants were pre-approved by the agency and almost all weren't back up by receipts.
Other documents show that Cancer Care paid several executives hundreds of thousands of dollars each to leave the agency this year.
Hampton Applauds Resignation
Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is applauding the resignation of Ontario Health Minister David Caplan.
Caplan stepped down in advance of the auditor general's report on e-Health.
Hampton says the minister's resignation is long over due.
"People have been asking questions about what's going on at e-health for six or seven months," says Hampton. "It shouldn't have taken an auditor's report. Any person who was awake and thoughtful on the switch would have seen what was going on and would have taken action."
The health portfolio will now be held by Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews.
Caplan stepped down in advance of the auditor general's report on e-Health.
Hampton says the minister's resignation is long over due.
"People have been asking questions about what's going on at e-health for six or seven months," says Hampton. "It shouldn't have taken an auditor's report. Any person who was awake and thoughtful on the switch would have seen what was going on and would have taken action."
The health portfolio will now be held by Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews.
Smitherman Responses to Oppostion Attacks
George Smitherman says he doesn't have survivor's guilt.
Health Minister David Caplan resigned ahead of an auditor general's report into the scandal-plagued e-Health agency.
But critics are calling for accountability from Smitherman too,who also came under fire for untendered contracts during his four-year tenure as health minister.
But Smitherman says he did his best and gave "no consideration'' to resigning.
Health Minister David Caplan resigned ahead of an auditor general's report into the scandal-plagued e-Health agency.
But critics are calling for accountability from Smitherman too,who also came under fire for untendered contracts during his four-year tenure as health minister.
But Smitherman says he did his best and gave "no consideration'' to resigning.
Falls Street Online
Residents in some Ontario cities may be wondering where they were when Google Street View cars drove by.
The Google Maps feature is displaying images on the Internet from a street-level perspective.
Users can see photos of streets, including a 360-degree view, but people's faces and licence plates are blurred.
Photos of some International Falls streets are available, but Fort Frances photos have yet to be posted.
The Google Maps feature is displaying images on the Internet from a street-level perspective.
Users can see photos of streets, including a 360-degree view, but people's faces and licence plates are blurred.
Photos of some International Falls streets are available, but Fort Frances photos have yet to be posted.
Power Boast Approved
A Thunder Bay-radio station to be purchased by the owner's CFOB Radio has been given approve to boast its signal.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commissions is allowing Magic 99 to go from 37 watts to 250.
The approval comes in advance of a hearing to be held later this month examining the proposed purchase of the station by Acadia Broadcasting.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commissions is allowing Magic 99 to go from 37 watts to 250.
The approval comes in advance of a hearing to be held later this month examining the proposed purchase of the station by Acadia Broadcasting.
Fire Report Clarified
The Ontario Provincial Police are clarifying information released earlier this week regarding the investigation into last week's fatal fire in Fort Frances
The O-P-P now says their investigation into the fire at the Lakeview Trailer Park has concluded after the Ontario Fire's Office ruled the fire not to be suspicious in nature.
As first reported yesterday by CFOB-News, the investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal's office remains open pending the return of forensic tests.
64-year-old Aldon Morphet died in last Wednesday's fire as a result of smoke inhalation.
The O-P-P now says their investigation into the fire at the Lakeview Trailer Park has concluded after the Ontario Fire's Office ruled the fire not to be suspicious in nature.
As first reported yesterday by CFOB-News, the investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal's office remains open pending the return of forensic tests.
64-year-old Aldon Morphet died in last Wednesday's fire as a result of smoke inhalation.
Native Children's Aid Agency Budget Hit
Yet another children's aid agency in the Rainy River district is feeling the pinch from recent government cuts.
It was revealed at Queen's Park yesterday that Wee-chi-ti-win Family Services lost $941-thousand as part of a $4.2-million dollar cut to six native agencies in the province.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath joined aboriginal leaders in calling for a moratorium on those cuts.
"There is a real crisis facing Ontario's native children and youth," said Horwath, "but this government is shamefully reducing the resources that these vulnerable, young children and youth rely on."
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid says his ministry, along with Youth and Children's Service, is working with the agencies to find solutions, but noted several millions of dollars has been provided to help children in need.
It was revealed at Queen's Park yesterday that Wee-chi-ti-win Family Services lost $941-thousand as part of a $4.2-million dollar cut to six native agencies in the province.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath joined aboriginal leaders in calling for a moratorium on those cuts.
"There is a real crisis facing Ontario's native children and youth," said Horwath, "but this government is shamefully reducing the resources that these vulnerable, young children and youth rely on."
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid says his ministry, along with Youth and Children's Service, is working with the agencies to find solutions, but noted several millions of dollars has been provided to help children in need.
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