Fort Frances Lakers dropped a pair of home games on the weekend.
Yesterday, Lakers fell 8-0 to the Fort William North Stars in game that saw 10 players ejected in the third period.
Friday, the Lakers lost 4-3 to the the K & A Wolverines in a shootout.
Fort Frances Thunderhawks were forced to cancel their weekend series with the Thunder Bay Twins.
No official reason has been given, but a published report suggests it was due in part to the Thunderhawks not having enough players officially registered with Hockey Northwestern Ontario in time to be covered by Hockey Canada insurance.
No make up dates have been announced.
The Rolling Lake Thunder and Esso Atom girls hockey teams played to a pair of ties on the weekend, 0-0 Friday and 3-3 Sunday.
In Sunday game, Annaliese Hayes with 2 and Jenna Clendenning scored for the Thunder.
Emma Nova with a pair and Maddy Morrison responded for Esso.
The Fort Frances NorFab Flames peewee girls rep team fell 6-2 to the Fort Frances Firemen peewee boys team Sunday.
Amber Jourdain and Amy Penner scored for the Flames.
Cameron Turriff led the Firemen with a hat-trick.
Austin Angus with a pair and Tanner Angus had the other goals.
Rainy River Voyageurs women's hockey team split a pair of home games against the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.
Saturday, UMD scored three times in the third to earn a 3-2 win.
Yesterday, the Voyageurs got goals from four different players in a 4-1 win.
Sioux Lookout is the site of the NORWOSSA 'A' Playoffs today.
The Rainy River Owls junior girls basketball team is up against Red Lake this afternoon in a bid to play Kenora's Thomas Aquinas in tomorrow's final.
Atikokan's senior boys volleyball team is playing Red Lake with the winner advancing to tomorrow's final against Thomas Aquinas.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Cat Lake Plane Crash
Three people have been killed in a plane crash in a remote part of northwestern Ontario.
An official at CFB Trenton says the wreckage and bodies were spotted by a search and rescue crew Sunday evening about 20 kilometres from Cat Lake First Nation, north of Dryden.
The Lockhart Air Service charter plane with three people aboard left Sioux Lookout for Cat Lake on Friday.
The plane was reported overdue late that evening and a search was launched.
No word yet on the identities of the victims.
An official at CFB Trenton says the wreckage and bodies were spotted by a search and rescue crew Sunday evening about 20 kilometres from Cat Lake First Nation, north of Dryden.
The Lockhart Air Service charter plane with three people aboard left Sioux Lookout for Cat Lake on Friday.
The plane was reported overdue late that evening and a search was launched.
No word yet on the identities of the victims.
College Look Changing
The face of Confederation College is changing.
Seventy-per-cent of this year's first year students did not attend high school the previous year.
Coordinator of Counselling Services Jim Lees says the economy and changes within the workplace have forced many people back to school.
"We have the forest industry not doing very well and lots of people coming back into the learning environment who are into their 30's, 40's and sometimes in their 50's," says Lees. "The different generations definitely have different expectations about school. They process information differently. They have different work styles and they have very different attitudes toward authority."
Lees notes it's interesting to see the so-called baby boomer generation learning how to use a mouse alongside a generation of students who have never known a world without Internet.
Seventy-per-cent of this year's first year students did not attend high school the previous year.
Coordinator of Counselling Services Jim Lees says the economy and changes within the workplace have forced many people back to school.
"We have the forest industry not doing very well and lots of people coming back into the learning environment who are into their 30's, 40's and sometimes in their 50's," says Lees. "The different generations definitely have different expectations about school. They process information differently. They have different work styles and they have very different attitudes toward authority."
Lees notes it's interesting to see the so-called baby boomer generation learning how to use a mouse alongside a generation of students who have never known a world without Internet.
More School Closures Possible
An education advocacy group says Ontario will see an unprecedented number of school closings unless funding models are updated.
In a report due out later today, People for Education says schools are threatened by an ever-shrinking school-age population due to declining birth rates.
It says 172 Ontario schools are slated or recommended to close over the next three years and another 163 are under review.
In a report due out later today, People for Education says schools are threatened by an ever-shrinking school-age population due to declining birth rates.
It says 172 Ontario schools are slated or recommended to close over the next three years and another 163 are under review.
Student Leadership Fostered
A new student leadership program has been set up by the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says they're now in the process of identifying students for the program aimed at giving them a stronger voice in their schools.
"The kids are going to get a chance to create a student leadership environment in each of our schools," says Kelly, "and be able to initiate community activities, moral and exciting activities within the culture of the school."
