Mining Workshop Next Week

Rainy River Resources is giving area residents an opportunity to learn more about the mining indusry and its project in particular.

The company is hosting a three-day workshop in Fort Frances beginning next Wednesday

Director of Environment Kyle Stanfield says there will be separate sessions for youth and adults.

"The first day is going to be for adults," says Stanfield. "Confederation College is kindly allowing us to use some space for the program for two in-class days as well as some field work around the College. The third day will be a field trip out to the site."

The event is free, but registration through the company's website is required.

Gold Mine to Reopen

The forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario is cooling off enough for Goldcorp's Musselwhite Mine to soon resume production.

The company evacuated 330 staff two weeks ago as fires threatened the site, north of Pickle Lake.

Company officials hope to get back to production today.

Lake Access Point Closed

The Ministry of Transportation is closing public access to an island at the Noden Causeway.

The island is often used by people to launch boats into Rainy Lake.

The Ministry says because of ongoing work on the Causeway, access will be closed beginning Tuesday until early November.

Government Falling Behind on First Nations Housing

An internal government audit has found Ottawa is not keeping up with housing support on First Nations reserves.

The audit says the federal government is meeting its own targets for constructing social housing on reserves, but the aboriginal population is growing more quickly than the government plan.

Art in the Park

Quetico Provincial Park will be hosting its Art in the Park this weekend.

Natural Heritage Education Leader Susan Bourne says the event includes a number of art workshops for both adults and children.

"It's to encourage people to interpret their cultural and natural heritage through art," says Bourne. "There's children from infants to ladies and men's in the 50's and 60's who come and participate in various activities."

The event kicks off Friday night with a concert featuring Thunder Bay performers Jim 'n' I at the Dawson Trail Campground.