Literacy Test Numbers Reviewed

The Rainy River District School Board is taking a close look at the latest results from standardized literacy tests written by its students.

Eighty-per cent of students who wrote the March tests met or exceeded provincials standards.

Superintendent of Education Casey Slack says they're now looking at where improvements can be made.

"Senior administration and the school level leaders can articulate next steps working with out program support team to ensure that come September we've got some enriched practices in place to enhance performance on the test," says Slack.

The results were slightly lower than last year.

MNR Crews Returning

The Ministry of Natural Resources has started the process of bringing back its forest fire fighters and other support staff from Alberta.

The first one hundred will return home soon with the rest of the 273 personnel coming back to Ontario over the next few days.

An increase in the fire hazard in northwestern Ontario has prompted the MNR not replace the crews who have been in Alberta since the middle of May.

Earthroots Apologizes

The environmental group Earthroots is offering an apology to Weyerhaeuser.

Earlier this week, the group claimed the company's mill in Kenora used formaldehyde in the production of its engineered lumber, a fact strongly denied by Weyerhauser.

Yesterday, Earthroots issued an apology and says it will do a review of its report to check its accuracy.