A former park naturalist for Ontario Parks and long time visitor to Quetico Provincial Park is among those being named to the Order of Ontario.
Shirley Peruniak is known as "the heart and soul'' of Quetico, having spent 35-years studying and promoting the park as one of world-renowned wilderness destinations.
Peruniak officially retired 16 years ago, authored a book about Quetico ten years ago.
She makes her home in Sharbot Lake, north of Kingston, but maintains a cabin in the Atikokan area.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
DNR Talking Trash
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is getting annoyed with the number of bottles, cans and other garbage that's being left on area lakes.
But the Department says identifying the perpetrators is the biggest problem.
Ken Soring, Enforcement manager for the northeast region says wind can also make it difficult to prove where the trash come from and there's not enough Conservation officers to thoroughly enforce litter laws.
Litter is a petty misdemeanour criminal charge in Minnesota with a fine of up to 300-dollars.
But the Department says identifying the perpetrators is the biggest problem.
Ken Soring, Enforcement manager for the northeast region says wind can also make it difficult to prove where the trash come from and there's not enough Conservation officers to thoroughly enforce litter laws.
Litter is a petty misdemeanour criminal charge in Minnesota with a fine of up to 300-dollars.
Legal Aid Concerns Lingers
Opposition critics say a promise to increase fees for legal aid lawyers does little to solve some of the key problems saddling the province's legal system.
Ontario agreed to increase the rates paid to lawyers in the cash-strapped program in a bid to end a months-long boycott that threatened to escalate over the weekend.
But New Democrat Howard Hampton says the deal doesn't address the bigger problems in Ontario's legal system, like the difficulty for people to get a legal aid certificate in the first place.
He also worries that the government will pay for budget increases_ estimated by some to become as high as $80 million _ by making it even more difficult to get those certificates.
OPP Now Tweeting
The Ontario Provincial Police force is joining the social media movement by starting up a Twitter account.
It will include news releases and other messages.
Last year, an American social media consultant visited Canada to teach police how to make better use of social networking sites to fight crime.
It will include news releases and other messages.
Last year, an American social media consultant visited Canada to teach police how to make better use of social networking sites to fight crime.
Canada-wide Warrant Issued
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a man accused of defrauding at least 21 seniors.
Police are looking for Richard Earl Rupert who is wanted for robbery, break and enter, eight counts of fraud and six counts of theft.
Toronto police started their investigation last November after an 81-year-old woman was mugged.
Tips started rolling in and investigators have pieced together a trail of fraud that stretches from Toronto to St. Catharine's, Waterloo, London, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
Police are looking for Richard Earl Rupert who is wanted for robbery, break and enter, eight counts of fraud and six counts of theft.
Toronto police started their investigation last November after an 81-year-old woman was mugged.
Tips started rolling in and investigators have pieced together a trail of fraud that stretches from Toronto to St. Catharine's, Waterloo, London, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
Stunt Driving Charge Laid
A Fort Frances High School student had an experience to talk about during their last day of a co-op education program with the Fort Frances OPP.
While out doing radar patrol with an officer Friday, the duo clocked a vehicle doing 156-kilometres an hour in a 90 zone through Halkirk township, east of Fort Frances.
When the vehicle was stopped, the officer found an unknown quantity of marijuana and Oxycontin.
Along with being faced with drug possession and speeding charges, the 23-year-old woman from Seine River First Nation had her vehicle and driver's license seized for Stunt Driving.
While out doing radar patrol with an officer Friday, the duo clocked a vehicle doing 156-kilometres an hour in a 90 zone through Halkirk township, east of Fort Frances.
When the vehicle was stopped, the officer found an unknown quantity of marijuana and Oxycontin.
Along with being faced with drug possession and speeding charges, the 23-year-old woman from Seine River First Nation had her vehicle and driver's license seized for Stunt Driving.
Snowmobilers Charged
A busy day for Fort Frances OPP on the snowmobile trails last week.
Officers issued seven charges against sledders last Thursday resulting in fines of more than 15-hundred dollars.
Most of the charges related to riders not having proper registration, trail permits or insurance.
However three machines had to be towed off the trails after police found operators to be driving without valid licenses.
Officers issued seven charges against sledders last Thursday resulting in fines of more than 15-hundred dollars.
