Cheating on EQAO Tests Examined

Ten public schools in Ontario have been investigated for cheating and irregularities on last year's province-wide tests in reading, writing and mathematics.

Marie Parsons, chief assessment officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office, says some schools cheated while others inadvertently broke the rules.

Parson says in some cases, students were provided questions beforehand or handed back answers to correct.

Local Food Bill Proposed

Ontario's New Democrat leader Andre Horwath is planning to bring forward new legislation aimed at helping farmers.'

She says she'll introduce a private member's bill that would require all government ministries to buy local food.

Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says she's open to the idea, because it builds on what the governing Liberals have already done to promote Ontario-grown food.

OFAH Upset With Long-Gun Registry Debate

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is stepping into the debate over the federal long gun registry.

OFAH supports the campaign to dismantle the registry, but spokesperson Greg Ferrant is upset by some of the misinformation being published by the opposition.

"It's nothing more than an attempt by the opposition parties to derail a productive debate on this issue," says Ferrant, "and to attempt to frighten NDP members into changing their vote."

Ferrant is also disappointed by some New Democrats who have announced plans to change their vote when a private members bill came back to the House of Commons.

Flood Hits I. Falls Hospital

Rainy Lake Medical Centre is cleaning up after a water break forced the International Falls hospital to cancel much of its in-patient services and transfer patients to other nearby hospitals.

Executive Director Brian Long says last night's break left nearly 7 inches of water on the facilities lower floor.

Long says the hospitals emergency room is still functional, but it could be later today or tomorrow before they can determine when other services can resume.

Treaty Three Opposes Far North Act

Grand Council Treaty Three has joined the ground swell of opposition against the Far North Act.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's worried the provincial government is taking away some of the decision making over their traditional lands.

She adds that the Toronto-based discussions and consultations are not appropriate for decisions that affect this region.

WEEE Depot a Success

The first-ever collection of electronic waste from the Rainy River district is being hailed a success.

A total of 46 pallets of old computers, televisions, cellphones and other old electronic equipment were collected during Saturday's event at the Fort Frances Public Works yard.

Executive Director with Ontario Electronic Stewardship Carol Hochu says centres in southern Ontario will now remove the hazardous materials and break down the other components for recycling.

The material collected filled two transport trailer units.

Big Dollars Raised at Terry Fox Runs

New organizers, a different route and good weather attracted over one-hundred people for Sunday's Terry Fox run in Fort Frances.

A total of $11,528.23 was raised for the Terry Fox Foundation, compared to the over $11-hundred raised last year.

This year's run was organized by members of the Church of the Holy Spirit with participants walking along the Fort Frances waterfront.

Area schools are likely to add to the total as they will hold separate runs in the near future.

Run spokesperson Cheryl Wolfe says some Terry Fox run t-shirts are still available by calling 274-7074.

In Atikokan, seventeen people raised a total of $2,382.10 in an event organized by the local TD Canada Trust branch.

Last year 42 participants helped raise about $22-hundred.

This was the 30th anniversary of Terry's Fox's Marathon of Hope.

Fishing Town Contest Enters Final Week

It's down to a two town race in the World Fishing Network's contest to find the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.

Nestor Falls sits in second spot, behind Port Alberni, British Columbia, as voting enters its final week.

The northwestern Ontario community is continuing its appeal for support from the region as its fights for the title and the 25-thousand first prize money.

Atikokan Information Incorrect

An Atikokan man is not happy with the how the Ministry of Education is portraying the community.

Mike McKinnon says the Ministry's school finder website contains inaccurate information about Atikokan, including the number of residents which a university degree.

"We are a little below the provincial average in terms of education levels," says McKinnon. "That translates to about 15 per cent having some university education and for the provincial ministry of education to spread information that's is zero per cent is, to me, insulting."

McKinnon has written to the Ministry asking for the information to be corrected or removed.

Catholic Students Excell

The Northwest Catholic District School Board says its students continue to shine in their writing of provincial tests.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says the results from the April tests continue to show significant improvements.

"Our grade threes have seen an increases of eight per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and they've remained level in mathematics," says Kelly. "In grade six , we've seen increases by four per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and a minimal decrease of two per cent in mathematics."

Kelly says high marks were recorded at all schools, including Our Lady of the Way in Stratton where 91 per cent of grade three students exceeded the provincial standard for math.