Teachers Union To Speak Out Against Provincial Deal

The leaders of four unions will be commenting today on a deal reached yesterday between the province and the English Catholic Teachers Association.

The Catholic teachers broke ranks with other unions, by accepting a two year wage freeze and three unpaid professional development days, which the Liberal says amounts to a 1.5-per-cent pay cut.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has called the government's demands ``insulting.''

OPG Reducing Workforce

Ontario's leading power provider is planning to cut one-thousand positions over the next three years.

Ontario Power Generation says the jobs will be eliminated through attrition between now and 2014.

 Spokesman Ted Gruetzner says the company is not planning to lay off any employees or offer incentive packages to encourage staff members to retire early.

More Fires Detected In Rainy River District.

MNR file photo

Three more forest fires to report in the Rainy River district.

All are small in size.

A fire at Kagaki Lake, north of LaVallee township, is listed as being out.

One near Reeves Lake, far north of Fort Frances, is listed as being held while the third, identified south of Clearwater West Lake, northwest of Atikokan, is still burning.

Cause of all three fires is unknown at this time.

There have been 25 forest fires in the Rainy River district so far this season.

Project Safe Halloween Going Beyond Rainy River

KRRDCA photo

A safety program initiated in the Rainy River district is being expanded.

Glow sticks, handed out every Hallowe'en, will now be distributed to youngsters throughout the Kenora district this year.

Betty Anne Johnson of the Kenora-Rainy River District Children's Aid Society says it continues a program started 10 years ago by the former Rainy River agency.

The OPP and the Northwestern Health Unit are partnering.

Blood Donor Clinics Dates Announced

Canadian Blood Services photo

The Canadian Blood Services has announced the dates of its summer blood clinics in Fort Frances.

The August 13 and 14 clinics will be held at the Fort Frances High School.

The agency says its looking for 270 donors to fill spaces available.

You can make an appointment by booking through the Blood Services website or calling 1-888-2- DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

"Let's Talk Health"

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to Talk About Health.

The Health Unit has launched an on-line video, Medical officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs says highlights things beyond health care that affect a person's health.

The video can be seen on the Health Unit's website.

Bridge Work Starts Monday

Work to replace two bridges on Highway 11 east of International Falls is to begin Monday.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says traffic at the Tilson Creek and Jackfish Bay bridges will be reduced to one lane controlled by traffic signals.

The projects are scheduled to be completed by June of next year.

Teacher Deal

The provincial Liberals have reached a new labour deal with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says the union, which represents 45-thousand teachers, has agreed to a two-year deal with no salary increase.

She says the deal should pave the way for agreements with the other teachers unions.

The OECTA is the first teachers group to break ranks with the other unions, who have refused to negotiate after they were told their wages would be frozen.

Evidence Allowed In Murder Case

Evidence from the computers of a Koochiching County man accused of using a totem pole to kill his wife will be allowed in the case against him.

Carl Chester Muggli, of Ray, is charged with intentional second-degree murder in the November 2010 death of his 61-year-old wife, Linda.

The 50-year-old totem pole carver asked the court to suppress evidence obtained during a search of his computers, claiming it was obtained in violation of his constitutional rights.

New Owner For Terrace Bay Mill

New life has been brought to an idled pulp mill in northwestern Ontario.

Aditya Birla Group is purchasing Terrace Bay mill for 300-million dollars with plans to convert it to dissolve wood pulp for rayon fibre.

The former Buchanan Group owned mill has been under creditor protection since 2009