Most of the charges related to riders not having proper registration, trail permits or insurance.
However three machines had to be towed off the trails after police found operators to be driving without valid licenses.
Local Sports for Tuesday January 26
Fort Frances Lakers will be looking for a third straight win on home ice tonight when they meet the Dryden Ice Dogs.
Game time at the Ice for Kids Arena is 7:30 p.m.
A pair of games for the International Falls Broncos today.
The boys hockey team is in Ely.
The boys basketball team hosts Tower-Soudan - 7:30 at Falls High School.
Game time at the Ice for Kids Arena is 7:30 p.m.
A pair of games for the International Falls Broncos today.
The boys hockey team is in Ely.
The boys basketball team hosts Tower-Soudan - 7:30 at Falls High School.
Former Owner of CFOB Named to Order
A former owner of CFOB Radio has been appointed to the Order of Ontario.
Thunder Bay's Fraser Dougall was one of 29 named to the order by Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
Dougall briefly owned CFOB radio in the early 1970's.
Thunder Bay's Fraser Dougall was one of 29 named to the order by Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
Dougall briefly owned CFOB radio in the early 1970's.
Conservation Club Meets
A meeting tonight for members of the Fort Frances Conservation Club.
Jack Hedman, past-president of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources, will be guest speakers.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau.
Jack Hedman, past-president of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources, will be guest speakers.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau.
School Fundraisers for Haiti
The fundraising for the Haiti relief effort continues in area schools.
Crossroads School's Kids Care Club and its student council are collecting coins this week for the Free the Children organization.
Sturgeon Creek School is also collecting donations and will hold its "Soup for Haiti" fundraiser tomorrow.
At Riverview School in Rainy River, more than four-hundred dollars has been raised so far from a variety of activities.
Crossroads School's Kids Care Club and its student council are collecting coins this week for the Free the Children organization.
Sturgeon Creek School is also collecting donations and will hold its "Soup for Haiti" fundraiser tomorrow.
At Riverview School in Rainy River, more than four-hundred dollars has been raised so far from a variety of activities.
Albanese Elected Chair
Fort Frances councillor John Albanese has been returned as Chair of the Northwestern Health Unit.
Albanese, who has served in that capacity for the past six years, says he wanted to remain as chair as the Health Unit seeks accreditation.
"We're right in the midst of accreditation which will take place in April or May," says Albanese.
Albanese, a provincial appointee, says his election as chair also provides some continuity to the board in an election year for the municipal appointees.
Albanese, who has served in that capacity for the past six years, says he wanted to remain as chair as the Health Unit seeks accreditation.
"We're right in the midst of accreditation which will take place in April or May," says Albanese.
Albanese, a provincial appointee, says his election as chair also provides some continuity to the board in an election year for the municipal appointees.
Easier Access to Town Documents Coming
The purchase of new computer technology is going to make it easier to access information from the town of Fort Frances.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says the purchase through iCompass Technologies will allow items such as council agendas and by-laws to be more readily available through the town's website.
"It means accessible and transparency of the materials that we deal with will be more accessible by the public," says Tibbs.
Town clerk Glenn Treftlin says it also helps the town meet pending legislation.
"It's certainly an opportunity for the town to take a stride towards meetings some of the requirements coming due in January next year," says Treftlin, "with regards to communication accessibility standards that are being imposed by the province."
The system, costing about $15-thousand, is expected to be in place later this spring.
Councillor Sharon Tibbs says the purchase through iCompass Technologies will allow items such as council agendas and by-laws to be more readily available through the town's website.
"It means accessible and transparency of the materials that we deal with will be more accessible by the public," says Tibbs.
Town clerk Glenn Treftlin says it also helps the town meet pending legislation.
"It's certainly an opportunity for the town to take a stride towards meetings some of the requirements coming due in January next year," says Treftlin, "with regards to communication accessibility standards that are being imposed by the province."
The system, costing about $15-thousand, is expected to be in place later this spring.
Fines Wiped Off Books
The town of Fort Frances has been forced to write-off more than $105-thousand in unpaid fines from its books.
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says it doesn't mean those owing the provincial offences act fines won't have to pay them ever again.
