Firefighter Support Sought

More federal support is being sought for volunteer fire departments.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants the Harper government to work with the province and municipal governments to ensure they are properly funded.

Rafferty says the fact that fire departments respond to a high number of incidents on major highways corridors such as 17 and 11 show the need for federal support.

Military Help to Watch Border

Some American senators want the military to help curb the flow of illicit drugs entering the U-S from Canada.

Among other things they want to use military radar to ground low-flying aircraft carrying drugs.

New York Senator Charles Schumer says figures show drug smuggling from Canada into the U-S has risen dramatically during the past five years.

New Program to Deal with Abuse Among Native Women

A new program has been rolled out across northwestern Ontario that helps deal with the issue of abuse among aboriginal women.

Executive Director of the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances Sheila McMahon says Kanawayhitowin brings more awareness of the signs of abuse.

"That's why it's so important," says McMahon, "because we do know within our communities there are a lot of signs. To get those signs out there and to teach the public of the signs of the abuse and what we can do is important."

Representatives from Centres in Fort Frances, Dryden and Atikokan gathered yesterday to discuss how best to promote the program in their communities.

Health Panel Visits Northwestern Ontario

The one and only stop in northwestern Ontario for the Rural and Northern Health Care Panel took place in Dryden yesterday.

Liz Sandals, the Health Minister's Parliamentary Assistant, says non-urgent medical transportation was one of the key issues discussed.

"The problem of you need health care. It's not an emergency so you can't get an ambulance. How do you get to where the doctor is?," says Sandals. "How do you get to where the dietitian is?"

The panel will make its recommendations to the Legislature later this year.

Don't Feed the Deer

The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking area residents to avoid feeding deer this winter.

Melissa Mosley, a biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says the type of winter being experienced can actually help keep deer numbers in check.

"Supplemental feeding that people do can encourage larger population growth than what the habitat can carry," says Mosley. "The cold winters try to keep the population numbers in check and that's what really controls our deer numbers up here."

Mosley says the heavy snow also limits deer movement which could lead to fewer animals been seen in Fort Frances' residential areas later on.

Fort Frances Chamber Awards

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards last night. Here is a list of all winners.

Safety Award-Business or Individual - Sponsored by Ainsworth Engineered Canada - Gingrich Wood Craft Inc.

Accessibility Award - Sponsored by Town of Fort Frances - Safeway Canada

Tony Beyak Memorial Award - Volunteer of the Year - Joan Allison

Employee of the Year Award - Sponsored by Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce - Rochell Mosbeck-CIBC

Business Woman of The Year Award - Sponsored by Rainy River District Business Women's Network - Angela Korzinski

Customer Service Award (individual) - Sponsored by Good Impressions Printing - Shelly Matias -RBC

Customer Service Award (business) - Sponsored by TD Canada Trust - Fort Frances General Supply

Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Sponsored by Rainy River Future Development Corporation - Jim Badiuk -Badiuk Equipment

Small Business Trainer of the Year Award - Sponsored by NCDS Career Works - BDO Canada LLP

Business of the Year Award (1-15 Employees) - Sponsored by B93 FM - Lidkea's Optometry

Business of the Year Award (16+ Employees) - Sponsored by Bell Alliant - Shaw Communications