Kelly says plans includes bringing students from all of the schools together through a video-conference session and to a regional event in Thunder Bay in the future.
Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says they're now in the process of identifying students for the program aimed at giving them a stronger voice in their schools.
"The kids are going to get a chance to create a student leadership environment in each of our schools," says Kelly, "and be able to initiate community activities, moral and exciting activities within the culture of the school."
Kelly says plans includes bringing students from all of the schools together through a video-conference session and to a regional event in Thunder Bay in the future.
Unions Opposing Dalton Days
Ontario government unions don't want any part of Dalton Days.
The premier has raised the idea of unpaid days off for public sector workers to help deal with the province's record $25-billion deficit.
But CUPE, OPSEU and the Ontario Nurses Association say the Liberals should not try to resurrect former NDP premier Bob Rae's idea of unpaid days off -- or Rae Days.
Union leaders say there must be consultations and negotiations.
The premier has raised the idea of unpaid days off for public sector workers to help deal with the province's record $25-billion deficit.
But CUPE, OPSEU and the Ontario Nurses Association say the Liberals should not try to resurrect former NDP premier Bob Rae's idea of unpaid days off -- or Rae Days.
Union leaders say there must be consultations and negotiations.
Rafferty Fighting HST
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is on a crusade to kill the harmonized sales tax in Ontario.
Rafferty tabled a motion in the House of Commons last week calling on the federal government to cancel the $4.3 billion dollars it intends to give the province for harmonizing the PST and GST.
Rafferty is also planning to tour the province to solicit support to the motion.
"What I'm hoping we can generate some support," says Rafferty, "the same kind of anti-HST support there is out in B.C. right now to get Ontarians fire-up to really start thinking about what HST means to them and their families.
Rafferty says the planned HST will hurt seniors and those on fixed incomes the most.
Rafferty tabled a motion in the House of Commons last week calling on the federal government to cancel the $4.3 billion dollars it intends to give the province for harmonizing the PST and GST.
Rafferty is also planning to tour the province to solicit support to the motion.
"What I'm hoping we can generate some support," says Rafferty, "the same kind of anti-HST support there is out in B.C. right now to get Ontarians fire-up to really start thinking about what HST means to them and their families.
Rafferty says the planned HST will hurt seniors and those on fixed incomes the most.
Local Sports for Friday November 6
Fort Frances' newest senior hockey club will play its first game this weekend.
The Thunderhawks, which are made up of former pro, college and junior players, are hosting the Thunder Bay Twins for a pair of games.
General Manager Dean Bruyere feels the team can be competitive.
Saturday the Thunderhawks will play in Fort Frances at 6:45 p.m. and again in Emo Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fort Frances Lakers are at home for a pair of games this weekend.
Friday they face the K & A Wolverines at the Ice for Kids Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday the Lakers do battle against the Fort William North Stars beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
Fort Frances NorFab Flames peewee girls rep team faces off against the Fort Frances Firemen Peewee boys team on Sunday.
Game time at the 52 Canadian Arena is 6 p.m.
The Thunderhawks, which are made up of former pro, college and junior players, are hosting the Thunder Bay Twins for a pair of games.
General Manager Dean Bruyere feels the team can be competitive.
Saturday the Thunderhawks will play in Fort Frances at 6:45 p.m. and again in Emo Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fort Frances Lakers are at home for a pair of games this weekend.
Friday they face the K & A Wolverines at the Ice for Kids Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday the Lakers do battle against the Fort William North Stars beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
Fort Frances NorFab Flames peewee girls rep team faces off against the Fort Frances Firemen Peewee boys team on Sunday.
Game time at the 52 Canadian Arena is 6 p.m.
October Weather
It was a cooler than normal October weather wise in the Fort Frances area.
Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says the average temperature was about half the normal average.
"Average temperature was 2.8 C," says Coulson, "and the normal average temperature for October should be around 5.1 C.
Coulson says the area also experienced about 96-millimetres of rain which was almost double what is received normally.
Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says the average temperature was about half the normal average.
"Average temperature was 2.8 C," says Coulson, "and the normal average temperature for October should be around 5.1 C.
Coulson says the area also experienced about 96-millimetres of rain which was almost double what is received normally.
Advance Placement Program Students Test Scores
Fort Frances High School enrolled in an advanced placement program scored high in recent testing.
The program provides students with an curriculum to help students achieve advanced standing in college or university courses.
Teacher Cathy Bruyere says local results were better than both national and international rates.
