A Fort Frances woman will face sentencing in December after pleading guilty to a number of drug-related charges in Superior Court last week.
Carolyn Fedorak was one of several people charged by OPP in two separate investigations last year.
During a hearing last week, Fedorak plead guilty to three drug possession charges stemming from a January 2008 incident and charges of trafficking and breach of an undertaking laid during a May 2008 investigation by police.
Four other charges were dropped.
Charges against five other individuals laid during the two incidents by police were also withdrawn by the Crown.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Luncheon of Hope
The Luncheon of Hope returns to Fort Frances this week.
The event, hosted by the Rainy River District Breast Health Network, is designed to bring awareness to women about total breast health and the importance of getting a mammogram.
Network Chair Teresa Hazel says Doctor Carole Spread, who spoke to group in 2007, returns as guest speaker.
"She spoke from a surgical perspective and talk about breast cancer prevention strategies and the treatment options that are out there right now," says Hazel. "Subsequent to the event, Dr. Spread was diagnosed with breast cancer and she's coming back to speak about her own personal journey with breast cancer."
Tickets for the Saturday, October 24th event can be picked up a variety of locations including the Emo Health Centre, Rainy River Health Centre and LaVerendrye Hospital.
The event, hosted by the Rainy River District Breast Health Network, is designed to bring awareness to women about total breast health and the importance of getting a mammogram.
Network Chair Teresa Hazel says Doctor Carole Spread, who spoke to group in 2007, returns as guest speaker.
"She spoke from a surgical perspective and talk about breast cancer prevention strategies and the treatment options that are out there right now," says Hazel. "Subsequent to the event, Dr. Spread was diagnosed with breast cancer and she's coming back to speak about her own personal journey with breast cancer."
Tickets for the Saturday, October 24th event can be picked up a variety of locations including the Emo Health Centre, Rainy River Health Centre and LaVerendrye Hospital.
H1N1 Vaccine Delivered
The federal government has shipped out the first doses of the H1N1 pandemic flu vaccine to the provinces and territories.
An unnamed official with the Public Health Agency of Canada says the decision was made to ship out the vaccines early so that local health officials would have immediate access to it once it's approved by Ottawa.
Northwestern Health Unit's Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs said last week he hoped H1N1 clinics in this district could be up and running within the next two weeks.
Meantime, influenza activity in Ontario was slightly higher during the week of October 4th compared to the previous week.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care says the rate of influenza-like illness continues to be above average for this time of year.
An unnamed official with the Public Health Agency of Canada says the decision was made to ship out the vaccines early so that local health officials would have immediate access to it once it's approved by Ottawa.
Northwestern Health Unit's Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs said last week he hoped H1N1 clinics in this district could be up and running within the next two weeks.
Meantime, influenza activity in Ontario was slightly higher during the week of October 4th compared to the previous week.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care says the rate of influenza-like illness continues to be above average for this time of year.
OPSEU Still Fights for Students Back-pay
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union continues to fight for vacation and statutory holiday pay for students who worked with the Ontario government this past summer.
OPSEU says the government avoided making the payments by exempting itself from a section of the Employment Standards Act.
President Warren Thomas says the union isn't giving up on trying to get students their money.
"We'll keep the heat up all winter long," says Thomas. "It is on our agenda with our central employer-employee relations committee. We'll continue to keep (the issue) alive until they fix it."
Thomas estimates more than five-thousand students lost up to $800 each by the government's decision.
OPSEU says the government avoided making the payments by exempting itself from a section of the Employment Standards Act.
President Warren Thomas says the union isn't giving up on trying to get students their money.
"We'll keep the heat up all winter long," says Thomas. "It is on our agenda with our central employer-employee relations committee. We'll continue to keep (the issue) alive until they fix it."
Thomas estimates more than five-thousand students lost up to $800 each by the government's decision.
Artist Workshop Planned
There will be some professional development for local artists this week.
Lila Cano, co-ordinator with the Thunder Bay-based Community Arts and Heritage Project visits Fort Frances to provide support to local efforts.
Fort Frances Museum curator Pam Hawley says a session tomorrow is designed to help artisans bring their talents to the classroom.
"Any artists who think they want to work with the community, with schools or with community groups are being encourage to attend," says Hawley. "(They'll) learn a bit more how to educate learners, what it's like to go into a classroom, some tips on working with schools in the community and how to develop their arts education portfolio."
Another workshop on Thursday will focus on the development of local education project in this area.
Tomorrow's workshop will be held at the Fort Frances museum beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Lila Cano, co-ordinator with the Thunder Bay-based Community Arts and Heritage Project visits Fort Frances to provide support to local efforts.
