Conversion Approved

The Ontario government has approved the conversion of the Atikokan Generating Station to biomass fuel from coal.

It's also directing the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate an agreement with Ontario Power Generation to buy the biomass power generated.

It's also directing the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate an agreement with Ontario Power Generation to buy the biomass power generated.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the deal signals a bright new future for Atikokan.

The plant conversion will take three years and create up to 200 construction jobs

Blue Box Program Under Review

The blue box recycling program in Fort Frances and Atikokan will get a thorough review.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the study aims to come up with a strategy for both communities that will secure funding received from Waste Diversion Ontario.

"Right now we get a grant of $62-thousand to support picking up blue box and transporting it to our processor in Winnipeg," says Brown. "That would be reduced by 15 per cent if we don't have these strategies in place."

Brown says the public will have a chance to provide input with open houses planned in both communities later this year.

I. Falls Bass Championship Underway

The first day of fishing at the International Falls Bass Championship is underway.

More than 120 anglers are fishing either Rainy Lake or Rainy River for the $10-thousand first prize money.

Tournament chair Gary Potter says its uncertain how the weights will be this year.

"I guess that's yet to be determined," says Potter. "Any time you get before a tournament they're all pretty tight lipped, but I did talk with a couple of friends who are fishing who say the fishing has been pretty good."

Today's weigh-ins at Smokey Bear Park go at 3 p.m.

John Cann and Ted Olsen of International Falls are the defending champions.

Civic Election Candidates

A few more names have come to the surface for this year's civic elections across the Rainy River district.

Debbie Ewald is seeking reelection as mayor of Rainy River.

In the township of Chapple, Peter Van Heyst will seek another term as reeve.

Incumbents James Gibson and Rick Neilson along with newcomer Ken Wilson have filed election as councillor.

And in LaVallee, incumbent Freeda Carmody and newcomer Harold Kellar have filed for the councillor seats available in that township.

Fire Hazard Climbs

The forest fire hazard is on the climb in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the hazard is sitting at moderate to high for much of the region with higher hazards in the southern portions of Fort Frances, Quetico Provincial Park and Thunder Bay areas.

With no rain in the immediate forecast, the MNR is expecting the hazard to climb further.

There are currently 6 fires burning, none in the Rainy River district.

Wait List Concern

(CJUK Photo)

Persons United for Self Help in Northwestern Ontario wants the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate the region's long wait lists.

There are now 400 people waiting for accessible supportive community housing and home support care.

PUSH president Ron Ross says some have been waiting for a decade.

"Whether the Ombudsman investigates and wants to do a public inquiry," says Ross. "If he does a public inquiry we'll hear from the community. We'll hear from the people on wait lists. We'll hear from their families. We'll hear from others who are involved in these type of issues."

Ross says those on the wait list are now living in either long term care facilities or with their aging parents.

Mental Health Report Issued

A legislative committee is calling for a major overhaul of mental health and addiction care in Ontario.

The all-party committee is urging the government to create a new umbrella organization to co-ordinate mental health and addictions systems.

It says that would ensure services are delivered consistently and comprehensively across the province.

The committee says Ontario residents are waiting too long for treatment, and youth are caught in the gap between programs for children and those for adults.

Talks Break Down

Secret wage-freeze talks between the province and unions representing tens of thousands of health-care and education workers have reportedly collapsed.

Sources says talks that began August 9 at a Toronto hotel fizzled out last Sunday.

About a dozen unions, including the Canadian Auto Workers and the Service Employees International Union had been participating.

New Vice-Principals in Place

The Rainy River District School Board has appointed new vice-principals at three schools as classes get set to resume next week.

Anne Carradice will serve as vice-principal of Donald Young School in Emo and Nestor Falls Schools.

Beth Fairfield takes over as vice-principal of North Star Community School in Atikokan.

Park Documentary Up for Emmy

A documentary describing the importance of conserving Minnesota's national park heritage that featured Voyageurs National Park is up for a regional Emmy.

Minnesota's National Park Legacy was produced by Twin Cities Public Television in collaboration with Voyageurs National Park Association and seven other National Park units in the State.

The regional Emmys will be handed on September 25 in Minneapolis.