Former Call Centre Worker Speaks Out

 A former worker of a Thunder Bay call centre that worked for the Conservatives in May's election says she was instructed to tell people Elections Canada had changed their polling locations.

In a sworn affidavit, Annette Desgagne says she and her colleagues at Responsive Marketing Group grew suspicious when people questioned them about the new polling locations.

Desgagne says her supervisors told her to just stick to the scripts when she voiced her concerns.

College Scores Good Report

Confederation College is boasting about a new report that gives the school the number one ranking in the province for graduate employment rate.

President Jim Madder says their internship programs make all the difference.

Madder also credits the faculty for the good numbers

Local Volunteer Recognized

A long-time volunteer in Fort Frances has been recognized by the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Cindy Gauthier with the Valley Diabetes Education Centre receives a five year pin from the Association.

Gauthier was one of three northwestern Ontario volunteers honoured at a ceremony in Fort Frances yesterday.

It's a Start

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath calls it a "baby step."

The minority Liberal government won some NDP support with the announcement the Ontario Power Authority and the Independent Electricity System Operator will merge.

Horwath says her party would also like to see Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation returning under the same roof.

Festival Results from Wednesday

Caitlin Rittau one of the star performers behind the ivories at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts yesterday.

Rittau captured four first place finishes in the third day of piano competitions.

They continue today at the Townshed Theatre and tonight at Knox United Church.

Some of the afternoon performances are closed to the public.

Here's a list of all winners from Wednesday.


CLASS P1301 Piano Solo, Open Piano, Introductory
1. Naomi Dunn - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes by M. David, A. Hoffman and J. Livingston
2. Gavyn DeBenetti - In Dreams arranged by Tom Gerau

CLASS P1302 Piano Solo, Open Piano, Elementary
1. Sydney Beck - Breakaway arranged by Dan Coates
2. Samantha Martin - Fallin’ For You by Colbie Calliat

CLASS P1303 Piano Solo, Open Piano, Intermediate
1. Gareth Dunn - Wonka’s Welcome Song by Danny Elfman, arranged by Dan Coates
2. Kayla Stang - On My Own, from LES MISERABLES by Schönberg and Boublil

CLASS P032-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 3
1. Miko Kooistra - Legend of Madrid from Faber and Faber

CLASS P032-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 4
1. Caitlin Rittau - If You Believe by Jim Brickman

CLASS P041-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 4
1. Caitlin Rittau - Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar
2. Gemma Friesen - Distant Bells from Faber and Faber

CLASS P043-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Jazz, Level 4
1. Caitlin Rittau - New York, New York by John Kander

CLASS P044-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 4
1. Caitlin Rittau - Arabesque by J. F. Burgmüller

CLASS P011-M-A Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 1
1(tie). Grace Kooistra - Somewhere Over the Rainbow from Faber and Faber
1(tie). Lauryn Marchant - This is Not Jingle Bells from Faber and Faber
2(tie). Olivia Eldridge - Bravery at Sea from Bastien
2(tie). Kaylyn Levesque - The Dreydl Song from Faber and Faber

CLASS P012-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 1
1. Kenna Spuzak - Cops and Robbers from Bastien
2(tie). Grace Kooistra - In the Jungle by Weiss, Peretti and Creatore
2(tie). Chandler Borger - Take Me Out to the Ball Game from Faber and Faber

CLASS P013-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Jazz, Level 1
1. Chandler Borger - I’ve Got Music from Faber and Faber
2(tie). Katrina Koomans - Dinosaur Stomp from Faber and Faber
2(tie). Grace Kooistra - San Francisco Trolley from Faber and Faber

CLASS P014-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 1
1. Lauryn Marchant - Scarf Dance from Faber and Faber
2. Mya Hamilton - Ode to Joy from Bastien

CLASS P015-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Sacred, Level 1
1. MacKenzie Jolicouer - Come Thou Almighty King from Faber and Faber
2. Andrea Schram - What a Friend We Have in Jesus from Faber and Faber

Renewed Calls for Substance Abuse Strategy

The province is being pressed again for a substance abuse strategy that helps First Nations addicts deal with the withdrawal of oxycontin.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says since bringing up the issue two months ago, many health care providers and communities still look for help.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says she has convened a expert panel that's looking at how to deal with those addicted to prescription pills.

Electricity Agencies Merging

Two of Ontario's large electricity agencies are being merged.

The sources say the Liberal government will merge the Ontario Power Authority and the Independent Electricity System Operator.

The New Democrats called for agency consolidation as part of their budget demands.

Transportation Study Underway

Officials from across the region are gathering in Thunder Bay today for the first of several meetings on a new transportation strategy for northern Ontario.

Project Manager Carolyn Degroot says the plan will outline strategies for all modes transportation.

Degroot says the public will also be given an opportunity to comment at a later day with a final report expected next year.

Bigger Fireworks Possible

Minnesota residents may be able to purchase large fireworks in the State this summer.

A bill permitting their sale to consumers has been approved by the Senate and is awaiting a final vote in the House.

