Study of High Schools Released

High schools in the Kenora-Rainy River district are being ranked well below many of their counterparts in southern Ontario in the Fraser Institutes's latest study.

The Conservative Think-Tank ranks schools based on the results of annual provincial testing.

Spokesman Michael Thompson says its fair comparison.

"Each school and each school body is unique and has it's own demands and characteristics," says Thompson, "but you can certainly can learn from what your neighbours are doing. You certainly want to know what they are doing well to get your marks."

Rainy River High School was highest among district schools at 329 out of 722, and one of two that were higher than the provincial average.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says while the provincial test scores is a measure of success, it's not the sole measure.

She says there are many other programs in place used to help improve student success which the Fraser Institute does not take into account in its report.

Smart Meters Ready for Use

Fort Frances Power Corporation is expecting full implementation of the so-called Smart Meters by the end of next month.

CEO Jorge Ruppenstein says the last few homes will soon be installed with the new hydro meters which will no longer require a person to visit the home to read.

"Under our current model we go around once a month to read the meter," says Ruppenstein. "With the Smart Meters, they can be remotely read."

Ruppenstein says it will also provide the utility with stats on hydro usage on an hourly basis.

The privacy commissioner is raising concerns about the province's smart grid plan.

Anne Cavoukian fears it could reveal "intimate details'' about the lives of hydro customers.

Cavoukian says information about when people cook, take showers -- even whether a home has an alarm system -- could be determined by the data collected.

Burn Ban Remains

Cool, moist weather is allowing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to lift burning restrictions in some parts of the state.

The restrictions will remain in effect only in the extreme northeast, including Koochiching County, where the cold and the lack of moisture have delayed new vegetation.

More Co-Op Businesses Needed

A high interest in the co-operative education program at Fort Frances High School is forcing the school to seek out more businesses partners.

Program supervisor Nancy Gillon says more than one-hundred students have applied for co-op next fall, and that means a need for as many supporting businesses.

"Every year I try to get at least one or two new placements into my list," says Gillon. "Fort Frances and the district have been excellent in helping me out in taking students, but if you want to increase the program you need more placements."

Gillon says the greatest need is for companies in the trades or those that can offer a unique work-place experience for students uncertain of their career paths.

Hudson Bay Archives Available

Northwestern Ontario residents are being given the opportunity to get a glimpse into history of the one of the oldest companies in the world.

Winnipeg is home to the archives of the Hudson's Bay Company, and archivist James Gordon is travelling the region to explain how they can be accessed.

"We have records that have been micro-filmed," says Gordon. "We have over 4,600 reels and we'll send these out free of charge to any library, archives or research centre that requests them."

Gordon says the material dates back to the company's incorporation in 1670.