"Although we are doing a write-off, it is for accounting purposes only, " says Witherspoon. "P.O.A. fines are not absolved. They are for a convicted offender and still required to pay the fine and out it in perpetuity."
The unpaid fines date back to 2003.
Councillor Paul Ryan says the inability to collect the fines, even by a collections' agency, left to the town having write them off.
"A lot of these are so old," says Ryan. "We don't have a reciprocal agreement between Ontario and Manitoba. The fine is given in Ontario, but they don't collect it for us. Unless the person returns to the scene, it's pretty hard in some cases to track these down."
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says it doesn't mean those owing the provincial offences act fines won't have to pay them ever again.
"Although we are doing a write-off, it is for accounting purposes only, " says Witherspoon. "P.O.A. fines are not absolved. They are for a convicted offender and still required to pay the fine and out it in perpetuity."
The unpaid fines date back to 2003.
Councillor Paul Ryan says the inability to collect the fines, even by a collections' agency, left to the town having write them off.
"A lot of these are so old," says Ryan. "We don't have a reciprocal agreement between Ontario and Manitoba. The fine is given in Ontario, but they don't collect it for us. Unless the person returns to the scene, it's pretty hard in some cases to track these down."
2009 OPP Statistics Outlined
OPP are noticing a decline in the amount of crime taking place in Fort Frances.
Detachment Commander, Inspector John Kendrick outlined the numbers to town councillors Monday.
OPP responded to more than 43-hundred calls for service last year, a 3 per cent increase over the year before.
There were 212 incidents of violent crime, down from 265 in 2007.
Kendrick says common assault remains the leading type of violent crime and many assaults are alcohol related.
Property crimes have also shown a steady decline from 2003 when there 658 incidents.
There were 429 reported in 2009.
Local Sports for Monday January 25
T-J Pocock earned his first win in net for the Fort Frances Lakers Saturday, stopping 29 shots in a 3-1 win over the Wisconsin Mustangs at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Mustangs ended Pocock's bid for a shutout with a goal two minutes remaining.
Justin Erhart, Matthew Caufield and Tyler Stephenson had the Laker goals.
Fort Frances Muskies boys' hockey team did all of its scoring in the first period in a 7-2 thumping of Red Lake Falls.
Devin Stomness had 31 saves in net.
International Falls Broncos boys' hockey team battled to a 3-3 overtime tie with Virginia Friday.
Brandon Richards, Jon McDonald, and Jordan Christianson had the Broncos goals
Glenn Wals had 29 saves in goal.
Elsewhere, the Broncos girls' hockey team lost 3-1 to Silver Bay on Friday.
Amy Auran the lone scorer.
The Broncos girls' basketball team lost 55-32 to Two Harbours on Friday.
In girls Atom hockey action over the weekend - both house league teams participated in tournaments.
The Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso won the B side of a Dryden tournament - with a score of 2 - 1 in a shootout.
Maighyn Degagne scored in regulation time while Alyssa Alderson and Siobhan Mackintosh scored in the shoot-out.
The Rolling Lake Lightning won the B side at an International Falls event over the weekend with a score of 7 - 2 in the final.
Lauren Hamilton and Annalise Hayes each had 2 goals, and Shannon Bird, Breanna Dustin and Abby Plourde each notching a goal.
Mustangs ended Pocock's bid for a shutout with a goal two minutes remaining.
Justin Erhart, Matthew Caufield and Tyler Stephenson had the Laker goals.
Fort Frances Muskies boys' hockey team did all of its scoring in the first period in a 7-2 thumping of Red Lake Falls.
Devin Stomness had 31 saves in net.
International Falls Broncos boys' hockey team battled to a 3-3 overtime tie with Virginia Friday.
Brandon Richards, Jon McDonald, and Jordan Christianson had the Broncos goals
Glenn Wals had 29 saves in goal.
Elsewhere, the Broncos girls' hockey team lost 3-1 to Silver Bay on Friday.
Amy Auran the lone scorer.
The Broncos girls' basketball team lost 55-32 to Two Harbours on Friday.
In girls Atom hockey action over the weekend - both house league teams participated in tournaments.
The Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso won the B side of a Dryden tournament - with a score of 2 - 1 in a shootout.
