Teachers Take Strike Vote

High school teachers in the Rainy River district have taken a strike vote.

97 per cent of members with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation gave support to action in balloting last week

Despite the government's threat to take its right to strike away, local president Kent Kowalski says the vote was conducted to give teachers a voice to indicate opposition to the legislation contract imposed by the Liberal government.

He says teachers also want to bargain collectively without interference.

No strike date has been set and no talks between the teachers and the Rainy River District School Board are planned.

Residents Talk Plenty At Health Care Meetings

New Democrats have some first-hand knowledge of what's wrong with the health care system in northwestern Ontario.

Health Critic Frances Gelinas and MPP Sarah Campbell toured the Kenora-Rainy River riding to hear from area residents.

Gelinas believes the system can be improved without having to spend more money.

Gelinas intends to use the information in future discussions with Health Minister Deb Matthews.

Park Cuts Criticized

The Ministry of Natural Resources is being criticized for its decision to cut jobs and downgrade the designation of Caliper Lake Provincial Park in Nestor Falls.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Liberals are failing to take into consideration the impact the decision will have on the local economy.

The changes at Caliper mean many parks services won't be available to users.

The Liberals says low visitation was a reason for the changes.

Campbell says had the area's travel centres been open, more people may have visited the park.

Fire Danger High In Northwestern Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources says there's an extreme fire danger in northwestern Minnesota.

Warroad Area forest supervisor Adam Munstenteiger says it is so dry that even hot vehicle mufflers and lawn mowers are sparking fires.

More Forest Fires In Rainy River District

MNR file photo

Two new forest fires were reported in the Rainy River district on the weekend, both human-caused.

Both the fires near Scotch Lake, and in the Marmion Lake areas,  northeast of Atikokan, were small in size and are both out.

There have been a total of 70 forest fires in the district this year.

Park Mischief

OPP are turning to the pubic for assistance in solving an incident of mischief at a Fort Frances park .

Police says someone forcibly entered the washroom and storage building at Lion's Park August 22, damaging plumbing fixtures to cause water to leak all over the building.

A number of beer bottles were also broken inside.

Damages are estimated at $15-hundred dollars.

Park Cuts

A provincial park in Nestor Falls is among ten the Ministry of Natural Resources says will see staff cuts and have their designation downgraded.

The changes at Caliper Lake, and others, means campers will not be able to access any services.

The Ministry says low visitation is the reason for the change.

The MNR is also replacing its Ontario Ranger Program with a new Stewardship Youth Ranger Program .

Potential Dog Park Sites Identified

A town advisory committee is a step closer to identifying where an off-lease dog park may be located in Fort Frances.

Chair Duane Hicks says they've identified six potential sites so far.

The include sites near the water tower, St. Francis Sports Field, near Legion Park, on Lillie Avenue north between 5th and 6th Avenues west, town property near the Sixth Street Rink and property at the very end of Phair Avenue.

Hicks says more sites could be identified before they solicit public input and make a final recommendation to council later this fall

Like Gillons'

A Fort Frances business has come up with a unique way of raising money for Riverside Foundation for Health Care's "Together We Can Campaign."

Christine Denby of Gillons' Insurance says they're asking people to simply "Like" them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter.

For every person who does so, the company will donate one-dollar to the campaign for a new mammography unit.

Gillons' campaign will continue up until October 13

Cancer Centre Becoming Paperless

The Regional Cancer Centre in Thunder Bay is becoming paperless.

All of its patient records will soon all be computerized.

It's costing the Centre more than two-million dollars to make the switch by March of next year.

Doctors in thirteen regional sites will have access to the new record system.

United Churches Meet

United Churches across northwestern Ontario gathering in Fort Frances for a weekend conference.

Knox United Church hosted the fall meeting of the Cambrian Presbytery.

Reverend Barb Miller says some of the discussions for the over sixty delegates were over how to maintain a full time youth minister.

A youth conference at Zion Lutheran Church is also taking place with the focus on social justice issues.

Deficit Reduction

Deficit reduction is the aim of the latest round of budget cuts in the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Minister Michael Gravelle says the cuts are intended to have as little impact as possible on the management of the provinces resources.

The cuts include a reduction of services and job cuts at ten provincial parks, including at Caliper Lake in Nestor Falls.

Tory Waver On Wage Freeze Bill

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives are highly critical of the Liberals' proposed public sector wage freeze bill, but won't say if they'll help the minority government against to get it passed.

The Tories voted to support the Liberals' bill imposing a contract for teachers.

Tory critic Monte McNaughton says the legislation affecting almost half-a-million public sector workers is weak and exempts too many people.

The New Democrats call the wage freeze legislation "wrong-headed.''

Locum House Fundraiser

Supplied photo

Fundraising for the home in Rainy River that will provide accommodations for doctors providing temporary medical care in the community continues.

A Harvest Supper and Pie Auction will be held October 21st at the Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church.

Construction of the home is well underway with walls and the roof expected to start going up in the coming weeks.

Campfire Restrictions Lifted

The U.S. Forest Service is lifting campfire restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness because of cooler temperatures and shorter days.

Forest managers have also reopened an area along the Canadian border and around Knife Lake.

The area was closed earlier this month while a fire was burning within Quetico Provincial Park on the Canadian side.

Fire crews will continue to monitor the area.

Watch For Animals On Road

A safety reminder from the Canadian Automobile Association.

Wildlife become more active this time of year, often leading to more vehicle collisions with animals on the road.

The CAA's Korey Kennedy says drivers should take precautions, especially when driving at night.

Kennedy recommends breaking firmly if you see an animal on the road, instead of trying to swerve around it.

Attraction Visits Down

Less than expected attendance to some attractions in Fort Frances this summer.

About 550 people visited the Hallet and Fire Tower in July and August, about 150 less than last year.

Visits to the Museum were about the same, but curator Sherry George says it's only because of separate events in Augusts for the International Bridge's 100th anniversary and Ernest Oberholtzer's northern Manitoba canoe trip that attracted large crowds.

George says the closure of Ontario's Travel Information Centre may have played a factor in attendance.

Mine Assessment Decision Next Month

Rainy River Resources photo

Rainy River Resources will know next month if it will be required to conduct a federal environmental assessment of its proposed gold mine north of Barwick.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is currently reviewing comments received to its requests for input.

The Agency says a final ruling could come as early as October 19th.

Fires Burn At National Park

Parks Canada photo

Five forest fires burning within northwestern Ontario's only National Park are being allowed to burn themselves out.

Four of the fires at Pukaskwa National Park near Marathon were caused by lightning.

Parks Canada says all are in remote areas of the park and posing no threat to visitors.

The other is a prescribed burn, park officials say is showing little activity.