DSSAB CAO Retires

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is losing its long-time chief administrator officer.

Donna Dittaro retires at the end of October, but the board has already appointed land ambulance manager Dan McCormick to serve as CAO on an interim basis.

Chair Ross Donaldson says the board will take some time in filling the job more permanently.

"It won't be a process we're going to hurry," says Donaldson. "We're going to take our time to make sure we get it right."

Dittaro leaves after 12 years with the DSSAB.

Forest Fires Update

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

Six new forest fires in northwestern Ontario have brought to 81 the number of active fires in the region.

None are in the Rainy River district.

A fire that cut power to several communities and the Musselwhite Mine is one of the main priorities for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Slate Falls, Mishkeegogamang and Pickle Lake have all declared states of emergency because of the power outage.

Hydro crews are now working to rebuild more than 80 poles destroyed.

194 residents of Cat Lake have also been evacuated to Kapaskasing because of smoke from area fires.

College Support Work Cast Ballots

About 270 support workers with Confederation College will be among thousands across the province voting today on whether to give their union a strike mandate just before school starts.

The contract between OPSEU and the province's 24 community colleges expires at the end of August.

First Nations Education Concerns

A child welfare advocate says she believes the federal government is failing First Nations when it comes to education.

Cindy Blackstock made the comments during the Assembly of First Nations in New Brunswick.

She says all children regardless of their ethnicity deserve clean and safe schools that deliver quality education, but that's not the case for aboriginal children.

Peter Penashue, the federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, says Ottawa recognizes there is a problem with education and is making the issue a priority.

No Skirting Fishing Laws

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says there's no way to get around the state's fishing license requirements during the government shutdown.

The DNR says some contract license agents and resorts have been issuing so-called "temporary licenses" on the condition that buyers promise to purchase a legal license when the shutdown ends.

But DNR Enforcement Chief Jim Konrad says anyone caught fishing without a valid license could be ticketed.

OPP Hires Students

Ontario Provincial Police have two new summer students on duty.

Hailey Clendenning and Sam Berube join as part of the OPP's Youth In Policing Initiative.

The students will be involved in such activities such as bicycle patrols and coordinating the OPP's bike rodeos in Fort Frances, Rainy River and Emo.

Fort Frances Teen Heads to Peru

A Fort Frances teen is close to reaching her fundraising goal for a humanitarian trip to Peru.

Tylyn Silander is travelling a small rural community in the South American country August 1 through a program offered by World Vision.

"What I'm doing there is we're doing a photography workshop, "says Silander. "It's a form of art therapy through technology that they don't have."

Along with raising five thousand dollars for the trip, Silander also found sponsors for five needy children.

Native Leaders Call for End to Federal Agency

Some scathing criticism for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Assembly of First Nations wants it abolished.

National Chief Shawn Atleo says there's a strong consensus that bureaucracy has been a failure for First Nations, pointing to the recent Auditor General's report that spoke of a deteriorating quality of life on reserves.

The Assembly is meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Deer Lake Residents Go Home

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

Residents of Deer Lake are returning home - a week after being evacuated from the remote community because of smoke from forest fire.

But residents of Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching remain on evacuation alert.

There were four new fires in the Far north were reported last night.

There remain no fire activity in the Rainy River district.

OPP Defends Parade Costing Decision

Ontario Provincial Police are defending their decision to charge the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship for traffic control during next week's parade of boats.

That cost could be as high as $1,200.

Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick says the need to reduce hours of service to meet the demands of a new policing contract contributed to the decision.

"So parades was one of the areas that was deemed a non-essential service," says Kendrick, "and we've moved to a more of a pay-for-service, or paid duty rate because we don't staff parades on overtime. It's always done with existing officers."

Kendrick says officers are needed on the parade route to ensure emergency vehicles can pass safety through if needed.

The OPP policy change will also impact the Fort Frances Christmas Parade of Lights if its route goes down Scott St.

Fight for Timber Continues

The town of Atikokan isn't giving up hope on securing a wood allocation that would help complete the sale of the former Atkokan Forest Products Mill.

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says there's just not enough available wood.

Mayor Dennis Brown is still optimistic resources can be found for the company that wants the mill.

"We're going to have meetings with the new buyer," says Brown. "They're coming to northwestern Ontario to meet with us. There's a little ray of hope that maybe something can be worked out and get the mill working again, but it's a struggle."

Timber that had been used by the former mill has since been given to AbitibiBowater's mill in Fort Frances.

Minnesota Loggers Get Reprieve

Loggers in northern Minnesota have been granted the right to continue working in State owned lands during the shutdown, until Monday at least.

That's when another court hearing on the issue will take place.

Three Koochiching County business owners went to court last month after the Department of Natural Resources halted their operations because of the shutdown.

A county judge gave them temporary permission to keep working before the Supreme Court transferred the case to the judge handling all shutdown matters.

Missing man Found

The body of a missing angler has been found in Wenasaga Lake, near Ear Falls.

78-year-old Richard Carroll of Finlayson, Minnesota was located Tuesday morning.

Carroll was reported missing last weekend after his boat was found capsized.

More Forest Fire Help

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

More out-of-provinces resources are arriving to help battle several forest fires in northwestern Ontario's far north.

One hundred firefighters from British Columbia arrived Tuesday with another one hundred expected later this week.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is also receiving additional air support from Alberta who's loaning two waterbombers and light aircraft.

They'll join a fleet of waterbombers already in from Quebec.

Northern Artists Tour Begins in Fort Frances

Northern Ontario artisans will be showcased in a touring exhibition that's kicking off at the Fort Frances Museum Thursday.

Sarah Marusyk, a spokesperson for the Ontario Crafts Council, says it's an effort to bring more awareness to the region's artists and crafters.

"Basically this show features 44 pieces of craft that reflects the diversity and quality of work that's being created in northern Ontario," says Marusyk. "The exhibition is part of the Ontario Crafts Council's project called 'Growing Ontario Craft Community North."

The event also features a piece by local potter Mara Henteleff who will be on hand to talk her work.