Question of the Week

Do you think the provincial government is right in cutting fees and freezing wages of doctors?

That's our poll question at 931theborder.ca.

Last week, 79 per cent of respondents said they plan to donate dollars to Riverside Foundation for Health Care's fundraiser for a new digital mammography unit.

New EDO Sought

The city of International Falls is planning to hire a full-time person responsible for economic development.

Councillor Tim McBride says it will ease the workload of other staff who are now doing some of the responsibilities of an economic development officer.

Mayor Shawn Mason abstained from voting say it's a position she may apply for in the future.

Agreement Holds Up New Cold Box

The finalizing of an agreement is holding up efforts to build a second unit at International Falls' cold weather testing facility.

An unnamed company is interested coming to the falls to conduct testing.

Koochiching Economic Development Authority's Paul Nevanen says they working on what is now a fourth final agreement.

Nevanan says if the facility is to open this year, they would need an agreement in place by June

Needle Disposal Promoted

The Northwestern Health Unit is launched new campaigns on how to safely dispose of needles found in public places.

Spokesperson Gillian Lunny says it's aimed at people of all ages.

Lunny says they're mandated by the province to operate needle exchange program, having distributed more than 124-thousand over the past year.

Doctors Fees Slashed

The Ontario government is slashing some fees paid to doctors, who have walked away from contract talks with the Liberals.

The changes include slashing payments for self-referrals - the practice of referring a patient back to a doctor's own practice for an additional procedure, and for cataract surgeries.

PC Want Wage Freeze Now

The Progressive Conservatives plan to introduce legislation that imposes an immediate two-year wage freeze on Ontario's public sector worker.

Leader Tim Hudak says the Liberal government's attempts to negotiate a voluntary freeze isn't working.

Hudak says the economic uncertainty created by the weekend elections in France and Greece and Ontario's recent credit downgrade require immediate action.

McGuinty Invites Opposition To Liberals

The opposition parties are accusing Premier Dalton McGuinty of trying to buy his way to a majority by using the government appointment process for partisan gains.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says there are reports McGuinty has bragged to the Liberal caucus about offering plum government posts to opposition members.

The Premier responded by saying the Liberals would welcome any Tories or New Democrats who want to cross the floor and sit with the government.

Stolen Vehicle Found

Ontario Provincial Police are on the lookout for two young men they believe may be connected to a stolen vehicle found in Stratton last week.

The vehicle was taken from Timmins and found abandoned in the parking lot of the Country Corner Cafe last Wednesday.

Police say the two men were seen hitch-hiking in the area.

They were carrying a cardboard sign that read "we don't bite" and a black guitar case.

Bear Program Changing

The provincial government's Bear Wise program is changing.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the ministry will no longer trap and relocate bears.

That job will now be left up to the police to handle.

Mental Health Week

It is Mental Health Week in Canada.

Sandy Skirten with the Fort Frances chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association say it's to bring attention and awareness of mental illness and programs available.

The highlight of the week will be a Health and Wellness Fair Tuesday at the Townshend Theatre with a presentation from Doctor Michael Evans.