Members of the Couchiching First Nations have brought down a toll booth on Highway 11.
Band members removed the booth last night at about 9 o'clock.
They opened it May 21st, charging one-dollar per vehicle to raise awareness about a highway land claim.
The band also called for funds to relocate six families living on what the band claims is contaminated soil from a former sawmill.
A band spokesperson says the reason for the removal of the toll booth will be explained in a statement later today.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cancer Care Ontario Report Released
Cancer Care Ontario says residents in northwestern Ontario are living a lifestyle that poses a cancer risk.
The number of smokers and persons overweight are higher than the provincial average.
Michael Power of the Regional Cancer Centre says just cutting down on smoking would help reduce those rates.
"If we we're just simply to pull back to the provincial average of about 18 per cent of residents in the region smoking as opposed to 23 per cent, that five per cent gain would cut our lung cancer numbers in half," says Power.
The report card also shows the Regional Centre in Thunder Bay doing a good job in cancer radiation treatment.
Cancer Survivor Promotes Relay for Life
A young cancer survivor is encouraging people to support Relay for Life.
Madisyn Degagne is heading up a team for the Fort Frances event.
She says it's important for her give back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Experiencing cancer first hand and the overwhelming support of the community here in Fort Frances, I just really wanted to make an effort to give back," says Degagne, "because so many people have been affected by cancer."
Degagne's team includes several of her friends that make the team Pink Attitoode - Second Generation for the June 25 event.
Madisyn Degagne is heading up a team for the Fort Frances event.
She says it's important for her give back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Experiencing cancer first hand and the overwhelming support of the community here in Fort Frances, I just really wanted to make an effort to give back," says Degagne, "because so many people have been affected by cancer."
Degagne's team includes several of her friends that make the team Pink Attitoode - Second Generation for the June 25 event.
Local Physicians Week - Part 2
We continue our series on the doctor situation in Fort Frances.
Local officials say another four physicians are needed.
Doctor Robert Algie says a provincial moratorium on new doctors twenty years ago is partially to blame.
"With the growth of population, the loss of those 10 per cent of physicians over the years on a yearly basis," says Dr. Algie, "and the increased complexity of providing primary care. We're dealing with sicker people in our offices. People who used to die of heart disease are now living and living with cognitive heart failure. Diabetes is also increasing. There's a large increase load and the number of family physicians they used to feel is appropriate is just not adequate."
Algie says the shortage is being felt the greatest at Riverside Health Care Facilities who are forced to bring in locums to staff the emergency room.
"The emergency department is struggling to stay open on a week-by-week basis. Local family physicians who are still involving, which is only five of us, are doing their best to provide time to the emergency department, but to take care of sick patients in hospital and try to be available to their patients in the community at the clinic. About one-third of all emergency medicine shifts are being provided by physicians who travel from outside the community to provide care."
Tomorrow, Dr. Algie looks at local efforts to attract new physicians.
Local officials say another four physicians are needed.
Doctor Robert Algie says a provincial moratorium on new doctors twenty years ago is partially to blame.
"With the growth of population, the loss of those 10 per cent of physicians over the years on a yearly basis," says Dr. Algie, "and the increased complexity of providing primary care. We're dealing with sicker people in our offices. People who used to die of heart disease are now living and living with cognitive heart failure. Diabetes is also increasing. There's a large increase load and the number of family physicians they used to feel is appropriate is just not adequate."
Algie says the shortage is being felt the greatest at Riverside Health Care Facilities who are forced to bring in locums to staff the emergency room.
"The emergency department is struggling to stay open on a week-by-week basis. Local family physicians who are still involving, which is only five of us, are doing their best to provide time to the emergency department, but to take care of sick patients in hospital and try to be available to their patients in the community at the clinic. About one-third of all emergency medicine shifts are being provided by physicians who travel from outside the community to provide care."
Tomorrow, Dr. Algie looks at local efforts to attract new physicians.
Library to Open Today
(Fort Frances Public Library Photo)The new Fort Frances Public Library will open its doors to the public for the first time today.
The technology Centre will also open, but staff say there will be limited services available.
A more official opening will be held June 21.
Detour Announced
There will be a traffic detour in Fort Frances' north end today.
A section of Fifth Street, east of Portage Avenue, will be shutdown beginning at 7 a.m.
The closure is to allow crews to work on a newly installed water main.
When complete, crews will then close a section on the east side of Fifth for similar work.
The Portage Avenue underpass will remain open to traffic during the work.
Young Men's Conference a Success
The first ever young men's conference is being hailed a success by organizers.
Nineteen students, most in grade 8, gathered at Quetico Provincial Park for three days last week.
Crossroad's School principal Gord McCabe says the focus differed from a conference held annual for girls of similar age.
"The young women's conference is geared towards a leadership theme," says McCabe. "With this program, what we wanted to do is to gear towards students who wouldn't normally get this type of opportunity."
Participants were involved in several outdoor adventures, along with planning and goal setting.
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