Fort Frances Museum curator Pam Hawley says a session tomorrow is designed to help artisans bring their talents to the classroom.
"Any artists who think they want to work with the community, with schools or with community groups are being encourage to attend," says Hawley. "(They'll) learn a bit more how to educate learners, what it's like to go into a classroom, some tips on working with schools in the community and how to develop their arts education portfolio."
Another workshop on Thursday will focus on the development of local education project in this area.
Tomorrow's workshop will be held at the Fort Frances museum beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Second Career Program Popular
Several area residents are taking advantage of a provincial program that helps them retrain for a second career.
Ontario's Second Career program covers the cost of training for eligible laid-off workers.
Executive Director of NCDS Career Works Jenny Greenhalgh says its helped about 130 people in this district.
"Ontario provided funds approximately $2-million over the past sixteen months to allow local people to be retrained," says Greenhalgh.
Greenhalgh says paramedic training, business accounting and personal support worker are some of the programs where laid-off workers have been drawn to.
Ontario's Second Career program covers the cost of training for eligible laid-off workers.
Executive Director of NCDS Career Works Jenny Greenhalgh says its helped about 130 people in this district.
"Ontario provided funds approximately $2-million over the past sixteen months to allow local people to be retrained," says Greenhalgh.
Greenhalgh says paramedic training, business accounting and personal support worker are some of the programs where laid-off workers have been drawn to.
Drug Action Team Busy
Several individuals face a variety of drug charges as a result of three separate investigations involving members of the new Fort Frances Community Drug Action Team.
Among them the discovery of an indoor marijuana grow operation at a Victoria Avenue home Wednesday where 110 marijuana plants, four pounds of marijuana shake along with hydroponic grow equipment and drug paraphernalia were seized.
Constable Anne McCoy says its a significant seizure for the team formed this past summer, and that worked along side other sections of the OPP in the cases.
"They've been working very hard pulling in their resources and gathering information," says McCoy. "It just shows the amount of work the officers are doing. It's starting to pay off."
An unidentified man will appear in court in December in connection with the Victoria Avenue incident.
Two other men will appear in court next month after OPP seized 49 grams of marijuana from a Church Street home on September 28th.
While one woman and two men are in court in November after 17 marijuana plants were discovered at an outdoor grow operation in LaVallee township.
Among them the discovery of an indoor marijuana grow operation at a Victoria Avenue home Wednesday where 110 marijuana plants, four pounds of marijuana shake along with hydroponic grow equipment and drug paraphernalia were seized.
Constable Anne McCoy says its a significant seizure for the team formed this past summer, and that worked along side other sections of the OPP in the cases.
"They've been working very hard pulling in their resources and gathering information," says McCoy. "It just shows the amount of work the officers are doing. It's starting to pay off."
An unidentified man will appear in court in December in connection with the Victoria Avenue incident.
Two other men will appear in court next month after OPP seized 49 grams of marijuana from a Church Street home on September 28th.
While one woman and two men are in court in November after 17 marijuana plants were discovered at an outdoor grow operation in LaVallee township.
Terry Fox Run Total Released
The money has been counted from area school's participation in last month's National Terry Fox School Run Day.
More than 16-thousand dollars was raised by students and staff with the Rainy River District School Board during the September 25th event.
Along with their participating in the walk, schools also raised money for cancer research through donations and bake sales.
Schools were held assemblies to celebrate the legacy of Terry Fox, while some students heard first hand from a local cancer survivor.
More than 16-thousand dollars was raised by students and staff with the Rainy River District School Board during the September 25th event.
Along with their participating in the walk, schools also raised money for cancer research through donations and bake sales.
Schools were held assemblies to celebrate the legacy of Terry Fox, while some students heard first hand from a local cancer survivor.
Apprecenticeship Grants Available
The provincial government is providing grants to encourage workers to complete an apprenticeship.
Those who complete the training successfully will get up to two-thousand dollars.
There are also grants of up to $15,000 per term to help with schooling costs.
Employers who successfully train apprentices will get up to $1,000.
Those who complete the training successfully will get up to two-thousand dollars.
There are also grants of up to $15,000 per term to help with schooling costs.
Employers who successfully train apprentices will get up to $1,000.
Residential School Committee Begins Work in 2010
The national panel mandated to document the history of abuse of natives at residential schools starts work next spring when it meets in Winnipeg.
Chair Murray Sinclair says the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will have its first gathering then.
The commission has a five-year mandate to document the history of residential schools and develop a national resource centre.
Chair Murray Sinclair says the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will have its first gathering then.
The commission has a five-year mandate to document the history of residential schools and develop a national resource centre.
