An Atikokan school has been selected as the only site in the Rainy River district to participate in the province's new After-School Initiative.
The program is designed to help students in high-needs neighbourhoods to improve their personal health and wellness through a variety of after school programs.
Programs in Atikokan will be delivered out of North Star School.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
DriveTest Labour Dispute Continues
The strike by the province's driving inspectors is into its eighth week.
Workers at DriveTest, which is in charge of driving tests throughout Ontario, have been on strike since August 21st.
The two sides haven't met since Saturday when the mediator asked both sides to stand-down talks to allow a "cooling off period.''
Managing director Paul Dalglish says the company's latest offer was sent to employees Friday to help spur some movement at the bargaining table.
Workers at DriveTest, which is in charge of driving tests throughout Ontario, have been on strike since August 21st.
The two sides haven't met since Saturday when the mediator asked both sides to stand-down talks to allow a "cooling off period.''
Managing director Paul Dalglish says the company's latest offer was sent to employees Friday to help spur some movement at the bargaining table.
Fuel Price Change at Airport
Fuel prices at the Fort Frances airport are going up.
Councillors approved new fuel prices at their Tuesday meeting.
100 light lead fuel will be 30 per cent above the town's cost while Jet-A fuel is 40 per cent over cost.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the prices reflect those charged at airports elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.
Councillors approved new fuel prices at their Tuesday meeting.
100 light lead fuel will be 30 per cent above the town's cost while Jet-A fuel is 40 per cent over cost.
Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the prices reflect those charged at airports elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.
Former College President Appointed to State Board
A former president of Rainy River Community College has been appointed to Minnesota's Board of Dentistry.
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the appointment of Allen Rasmussen Tuesday.
Rasmussen, who served as college president between 1993 and 2001, will serve a four year term on the board responsible for regulating and licensing the state's health care professionals.
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the appointment of Allen Rasmussen Tuesday.
Rasmussen, who served as college president between 1993 and 2001, will serve a four year term on the board responsible for regulating and licensing the state's health care professionals.
New Name Sought
An organization that provides safety and assistance to abused women and their children in the district is seeking a new name.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre has been providing its programs more than thirty years and was named because of its current location.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says they want to dispell the myth they are there only for Atikokan.
"We're hearing from women in Big Grassy and Sabaskong who believe they should be going to Kenora," says Kroocmo, "but they are in our catchment area. So are women in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances. We've tried to expand services to try to include women in the west."
Kroocmo says they're hoping to come with a new name by the end of the month.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre has been providing its programs more than thirty years and was named because of its current location.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says they want to dispell the myth they are there only for Atikokan.
"We're hearing from women in Big Grassy and Sabaskong who believe they should be going to Kenora," says Kroocmo, "but they are in our catchment area. So are women in Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances. We've tried to expand services to try to include women in the west."
Kroocmo says they're hoping to come with a new name by the end of the month.
Children's Aid Societies Speak Out
Ontario children's aid societies are pressing their case to have the loss of provincial funding restored.
The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies says the agencies face a $67-million shortfall.
Spokesman Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern says that threatens their ability to keep vulnerable kids safe.
Gomez-Wiuckstern says agencies won't be able see children as often and case workers will assess case files less frequently if budgets are cut.
Both Family and Childrens Services Rainy River and Weechi-it-te-win Family Services have reported deficits totalling hundreds of thousand dollars.
The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies says the agencies face a $67-million shortfall.
Spokesman Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern says that threatens their ability to keep vulnerable kids safe.
Gomez-Wiuckstern says agencies won't be able see children as often and case workers will assess case files less frequently if budgets are cut.
Both Family and Childrens Services Rainy River and Weechi-it-te-win Family Services have reported deficits totalling hundreds of thousand dollars.
FCM Support Letter Writing Campaign
Mayors across the country are being asked to wade into an anti-Buy American fight after one northern Ontario mayor's efforts attracted national attention.
North Bay Mayor Victor Fedeli sent letters to the mayors of three U-S cities where North Bay made large purchases recently asking them to consider the local impacts had his city not made those buys.
Now, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is suggesting other mayors do the same.
Fedeli says it will give officials working to soften the Buy American provisions one more tool in their arsenal.
But when asked it Fort Frances would follow North Bay's lead, Mayor Roy Avis says he doesn't think its something his council will consider.
North Bay Mayor Victor Fedeli sent letters to the mayors of three U-S cities where North Bay made large purchases recently asking them to consider the local impacts had his city not made those buys.
Now, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is suggesting other mayors do the same.
Fedeli says it will give officials working to soften the Buy American provisions one more tool in their arsenal.
But when asked it Fort Frances would follow North Bay's lead, Mayor Roy Avis says he doesn't think its something his council will consider.
Weather Impacts Paving
Weather is playing a role in efforts to complete paving projects in Fort Frances.
Paving of Central Avenue was planned for last week, but Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says temperatures weren't conducive for laying asphalt.
"You have to a temperature of 7 C and rising," says Brown.
Brown says crews are now looking to the end of this week to pave the area, weather permitting.
Paving of Central Avenue was planned for last week, but Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says temperatures weren't conducive for laying asphalt.
"You have to a temperature of 7 C and rising," says Brown.
Brown says crews are now looking to the end of this week to pave the area, weather permitting.
Camp Purchase Finalized
The town of Fort Frances has formally agreed to purchasing Sunny Cove Camp.
Tuesday night, councillors gave their blessing to purchasing the more than 50-year old camp from the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club for one dollar.
Mayor Roy Avis says the acquisition will be a good one for the area.
"I think that council and administration have review very diligently the acquisition of this," Says Avis, "and I think over the next few years it will prove to be a win-win situation for this community and the district."
Immediate plans by the town call for establishing an advisory committee and upgrading the park's water system.
Tuesday night, councillors gave their blessing to purchasing the more than 50-year old camp from the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club for one dollar.
Mayor Roy Avis says the acquisition will be a good one for the area.
"I think that council and administration have review very diligently the acquisition of this," Says Avis, "and I think over the next few years it will prove to be a win-win situation for this community and the district."
Immediate plans by the town call for establishing an advisory committee and upgrading the park's water system.
Safety Zones Requested
A request to improve pedestrian safety in the west end of Fort Frances.
Members of the town's Active Transportation Committee want a community safety zone declared between Legion Park and McIrvine Road, a school safety zone around J.W. Walker School and a crossing guard at Keating Avenue and Kings Highway.
Committee member OPP Constable Anne McCoy told council last night their support was important to improving safety in their area.
"I'd like to see the town take a pro-active approach when it comes to making a positive change in pedestrian safety for our kids," said McCoy. "I'd like see a start with this initiative and see how it grows."
McCoy says the committee been able to gain the support of other agencies with other safety initiatives for the area.
Members of the town's Active Transportation Committee want a community safety zone declared between Legion Park and McIrvine Road, a school safety zone around J.W. Walker School and a crossing guard at Keating Avenue and Kings Highway.
Committee member OPP Constable Anne McCoy told council last night their support was important to improving safety in their area.
"I'd like to see the town take a pro-active approach when it comes to making a positive change in pedestrian safety for our kids," said McCoy. "I'd like see a start with this initiative and see how it grows."
McCoy says the committee been able to gain the support of other agencies with other safety initiatives for the area.
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