More Hydro Projects Planned

Xeneca Power Corporation is hoping to move ahead with eleven hydro projects in northwestern Ontario over the next couple of year.

The company was given approval for 19 projects earlier this month, but spokesperson Mark Holmes says they still have a few hurdles to cross others can proceed.

"It appears to have paid off quite well," says Holmes, "in terms of the number of projects we have going forward. As we go through these economic connection tests and the revamp of the Ontario power grid occurs over the next few years, I'm sure several more of those projects will come on stream."

The company is planning two projects in the Rainy River district.

Belluz Files Papers

A long-time public school board trustee has filed his nomination papers for re-election this fall.

Current Board Chair and Fort Frances trustee Dan Belluz has been with the board for the past twenty-five years and says its where he wants to be again.

"I just have a genuine interest in the success of our students in our district," says Belluz, "and I want to be a part of trying to provide them with the best education we can so they can be successful where ever they go."

Belluz says he hopes to be a part of a number of initiatives the board now has on the go, including the opening of the new Robert Moore School.

AbitibiBowater Plan

AbitibiBowater is seeking a three-month extension to file a reorganization plan to exist bankruptcy protection.

In court documents filed in the United States last week, the company says its operational restructuring is "substantially complete," but needs a little more time to develop a plan that has the backing of creditors both in the U-S and Canada.

A hearing is scheduled for May 26 in Delaware.

Hospital Services to be Discussed

Members of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions are meeting in Thunder Bay this week to discuss the impact of the Liberal government's plans to privatize hospital clinical services.

The move was first announced in last month's Throne speech.

President Michael Hurley says northern, rural and small community hospitals will be seriously threatened by the proposal.

About 200 representatives from 65 hospitals are expected to attend the meeting.

Victims of Crime Awareness Week

It is national victims of crime awareness week.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victim Services Program says they'll be promoting the week by making people more aware of it and other services available to local residents.

"Like the Northwest Community Legal Clinic," says Loyie, "the Victim Witness Assistance Program. We have Community Policing in our area both within OPP and Treaty 3. We trying to promote and raise some awareness of other programs as well,"

An open house of its Scott Street office and a volunteer appreciation dinner will also be held.

J.W. Walker Prepares for Film Festival

J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances is preparing to host another environmental film festival.

Kassidy LeDrew, a grade 6 student, says there will be four films shown next week.

"The Primary one is called 'Varmits'," says LeDrew, "which is an animated video for young children. The junior one is 'Waste Equals Food' which is all about creating products that will eventually become food for the earth. The immediate students will be watching a film called 'Flow' which is about teh fight for fresh water all over the world."

Students will also be showing some of their own produced films, but unlike last year's festival there will be no public showings.

Festival Continues

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts continues today - this time with vocal performances.

They take place at Knox United Church with Sheila Ardies of Winnipeg adjudicating.

Friday, piano competitions wrapped up with Krista Emond, Lucas Koomans, Jared Bethune and Jilayne Derksen picking up separate wins.