New Telemedicine Equipment Acquired

The Rainy River Medical Centre is getting some new telemedicine equipment.

The North West Local Health Integration Network is providing Riverside Health Care Facilities with nearly $12,000 to purchase and install the equipment.

Andy Gallardi, a senior director with LHIN, says patients in Rainy River will have easier access to specialists.

"It will be used for cardiac rehab, chronic disease prevention management, oncology, and pain management," says Gallardi.

The Rainy River hospital joins almost 190 existing sites already using telemedicine.

New Fire Chief to be Selected

The appointment of a new fire chief for the town of Fort Frances could be made tonight.

Town councillors are scheduled to first discuss the appointment behind close doors.

Deputy Fire Chief Frank Sheppard has been serving in an Acting capacity since the retirement of Gerry Armstrong earlier this year.

RRFDC Keeps Tent

The Rainy River Futures Development Corporation won't be selling its big events tent after all.

The Corporation had considered putting it on the market after noting it wasn't getting a lot of use.

It says after input from area municipalities, it will now keep the tent for at least another two years.

Washington Trip Productive

The mayor of International Falls is calling a recent trip to Washington productive.

Shawn Mason was joined with officials from the city, Koochiching and St. Louis County and as well as Voyageurs National Park last week.

Transportation was among topics discussed.

"We we're talking about issues surrounding International Falls being a North American transportation hub," says Mason, "as it relates to the second busiest rail port of entry in North America, our highway system and our International airport,
which is not only good for northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota, but all of North America as a continent."

Mason says they also took time to promote events associated with the Park headquarters' opening this summer.

MP Votes

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is getting some heat for leading MP's in missing votes in the house of commons.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it's no big deal.

"I think you have to keep in mind, first of all, that if a vote is missed it doesn't mean you're not in Ottawa working," says Rafferty. "I think that's maybe one of the misconceptions that comes out when you see that because votes come at the end of the day."
Rafferty has missed 26 votes, ranking him 96th out of the 305 MPs.

Camera in the Courts

Ontario's attorney general is prepared to look at putting cameras in the province's courtrooms.

But Chris Bentley says but there are many issues to consider such as privacy.

Meantime, cameras will be allowed to cover civil cases in Minnesota under a new order from the State Supreme Court.

Judges will still have the final say, beginning July 1.

Teachers Backing Liberals?

Ontario's public high school teacher's union seems ready to back Premier McGuinty's flagging Liberal government.

Union leaders are warning of a return to tough times if the Tories win October's provincial election.

They point to the bitter labour disputes and budget cuts seen under former Premier Mike Harris.