Government Cuts Staff

The provincial government's work force has shrunk.

The union representing public service workers says the province has handed layoff notices to another 231 workers.

The ministries of transportation and health and long term care will feel the brunt of the latest layoffs.

It's not know if any of the layoffs impact staff in northwestern Ontario.

Premier Ready

Premier Dalton McGuinty insists he's serious about slaying Ontario's huge deficit while spending  more than half a billion dollars a year on new policies.

The premier expressed confidence yesterday that his Liberals will be able to implement two key campaign promises, despite being one seat short of a majority.

One promises a grant to reduce tuition for most post-secondary students, and a home renovation credit for seniors.

You Grew Up in Fort Frances...

That Facebook site that spurred the idea of a community-wide reunion in Fort Frances is attracting a lot of attention from residents both past and present.

Al Beeber, a former newspaper reporter here, created the "You grew up in Fort Frances" site back in August.

It's grown to over 14-hundred people.

Beeber calls the site similar to an on-line coffee shop.

Benefit Supper Planned

A benefit supper will be held next week to help an area man with medical expenses.

Dean Bruyere says the family of Don Roach will hold the fundraiser Thursday at the Couchiching Multi-use facility.

Roach has been battling cancer for the past couple of years.

Ten dollar tickets are available by contact Bruyere, Dennis Roach at 275-9524, Tammy Collier 274-8540 and Sanda Roach  274-0412.

Cold Winter Predicted

The weather minds of the world are saying that we're in for a so called La Niña winter.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says that means you'll have to bundle up.

A La Nina winter for northwestern Ontario tends to mean a colder and drier winter.

Laidlaw says less snow cover means frost will penetrate deeper into the ground this season.

More Drilling Near Atikokan

More drilling will begin this month at a gold-rich area north of Atikokan.

Osisko Mining will drill 3,300 metres on properties currently owned by Sparton Resources.

The work is to follow-up on earlier discoveries by Sparton.

The claims are located next to Osisko's Hammond Reef gold site.