OPP continue their watch for drunk drivers this holiday season.
More than 18-thousand vehicles have been stopped in RIDE spot-checks across the province since the Festive Campaign began in November.
In the Rainy River district, over 44-hundred vehicles have been stopped with just one impaired driving charge laid.
Two motorists saw their licenses suspended for recording a blood alcohol level of between 0.05 and 0.08.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Local Sports for Monday December 21
A good day at the track for Steve Arpin at Daytona Speedway this weekend.
Driving for Venturini Motorsports, Arpin posted consistent lap times that kept him among the top three in three days of testing.
He finished the weekend with the sixth fastest time Sunday morning and thirteenth among 63 drivers Sunday afternoon.
Arpin's first ARCA race in 2010 will be at Daytona in February.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team fell 2-1 to Babbit Saturday.
Carlee Bosma had the lone Muskies goal.
Friday, the girls defeated Red Lake in NORWOSSA action 8-2.
Danielle Jean and Nicole Beadle each had a pair of goals with singles off the sticks of Jillian Langtry, Jesse Baker, Taylor Dixon and Carlee Bosma.
Melissa Payne got the win in net.
Muskies boys hockey team defeated Kittson County Central 6-4.
Donovan Cousineau and Nick Kaun each scored twice with Brett McMahon and Dustin Brown getting the others.
Wes Brown stopped 17 shots for the win.
In the Falls, the Broncos boys team dropped a pair of games on the weekend, losing 1-0 to Thief River Falls Saturday on the heels of a 5-3 loss to Virginia Friday.
The Broncos girls were 3-1 winners in their game Friday against Thief River Falls.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey team lost 8-4 to Minnetonka in the consolation game of a tournament in that Minnesota community.
Jake Hawley, Brandon Sinclair, Tarran Romyn and Ryan Lundy scored for the Canadians who had earlier defeated Eden Prairie 6-3 and lost to White Bear Lake Friday 5-3.
In high school basketball, Fort Frances Muskies defeated International Falls in a boys game Friday 63-35.
The Broncos girls team beat Cook in overtime Friday 69-68.
The Rainy River Community College men's basketball team dropped a pair of games, 77-61 to Ridgewater Friday and 77-54 to Fergus Falls on Saturday.
Two Falls High School teams in action tonight.
The Broncos girls hockey team will travel to Babbit for a game against the Knights.
The Broncos boys basketball team will host Littlefork-Big Falls - 7:30 at Falls High School
A split of games against St. Scholastica a couple of weeks ago has dropped the Rainy River Community College women's hockey team's ranking in the ACHA.
The Voyageurs are now tied for third with St. Scholastica in the west division.
Driving for Venturini Motorsports, Arpin posted consistent lap times that kept him among the top three in three days of testing.
He finished the weekend with the sixth fastest time Sunday morning and thirteenth among 63 drivers Sunday afternoon.
Arpin's first ARCA race in 2010 will be at Daytona in February.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team fell 2-1 to Babbit Saturday.
Carlee Bosma had the lone Muskies goal.
Friday, the girls defeated Red Lake in NORWOSSA action 8-2.
Danielle Jean and Nicole Beadle each had a pair of goals with singles off the sticks of Jillian Langtry, Jesse Baker, Taylor Dixon and Carlee Bosma.
Melissa Payne got the win in net.
Muskies boys hockey team defeated Kittson County Central 6-4.
Donovan Cousineau and Nick Kaun each scored twice with Brett McMahon and Dustin Brown getting the others.
Wes Brown stopped 17 shots for the win.
In the Falls, the Broncos boys team dropped a pair of games on the weekend, losing 1-0 to Thief River Falls Saturday on the heels of a 5-3 loss to Virginia Friday.
The Broncos girls were 3-1 winners in their game Friday against Thief River Falls.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey team lost 8-4 to Minnetonka in the consolation game of a tournament in that Minnesota community.
