New Doc For Rainy River

A sense of relief in the town of Rainy River

A second full-time physician will come on board in September to work at both the clinic and Rainy River Health Centre's emergency department.

Jack Elliott of the Rainy River Health Care Committee says the hiring of Dr. Joe Ennett doesn't mean an end to locums.

Doctors from outside the region are now providing emergency room coverage until September.

Ennett, who flies his own plane, is among those now providing that coverage, flying in from his home in Stratford.

Dragon Boats Get Town Dollars

Some financial help for the first-ever Dragon Boat Festival in Fort Frances.

Town council has approved a one-time grant of one-thousand dollars.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas says the unique event deserves their support.

Councillor Ken Perry says with the town struggling to fund long-existing projects, he found it difficult to support something new at this time.

Funding Delays Impact Local Projects

Delays in getting approval of federal funds are having an impact on some economic initiatives planned for the Rainy River district.

Geoff Gillon of Rainy River Futures Development Corporation says requests to FEDNOR have yet been approved for a new three year plan.

Gillon says they're also awaiting on funds for the Go-Local campaign, he says, can't be fully implemented without

Moffat Funding Handed Out

More than $37-thousand have has been handed out to nine organizations in the Fort Frances area.

Mayor Roy Avis handed out checks from the Moffat Foundation at last night's council meeting.

The Salvation Army is receiving $8,000 to help disadvantaged families cover the cost of school supplies for their children.

Loaves and Fishes will use $3,300 to upgrade and replace some equipment at its soup kitchen.

Northern Community Development Services (NCDS) is getting $5,000 for its dragon boat festival.

908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron receives $3,000 to support its activities geared to youth 12 to 18.

Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services gets $3,650 to continue the distribution of glow sticks at Halloween in Fort Frances.

Safe Communities Rainy River District will use $5,000 to enhance its Ripple Effect message of choices and consequences on youth.

Fort Frances Lion's Club will purchase new surveillance cameras for Lion's Park and extend a brick walkway with $3,100.

OPP Youth Foundation's gift of $3,500 will go towards its summer camp this summer

Infrastructure Work Begins Next Week

Two infrastructure projects in the town of Fort Frances are about to start.

Installation of a new water main along King Highways, between Daniel Avenue and Pit Road 1, will start next week.

Upgrades to the pumping station at the Portage Avenue underpass will start a week later.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says there may be a partial closure of the underpass at some period during the work there.

Both projects are being done by Makkinga Contracting of Thunder Bay.

More Omnibus Bills In Ottawa

There could be another large omnibus bill coming before MP's in the House of Commons this fall.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he hasn't been told what it may contain, but worries debate will be limited as it was with the budget bill.

The budget bill contained changes to several pieces of legislation effecting such things as old age security, the environment and fisheries.

OPG Atikokan Plant Conversion Still on Track

The Atikokan Generating Station is still on track for conversion to biomass.

That's the promise of Energy Minister Chris Bentley who was in Thunder Bay Monday meeting with northwestern Ontario municipal leaders.

The province is planning to start work on converting the coal-fired plant by next year.

Building Stats

Plenty of construction started in Fort Frances last month.

Statistics released by the town's show building permits for fifteen projects, totaling over $565-thousand, were issued in May.

It included a $116-thousand project at Walmart for the town's newest Tim Hortons restaurant which opening last week.

Another $140-thousand project is underway at the Scenic River Mall where the former 364 Store is becoming Shopper's Home Health Care's new location.

Treaty Three Support for Kelly

The new grand Chief of Treaty 3 expects area chiefs will give former chief Diane Kelly full support in her bid  to become leader of the Assembly of First Nation.

Warren White, who defeated Kelly in recent elections, says she was an effective leader for Treaty 3.

Kelly is one of seven candidates trying to unseat Shawn Atleo at next month's annual meeting.