The current law limits consumers to sparklers and other toys low in explosives.

Emergency personnel are opposed to a looser law, saying it will cause more injuries and property damage.

Diabetes Research Highlighted

More than 3500 years of research into diabetes will be outlined at a Fort Frances event today.

Grant Maltman, curator of Banting House in  London, Ontario, is speaking at today's Canadian Diabetes Association Expo.

Maltman says the first documented mention of the disease dates back to 1552 B.C.

Canadian Doctor Frederick Banting conceived the idea of insulin in 1921.

Festival Winners from Tuesday

Plenty of double winners in the second day of piano competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of Performing Arts.

Gavyn Debenetti, MacKenzie Wright, Jacob Gustafson, Macy Andeson, Tianna Velhuisen  and Erin Gustafson each picked up first place certificates in two divisions.

The competitions continue today at the Townshend Theatre and tonight at the Knox United Church.

Here's a list of all winners from Tuesday.



CLASS P003 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own choice, Introductory Level
1. Gavyn Debenetti - To Fly Like an Eagle by Anne Crosby

CLASS P107 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 1
1. MacKenzie Wright - Space Fleet by Christopher Norton

CLASS P207 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 2
1. Jacob Gustafson - Crocodile Teeth by Nancy Telfar
2. Macy Anderson - Etude in D Minor, Op. 82, No. 65 by C. Gurlitt

CLASS P002 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, 20th or 21st Century, Introductory Level
1. Gavyn DeBenetti - Starfish at Night by Anne Crosby

CLASS P102 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romanatic or 20th or 21st Century, Grade 1
1. MacKenzie Wright - Mist by Clifford Poole

CLASS P202 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic or 20th or 21st Century, Grade 2
1. Macy Anderson - The Mouse in the Coal Bin by Clifford Poole
2(tie). Jacob Gustafson - Turkish Bazaar by Mark Mrozinski
2(tie). Madison Krikke - Rag Time by Christopher Norton


CLASS P303 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic or 20th or 21st Century, Grade 3
1 1. Alexa Veldhuisen - Snoopy by William Lea
2. Judy Wu - Snoopy by William Lea

CLASS P403 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic or 20th or 21st Century, Grade 4
1. Katelyn Bruyere - Monkeys in a Tree by Boris Berlin

CLASS P603 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic or 20th or 21st Century, Grade 6
1. Tianna Veldhuisen - Hungarian Dance by L. Papp
2. Beth Ward - Bright Orange by Robert Starer

CLASS P507 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 5
1. Jordan Bruyere - Sweet Sorrow, Op 100, No. 16 by J. F. Burgmüller

CLASS P607 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 6
1. Tianna Veldhuisen - The Broken Record by Mike Schoenmehl
2. Beth Ward - Toccatina, Op. 27, No. 12 by D. Kabalevsky



CLASS P903 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic, Grade 9
1. Caitlin Sande - April by Tschaïkowsky

CLASS P803 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic, Grade 8
1. Oryn Albanese - Chanson Triste by V. S. Kalinnikov
2. Lucas Koomans - Prelude in B Minor by Frédéric Chopin

CLASS P703 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Romantic or 20th or 21st Century,
Grade 7
1. Erin Gustafson - Venetian Boat Song by F. Mendelssohn
2. Maureen Gustafson - Go to Sleep by H. Hofmann

CLASS P707 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 7
1. Erin Gustafson - Étude by D. Kabalevsky

CLASS P1704 Piano Ensemble, One Piano, Two Performers, Advanced
1. Sarah Bagacki and Kaitlyn Chiasson - Russian Theme by Rachmaninoff

CLASS P1404 Piano Solo, Own Composition, Advanced
1. Trevor Barker - Center Stage by Trevor Barker

CLASS P204 Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Inventions, Grade 2
1(tie). Macy Anderson - Canon by Cornelius Gurlitt
1(tie). Jacob Gustafson - Jazz Invention No. 2 by Pierre Gallant

2. Madison Krikke - Jazz Invention No. 2 by Pierre Gallant

CLASS P001-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Introductory Level
1(tie). Piper Danylchuk - Yankee Doodle from Faber and Faber
1(tie). Emma Toriseva - Rain, Rain, Go Away from Faber and Faber
2(tie). Josiah Peltomaki - Old MacDonald Had a Song from Faber and Faber
2(tie). Erica Lemelin - Rain, Rain, Go Away from Faber and Faber

CLASS P002-M Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Introductory Level
1. Liam Dent - Row, Row, Row Your Boat from Bastien
2(tie). Angie Redford - Row, Row, Row Your Boat from Bastien
2(tie). Teagan Friesen - Lean on Me from Faber and Faber

Local Skills Competition Winner

A district high school student is heading to Waterloo at the end of this month to showcase her culinary skills.

Alice Johnston won the individual culinary arts competition at a regional event put on by Confederation College.

Johnston was the only student from the Rainy River district to qualify for the Ontario Technological Skills Competition.