Jake Hawley, Brandon Sinclair, Tarran Romyn and Ryan Lundy scored for the Canadians who had earlier defeated Eden Prairie 6-3 and lost to White Bear Lake Friday 5-3.
In high school basketball, Fort Frances Muskies defeated International Falls in a boys game Friday 63-35.
The Broncos girls team beat Cook in overtime Friday 69-68.
The Rainy River Community College men's basketball team dropped a pair of games, 77-61 to Ridgewater Friday and 77-54 to Fergus Falls on Saturday.
Two Falls High School teams in action tonight.
The Broncos girls hockey team will travel to Babbit for a game against the Knights.
The Broncos boys basketball team will host Littlefork-Big Falls - 7:30 at Falls High School
A split of games against St. Scholastica a couple of weeks ago has dropped the Rainy River Community College women's hockey team's ranking in the ACHA.
The Voyageurs are now tied for third with St. Scholastica in the west division.
Successful Year for Crimestoppers
Another successful year for the Crimestoppers program in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota.
Executive Director Doug Anderson says 2009 saw an increase in the number of tips received over last year.
"Our program here that covers Ontario and northern Minnesota has been responsible for $7.5 million worth of drugs, stolen property and weapons coming off the streets," says Anderson. "It's something like 140,000 arrests being made. It's absolutely staggering what this little program can put together when some like-minded citizens and sponsors put their will to it."
Anderson adds 2010 will bring changes to their website that will include blogging and other new features.
Executive Director Doug Anderson says 2009 saw an increase in the number of tips received over last year.
"Our program here that covers Ontario and northern Minnesota has been responsible for $7.5 million worth of drugs, stolen property and weapons coming off the streets," says Anderson. "It's something like 140,000 arrests being made. It's absolutely staggering what this little program can put together when some like-minded citizens and sponsors put their will to it."
Anderson adds 2010 will bring changes to their website that will include blogging and other new features.
Tourism Region Defended
Ontario's Tourism Minister is defending the creation of 13 new tourism marketing regions, including one covering all of northwestern Ontario.
Monique Smith says while there have been some nay-sayers, she believes the new marketing regions will help build the tourist industry.
"We've heard from Sunset Country and a few other very strong tourism marketing organizations about their concerns," says Smith. "We recognize that. We hope that Sunset Country can work within the parameters of the northwest region."
Smith says they will also be providing another $25-million to the tourism regions over the next two years to help with the transition.
Monique Smith says while there have been some nay-sayers, she believes the new marketing regions will help build the tourist industry.
"We've heard from Sunset Country and a few other very strong tourism marketing organizations about their concerns," says Smith. "We recognize that. We hope that Sunset Country can work within the parameters of the northwest region."
Smith says they will also be providing another $25-million to the tourism regions over the next two years to help with the transition.
I. Fall Councillors Meet
The proposed 2010 budget and property tax levy is up for discussion at International Falls City Council tonight.
City council is proposing a 17 per cent tax hike to offset the loss of nearly $340-thousand in government state aid payments.
Council will give the public an opportunity to speak on the issue at the meeting which begins at 5:30 p.m. at council chambers.
City council is proposing a 17 per cent tax hike to offset the loss of nearly $340-thousand in government state aid payments.
Council will give the public an opportunity to speak on the issue at the meeting which begins at 5:30 p.m. at council chambers.
Fort Frances Council Agenda
User fees will get another discussion by Fort Frances council tonight.
The town is proposing a 2 per cent increase on most fees this year.
This does not includes sewer and water rates which will be discussed later in the new year.
Also at tonight's meeting, a request for financial assistance for the Fort Frances Lakers will come back to the table.
The junior A hockey club had asked back in September for such things as a cut in ice rental fees.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins about 5:50 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
The town is proposing a 2 per cent increase on most fees this year.
This does not includes sewer and water rates which will be discussed later in the new year.
Also at tonight's meeting, a request for financial assistance for the Fort Frances Lakers will come back to the table.
