Tourism Season Outlook

Ont. Sunset Country Travel Assoc. photo

The area's tourism officials aren't sure what the coming summer will bring for their industry.

They did see the federal government address the issue of minor criminal offenses of American visitors at the border.

But Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association's Gerry Cariou doesn't think that will have a huge impact on numbers.

Cariou says the closure of the region's tourist information centres will have a negative impact.

More Questions About Tourism Centre Closings

The search for answers to why the tourist information centres in our region have closed continues at Queen's Park.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell told the Minister of Tourism in the legislature yesterday the numbers don't add up.

Michael Chan says tourists are simply getting more of their travel information on line.

Doctors Say Proposal Hurts Local Recruitment

Ontario's doctors say a proposal offered up by the province will have an impact in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Medical Association president Doctor Stewart Kennedy says proposed cuts to the fees doctors charge will hurt the regions ability to recruit and retain physicians.

Kennedy says with the demand for more doctors south of the border, Ontario won't be able to compete.

Anti-Bullying Legislation Heads To Committee

It looks like anti-bullying legislation in Ontario is moving ahead in the legislature after being bogged down for weeks.

All three parties have agreed to allow two bills -- one Liberal and one Conservative -- to go to committee.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says she hopes the all-party committee can find a way to combine the two.

Fee Hikes Approved By Governor

The plan to hike hunting and fishing licenses in Minnesota has the Governor's approval.

Mark Dayton signed off a bill that boosts a range of fees to bolster wildlife resource management.

A resident fishing license will now cost $22 while a deer hunting license goes to $30.

The same bill also establishes an annual wolf hunt in the State.

Math Olympic Medallist

RR District School Board photo

A silver medal for a Robert Moore School student at the recent Math Olympics in Thunder Bay.

Grade 7 student Judy Wu was among six students from the school who participated.

The event requires students to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical concepts through a variety of problem-solving exercises.

Two others grade 7 students, Connor Bates and Robyn French, finished in the top ten of their respective divisions.

Atikokan Chamber Award Winners

Atikokan Chamber of Commerce has recognized it's community's best.

The Bargain! Shop was the winner of the Business Excellence Award sponsored by 931 The Border.

Sunset Windows and Doors earned Entrepreneur of the Year honours.

Atikokan Fire Rescue took the Health and Safety Award.

The Barnard Family, Ryan,  Jessie, Marvin, Cathy and Amber, received the Ambassador award for their work with the Atikokan 4x4 MudFling.

McHappy Success

It was a McHappy Day in Fort Frances Wednesday.

The local McDonald's Restaurant raised $2,032  as part of McHappy Day.

The money will go to the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto.