Drummond Report Today

The highly anticipated final report from economist Don Drummond is out today.

It's expected show how the provincial government can cut its $16-billion deficit.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is worried that the Liberals have taken upon themselves to listen to one expert than hold traditional pre-budget consultations.

Campbell says the government has essentially shut out the opposition and the public from the budget process.

Pay Freeze Hints?

Premier McGuinty is hinting at a pay freeze for public sector executives.

McGuinty says executives who run hospitals, colleges, universities, school boards and social services need to do their part for deficit reduction.

Riding Redistribution Concerns

There's concern riding redistribution by the federal government may short change northern Ontario.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Raffery is warning of possible changes taking place.

Northern Ontario's New Democrats are starting a grassroots awareness campaign on the issue.

Northwestern Ontario Man Killed in Winnipeg

A northwestern Ontario man, who was months away from becoming a father, is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of this year.

Eighteen-year-old Wahb Mandamin of Shoal Lake First Nation was stabbed near his hotel early yesterday.

He was in the city to accompany his girlfriend to her ultrasound appointment.

Health Unit Promotes STI Testting

The Northwestern Health Unit is out promoting the importance of being tested for sexually transmitted infections.

Manager of Sexual Health Gillian Lunny says a lot of focus is on those aged 15 to 24 in campaign they're calling Positive? Me?

Lunny says our region has some of the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the province.

OPP Survey Underway

OPP are trying to get a sense of how local residents feel about their work in this region.

A consulting firm is now gathering comment on behalf of police.

Sergeant Shelly Garr says polling will be conducted over the next two months.

Garr says the information will be used by detachments to help develop local business plans.

Driver Charged

Police didn't have to go very far to arrest this impaired driver.

A woman from Manitou Rapids was arrested on the spot after striking a Treaty Three Police cruiser in Nestor Falls early Sunday morning.

The 29-year-old is now facing impaired driving charges.

Little Said About Bridge Celebrations

The Canada Border Services Agency is keeping quiet about its plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the bridge linking Fort Frances with International Falls.

Fort Frances town council is appointing Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft to serve as the town's representative in response to an agency request back in January.

A spokesperson for the CBSA would not provide any further details other than to say planning was still in the infancy stage.

Correspondence sent to the town in January indicates the privately owned bridge turns 100 August 1.

Business Nominees Announced

Over 60 individuals, business and organizations have been nominated for awards to be presented by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

The awards will be presented February 23.

Here is a list of all nominees.


Accessibility - Riverside Health Care Facilities
Accessibility - Rainy River District Board of Education

Business of the Year (1-15) - Chown and Botsford Dentistry
Business of the Year (1-15) - Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care
Business of the Year (1-15) - Betty`s Fort Frances
Business of the Year (1-15) - UPS Store
Business of the Year (1-15) - Emo Feed
Business of the Year (1-15) - Lakeland Personal

Business of the year (16 +) - Fort Frances Times
Business of the year (16 +) - Gillons Insurance
Business of the year (16 +) - Ainsworth
Business of the year (16 +) - Riverside Health Care Facilities

Business Women of the Year - Cecile Lavigne, Squeek E Kleen
Business Women of the Year - Lisa Jodoin - Scentsy
Business Women of the Year - Erin Wood - Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care
Business Women of the Year - Kathy Judson - ReMax Realty
Business Women of the Year - Shanda Degagne-Begin - Leon Degagne Ltd.
Business Women of the Year - Lillian Gerley - UPS Store

Customer Service Award - Business - Webb's WholeSale
Customer Service Award - Business - C.I.B.C.
Customer Service Award - Business - Boston Pizza
Customer Service Award - Business - Betty`s Fort Frances
Customer Service Award - Business - Sunset Country Ford Sales Ltd.
Customer Service Award - Business - Fort Frances Dental Centre
Customer Service Award - Business - Starbucks
Customer Service Award - Business - UPS Store

Customer Service Award - Individual - Andrea Avis - Fort Frances Public Library
Customer Service Award - Individual - Laurie Webb-Brown - Tim Hortons
Customer Service Award - Individual - Steve Lenart - Bell Aliant
Customer Service Award - Individual - John Pearce - Fort Frances Times
Customer Service Award - Individual - Krista Kellar - Citi Financial
Customer Service Award - Individual - Nisa Blase - Dairy Queen
Customer Service Award - Individual - Sandra McNay - Masquerade Rentals

Employee of the Year - Tana Mann - CIBC

Employee of the Year - Brenda Allan - CIBC
Employee of the Year - Heather  - Shoppers Drug Mart
Employee of the Year - Shelley - RBC
Employee of the Year - Judy Kielczewski - Betty`s Fort Frances
Employee of the Year - Duane Hicks - Fort Frances Times
Employee of the Year - Anne-Marie Armstrong - Metis Nation of Ontario
Employee of the Year - Jeff Savage - BDO Canada LP
Employee of the Year - Erin Caul - Dairy Queen
Employee of the Year - Linda Meadwell - 93.1 The Border

Entrepreneur of the year - Dean Bethune & Todd Bruyere - Saulteaux Consulting & Engineering
Entrepreneur of the year - Nick Beyak - Sunset Country Ford Sales Ltd.
Entrepreneur of the year - Niacatchewenin Development Corporation
Entrepreneur of the year - Travis Glowasky - Studio Gibbous
Entrepreneur of the year -  Erin Wood - Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care
Entrepreneur of the year - Dawn Gustafson - Life Time Smiles Preventive Oral Health Care

Home Based Business Award  - It's All in the Detail
Home Based Business Award  - SKS Unlimited
Home Based Business Award  - Inga Design
Home Based Business Award  - Scentsy, Connie Hendrickson
Home Based Business Award  - Kirsty Integalactic Daycare Service, Kirsty Sinclair

Safety Award  - Doug Brown - Town of Fort Frances
Safety Award  - Rob Payne - Lakewood Tire
Safety Award  - Shanda Degagne-Begin, Leon Degagne Ltd.

Small Business Trainer of the Year - World of Water
Small Business Trainer of the Year - M.L. Caron Electric
Small Business Trainer of the Year - Ryan Mason Contracting
Small Business Trainer of the Year - Rusty Myers Flying Service, Angela Korzinski
Small Business Trainer of the Year - ACO Electric, Adam Jewell

Volunteer of the Year - Chad Canfield
Volunteer of the Year - Rochelle Mosbeck
Volunteer of the Year - Gabriela Hanzuk
Volunteer of the Year - Joelle Paull