A number of area residents gathered at Fort Frances High School last night to show their appreciation for the outgoing coordinator of the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team.
Hugh Dennis says his past three years with the SAP-Team have been very rewarding.
"To work in the district with seniors and young people and the Substance Abuse Team as a group has been fabulous," says Dennis. "Obviously it's been a work of passion, but its also been very, very rewarding."
An end in provincial funding is forcing the SAP-Team to continue without a full-time coordinator.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Northern Help On the Way
Premier Dalton McGuinty is promising some relief for the north in tomorrow's budget.
McGuinty wouldn't go into details about the exact measures northerners can look forward to, but says they will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says it's about time the government came up with some sort of plan for the north, but adds this attempt will likely be seen by northerners as a last-ditch attempt by Liberals to show they care about communities they have ignored for years.
McGuinty wouldn't go into details about the exact measures northerners can look forward to, but says they will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says it's about time the government came up with some sort of plan for the north, but adds this attempt will likely be seen by northerners as a last-ditch attempt by Liberals to show they care about communities they have ignored for years.
Day Care Funding Possible
The Toronto Star says this week's Ontario budget will include $63.5 million to save 76-hundred subsidized daycare spaces.
Sources say Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will use tomorrow's budget to announce the Liberals will replace federal funding that runs out April 1st.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says he is ''very reluctant'' to evict kids kids from quality daycare spaces and challenges for their families and parents.
He says it's "not an easy challenge'' to make up for the federal subsidy, but it will be addressed in the budget.
Sources say Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will use tomorrow's budget to announce the Liberals will replace federal funding that runs out April 1st.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says he is ''very reluctant'' to evict kids kids from quality daycare spaces and challenges for their families and parents.
He says it's "not an easy challenge'' to make up for the federal subsidy, but it will be addressed in the budget.
Parking Lot Concern
Concerns are being expressed with the new parking lot behind St. Mary's Church being turning into a playground for skateboarders and road hockey.
Church officials are asking the town of Fort Frances to erect signs in the lot prohibiting sports activities from taking place.
A letter to the town indicates such activities are already occurring and continued use cause further problems.
Church officials are asking the town of Fort Frances to erect signs in the lot prohibiting sports activities from taking place.
A letter to the town indicates such activities are already occurring and continued use cause further problems.
Warning: Thin Ice
OPP say the public should be weary about going on still frozen lakes and rivers.
Constable Anne McCoy recent weather should be caution for concern.
"Just be aware that we are late into our winter season," says McCoy. "We're getting into spring and the thaw is starting. We want people to be aware that they have to take extra precaution when they're venturing onto ice surfaces."
American authorities report at least two ATV's and one vehicle have broken through the ice on Lake of the Woods in recent days.
Constable Anne McCoy recent weather should be caution for concern.
"Just be aware that we are late into our winter season," says McCoy. "We're getting into spring and the thaw is starting. We want people to be aware that they have to take extra precaution when they're venturing onto ice surfaces."
American authorities report at least two ATV's and one vehicle have broken through the ice on Lake of the Woods in recent days.
Poop and Scoop Enforced
The town of Fort Frances says it will be enforcing a by-law that requires owners to pick up after their animals while in parks and the waterfront.
CAO Mark McCaig says the problem appears to have gotten worse.
"I just remind everyone that there's a $75.00 fine for not cleaning up," says McCaig, "and we will be enforcing it in the next little while because it's going worse a little bit over this past winter so we will be addressing it."
McCaig says pet owners should show consideration for others by helping to keep area's clean.
Portal to be Launched
A new website aimed at attracting more immigrants to northwestern Ontario is to be launched later today.
The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal is the largest online collaborative immigration resource of its kind and will show case participating communities, including those in the Rainy River district, to potential immigrants.
The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal is the largest online collaborative immigration resource of its kind and will show case participating communities, including those in the Rainy River district, to potential immigrants.
Travel Grant Concerns
The NDP says dozens of people in northern Ontario are being forced to cancel appointments with specialists because of delays in government-funded travel grants.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the government is dragging its feet rather than helping northerners who must travel hundreds of kilometres in order to see a specialist.
"There are literally dozens and dozens of families who are being forced to cancel medical specialist appointments in places like Thunder Bay or Winnipeg," says Hampton, "because when they call the northern health travel grant office, the office says, 'No, we're not even going to deal with your application until after 10 weeks.' This puts people in a very difficult position."
Health Minister Deb Matthews says she was unaware of the problem and would look into it.
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