"Our students fared very well," says Bruyere, "compared to the national average which was 75.6 per cent of students achieved a level three or better. Our students achieved 83 per cent. On the global average only 74 per cent of students achieved the same result so I think our students did very well."
More than 300,000 students across the world wrote the mandatory test last spring.
The program provides students with an curriculum to help students achieve advanced standing in college or university courses.
Teacher Cathy Bruyere says local results were better than both national and international rates.
"Our students fared very well," says Bruyere, "compared to the national average which was 75.6 per cent of students achieved a level three or better. Our students achieved 83 per cent. On the global average only 74 per cent of students achieved the same result so I think our students did very well."
More than 300,000 students across the world wrote the mandatory test last spring.
Chambers Seats to be Filled
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is looking to fill some vacancies on its board of directors.
Chamber Manager Anthony Mason says as many as two seats need to be filled at the board level with two other position opening at the executive level.
First vice-president Pam Anderson moved away and past-president Christine Denby has indicated plans to step down.
The chamber will hold its elections November 24.
Chamber Manager Anthony Mason says as many as two seats need to be filled at the board level with two other position opening at the executive level.
First vice-president Pam Anderson moved away and past-president Christine Denby has indicated plans to step down.
The chamber will hold its elections November 24.
Home-Based Businesses Promoted
Some home-based businesses in the Rainy River district are preparing to move into more visible surroundings.
Several of the small businesses will be setting up shop at the Clover Valley Farmer's Market this month.
Jessica Ogden, a Tupperware consultant in Fort Frances, says they want to bring more awareness to the district of these types of businesses.
"I just wanted to build my business," says Ogden, "so I thought there were others in the community who wanted to build their businesses as well. There's going to be a range of people there so it's just a way of letting people know we are out there."
Ogden says they'll be using the market every Saturday throughout the month to determine local response.
Several of the small businesses will be setting up shop at the Clover Valley Farmer's Market this month.
Jessica Ogden, a Tupperware consultant in Fort Frances, says they want to bring more awareness to the district of these types of businesses.
"I just wanted to build my business," says Ogden, "so I thought there were others in the community who wanted to build their businesses as well. There's going to be a range of people there so it's just a way of letting people know we are out there."
Ogden says they'll be using the market every Saturday throughout the month to determine local response.
Downtown Shop Owners Polled
Businesses in Fort Frances' downtown are being asked if they want to participate in a recycling program.
The Fort Frances Business Improvement Association had asked its members being included in curbside pick-up now provided to residential areas.
The town feels its a service businesses should be paying for.
The B.I.A. is now polling businesses, asking if they would support a blue-box program costing them $42-per-year or if the town should be providing the service at no cost or paid out of its yearly taxes.
The Fort Frances Business Improvement Association had asked its members being included in curbside pick-up now provided to residential areas.
The town feels its a service businesses should be paying for.
The B.I.A. is now polling businesses, asking if they would support a blue-box program costing them $42-per-year or if the town should be providing the service at no cost or paid out of its yearly taxes.
Vaccine for Pregnant Women Available
The Northwestern Health Unit has received its first shipment of unadjuvanted vaccine reserved for pregnant women.
The health unit is making the vaccine available only by appointment through its local offices.
Priority will be given to pregnant women without access to a family doctor, those with pre-existing health conditions and healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy.
Healthy pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy may be asked to wait until a second shipment arrives.
The health unit is making the vaccine available only by appointment through its local offices.
Priority will be given to pregnant women without access to a family doctor, those with pre-existing health conditions and healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy.
Healthy pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy may be asked to wait until a second shipment arrives.
Local Sports for Thursday November 5
Fort Frances Lakers two-game winning streak was stopped in Sioux Lookout last night with a 7-4 loss to the Lakers.
Lakers host the K & A Wolverines Friday.
Lakers host the K & A Wolverines Friday.
Polar Plunge Seeks Participants
The Voyageur Lion's Club wants you to start thinking about jumping in the lake.
The club is again preparing for its annual Polar Plunge and is soliciting people or organizations interested in being a part of the January 1st event.
Club member Val Martindale says getting people interested now can help them raise money for the event.
"We want people to get out their and get their pledges early," says Martindale. "It's not too early to start thinking about it because it will be here before we know it and we don't want people to get caught up thinking about Christmas and forget about it."
Those interested in taking part can contact Jim or Val Martindale.
The club is again preparing for its annual Polar Plunge and is soliciting people or organizations interested in being a part of the January 1st event.
