College Support Workers Hit the Pickets

Just days before students head back to class for the new school year, support staff at Ontario's community colleges are on strike.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says it went on strike because the colleges demanded concessions and clawbacks to its existing contract.

But Gerry Barker, chairman of the colleges' bargaining team, says the colleges offered increases for support staff that would take the average salary to more than 59-thousand dollars a year with no concessions.

Anticipating pickets at Confederation College's campus in Fort Frances, the Rainy River District School Board has changed the route for vehicle traffic to Fort High.

Parents, staff and students driving to school are to use the lane by J.W. Walker School off Keating Avenue to enter and leave at the north exit at McIrvine Road.

Buses are to use the same north exit on McIrvine to enter and leave the school.

Weather Warning Canceled

A severe thunderstorm watch for the Rainy River district between the town of Rainy River and Seine River First Nation has now ended.

Weather Watch Issued

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of the Rainy River district.

It's because of an active line of severe thunderstorms moving in from southern Manitoba.

Environment Canada says they are likely to weaken slightly before they reach the district, but may still be strong enough to generate strong wind gusts to 90 kilometres an hour.

Safety Zone in Effect

The new Community Safety Zone in the west end of Fort Frances goes into effect today.

Drivers caught for such things as speeding or running red lights in the area can face a doubling of fines.

Constable Anne McCoy says OPP will be paying close attention there.

"The Community Safety Zone is an enforcement pillar, a tool officers can use at their discretion in order to do some enforcement within the school zones," says McCoy. "WE want people to be aware there's lot of school kids in that area."

The zone will remain in effect until the end of June.

McKay on the Campaign Trail

The official start to the provincial election is still a few days away, but that hasn't stopped candidates in Kenora-Rainy River from stumping for votes.

Progressive Conservative candidate Rod McKay was in Fort Frances yesterday to speak to party faithful and area business leaders.

"Basically the north, we get ignored in so many ways," says McKay. "We have policies that are set in Toronto that dramatically effect the way we live and the way we operate in northern Ontario with no consideration for the impact of those decisions. That's one of the reasons why I want to win this election and try to make some change in that area.

McKay also wants to help break down barriers that hurt area businesses to be competitive.

Doc House Call Plan Supported

The Liberal candidate for Kenora-Rainy River is standing up in support of a party policy to have doctors make house calls.

Anthony Leek says it makes good sense for this riding where there's a high number of seniors who could benefit.

"I think it's really important that we start to concentrate on taking care of the baby-boom generation which is continuing to age," says Leek, "and I think this is just a step forward to helping that population.

Leek says other Liberal initiatives will help bring more doctors to the area to help fulfill that promise.

Treaty 3 to Outline Court Case

Grand Council Treaty 3 is expected to release details today of legal action it plans to against the province of Ontario.

The Grand Council is asking the Court to set aside power contract to hydro generation dams within its territory that cause impacts to aboriginal or treaty rights.

TB!S Receives Fundraising Award

Staff at The Bargain Store in Fort Frances have been recognized for their fundraising efforts for Easter Seals.

The agency presented the store with a Silver Egg award for a campaign it ran back in March.

Store manager Darcy Banman says it was something staff had been worked toward.

"We're very proud of our staff," says Banman. "All of the money goes to Fort Frances. It stays with the local branch of Easter Seals. Our store has tried for the Silver Award for many years and we finally did it."

The store raised over $1,6000 through the sale of Easter Seals Paper Eggs, the second highest in northwestern Ontario.

Fishing Fine

A North Dakota man is $1,300 out-of-pocket for having too many walleye in his possession.

Court heard that Chris Lind declared six walleye caught on Lake of the Woods near Nestor Falls in July as he passed through customs at the Rainy River-Baudette point of entry.

A check found him with eleven frozen, filleted and packaged walleye, nine over the legal limit.