Foundation Questions Use Of Budget Bill

The Quetico Foundation is accusing the provincial government of trying to circumvent the process with proposed amendments to legislation affecting the environment.

The province has included nine such amendments within the provincial budget.

The Foundation's Glenda McLachlan calls it odd the budget bill  is being used for this purpose as it doesn't give the public an opportunity to comment.

McLachlan says usually legislative amendments affecting the environment got through the Environment Bill of Rights registry.

District Church Involved in National Conference

The Evangelical Covenant Church in Rainy River is playing a key part in a national conference today.

The Church is serving as a satellite site to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada's annual meeting, taking place in Edmonton.

Pastor Kors Pater says it's a first for this area.

Pater expects up to forty delegates from the district and Manitoba to take in the conference from Rainy River.

Training Workshop In Fort Frances

Those involved with helping with victims of crime will receive a little help themselves over the next two days.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victims Services Program says Fort Frances is playing host to a conference entitled Responding Effectively to Acute Stress Reaction.

The conference is drawing people from around the region.

Fundraiser Success

The recent Cause for Paws fundraiser in International Falls is being hailed a huge success.

Officials says approximately 15-thousand 500 dollars was raised for the Borderland Humane Society.

That's up over last year's figure.

Trillium Funding Awarded

A Fort Frances sports group is receiving funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Fort Frances Aquanauts Swim Club will received just over $28-thousand to purchase new equipment for safety instruction.

Youth Employment Centre Promoted

NCDS in Fort Frances is out promoting its youth employment centre.

Tyson Grinsell is one of two summer students hired and says they're doing a bit of travel to let both students and employers across district know about the services available.

They're setting up booths in local high schools and plan are planning visits to Rainy River, Emo and Nestor Falls.

They will also be at career fairs coming up in both Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Home Builder Sought Soon

The search for a builder for a home for locum doctors providing emergency room care at the hospital is Rainy River is about to begin.

The Rainy River Locum House Building Committee has given final approval to the home's design and is expected to soon advertise for tenders.

The committee is hoping to have a builder in place by the end of the month with construction starting in the middle of June.

To date, more than $154-thousand has been raised for the project.

Reserve Funds Directed Back To Classroom

The Rainy River District School Board is putting a portion of its reserve funds back into the classroom.

Trustees approved at their meeting Tuesday night to use $1.3 million from reserves toward a variety of programs for the next school year.

They include the appointment of a K-to-12- math coach, the training of a new Reading Recovery Teacher Leader and the funding of four teachers to be appointed as technology coaches.

Funding is also be devoted to maintaining an Aboriginal Early Learning Liaison and an Aboriginal Curriculum Coordinator

Educators Honoured

Three Atikokan educators are being honoured for their long tenure with the Rainy River District School Board.

Cathy Burton, a teacher at North Star Community School, and teacher Peter Burton and principal Jody Labossiere of Atikokan High School have been with the board for 25 years.

They were recognized by trustees at their meeting Tuesday night in Mine Centre.

Health Money Given

Koochiching County is receiving $450-thousand to address the health needs of its residents.

The dollars, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will be spread over a three year period.

It's to be used on a broad range of health care needs from health promotion and disease prevention to expanding oral and mental health services.

Burned Park Area Now Open

File photo

Much of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota burned in a wildfire last year is reopening to the public.

The 93-thousand acre area was closed last year because of concerns over standing dead trees.

Forest managers says visitors should still pay special attention to dead trees in the recovering wilderness and stay on established paths.