Club member Val Martindale says getting people interested now can help them raise money for the event.
"We want people to get out their and get their pledges early," says Martindale. "It's not too early to start thinking about it because it will be here before we know it and we don't want people to get caught up thinking about Christmas and forget about it."
Those interested in taking part can contact Jim or Val Martindale.
Royal Winter Fair Begins
Northern Ontario will have a strong presence at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto.
The annual event, now in its 87th year, showcases Canada's agricultural industry to consumers and corporate buyers.
The Fair's CEO Bill Bill Duron says the fair always has a large northern Ontario contingent, some of which have enjoyed success as a result.
"A couple of years ago there was a wild rice producer who meet with the Chef of Via Rail," says Duron, "and they signed a two-year contract for his total supply of rice to Via Rail."
The fair opens Friday and runs through to the middle of the month.
The annual event, now in its 87th year, showcases Canada's agricultural industry to consumers and corporate buyers.
The Fair's CEO Bill Bill Duron says the fair always has a large northern Ontario contingent, some of which have enjoyed success as a result.
"A couple of years ago there was a wild rice producer who meet with the Chef of Via Rail," says Duron, "and they signed a two-year contract for his total supply of rice to Via Rail."
The fair opens Friday and runs through to the middle of the month.
Dalton Days?
Civil servants in Ontario may be in for some ''Dalton Days.''
Premier Dalton McGuinty is giving his strongest indication that civil servants may have to take unpaid days off to help eliminate the deficit.
McGuinty told a gathering in Niagara-on-the-Lake the public sector has a duty to help eliminate the 25-billion-dollar deficit.
Former N-D-P premier Bob Rae proposed a similar strategy to deal with a deficit in the early 1990's, which the unions condemned as "Rae Days.''
Premier Dalton McGuinty is giving his strongest indication that civil servants may have to take unpaid days off to help eliminate the deficit.
McGuinty told a gathering in Niagara-on-the-Lake the public sector has a duty to help eliminate the 25-billion-dollar deficit.
Former N-D-P premier Bob Rae proposed a similar strategy to deal with a deficit in the early 1990's, which the unions condemned as "Rae Days.''
Flu Vaccine Diminishing
Some immunization clinics in Ontario may have to close in the next few days because the supply of vaccine is expected to run out.
Health Minister Deb Matthews can't say when each health unit is expected to run dry but says the situation means many in the high priority groups won't get their flu shot for a while.
The federal government is shipping almost two-million doses of the regular vaccine next week, but its not certain how much of that is coming to Ontario.
Health Minister Deb Matthews can't say when each health unit is expected to run dry but says the situation means many in the high priority groups won't get their flu shot for a while.
The federal government is shipping almost two-million doses of the regular vaccine next week, but its not certain how much of that is coming to Ontario.
H1N1 Flu Clinic Update
Residents in the Kenora-Rainy River area seem to be heeding the advice of local health officials in getting their H1N1 flu shot.
Director of Health Protection for the Northwestern Health Unit Arlene Lesenke says numbers for the first week alone exceeded expectations.
"We have in one week delivered 5,800 doses of vaccine," says Lesenke. "This is 50 per cent of the normal total we would immunize in a flu season from November to March. We've done that in one week.
Lesenke says there have been some changes to its flu clinic schedule with local offices offering additional clinics as required.
Director of Health Protection for the Northwestern Health Unit Arlene Lesenke says numbers for the first week alone exceeded expectations.
"We have in one week delivered 5,800 doses of vaccine," says Lesenke. "This is 50 per cent of the normal total we would immunize in a flu season from November to March. We've done that in one week.
Lesenke says there have been some changes to its flu clinic schedule with local offices offering additional clinics as required.
Long Gun Vote Applauded
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is applauding a vote in the House of Commons to repeal the Federal Long Gun Registry.
Second reading of a private members bill was passed Wednesday afternoon.
OFAH spokesperson Greg Ferrant says its step in the right direction.
"This is just a step. This is not the end of the road," says Ferrant. "It's a very important watershed in this long campaign around this issue, but there is a legislative process that must still be followed. It will be some time before the bill itself will be passed, but we're very pleased with what has transpired."
The bill still has to go before a commons committee for review, but Ferrant says the legislation seems to have some momentum.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty was among several New Democrats to support the Conservative private members bill.
Rafferty says his vote was based on local input provided through a survey in which 96 per cent of respondents felt the registry should be abolished.
Rafferty says he'll been maintaining his support for the bill when it comes back to the house for a final reading.
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