The junior A hockey club had asked back in September for such things as a cut in ice rental fees.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins about 5:50 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
Three Charged
Three people face drug charges following a a bust by the OPP's Community Drug Action Team last week.
Initially, OPP stopped a vehicle Wednesday in Fort Frances, resulting in one person begin charged with trafficking of Oxycocet and possession of marijuana.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant at a Third Street West home later that day where they seized a quantity of drugs including Oxycocet and arrested and charged two other individuals.
Street value of the drug seized is estimated at over one-thousand dollars.
No names have been released at this time, but all three will appear in Fort Frances Court in late January.
Initially, OPP stopped a vehicle Wednesday in Fort Frances, resulting in one person begin charged with trafficking of Oxycocet and possession of marijuana.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant at a Third Street West home later that day where they seized a quantity of drugs including Oxycocet and arrested and charged two other individuals.
Street value of the drug seized is estimated at over one-thousand dollars.
No names have been released at this time, but all three will appear in Fort Frances Court in late January.
DriveTest Strike Ends
DriveTest facilities should be open for exams the first week of January.
Staff who've been on strike since August have reached a tentative deal with the company.
The company will also be hiring 100 people to deal with the backlog that's expected to take several months to clear.
Staff who've been on strike since August have reached a tentative deal with the company.
The company will also be hiring 100 people to deal with the backlog that's expected to take several months to clear.
Atikokan Fednor Money
Atikokan Economic Development Corporation has received from federal money to assist in business development in that community.
The Community Futures Development Corporation will use half-a-million dollars in investment capital to provide small and medium-sized businesses with repayable loans, loan guarantees and equity investments.
The Community Futures Development Corporation will use half-a-million dollars in investment capital to provide small and medium-sized businesses with repayable loans, loan guarantees and equity investments.
Tourism Region to Proceed
The provincial government is moving forward with plans to create one large tourism marketing organization for all of northwestern Ontario.
The new group will be responsible for marketing an area stretching from Sault Ste. Marie and the Manitoba border.
That job is now being done by a number of small regional groups, including Ontario Sunset Country in this area.
The Province says it will help the industry transition to the new tourism regions by providing 25-million dollars in each of the next two years, along with 40 million in ongoing annual funding announced previously.
The new group will be responsible for marketing an area stretching from Sault Ste. Marie and the Manitoba border.
That job is now being done by a number of small regional groups, including Ontario Sunset Country in this area.
The Province says it will help the industry transition to the new tourism regions by providing 25-million dollars in each of the next two years, along with 40 million in ongoing annual funding announced previously.
Local Sports for Friday December 18
A busy schedule today in local sports.
Fort Frances Lakers end a three-game home-stand tonight with a game against the Fort William North Stars - 7:30 at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team will host Red Lake in the 52 Canadians Rink at 7:30
The boys travel to Red Lake Falls.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team is in Virginia.
The grills team hosts Thief River Falls - 7:30 at Broncos Arena.
Broncos boys basketball team plays Fort Frances Muskies in the Fort while the girls team hosts Cook at Falls High School.
Rainy River Voyageur's men's and women's basketball club compete in tournaments in Central Lakes.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey club travels to a tournament in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Fort Frances Lakers end a three-game home-stand tonight with a game against the Fort William North Stars - 7:30 at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team will host Red Lake in the 52 Canadians Rink at 7:30
The boys travel to Red Lake Falls.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team is in Virginia.
The grills team hosts Thief River Falls - 7:30 at Broncos Arena.
Broncos boys basketball team plays Fort Frances Muskies in the Fort while the girls team hosts Cook at Falls High School.
Rainy River Voyageur's men's and women's basketball club compete in tournaments in Central Lakes.
Fort Frances Canadian Midget AA hockey club travels to a tournament in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
WSIB Appointment
A resident of northwestern Ontario has been named to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Estelle Caines of Dryden is Director of Access Services for the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center.
Estelle Caines of Dryden is Director of Access Services for the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center.
Pension Report
A study for the Ontario government says some seniors would be seriously hurt if the Canadian pension systems stays as it is.