Maighyn Degagne scored in regulation time while Alyssa Alderson and Siobhan Mackintosh scored in the shoot-out.
The Rolling Lake Lightning won the B side at an International Falls event over the weekend with a score of 7 - 2 in the final.
Lauren Hamilton and Annalise Hayes each had 2 goals, and Shannon Bird, Breanna Dustin and Abby Plourde each notching a goal.
Friendly Cold War Waged
The debate over who's the chilliest in Minnesota was waged on national television Sunday.
International Falls, Tower and Embarrass were featured on the CBS Morning Show and the Weather Channel.
While the Falls claims to be the Ice Box of the Nation, the average low temperatures in Tower and Embarrass are colder while Tower holds the one-day record of 60 below F on February 2, 1996.
Embarrass recorded an unofficial temperature of 64 below F on that same day after its official reading instruments stopped working at 51 below F.
International Falls, Tower and Embarrass were featured on the CBS Morning Show and the Weather Channel.
While the Falls claims to be the Ice Box of the Nation, the average low temperatures in Tower and Embarrass are colder while Tower holds the one-day record of 60 below F on February 2, 1996.
Embarrass recorded an unofficial temperature of 64 below F on that same day after its official reading instruments stopped working at 51 below F.
Ice Huts to be Registered
The Ministry of Natural Resources says it wants to cut down on abandoned ice fishing huts by requiring all huts to be registered.
The ministry says it doesn't cost anything to register your hut.
Once registered, the hut can be used anywhere in Ontario.
It's also illegal to leave a hut out after ice break up regardless of whether registration and removal dates apply.
The ministry says it doesn't cost anything to register your hut.
Once registered, the hut can be used anywhere in Ontario.
It's also illegal to leave a hut out after ice break up regardless of whether registration and removal dates apply.
Legal Aid Agreement
An agreement between the Ontario government and the Criminal Lawyers' Association has ended a boycott over legal aid payments.
More than one-thousand defence lawyers have been refusing to handle homicide cases as well as gang and gun indictments to press demands for more money from the legal aid system.
The government says the lawyer's hourly fees will increase an average of five per cent per year for the next seven years.
More than one-thousand defence lawyers have been refusing to handle homicide cases as well as gang and gun indictments to press demands for more money from the legal aid system.
The government says the lawyer's hourly fees will increase an average of five per cent per year for the next seven years.
Contract Talks Halted
Contact talks between AbitibiBowater and the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union have been suspended until March.
The adjournment late Friday came after a week of union deliberations over discussions with governments and the company concerning the company's insolvent pension plan.
C.E.P. President Dave Coles says there's been some progress, but the union still need support from the federal government.
The adjournment late Friday came after a week of union deliberations over discussions with governments and the company concerning the company's insolvent pension plan.
C.E.P. President Dave Coles says there's been some progress, but the union still need support from the federal government.
Mill Production Resumes
Operations at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances were able to resume on the weekend following corrections to a problem with its effluent system.
The company cited cold weather last Tuesday for the system to exceed its biochemical oxygen demand limit and force an unplanned shutdown.
The halt in production did not result in any layoffs.
The company cited cold weather last Tuesday for the system to exceed its biochemical oxygen demand limit and force an unplanned shutdown.
The halt in production did not result in any layoffs.
Samsung Deal Panned
Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton is warning area residents to brace themselves for higher electricity prices in the future.
Hampton suggests the seven billion dollars green electricity deal the province signed last week with Samsung will lead to just that.
"If you look at the contracts signed already by the Ontario Power Authority, some of these outfits are getting paid rates of almost 20-cents an hour," says Hampton. "When that starts to hit peoples hydro bills, the rate is going go up even higher."
Hampton adds the energy deal will have no economic benefit for northern Ontario because all the wind and solar projects will be located in southern Ontario.
Hampton suggests the seven billion dollars green electricity deal the province signed last week with Samsung will lead to just that.
"If you look at the contracts signed already by the Ontario Power Authority, some of these outfits are getting paid rates of almost 20-cents an hour," says Hampton. "When that starts to hit peoples hydro bills, the rate is going go up even higher."
Hampton adds the energy deal will have no economic benefit for northern Ontario because all the wind and solar projects will be located in southern Ontario.
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