Internet Safety

The Ontario government has approved changes to the health and physical education curriculum for elementary schools to help kids better protect themselves online.

Starting next fall, there will be specific sections in the curriculum for Grades 4 and 7 about Internet safety and the potential risks of online activities.

There will also be "age appropriate'' discussions about online dangers in Grades 1 through 8.

Native Leaders Meet in Wabigoon

Former National Grand Chief Phil Fontaine is expected to attend a meeting of area First Nation Chiefs in Wabigoon today.

Fontaine is a keynote speaker of a Grand Council Treaty 3 meeting that aims to encourage and create economic opportunities for first nations through partnerships.

Fleury Visits Fort Frances

(Rainy River District School Board photo)

Don't Quit before the Miracle - that was the key message from former NHLer Theoren Fleury who spoke to about two hundred people at the Townsend Theatre last night.


Fleury is promoting his book "Playing with Fire" that outlines his career and past additions to drugs and alcohol, and says the response has been very positive.

"There's a lot of similarities in people's lives with mine," says Fleury. "It's funny how different people have picked out different things in the book that they said has inspired them and helped them get through some tough times as well."



Since arriving Tuesday, Fleury has spoken at area schools, met with local hockey teams and visited the district jails.



Today he travels to Atikokan where he will speak at the Atikokan High School.

Red Cross Branch Developed

There's a push to create a branch of the Canadian Red Cross in Fort Frances.

Shauna Hansson, district manager in Dryden says they're hoping to use the expertise of a number of volunteers to get the local office up and running.

"Right now we're looking for a branch council," says Hansson, "which is comprised of a president, vice-president and secretary. We're looking for people to represent the programs - disaster management, injury prevention programs, community initiative programs and fund development as we are a not-for-profit organization."

Hansson says there no specific target date for start-up, but could take at least a year before the council is fully functional.

211 Coming to District

The development of a comprehensive database for residents to find information about social, community, health and government services is underway in northwestern Ontario.

Trudy McCormick of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic says when active this fall, residents in the Rainy River District can access that database by calling 2-1-1.

"In any community you should be able to dial 2-1-1," says McCormick, "and be connected with someone who you can talk to about finding resources in your community for what ever your particular issue is."

An agreement involving the Lakehead Social Planning Council and 211 North will see the Legal Clinic responsible for maintaining that database.

It's hoped to call the system in place by the fall.