The study finds most people will still be able to depend on a healthy stream of retirement income in the future.
But a number of people are either not covered by a pension plan or are covered by a shaky one that does not pay solid benefits upon retirement.
The study finds most people will still be able to depend on a healthy stream of retirement income in the future.
But a number of people are either not covered by a pension plan or are covered by a shaky one that does not pay solid benefits upon retirement.
Hospital Freeze Proposed
Critics are speaking out against a reported hospital funding freeze.
Health Minister Deb Matthews has reportedly warned she may freeze hospital budgets starting next spring as the provincial government copes with a record deficit.
The most hospitals can hope for is an increase below last year's 2.1 per cent.
Critics say that level forced hospitals to close beds and cut services.
Health Minister Deb Matthews has reportedly warned she may freeze hospital budgets starting next spring as the provincial government copes with a record deficit.
The most hospitals can hope for is an increase below last year's 2.1 per cent.
Critics say that level forced hospitals to close beds and cut services.
Mining Act Consultations Planned
The provincial Mining Act is going through another round of public consultations.
The legislation was passed in the fall, but Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says they want to get feedback on the actual regulations contained in the act.
"A lot of the work is involved in putting the regulations together," says Gravelle, "relating to issues such as the historic dispute resolution process assisted by which we can appropriately withdraw aboriginal cultural sites. Certainly the permitting and planning processes that will be required of a mining company. The move towards map staking for instance. All of these things we are committed to making sure they work."
The consultation period will take place starting in January and run until June.
The legislation was passed in the fall, but Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says they want to get feedback on the actual regulations contained in the act.
"A lot of the work is involved in putting the regulations together," says Gravelle, "relating to issues such as the historic dispute resolution process assisted by which we can appropriately withdraw aboriginal cultural sites. Certainly the permitting and planning processes that will be required of a mining company. The move towards map staking for instance. All of these things we are committed to making sure they work."
The consultation period will take place starting in January and run until June.
Auxiliary Recognized
Some members of the Fort Frances OPP Auxiliary were recognized yesterday by the Fort Frances Police Services Board.
Among them, Murray Alexander, who became an auxiliary officer nine years ago and now serves as an Auxiliary Sergeant Major with the OPP's Northwest Unit.
"I've always like the policing side of it," says Alexander. "It just gave me an opportunity to get on with the police and give back to the community. It's a great job and a lot of fun."
There are approximately 35 auxiliary members throughout northwestern Ontario.
Among them, Murray Alexander, who became an auxiliary officer nine years ago and now serves as an Auxiliary Sergeant Major with the OPP's Northwest Unit.
"I've always like the policing side of it," says Alexander. "It just gave me an opportunity to get on with the police and give back to the community. It's a great job and a lot of fun."
There are approximately 35 auxiliary members throughout northwestern Ontario.
Police Services Board Elections
John McTaggart will continue to serve as chair of the Fort Frances Police Services Board.
McTaggart was reappointed to the position for another year in board elections held yesterday.
Glenn Witherspoon will serve as vice-chair.
McTaggart was reappointed to the position for another year in board elections held yesterday.
Glenn Witherspoon will serve as vice-chair.
Crimestoppers Awards
Some honours for Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.
Executive director Doug Anderson says the organization earned several awards at the International Conference and Awards in Australia.
"It was pretty slick for us," says Anderson. "A lot of Ontario programs did really well, but Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota did exceptionally well. We picked up four awards. One for video. One for print and two for some of the radio stuff we've done."
One of those radio awards went to B-93's sister station in Kenora Mix-FM for special reporting.
Executive director Doug Anderson says the organization earned several awards at the International Conference and Awards in Australia.
"It was pretty slick for us," says Anderson. "A lot of Ontario programs did really well, but Crimestoppers of northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota did exceptionally well. We picked up four awards. One for video. One for print and two for some of the radio stuff we've done."
One of those radio awards went to B-93's sister station in Kenora Mix-FM for special reporting.
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