Financial Update Thursday
Ontario taxpayers will find out next week just how hard the recession has hit the province's economy.
There are expectations the numbers will be shocking, but Premier Dalton McGuinty isn't saying whether he might follow Alberta's lead in trying reduce Ontario's more than 18-billion dollar deficit by freezing public servant wages and having cabinet ministers take pay cuts.
McGuinty has warned the province will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months, but he hasn't talked about which programs could be cut.
There are expectations the numbers will be shocking, but Premier Dalton McGuinty isn't saying whether he might follow Alberta's lead in trying reduce Ontario's more than 18-billion dollar deficit by freezing public servant wages and having cabinet ministers take pay cuts.
McGuinty has warned the province will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months, but he hasn't talked about which programs could be cut.
150 Over 50 Challenge
The Ontario Breast Screening Program wants to see 150 women over the age of 50 get their breasts checked in a one-day challenge.
The 150 over 50 campaign takes place across northwestern Ontario on Monday October 26th.
Manager of Cancer Screening, Lori Della Vedova hopes it will encourage more women in the region get tested.
"In northwestern Ontario only half of the eligible women are being screened," says Della Vedova. "We know there are a lot of ladies that need to be screened because they fit the age criteria of over 50 but are not being screened."
The 12-hour breast screening day will be held at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.
The 150 over 50 campaign takes place across northwestern Ontario on Monday October 26th.
Manager of Cancer Screening, Lori Della Vedova hopes it will encourage more women in the region get tested.
"In northwestern Ontario only half of the eligible women are being screened," says Della Vedova. "We know there are a lot of ladies that need to be screened because they fit the age criteria of over 50 but are not being screened."
The 12-hour breast screening day will be held at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.
Nursing Unit Consolidation Moves Ahead
The move towards a single nursing floor at LaVerendrye Hospital continues.
Riverside Health Care is currently in the process of moving patients from its Complex Continuing Care and Pediatrics units to the St. Andrew's wing of the Fort Frances hospital
CEO Wayne Woods says for the visiting public there will be very little impact.
"If people are coming in to visit, they'll be visiting their patients on a different floor," says Woods. "That's the only change they're going to see."
Woods admits there will be some impact staffing, but the exact number isn't immediately known.
The temporary consolidation is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
Riverside Health Care is currently in the process of moving patients from its Complex Continuing Care and Pediatrics units to the St. Andrew's wing of the Fort Frances hospital
CEO Wayne Woods says for the visiting public there will be very little impact.
"If people are coming in to visit, they'll be visiting their patients on a different floor," says Woods. "That's the only change they're going to see."
Woods admits there will be some impact staffing, but the exact number isn't immediately known.
The temporary consolidation is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
Take Back the Night Tonight
Organizers of the Take Back the Night walk are expecting a large turnout.
Tonight's event, held to raise public aware awareness of abuse in the district and across Canada, is being organized by high school students at Atikokan and Fort Frances.
Nick Richard, one of the organizers and a grade 10 students from Atikokan, says its important to have such a walk.
"This is very important because its a really bad problem in Canada and northwestern Ontario especially," says Richard. "Everyone needs to that its out there."
The walk begins in front of the Adventure Inn at 6 p.m. ending at Pizza Hut.
Tonight's event, held to raise public aware awareness of abuse in the district and across Canada, is being organized by high school students at Atikokan and Fort Frances.
Nick Richard, one of the organizers and a grade 10 students from Atikokan, says its important to have such a walk.
"This is very important because its a really bad problem in Canada and northwestern Ontario especially," says Richard. "Everyone needs to that its out there."
The walk begins in front of the Adventure Inn at 6 p.m. ending at Pizza Hut.
Flu Shots Available for Some
The Northwestern Health Unit is now offering seasonal flu shots - but only to residents 65 and older.
Its the first phase of how the Health Unit will administer vaccinations for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu strains this year.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says only seniors can get their seasonal flu shot at Health Unit office now.
"The reason for that is that they tend to have some immunity because of their age and previous exposures to the H1N1," says Arthurs, "so there greatest risk is seasonal flu, not H1N1."
Seasonal flu shots for those under 65 likely won't be available until early January, but Arthurs says clinics for the H1N1 flu could begin within the next couple of weeks.
Its the first phase of how the Health Unit will administer vaccinations for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu strains this year.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says only seniors can get their seasonal flu shot at Health Unit office now.
"The reason for that is that they tend to have some immunity because of their age and previous exposures to the H1N1," says Arthurs, "so there greatest risk is seasonal flu, not H1N1."
Seasonal flu shots for those under 65 likely won't be available until early January, but Arthurs says clinics for the H1N1 flu could begin within the next couple of weeks.
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